Nas is Like

To begin with I should say that I totally recognise the legendary status of Mr Nasir Jones, aka Nasty Nas, aka Nastradamus, aka Nas. Indeed Illmatic, as all heads will testify, is an all-time classic, and surely a firm fixture in any top ten list of all time hip-hop long players. But I have to admit also to some real fallow periods of dedication to the cause. It Wasr Written had some good joints, and subsequent jams had the odd gems, but finding the smooth amongst the rough soon became something of a trickier task, albeit against a backdrop of increasing hero-worship and legend making. Recently though I have been listening again to the recent resurgence encapsulated on Hip-Hop Is Dead and just had to say that there are some truly brilliant offerings in there. It is not a classic by any means, but there are signs that one of the best and most intelligent story-tellers in rap is in a good place creatively, and to me there is hope that this may be a sign of a renaissance for a man who, despite impressive sales, still had a one hit record every ten year average. Check it out again if you haven't looked since the initial repeat plays following release, and see what you think. I don't think you'll be disappointed at a revisit.