Printer-friendly copy Email this topic to a friend
Lobby The Lesson topic #2668916

Subject: "When Nas took chances it never worked for him. Why?" Previous topic | Next topic
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:01 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
"When Nas took chances it never worked for him. Why?"


  

          

When Nas took chances it never worked for him. Why? I mean, "You Owe Me", "You Want See Me Tonight", Untitled LP, Hip Hop is Dead LP and other "Against The Grain" attempts to make a statement. It seem like he always fall a little short unless he make his RAW Nasty Nas songs that we all seem to love. His commercial attempts or "concept" LP's always seem to not be accepted. Now, Nas is my favorite MC but it appears taking chances never jump off for him....or do they in your opinion?

peace

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top


Topic Outline
Subject Author Message Date ID
he always at his best when he's just "nas being nas."
Feb 29th 2012
1
Nas may have the worst ear for beats
Feb 29th 2012
9
      agree
Mar 06th 2012
53
           Pretend or disagree?
Mar 06th 2012
58
                My bad, "ever" or "in hip history" was indeed strong.
Mar 06th 2012
59
                ^^^^^ just speaking all kinds of truths and shit...
Mar 06th 2012
65
actually
Feb 29th 2012
2
RE: actually
Feb 29th 2012
3
generally the masses are stupid
Feb 29th 2012
4
      RE: generally the masses are stupid
Feb 29th 2012
5
RE: actually
Feb 29th 2012
6
in what world is "One Mic" a commercial song?
Feb 29th 2012
21
      you answered your own question
Mar 01st 2012
29
           what?
Mar 01st 2012
39
                once mic was released to radio and sold as a single
Mar 06th 2012
56
                     "the basic definition of commerical is 'for sale'" (c) Selah
Mar 06th 2012
57
"Big things" was his worst thing ever to me. I HATED him trying to
Feb 29th 2012
7
agreed. He was better on 'Heaven'.
Mar 01st 2012
27
RE: "Big things" was his worst thing ever to me. I HATED him trying to
Mar 01st 2012
40
      lol, i love that line though
Mar 07th 2012
80
One could argue "Made U Look" as a lead single was very much a risk
Feb 29th 2012
8
Eh, I get what you mean but it was directly in his own lane for sure
Feb 29th 2012
12
RE: One could argue "Made U Look" as a lead single was very much a risk
Feb 29th 2012
16
I'd certainly say it was more of a risk than 'You Owe Me' was
Mar 05th 2012
50
Nas is like
Feb 29th 2012
10
'Distant Relatives' was a niche success and very successful
Feb 29th 2012
11
Strongly DISAGREE with this thread
Feb 29th 2012
13
He's a victim of his own early success...
Feb 29th 2012
14
RE: He's a victim of his own early success...
Feb 29th 2012
18
Same here.
Mar 01st 2012
23
Agreed but I just want to point out one thing
Mar 01st 2012
26
      Yea - you're most likely right.
Mar 01st 2012
28
It's a great thing
Feb 29th 2012
15
lets see did he do a Country Project? Blues project? Blue grass?
Feb 29th 2012
17
RE: lets see did he do a Country Project? Blues project? Blue grass?
Feb 29th 2012
19
yeah Man he wanted to Be in the same Boat as Jay Z
Mar 01st 2012
34
RE: lets see did he do a Country Project? Blues project? Blue grass?
Feb 29th 2012
20
I thought Distant Relatives was borderline classic
Feb 29th 2012
22
Yep.
Mar 01st 2012
24
RE: Yep.
Mar 01st 2012
25
the lesson loves this album
Mar 01st 2012
32
As a longtime Nas fan, I didn't like it.
Mar 01st 2012
33
I'm not big on reggae either and was terrified to listen to the album lo...
Mar 01st 2012
37
      ^^^^^^ happened the same exact way for me.
Mar 01st 2012
41
      Top 5 all-time live show.
Mar 05th 2012
47
      Yea man. They absolutely killed it.
Mar 05th 2012
49
      RE: ^^^^^^ happened the same exact way for me.
Mar 06th 2012
60
      I saw the tour (which was great) before I heard the album in full
Mar 05th 2012
51
           For sure.
Mar 06th 2012
54
lol, i hated that album
Mar 06th 2012
55
truthfully speaking because HipHop listeners don't allow for
Mar 01st 2012
30
RE: truthfully speaking because HipHop listeners don't allow for
Mar 01st 2012
35
realest talk
Mar 01st 2012
36
Truth.
Mar 01st 2012
42
Even though this is true, this isn't really what we mean with Nas...
Mar 06th 2012
62
problem w/Electric Circus is it sucked.
Mar 06th 2012
63
      RE: problem w/Electric Circus is it sucked.
Mar 06th 2012
68
      Electric Circus did NOT suck...Yin/Yang twins' music sucks, Soulja
Mar 07th 2012
77
      that record sux.
Mar 09th 2012
84
      c'mon dawg. you can't be so obtuse.
Mar 07th 2012
79
Most of the time he takes chances, he sells more records
Mar 01st 2012
31
nas - illmatic = mic geronimo
Mar 06th 2012
52
      I hope you get AIDS and die
Mar 09th 2012
83
i don't agree.
Mar 01st 2012
38
RE: i don't agree.
Mar 01st 2012
43
Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired
Mar 05th 2012
44
RE: Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired
Mar 05th 2012
45
RE: Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired
Mar 05th 2012
46
      RE: Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired
Mar 05th 2012
48
because he's not a good musician.
Mar 06th 2012
61
^ that.
Mar 06th 2012
64
RE: because he's not a good musician.
Mar 06th 2012
67
WOW at the 105BPM cutoff. Because he gets RAW on Nasty which
Mar 06th 2012
69
LOL
Mar 06th 2012
70
Dude needs a good executive producer/A&R
Mar 06th 2012
71
RE: Dude needs a good executive producer/A&R
Mar 07th 2012
72
The last time he experimented with his flow was IWW
Mar 07th 2012
73
That's just not true
Mar 07th 2012
74
      those last three, not so much.
Mar 07th 2012
76
      RE: those last three, not so much.
Mar 07th 2012
78
      RE: That's just not true
Mar 07th 2012
81
dogmatic bullshit.
Mar 07th 2012
75
i've never disagreed with any of this...he the best "writer" to ever rap
Mar 09th 2012
85
kelis
Mar 06th 2012
66
RE: kelis
Mar 09th 2012
82

