In some of his most
focused work since his “rebirth” (some
say it was around "Stillmatic" I never thought
he went anywhere) Nas returns to the LP game
with Untitled, a 15 track album that deals with
politics, media and the grind of growing up in
the ghetto and worldwide.
Nas wanted to call this album N***er, but
because of the companies involved it wasn’t
to be. Nonetheless the album still talks about
the word, the debate within the black community
about the n***a word and how many people feel
(or should) like the n-word themselves because
what is happening in the United States and
abroad.
Featuring
production from stic.man, Mark Ronson, Polow
da Don, Jay Electronica, Salaam Remi, Stargate,
Cool & Dre, DJ Toomp
and DJ Green Lantern and more this album
is more of what you love about the Queensbridge,
New York MC.
He talks about life being more than you and
the environment on “We’re Not Alone” featuring
Mykel on the hook. “Black President” talks
about Barack Obama, the expectations he has
from the hood and whether people are really
ready for a Black president,
He has clubby tracks but even they are exceptional.
Chris Brown and The Game come thru on one of
those faster tracks called “Make the
World Go Round” and the lead single is “Hero” featuring
Keri Hinson, a track about being what the music
world needs right now.
Busta Rhymes comes through on “Fried
Chicken”, a track about what Blacks eat
and how it kills them. “N.I.G.G.E.R.
(The Slave & The Master)” is a powerful
track because Nas gives a history lesson on
the song, talks about the injustices performed
on the black man (woman and many others) in
America and also challenges all to control
their destiny as best as possible.
In 2008, Nas delivered petitions with ColorofChange.org
complaining about the FoxNews network’s
overall coverage and “SlyFox” is
an appropriate accompaniment to those petitions.
For those who don’t know, FoxNews, owned
by Rupert Murdoch, is well known to be a right-wing
haven.
The Last Poets appear on “Project Roach”,
a track about those famous co-inhabitants of
many people in the hood and also “Can’t
Stop Us Now” (also featuring Eban Thomas
of the Stylistics), a riveting track the makes
me want to keep doing what’s best for
me, my people and my community. You can’t
stop us now in the chorus and the beat sounds
like a slow march towards knowledge and power.
“Queens Get The Money” is a great
intro into the album and lets you experience
Nas vibing to a simple but explicit beat produced
by Electronica.
Nas talks about being a revolutionary rapper
and what possibilities that brings in “Untitled”,
produced by stic.man, and in “Testify” he
talks about those fair weather fans and people
that surrounds many people, especially those
in the bright lights. Can a brother get some
space to do him? That’s what is asking
for in “Breathe”, a chill track
where Nas talks about being at peace and what
that can do for a brother.
Nas continues to push the envelope and Untitled
is a great example of an artist surveying the
times he lives in and expressing the concern,
questions and wishes on the microphone. Whether
you question his original LP title or not you
will know why he called it that after this
album. A regular LP that shows an exceptional
overall theme, Untitled is one I can pop in
for many reasons including to laugh, learn
and nod my head to.
I’ll give Untitled
4.5 GeoGlobes. It’s
the right LP at the right time and in the land
of money, clothes, bling and hoes (make your
money while it last fellas) and much needed
effort! |
You've got to stop dividing yourselves. You got to organize. 
