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Nas - Street's Disciple
- The cover of Nas’s ninth (7 studio, 1 b-side collection ,one reissue) album, "Street’s Disciple," shows him wearing a crown. It’s only fitting, I suppose, with the "retirement" of Jay-Z that Nas take his turn at being called "King of New York." And if he is truly to be named king, then this newly released double album of his is the perfect coronation music.
One thing that a king must do is let his people know where he stands on political and social issues, and on the songs "A Message To The Feds, Sincerely, We The People" and "The American Way," he lets you know exactly on which side he stands. On a social level, he takes deliberate jabs at Kobe Bryant and "The Coons on UPN 9 and WB" on the sure to be controversial track "These Are Our Heroes". On this track, he invokes the fire and fury of the old Ice Cube (think "Death Certificate" era) as he explains his disgust with how the Lakers star handled his Colorado situation, and how black people lack role models in the entertainment world. He does take the time to name check a few modern-day heroes, and that why this song works. Not only does he point the finger at those he feels needs to be called out, he points us in the right direction of those who are doing the work that should be admired. Problem and solution--something that a lot of rappers don’t do enough of.
A king must also know his history, and "Streets Disciple" stays true to "old school" hip-hop roots. This is most evident on the cuts, ‘U.B.R.," where he breaks down the life history of ‘The God" Rakim, and "Virgo," an amazing track featuring Ludacris on guest vocals and none other than Doug E. Fresh providing the beat box. This track will most definitely take you back to leather Puma’s and fat laces.
Last but not least, a king must show a maturity beyond his years, and if you get nothing else from this record, you will see that the battles with Jay-Z and his struggles with his own self-image have made him grow up tremendously. Never thought I’d live to see the day where he’s bragging: about getting married as he does on "Getting Married," being in love, like on "No One Else in the Room," and just being a good dad and husband as shown on the standout track "War."
All in all, Nas has turned in one of the better releases of the year. This record proves that you are ‘Stillmatic."
Reviewer: ray anderson
new
Reviewer's Rating: 9
Reader's Rating: 9.33
Reader's Votes: 18
Added: 9-Dec-2004
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