Joe Corn Mo
Member since Aug 29th 2010
15139 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:05 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
1. "he always at his best when he's just "nas being nas.""
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

whenever he tried to jump on a track
with the hottest producers, it never worked.

partially b/c his fans expected to do "illmatic" again.
partially b/c he can't pick beats for shit.




as for the other chances he took,
they worked in a way.
there was some good stuff on "untitled" and "hip hop is dead."



but even that stuff isn't as good as his "nasty nas" persona.
he spits the best when he's in that mode.
and the beats he picks for that mode are always the best.


so really, the answer is
he's at his best when he's in grimey mode,
and also... when he's NOT in grimey mode... he just picks godawful beats, as a general rule.




>When Nas took chances it never worked for him. Why? I mean,
>"You Owe Me", "You Want See Me Tonight", Untitled LP, Hip Hop
>is Dead LP and other "Against The Grain" attempts to make a
>statement. It seem like he always fall a little short unless
>he make his RAW Nasty Nas songs that we all seem to love. His
>commercial attempts or "concept" LP's always seem to not be
>accepted. Now, Nas is my favorite MC but it appears taking
>chances never jump off for him....or do they in your opinion?
>
>peace

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
King Tuck
Member since Jan 31st 2012
50 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:52 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
9. "Nas may have the worst ear for beats"
In response to Reply # 1


          

in the history of hip hop, following Canibus. Somewhere between It Was Written and l Am, Nas said "fuck a beat." lol

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
lakai336
Member since Aug 17th 2009
1306 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 11:54 AM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
53. "agree"
In response to Reply # 9
Tue Mar-06-12 11:55 AM by lakai336

          

but people will jump in and pretend otherwise shortly.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
Anonymous
Charter member
23221 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 02:53 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
58. "Pretend or disagree?"
In response to Reply # 53
Tue Mar-06-12 03:16 PM by Anonymous

  

          

Just wondering.

Edit...just because I didn't want to leave it at that and not only disagree but think that the opinion of him having the worst ear for beats is another unbelievable double standard fans hold him to.

I will not sit here and act as if Nas has the best ear because he had his fair share of questionable selections.

But the fact remains that if you add up all of Nas dope songs...he would have far and away more than other MCs and I'm talking songs of high quality.

Unreleased tracks...album bangers...the singles that worked.

He has an unbelievable catalogue of individual songs.

And that alone will kill the theory of his terrible ear for beats.

Nas' problem isn't his ear for beats, it's his executive producing on his projects and deciding what makes the record And what doesn't.

He also would benefit from a few less yes men and a few more guys to tell him whensometng isn't working.

But to say he flat out has the worst ear for beats ever is not only wrong but is ridiculous when you look at how many dope songs he has made.

Go to you iTunes and make a playlist of every dope Nas song including the unreleased material and see what I'm talking about instead of basing your opinion on just his duds and ignoring his great material.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                
lakai336
Member since Aug 17th 2009
1306 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 03:47 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
59. "My bad, "ever" or "in hip history" was indeed strong."
In response to Reply # 58


          

I agree with your point overall as it's really listening to his albums as a whole that bugs me. Any given playlist of his best songs would eclipse the majority of hip-hop artists.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 07:53 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
65. "^^^^^ just speaking all kinds of truths and shit..."
In response to Reply # 58


          

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Selah
Member since Jun 05th 2002
16484 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:06 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
2. "actually"
In response to Reply # 0
Wed Feb-29-12 05:14 PM by Selah

          

>"You Owe Me",

hit

>Hip Hop is Dead LP

single was a hit, right?

>His commercial attempts

"oochie wally"? "hate me now"? "if I ruled the world"? "one Mic"? "made you look"? "I can"?

were those not hits?

>"concept" LP's always seem to not be accepted.

folks didn't LOVE the joint with Marley?

the "untitled" one spent 33 weeks on the hiphop chart (peaking at #1)

check this: http://www.billboard.com/artist/nas/chart-history/36620#/artist/nas/chart-history/36620

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:12 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
3. "RE: actually"
In response to Reply # 2


  

          

I agree, I'm just talking about the masses saying these things. Hip Hop is Dead had 6 songs I liked alot.

Distant Relatives was dope to me as well.

To my other dude, I do like "nas being nas but I'm a selfish fan..lol

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Selah
Member since Jun 05th 2002
16484 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:19 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
4. "generally the masses are stupid"
In response to Reply # 3


          

outside of the "nas lost" brigade nobody I've heard has aproblem with him

Illmatic gets all kinda accolades and set a high bar, if you don't do that (with similar overwhelming consensus) every time folks will throw stones

*shrug*

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:21 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
5. "RE: generally the masses are stupid"
In response to Reply # 4


  

          

I agree. For me, I was in college when It Was Written dropped and I still think its a classic. The bootleg I AM is classic. His Lost Tapes show that his unreleased material is second to none in quality. I dont feel "Nas Lost". He is rich, a legend, respected, and has one of the best LP's in the history of the genre.

