Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting Hip-Hop Is Dead finds Nas flirting with greatness, and if not capturing it, more impressively, embodying it. This is as precise as greatness renders itself over the span of 12 or so tracks.1.) "QB True G" (feat. The Game) - A finely tuned, high screeching violin serves as the backdrop while both Game and Nas alternate delivering methodically militant lines. The chorus witnesses a sort of Compton-Queensbridge alliance: "You a Compton, Compton OG, I'm a QB, QB, true G." For once Game's excessive and fanatical Illmatic references find reason and fit. Game says something about buying Illmatic instead of Doggystyle and all that sappy stuff he says on The Documentary. It's a great collaboration and even greater example of the partnership between an apprentice and master; student and teacher.2.)"Won't Go Back" - Nas gets introspective on this, with help from a drowning piano riff. Think of what Nas' rendition of Jay-Z's "Lost One" would sound like, well this is it. It also features a mysterious verse, some speculate Quan, I thought Young Jeezy. To cap off, there is a teary, soulful chorus that says something about "already going this way" but not liking "this way". The chorus completes this track.3.) "You Mean the World To Me" - A big record that splashes in the playground puddles of 1994. This has a vintage, old-school feel that will have you thinking of "The World Is Yours". This track serves as an ode to Nas' favorite woman.4.) "Play on Playa" (feat Snoop Dogg) - For purposes of categorization, I guess this would be the club record. It has all the attributes: produced by Scott Storch, features Snoop Dogg, and after all is called "Play on Playa." Still, this record manages not to be a club record. It's sleek and smooth with a solid verse from Snoop. Nas says something like "swallow my protein like an Ovaltine (?) shake".5.)"Where Are They Now" - This was the turning point of the session. A radically schizophrenic beat that sounds at first like a violent harmonica, but what later reveals to be sharp electric guitar screeches. It sounds like a car revving up its engine. Nas declares that there will be "no gangbanging in NY, tonight" and uses this track to reflect on forgotten comrades.6.)"Carry on Tradition" Nas keeps it diplomatic on this track behind light snaps and focused organs. Nas seems to care less about who's listening, if anyone; he does one of those looking-in-the-mirror rhymes that will scare you as much as it will impress. The track finds Nas searching within, telling us of his vision of Hip Hop, "Let me crown you// when you rise up// take your position // carry on tradition." This doubles as the chorus.7.)"Black Republican" Normally, according to the tracklist, the title track should have followed, but something completely iconic occurred a spaceship landed in the room, if you will. "Black Republicans" began to play. About 5 seconds in, the soundman cut the music, which prompted a heavy rain of jeers; the soundman gave it another try, only to stop again. The third time was just torture as the track stopped as quickly as it began. From what I heard, it sounded like something cataclysmic that was disrupting the order of space. A rolling ball of fire that when it reached its climax even had Jay assessing the situation: "I know you can feel the magic". Other than that, Hip Hop is dead (the single, that is) became a moot point.8.)"Blunt Ashes" (note: on the tracklist this is incorrectly labeled as "Still Dreamin'")- This track did its best to put an even more downcast vibe. The track wasn't bad, just the timing was. It's a misty, airy beat provided by Chris Webber (yes, the basketball player). Nas gets very somber on the chorus almost musing to himself: I could see my whole life past me // Did I keep it gangsta or classy." Nas does this thing where each word is assigned one syllable. Well, at least it sounded like that.9.)"Still Dreamin'" (feat Kanye West) While, this track features Kanye both on the mike and behind the boards, many people told me Kanye also, is behind another track on Hip-Hop Is Dead. Your guess is as good as mine. Naturally, this is a sample-heavy track. Kanye tells us "n***as so cold, you gotta bring the mink out". Nas and Kanye share the chorus, "Some dreams stay dreams, some dreams come true".10.)"Let There Be Light" - Before the drums and cymbals take over, this track begins with the naked "We Will Rock You" rhythm and erupts into this freak of nature. Another old-school vintage sound that sounds more 50-ish than anything with the R&B crooning.11.) "Can't Forget About You" (feat Chrisette Michelle) - This is an absolute final gem. It was for good reason that the Def Jam official instructed us to "pay attention" to this track. It's a whirlwind classic that swoops from yesteryear with Nas, not spitting fire, but delivering cold ice, "I go by N, just one syllable." This might be the one track to convince you that hip-hop is not dead.Once I get a bigger version of the cover I'll edit the post..
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting holy F*ck can this just leak already jesus
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting I can't wait until this drops...this is going to be the best album of the year. IMO
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting Cannot wait. Hopefully this'll be his best album yet.
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ElMaster @ Nov 20 2006, 07:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>When is it supposed to come out?</div>I heard that is comes out on December 12 but I could be wrong.
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ELiiiTE @ Nov 20 2006, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cannot wait. Hopefully this'll be his best album yet.</div>I doubt he'll come out with something as good as illmatic, but it should be another great album. I hope it leaks out on the internet befor eit comes out. That would be awesome.
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting Although I like Nas, I have a feeling this is gonna flop hard. Besides Hip Hop is Dead and Black Republican everything else hes put out lately is average/mediocre. People will probably still find a way to like it though since it's Nas.
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting Here is a bigger/different version of the cover:
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting It comes out December 19th, under Def Jam Records. Jay-Z is featured on the song Black Republican. I think this album will be as good as It Was Written. Not as good as Illmatic or Stillmatic, but one of the better commercial albums. It Was Written was a bit more commercialized than Illmatic. I think it'll go Platinum in a matter of 5-6 weeks.
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting HOPEFULLY it goes plat... Nas deserves it at this point in his career.I bet it flops though people... MOST people check for singles now... have you seen one or heard one on a radio station or tv or ANYTHING. No.Nas is my favorite artist of all time. Simple as that. But Hip Hop is dead will flop and thats sad.I'll still buy though! lolHere's to another dope ass album from Naso ya... this news dropped like a month ago lol
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting ^ unfortunately so. I was talkin to one of my friends the other day about how people dont seem to like the real stuff. All they care about is the fake commercialized BS that these * rappers have been puttin out there. At my school, you mention Nas, Jay, or Lupe and 95% of the time, people will say that they suck. wtf? Nas and Jay are legends in the game and Lupe is one of the best new ones out there. People in general are f* up as to what actual "rap" and "hip-hop" is. anyway, Nas deserves plat as always. Every single one of his albums has gone platinum, not many artists can say that.
Re: New Nas Album "Hip-Hop Is Dead" Cover & Official Tracklisting Has it leaked yet? I'm dying to dl it.
