I started writing in 2014, 2 whole years after Nas' last studio release. Nas has been one of the artists I've wanted to tackle an album review on for quite some time now, as it's been 6 years since his last full length solo LP, Life Is Good in 2012. 6 long years going Nas-less for hip hop, though what he's been doing in those 6 years is very much left up for debate (unless you saw his Rapture episode on Netflix, dude was buying condos and hosting parties left and right). Fans might've gotten excited when he was featured on DJ Khaled's "Nas Album Done" in 2016, only to be lead on like a fat kid at a Weight Watchers buffet. 6 years in hip hop without an album is quite a feat in today's scene, considering artists are dropping albums monthly and randomly at almost any time, though Nas has never been one to follow the scene of trends. The title of Nas' 11th studio LP is his real name; Nasir. But is it a reflection of himself? Check out my observations below to find out.
Social Activism That Gets People Talking
Nas has shown his capability and willingness to speak on social issues throughout his career, and Nasir is no different. On the opening track, "Not For Radio", the explanation is given for the track's title in it's brutal honesty on the state of the world and police killings that have taken place over the last few years. "I think they scared of us, yeah", the hook belts out, but not before Nas drops his signature jewels like a fumbling robber (that's a bar, keeping that one). Diddy also makes a surprising appearance on the introduction of the track, doing as Diddy does best; talking shit before another rapper goes in and backs it up. The emotional "everything" featuring Kanye West and The-Dream is another candid take on shootings in the U.S. and worldwide; "dark boy don't you cry, there's too much life left in those eyes, don't you let that face go waterfall, don't you learn to love your scars and all, dark boy don't you die, they're just human let them lie, you just know your world and speak your truth, let them come to you for your love and your heart", etc.
Too Short, Not Enough Material/Hardcore Rapping Nas
(*I do not own any of these songs, or the rights to them*)
I know Kanye and everybody was sticking to the general "7 song" theme with these album releases, and it worked well for a generally fun and vibey Kids See Ghosts project, but Nas is much more dense a rapper to only include 7 songs on a project for, especially on his first album in 6 years. Don't get me wrong, I like short albums just as much as the next guy, no filler is a great concept for albums, but as talented and as knowledgeable as Nas is, you expect to hear more stories of the hood while sipping champagne and dining in the finest restaurants... that's just the Nas way now! Anyways, that hardcore old school emcee spittin' type of Nas that we like to see is pretty hard to come by in the 7 songs provided on Nasir, but if there's any song that he uses for his moment to talk his shit and spit bars over, it's "White Label". Over a crazy brass/deep piano sounding key (not sure what that sound is that's used honestly), Nas again effortlessly and wisely boasts his lyrical muscle over a beat that sounds tailored for him, like a Versace suit at a Hennessey party. "Cops Shot The Kid" is a different take on a party anthem, (as Nas boasts in one of the opening lines, "I don't wanna hurt nobody, we just came here to party"), using it to describe a casual night out minding your own business before police come in to stir the pot. Could this be the way to the people's minds and critical thinking? Talk about police brutality in a absolute bop that would get nonstop plays? Nas is thinking next level with this type of strategy.
Though it's a somewhat dense project from a legend with years worth of material both in his head and on wax, it's weird to say that you almost wish for a few fillers? There aren't many ways you can compare Nasir to Life Is Good, but the latter did appear to have more songs that you could let loose to (or what some would refer to as "filler", though it was far from filler). Nasir is seriously mature, but almost too serious, lacking moments that make you juke and jive in a happy go lucky way, though providing thought provoking tunes on the current state of the U.S. that make you nod your head. The difference is Nas' dedication to staying true to raw honesty in hip hop, and though it's appreciated from the heads (like me), you sometimes wonder what Nasty could do over a Metro Boomin beat (as weird as that just felt to say... there's some truth to it). But as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it; Nas delivered a solid (but frustratingly short) project that will probably take months to dissect; which is what makes him one of the greatest.