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Goose
Member since Feb 05th 2006
4635 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:33 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
6. "RE: actually"
In response to Reply # 2


  

          

I thought "Hero" did better than that. a lot of people i know only know that song from Nas.

___________________________
Add me on:
www.gooseohio.bandcamp.com
http://smallkidbigcity.wordpress.com/
http://smallkidbigcity.tumblr.com/
www.facebook.com/zgase
www.facebook.com/pages/Goose/207963479294713
www.twitter.com/gooseohio
www.dwightschrutebeetf

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Duval Spit
Member since Jan 21st 2009
3355 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 11:13 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
21. "in what world is "One Mic" a commercial song?"
In response to Reply # 2


  

          

It blew up,
which was awesome,
but it was a surprise that was a single
let alone a hit.

<----

Larry Otis!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeM89CITvMc

and his free new singles, produced by Tough Junkie!
http://soundcloud.com/toughjunkie/sets/larry-otis-leaks

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Selah
Member since Jun 05th 2002
16484 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 09:14 AM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
29. "you answered your own question"
In response to Reply # 21


          

>....was a single

the basic definition of commercial is "for sale"


  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
Duval Spit
Member since Jan 21st 2009
3355 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 04:43 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
39. "what?"
In response to Reply # 29


  

          

By that standard every album ever released is commercial.

<----

Larry Otis!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeM89CITvMc

and his free new singles, produced by Tough Junkie!
http://soundcloud.com/toughjunkie/sets/larry-otis-leaks

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                
Selah
Member since Jun 05th 2002
16484 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 02:00 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
56. "once mic was released to radio and sold as a single"
In response to Reply # 39


          

thats a big difference from just putting the album up for sale

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                    
Duval Spit
Member since Jan 21st 2009
3355 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 02:44 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
57. ""the basic definition of commerical is 'for sale'" (c) Selah"
In response to Reply # 56


  

          

<----

Larry Otis!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeM89CITvMc

and his free new singles, produced by Tough Junkie!
http://soundcloud.com/toughjunkie/sets/larry-otis-leaks

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

-DJ R-Tistic-
Member since Nov 06th 2008
51981 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:34 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
7. ""Big things" was his worst thing ever to me. I HATED him trying to"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

do the double time flow.

------------------------------

50+ FREE Mixes on www.DJR-Tistic.com!

Twitter and Instagram - @DJ_RTistic

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Dr Claw
Member since Jun 25th 2003
132212 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 09:01 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
27. "agreed. He was better on 'Heaven'."
In response to Reply # 7


  

          

but that song made me frisbee that CD upon 3 seconds of listen.
The beat was El Cheap-O as well.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Ketchums
Member since Jan 30th 2005
3417 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 06:09 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
40. "RE: "Big things" was his worst thing ever to me. I HATED him trying to"
In response to Reply # 7


  

          

WhenIstartedthis,alliwantedwascarsandcribs,likeotherrapartists'ssssssssssssssss

----

https://weketchum.contently.com/

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
IIIIIIIIIIIII
Member since Jan 10th 2007
817 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 05:43 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
80. "lol, i love that line though"
In response to Reply # 40


          

n/m

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

CMcMurtry
Member since Nov 28th 2002
17053 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 05:47 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
8. "One could argue "Made U Look" as a lead single was very much a risk"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I mean, in 2002, during the height of the Neptunesy sounding beats, he puts out a single with a breakbeat sample that has a hook referencing shooting? And radio still played the shit out of that joint.

___________________________
OL' DIRTY BASTARD on himself:
"I may curse, I may have a bad mouth, whatever whatever. I'm not that bad, yaknow'mean. Bad to y'all, I dunno how y'all... I don't give a fuck. Um, I'm a good person at heart, for real and shit.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
-DJ R-Tistic-
Member since Nov 06th 2008
51981 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 06:47 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
12. "Eh, I get what you mean but it was directly in his own lane for sure"
In response to Reply # 8


  

          

------------------------------

50+ FREE Mixes on www.DJR-Tistic.com!

Twitter and Instagram - @DJ_RTistic

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 10:14 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
16. "RE: One could argue "Made U Look" as a lead single was very much a risk"
In response to Reply # 8


  

          

Yeah, that was a risk to me as well in terms of a single. It was "heat"...the streets loved it but radio did play it..

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Bombastic
Charter member
88874 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 11:33 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
50. "I'd certainly say it was more of a risk than 'You Owe Me' was"
In response to Reply # 8


  

          

.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Dr_Gonzo
Member since Feb 07th 2007
1523 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 06:01 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
10. "Nas is like"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

Redman/Busta Rhymes/Eminem
in that he's a damn good rapper, but as an artist he's eh. He tries harder as an artist than a lot of the other rappers that are just good rappers, and that shows (his attempts are rarely ever complete failures, they're just "alright").
While Redman and Busta Rhymes need people to produce good LPs for them (both of them seem to only make songs that are as good as the beat lets them), and Eminem needs a friend to tell him when his shit is actually fuckin' weak, Nas seems like he needs a good executive producer. If he had the vision/production level of MBDTF he'd easily come out with an album that people remember as well as his first two.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Orbit_Established
Member since Oct 27th 2002
52934 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 06:17 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
11. "'Distant Relatives' was a niche success and very successful"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          


400,000 with a killer international tour

I'd say that one worked

----------------------------

Young Broadway Star Urgently Needs a Bone Marrow Donor. Is it you? http://MatchShannon.com/







O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

amplifya7
Member since Feb 07th 2010
2989 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 07:03 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
13. "Strongly DISAGREE with this thread"
In response to Reply # 0


          

I would love to see him push further, but feel Nas has taken a good number of chances musically/artistically and there have been times it bombed and times it worked amazing. probably half and half. I'm not about to go through his discog but i think a good number of tracks on god's son and streets disciple saw him experimenting a bitconceptually and musically to great success..."heaven" "a message to the feds"...and then like mentioned above doing an album with Damian Marley...

IMO his experimenting factors into him being the GOAT for me.

Bandcamp/IG/FB/Twitter: @hecticzeniths

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 07:09 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
14. "He's a victim of his own early success..."
In response to Reply # 0
Wed Feb-29-12 07:10 PM by Brew

          

But that said, I don't totally agree with you that none of those things worked for him. Some people already touched on some of my points but I have a few things to add so I'll try to go point by point.

>When Nas took chances it never worked for him. Why? I mean,
>"You Owe Me", "You Want See Me Tonight"

These didn't work critically with his die hards but they were successful in the mainstream. That said, they were awful, awful songs. And he certainly didn't fit on that style of song. He attempted to step outside his comfort zone(s) and as far as quality goes, he did fail. As far as what I think he set out to do with the songs (sell > quality) he succeeded.


>Untitled LP, Hip Hop
>is Dead LP and other "Against The Grain" attempts to make a
>statement.

These didn't fail at all, IMO. HipHop is Dead and Untitled both sold fairly well. They also produced some midstream hits. At the same time, they maintained a high quality IMO (I love most of both, only a few duds on each), and I think also the opinion of his truer fans who appreciate what he tried to do conceptually while still maintaining that certain rawness that most of us want out of Nas because that's where he sounds his best.


>It seem like he always fall a little short unless
>he make his RAW Nasty Nas songs that we all seem to love. His
>commercial attempts or "concept" LP's always seem to not be
>accepted.

This is what I meant by "victim of his early success". Illmatic worked because it was so short, he was able to stay in his most comfortable zone, which is that raw, ghetto poetry and narratives. Of course the production didn't hurt either. But let's be honest, as lyrically potent as that album is it's not as if he was switching up flows and changing from song to song. Most songs flowed much the same. Don't get me wrong, it's PERFECT in my opinion, I'm just saying it's not like he was switching flows from song to song. It was just so short that the boom bap and rawness of that album didn't have a chance to get stale. And also, again, the beats never get old.

But in my experience, most of the people who bitch and moan about Untitled and HipHop is Dead (whether it's because they are attempts at "concept albums" or because they aren't "raw" enough, which by the way isn't true at all...listen to Money Over Bullshit) are people that are absolutely fixated on Illmatic and will never ever be satisfied unless he drops Illmatic2. I think Nas lacks the dynamic personality and presence which would have allowed him to succeed in his attempts at mainstream hits, but I don't think he's failed quite like you put it. He's had his ups and downs like any MC ever, but I think he's had far far more highs than lows.

Oh...and Distant Relatives was dope as fuck too. I love that that was the road he took for his collaboration album. I saw them live at the House of Blues in Boston and they were incredible.


Now, Nas is my favorite MC but it appears taking
>chances never jump off for him....or do they in your opinion?
>
>peace

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 10:18 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
18. "RE: He's a victim of his own early success..."
In response to Reply # 14


  

          

True. I was basically doing this thread because this is what I have heard people say over the years. I agree with your assessment and Nas has always been my favorite artist. I'm the dude that will argue anyone down that It Was Written and Lost Tapes are Hip Hop classics but thats just me. I like all of Nas LP's except Nastradamus to be honest with you.

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 08:39 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
23. "Same here."
In response to Reply # 18


          

>I like all of
>Nas LP's except Nastradamus to be honest with you.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Anonymous
Charter member
23221 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 08:55 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
26. "Agreed but I just want to point out one thing"
In response to Reply # 14


  

          


>But in my experience, most of the people who bitch and moan
>about Untitled and HipHop is Dead (whether it's because they
>are attempts at "concept albums" or because they aren't "raw"
>enough, which by the way isn't true at all...listen to Money
>Over Bullshit) are people that are absolutely fixated on
>Illmatic and will never ever be satisfied unless he drops
>Illmatic2.

A lot of these people who bitch and moan would've been and would be the same ones complaining if Nas made Illmatic again.

Nas would've caught hate for doing the same album and not doing anything new.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 09:03 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
28. "Yea - you're most likely right."
In response to Reply # 26


          

Nas just can't win with some people. So it's whatever.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

tandmfam
Member since Apr 20th 2010
1614 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 10:13 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
15. "It's a great thing"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

he tries to challenge himself into doing other things.
I don't wanna hear no Illmatic Nas in 2012. I hope he continues to push the envolope.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

mistermaxxx08
Member since Dec 31st 2010
16076 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 10:18 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
17. "lets see did he do a Country Project? Blues project? Blue grass?"
In response to Reply # 0


          

what chances did that turkey take exactly? he still got a career and we are talking two decades. problem for him is he ran out of hits and he pulled that Spike Lee mess of trying to having a shocken theme to sell otherwise hit and miss material and he got old real quickly.

truth is Nas was caught between going gold and Platinum with street cred and hip hop cred,however he craved what Lay Z has and Nas doesn't have that kind of appeal so he fell back.

He has been his own worst enemy,because nothing wrong with his lane,he just never was satisfied with being an Important lyricist and respected Artist.

he wanted the Pop Love and he never had that long reach.

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 10:21 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
19. "RE: lets see did he do a Country Project? Blues project? Blue grass?"
In response to Reply # 17


  

          

There is some truth in what you said to a certain degree. I dont think Nas ever wanted to be Jay-z or anything b/c he is not really a commercial artist but I do think he would have liked to move more units and still be himself for the most part. I get your point though...he has always been somewhat trap in two hip hop worlds

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
mistermaxxx08
Member since Dec 31st 2010
16076 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 02:36 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
34. "yeah Man he wanted to Be in the same Boat as Jay Z"
In response to Reply # 19


          

the cross over attempt songs were obvious 1)

the guy was going Platinum before Jay Z got this thing straight, you know when Hard knock Life hit Nas was still going Platinum 2)

gotta hurt Nas to have to eating so much humble pie and having to play the side to an act who is a bigger commerical draw then you,though you know you can take him out on a battle, however audiences want an act that they relate to more and Nas tried that with hit and miss results 3)

a rival is you dancing toward the opposite what your side is doing and yet you are pushing them and they are pushing you.

"Ether" and "take Over" went directly at the stats and the impact those records weren't on some underground tip, that was about the Stats and where you were or stood. 4)

don't think for a minute that Nas's Ex Wife use to be down with Pharell and guess what? the song that flipped Jay Z in the early 00's was Produced by the Neptunes. coincidence? naw!! 5)

Nas came along when you kept it real and you also had to sell some records and that Elephant in the room has nagged and messed with him arguably more than any other Important RAPPER if you ask me. because he truly has been torn over that. if i make said record and only have a couple of bangers it goes gold, if I bring it Platinum and yet the cross over attempts still don't get me to that Next and why is that??? 6)

mistermaxxx R.Kelly, Michael Jackson,Stevie wonder,Rick James,Marvin Gaye,El Debarge, Barry WHite Lionel RIchie,Isleys EWF,Lady T.,Kid creole and coconuts,the crusaders,kc sunshine band,bee gees,jW,sd,NE,JB

Miami Heat, New York Yankees,buffalo bills

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
tandmfam
Member since Apr 20th 2010
1614 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 10:23 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
20. "RE: lets see did he do a Country Project? Blues project? Blue grass?"
In response to Reply # 17


  

          

Nas would try. Would he fail? Yep but that fool will try.
I appreciate that about dude.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Goose
Member since Feb 05th 2006
4635 posts
Wed Feb-29-12 11:52 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
22. "I thought Distant Relatives was borderline classic"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

obviously its too young to call it that now.

you could say that that album was Damian Marley's, but Nas played his role very well and killed all of his verses.

___________________________
Add me on:
www.gooseohio.bandcamp.com
http://smallkidbigcity.wordpress.com/
http://smallkidbigcity.tumblr.com/
www.facebook.com/zgase
www.facebook.com/pages/Goose/207963479294713
www.twitter.com/gooseohio
www.dwightschrutebeetf

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 08:40 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
24. "Yep."
In response to Reply # 22


          

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 08:49 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
25. "RE: Yep."
In response to Reply # 24


  

          

indeed

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
makaveli
Charter member
16294 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 01:41 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
32. "the lesson loves this album"
In response to Reply # 22


  

          

i never really got into it, i need to listen to it more.

“So back we go to these questions — friendship, character… ethics.”

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
cidolfas
Member since Nov 29th 2006
2244 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 02:32 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
33. "As a longtime Nas fan, I didn't like it."
In response to Reply # 22


  

          

Not big on reggae personally, but there were a few standout cuts.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Ishwip
Member since Jun 10th 2005
19953 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 03:54 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
37. "I'm not big on reggae either and was terrified to listen to the album lo..."
In response to Reply # 33


          

>Not big on reggae personally, but there were a few standout
>cuts.

I bought it first day as a loyal Nas fan, but I was ready and expecting not to like it. I put it in the cd player with a sense of dread and probably with a slight screw face.

And after the first listen, I actually DIDN'T like it that much, although it wasn't terrible and there were some highlights I wanted to hear again.

But on the second listen it just clicked for me. I think it was because I had now heard Nas over non-boom-bap/"East Coast" beats and had moved past the initial disappointment of him not rapping over the type of production I normally associated with him. I could judge the album on its own merits and was pleasantly surprised to find he had come with something dope and outside of his normal lane.
__
I don't like the beat anymore because its just a loop. ALC didn't FLIP IT ENOUGH!

Flip it enough? Flip these. Flip off. Go flip some f*cking burgers.(c)Kno

Allied State of the National Electric Beat Treaty Organization (NEBTO)

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 07:53 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
41. "^^^^^^ happened the same exact way for me."
In response to Reply # 37


          

And for the same reason, I'm not a big reggae fan at all. But this album just resonated after 2-3 listens. And same as you, my first listen I didn't really like it but there were 2-4 songs that I was definitely planning to go back to. Then after the next couple listens I was sold. Nas just sounds so natural over those tracks.

THEN my girl took me to see them live and it was over from there. They fuckin murdered that show.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                
Orbit_Established
Member since Oct 27th 2002
52934 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 09:58 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
47. "Top 5 all-time live show. "
In response to Reply # 41


  

          


>THEN my girl took me to see them live and it was over from
>there. They fuckin murdered that show.

And I've been to about 100 hip hop shows, seen
all the greats



----------------------------

Young Broadway Star Urgently Needs a Bone Marrow Donor. Is it you? http://MatchShannon.com/







O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                    
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 10:03 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
49. "Yea man. They absolutely killed it."
In response to Reply # 47


          

Definitely in my top 5 too, and I've also been to a ton of shows.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 04:12 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
60. "RE: ^^^^^^ happened the same exact way for me."
In response to Reply # 41


  

          

I agree 100%

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
Bombastic
Charter member
88874 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 11:39 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
51. "I saw the tour (which was great) before I heard the album in full"
In response to Reply # 37


  

          

that resulted in me buying the album on my way out of the Wiltern Theater & bumping it on the way home loving the end result.

I can't really remember what my original expectations were for the album but to me that's Nas' best record since at least Stillmatic (partly due to it being a different lane for him but a cohesive project due to it being on Junior Gong's aural turf & fitting the concept of the 'Distant Relatives' themes).

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 12:04 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
54. "For sure."
In response to Reply # 51


          

>I can't really remember what my original expectations were for
>the album but to me that's Nas' best record since at least
>Stillmatic (partly due to it being a different lane for him
>but a cohesive project due to it being on Junior Gong's aural
>turf & fitting the concept of the 'Distant Relatives'
>themes).

I could agree with the Stillmatic comment. I have liked all his albums SINCE Stillmatic but I think this one was the most complete. I was definitely pleasantly surprised at how well he fit into the overall sound of the album considering, like you said, how different a lane it was for him. He (and they) executed flawlessly.

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Phreak
Member since Mar 22nd 2006
1951 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 01:20 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
55. "lol, i hated that album"
In response to Reply # 22


          

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

vee-lover
Member since Jul 30th 2007
20388 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 01:23 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
30. "truthfully speaking because HipHop listeners don't allow for"
In response to Reply # 0
Thu Mar-01-12 01:27 PM by vee-lover

  

          

artists to grow when we've become accustomed to them making certain kinds of music....

Nas has often talked abt how fans and music critics alike say and write how "Illmatic" is one of the greatest records ever recorded in HipHop yet that cd probably still ain't even platinum...I know when it dropped it mainly got love on the underground HipHop circuit...and as a result Nas' follow up cd(s) to 'Illmatic' was an attempt at commercial success and he pretty stayed on that path until "Stillmatic."

Remember when Dr. Dre wanted to get away from doing 'gangsta rap?' how did his fanbase received that?

Outkast grew to become one of the most successful HipHop acts ever but in order to achieve that they had to leave a lot of their fanbase behind who weren't that receptive to "Atliens" and wanted to hear some more "Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik."

How many times have we heard Jay z bring up how ppl are still yearning for some more "Reasonable Doubt" type of music?

HipHop fans can be very narrow when it comes to their musical taste, especially when it involves their favorite artists making different types of music.

Look how Common was criticized for trying to do something different when he made "Electric Circus" which I thought was a very good, eclectic record.

So the problem is not w/Nas, it's with us the listeners....

Some of those projects while they weren't commercially successful were actually good records. I thought "Nigga" was a good concept cd.

grassrootsphilosopher

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 03:32 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
35. "RE: truthfully speaking because HipHop listeners don't allow for"
In response to Reply # 30


  

          

I agree with everything you said....100%

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
mathmagic
Charter member
6078 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 03:49 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
36. "realest talk"
In response to Reply # 30


          

Jordan!

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Brew
Member since Nov 23rd 2002
24376 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 07:53 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
42. "Truth."
In response to Reply # 30


          

----------------------------------------

"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
-DJ R-Tistic-
Member since Nov 06th 2008
51981 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 07:13 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
62. "Even though this is true, this isn't really what we mean with Nas..."
In response to Reply # 30


  

          

Truth is, Nas just hasn't made good music when he took chances.

Best comparisons are Andre and Snoop. They made music that we NEVER expected them to make, especially when first hearing them, but it was still dope as hell even though it was completely different. With Nas, he's great when he's being Nas, but anything else just doesn't feel right.

------------------------------

50+ FREE Mixes on www.DJR-Tistic.com!

Twitter and Instagram - @DJ_RTistic

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
SoWhat
Charter member
154163 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 07:25 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
63. "problem w/Electric Circus is it sucked."
In response to Reply # 30


  

          

and it sucked b/c try as he might, Common (and his ppl) just isn't good at making that type of music. it didn't sound good.

maybe that's Nas's problem. maybe he's 'limited' as an artist. he might be better off staying in 1 or 2 lanes. of course, the only way for him and his audience to find out was for him to take chances. so kudos to him for that.

same w/Common. kudos for going there on Electric Circus. it was a worthy effort that ultimately failed, IMO.

fuck you.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 11:43 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
68. "RE: problem w/Electric Circus is it sucked."
In response to Reply # 63


  

          

I agree about Common and Nas in regard to your comment. When they are in their lane, they are legendary. (Distant Relatives was DOPE to me though) but when they go left field, it doesnt flow well to me...

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
vee-lover
Member since Jul 30th 2007
20388 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 01:34 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
77. "Electric Circus did NOT suck...Yin/Yang twins' music sucks, Soulja"
In response to Reply # 63


  

          

Boy sucks, Drake imo sucks...why? because its mostly disposable music. I have no doubt though that ppl will be listening to EC 20-30 yrs from now and will have a greater appreciation for it than ppl did when it was released (that record was released during the Ja Rule era so go figure)

the main and the same reason ppl criticized that record was also why they *praised* it...because it was an artist taking a chance and doing something different and to me art, whether in music or painting, is supposed to be abt pushing the envelope. Now, whether *you* or anyone else for that matter liked it or not is simply a matter of taste but it didn't suck.

I can name 7 out of 12 songs that I dare you to tell me they were bad songs...particularly when you juxtapose it to other HipHop records that dropped around that same time

-Ferris Wheel featuring Vinia Mojica (the intro was DOPE!)
-Soul Power
-The Hustle
-Come Close featuring Mary was a good record
-Star 69 featuring *Prince* and Bilal (Prince on a HipHop record?? that alone make it dope lol)
-Between Me and You & Liberation the most progressive song Com has made imo (and Cee Lo is great on this record as he is always w/Common)
-I am Music featuring Jill Scott I love this song...

Now, if you can make a record that has 7 good songs on it then I would hardly say the cd "sucks." lol


>and it sucked b/c try as he might, Common (and his ppl) just
>isn't good at making that type of music. it didn't sound
>good.

what??? you mean the same ppl who worked on 'Things Fall Apart'...Voodoo...'Mama's Gun'...'Like Water for Chocolate'...and '1st born 2nd' aren't good at making that type of music?
>
>maybe that's Nas's problem. maybe he's 'limited' as an
>artist. he might be better off staying in 1 or 2 lanes. of
>course, the only way for him and his audience to find out was
>for him to take chances. so kudos to him for that.

but no one can tell me that HipHop listeners aren't the least most sophisticated listeners of ANY genre, even moreso than hard core rock fans...it usually takes HipHop listeners a decade or two before they embrace something different in the music...and a group like 'Arrested Development' is a PERFECT example of that.

Remember how so called HipHop purists criticized them for SINGING on their records back in the early 90s because that wasn't considered "HipHop," nevermind the fact that they made good music, it was just most ppl were accustomed to hearing HipHop artists singing on records back then - fast forward 10-12 yrs later and damn near every artist began singing on their records and they are still doing it to this very day.


>
>same w/Common. kudos for going there on Electric Circus. it
>was a worthy effort that ultimately failed, IMO.

grassrootsphilosopher

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
SoWhat
Charter member
154163 posts
Fri Mar-09-12 05:51 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
84. "that record sux."
In response to Reply # 77


  

          

>I can name 7 out of 12 songs that I dare you to tell me they
>were bad songs...particularly when you juxtapose it to other
>HipHop records that dropped around that same time
>
>-Ferris Wheel featuring Vinia Mojica (the intro was DOPE!)

sux.

>-Soul Power

sux.

>-The Hustle

sux.

>-Come Close featuring Mary was a good record

sux mightily.

>-Star 69 featuring *Prince* and Bilal (Prince on a HipHop
>record?? that alone make it dope lol)

sux.

>-Between Me and You & Liberation the most progressive song Com
>has made imo (and Cee Lo is great on this record as he is
>always w/Common)

sux.

>-I am Music featuring Jill Scott I love this song...

cute.

>Now, if you can make a record that has 7 good songs on it then
>I would hardly say the cd "sucks." lol

that record sux, homie.

>>and it sucked b/c try as he might, Common (and his ppl) just
>>isn't good at making that type of music. it didn't sound
>>good.
>
>what??? you mean the same ppl who worked on 'Things Fall
>Apart'...Voodoo...'Mama's Gun'...'Like Water for
>Chocolate'...and '1st born 2nd' aren't good at making that
>type of music?

yup. they had several good/great ones in a row. then they laid this egg.

>but no one can tell me that HipHop listeners aren't the least
>most sophisticated listeners of ANY genre,

'least most', huh?

even moreso than
>hard core rock fans...it usually takes HipHop listeners a
>decade or two before they embrace something different in the
>music...and a group like 'Arrested Development' is a PERFECT
>example of that.

...AD sucked too. though 'Tennessee' is a classic.

>Remember how so called HipHop purists criticized them for
>SINGING on their records back in the early 90s because that
>wasn't considered "HipHop," nevermind the fact that they made
>good music, it was just most ppl were accustomed to hearing
>HipHop artists singing on records back then - fast forward
>10-12 yrs later and damn near every artist began singing on
>their records and they are still doing it to this very day.

i'm relatively well-versed in the musics in which Com dabbled on EC. so when i say that record sux, it's an informed opinion. it's not that i think the record sux b/c it has non-Hip-Hop references. far from that.

i just don't enjoy listening to Electric Circus as a whole. there are maybe 2 songs on it that i can sorta get into - 'I Am Music' and 'New Wave'. keyword: sorta.

again, i'm a fan of the Soulquarians style and several other albums they worked on back then. this is my least favorite of them all.

fuck you.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
mathmagic
Charter member
6078 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 04:06 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
79. "c'mon dawg. you can't be so obtuse."
In response to Reply # 63


          

Jordan!

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

k_orr
Charter member
80197 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 01:28 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
31. "Most of the time he takes chances, he sells more records"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

he just loses more of his initial Illmatic fanbase.

Take Illmatic out of his catalogue and he might be even more popular and willing to try out new things.

one
k. orr

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Justin_Maldonado_7
Charter member
5042 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 09:18 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
52. "nas - illmatic = mic geronimo"
In response to Reply # 31


          

>he just loses more of his initial Illmatic fanbase.
>
>Take Illmatic out of his catalogue and he might be even more
>popular and willing to try out new things.
>
>one
>k. orr

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
RaFromQueens
Member since Apr 18th 2006
19528 posts
Fri Mar-09-12 05:36 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
83. "I hope you get AIDS and die"
In response to Reply # 52


  

          

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

mwasi kitoko
Member since Jul 15th 2007
60768 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 04:37 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
38. "i don't agree."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

www.royallegacy.org
http://therapfest.com/up-next-artists/

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Thu Mar-01-12 10:27 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
43. "RE: i don't agree."
In response to Reply # 38


  

          

yeah, its hard to say..

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

eddietauf
Member since Mar 15th 2004
2095 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 08:54 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
44. "Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I personally don't think its any one thing, but a combination of circumstances and not necessarily the same combination for each of the efforts you're speaking too.

He's had a ton of uneven albums released, while leaving some quality material on the cutting room floor in the process. I don't think he never quite met his A&R muse and frnakly for all his lyrical talent purhaps he's simply been trying to go to far to fast for his core audience.

_______________________________________


"What's The Relevance Of Money Without Intelligence"

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 09:21 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
45. "RE: Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired"
In response to Reply # 44


  

          

You could be right. He has left waaaaaaaaaaaay too many dope songs unreleased and I never understood that.

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
alexofliveagl.com
Member since Oct 05th 2009
303 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 09:53 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
46. "RE: Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired"
In response to Reply # 44


          

That's exactly what it is.. the records sound so forced

>I personally don't think its any one thing, but a combination
>of circumstances and not necessarily the same combination for
>each of the efforts you're speaking too.
>
>He's had a ton of uneven albums released, while leaving some
>quality material on the cutting room floor in the process. I
>don't think he never quite met his A&R muse and frnakly for
>all his lyrical talent purhaps he's simply been trying to go
>to far to fast for his core audience.
>
>

- LIVEAGL.COM -
**An Open Letter To Jay Electronica ***
<http://bit.ly/GUSfyE>

***Overly Dedicated, The Top 7 Kendrick Lamar Features****
<http://bit.ly/ADUQvt>

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Mon Mar-05-12 10:02 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
48. "RE: Frankly the joints you speak of sound uninspired"
In response to Reply # 46


  

          

Many of them do...

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Guinness
Charter member
26270 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 06:11 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
61. "because he's not a good musician."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

he's a skilled rapper, in terms of being able to write vivid lyrics and spit them one specific way, but he can't write hooks, he can't pick beats and he's generally inept at switching his delivery out of the 85-105 tempo range. people can bark about "illmatic" and unfair expectations all they want, but the simple fact is that if he was good at those things, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
SoWhat
Charter member
154163 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 07:26 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
64. "^ that."
In response to Reply # 61


  

          

fuck you.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 10:18 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
67. "RE: because he's not a good musician."
In response to Reply # 61


  

          

Interesting points...valid debate there....no doubt

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
-DJ R-Tistic-
Member since Nov 06th 2008
51981 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 11:47 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
69. "WOW at the 105BPM cutoff. Because he gets RAW on Nasty which"
In response to Reply # 61


  

          

is 104. But most songs faster than that? He drowns

------------------------------

50+ FREE Mixes on www.DJR-Tistic.com!

Twitter and Instagram - @DJ_RTistic

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Anonymous
Charter member
23221 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 11:50 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
70. "LOL"
In response to Reply # 61


  

          

>he's generally inept at
>switching his delivery out of the 85-105 tempo range.

that's a pretty wide-range and you can accomplish so many different style of beats and delivery within that tempo range.

but why would I expect anything else from you?

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
mrshow
Charter member
12567 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 11:58 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
71. "Dude needs a good executive producer/A&R"
In response to Reply # 61


          

As a writer, he has few peers but he tends to go off in a million different directions when left to his own devices. Say what you want about Jay but he's never rapped as Edward G. Robinson for a full song. At his worst, I sometimes wonder if Serch's role in the creation of Ilmatic is under-recognized.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 08:57 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
72. "RE: Dude needs a good executive producer/A&R"
In response to Reply # 71


  

          

Thats a valid point and yes, that song was horrible. A great executive producer would have never let that happen..lol

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
kwez
Member since Aug 10th 2003
11774 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 11:35 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
73. "The last time he experimented with his flow was IWW"
In response to Reply # 61


  

          

So we know he can do it, he just doesn't now for whatever reason.

************************

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

        
CMcMurtry
Member since Nov 28th 2002
17053 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 11:38 AM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
74. "That's just not true"
In response to Reply # 73


  

          

Message To The Feds, Serious, Purple, You're Da Man, even Hero all had him spitting flows that were outside his usual space.

___________________________
OL' DIRTY BASTARD on himself:
"I may curse, I may have a bad mouth, whatever whatever. I'm not that bad, yaknow'mean. Bad to y'all, I dunno how y'all... I don't give a fuck. Um, I'm a good person at heart, for real and shit.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
Guinness
Charter member
26270 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 12:47 PM

Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
76. "those last three, not so much."
In response to Reply # 74


  

          

and he sounds pretty amateur on "message to the feds." my point is that while guys like cam and jigga are great at adapting to every tempo, nas has usually been awkward outside of traditional boom-bap cadence.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

                
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 03:09 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
78. "RE: those last three, not so much."
In response to Reply # 76


  

          

I agree that at times it sounds forced

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

            
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 06:47 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
81. "RE: That's just not true"
In response to Reply # 74


  

          

I forgot about those...he did change it up some on those tracks

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Dr Claw
Member since Jun 25th 2003
132212 posts
Wed Mar-07-12 12:06 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy listClick to send message via AOL IM
75. "dogmatic bullshit."
In response to Reply # 61


  

          

>switching his delivery out of the 85-105 tempo range.

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Basaglia
Member since Nov 30th 2004
49463 posts
Fri Mar-09-12 06:07 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
85. "i've never disagreed with any of this...he the best "writer" to ever rap"
In response to Reply # 61


  

          

i stand by that. pure poet. and when others try to go in HIS lane, they are straight cellophane and i end up hating them.

____________________________________________________


Steph: I was just fooling about

Kyrie: I wasn't.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OWNspU_yE

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

fire
Charter member
111370 posts
Tue Mar-06-12 08:34 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
66. "kelis "
In response to Reply # 0


          

________________________________________
who gonna check me boo?!

www.twitter.com/firefire100
http://instagram.com/firefire100
www.philadelphiaeagles.com

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

    
Thanes1975
Member since Aug 03rd 2011
1618 posts
Fri Mar-09-12 05:24 PM

Click to send email to this author Click to send private message to this authorClick to view this author's profileClick to add this author to your buddy list
82. "RE: kelis "
In response to Reply # 66


  

          

lol...yeah, I guess he did take a chance with Kelis. She hot though..lol

"Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds."-Albert Einstein

http://twitter.com/#!/TonyHanesPoetry

  

Printer-friendly copy | Reply | Reply with quote | Top

Lobby The Lesson topic #2668916 Previous topic | Next topic
Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.25
Copyright © DCScripts.com