Nas' Most Essential Verses

When the world first heard of Nasir Jones, it was with a show-stealing verse in 1991’s “Live at the Barbecue” by Main Source. He was only 18. Since then he’s released twelve studio albums over twenty six years and he’s shown no sign of slowing down. He’s not only one of the most successful rappers ever, but he’s also one of the most respected. From Q-Tip to Lupe Fiasco., from Dr. Dre to Kendrick Lamar, from KRS One to J.Cole, Nas ranks high on most rappers’ greatest lists for his impeccable writing and his vivid storytelling. Although it’s nigh on impossible to prove that this is the definitive list of Nas’ most essential verses, I can say that it is a pretty good list. And that’s okay. Enjoy!

New York State of Mind (First Verse)

Illmatic (1994)

“Rappers, I monkey flip 'em with the funky rhythm I be kickin'

Musician inflictin' composition of pain

I'm like Scarface sniffin' cocaine

Holdin' an M16, see with the pen I'm extreme – now…”

The first track of Nas’ classic debut album sees the still teenage rapper paint a vivid picture of life on the New York streets. Despite his tender age, he raps with the authority of a war veteran as he rhymes in fine detail about just how dangerous life in the Queensbridge projects was. His first verse (a whopping 42 bars) is arguably the best verse Nas has written to date. He starts off by stating his impressive street credentials before he segues into a story about a near death experience and then finishes off with potent street knowledge.

Purple (First Verse)

The Lost Tapes (2002)

“The whole city is mine, prettiest Don

I don't like the way P. Diddy did Shyne with different lawyers

Why it's mentioned in my rhymes? Fuck it

It's just an intro, hate it or love it, like it, bump it or dump it

Write it, across the stomach spell "God son"

Life is like a jungle, black, it's like the habitat of Tarzan

Matter of fact it's harder than most can imagine

Most of my niggas packed in correctional facilities”

Any regular listener of Nas’ albums will know that the Queens MC is a heavy weed smoker. It’s a constant feature of his songwriting and songs like “Smokin”, “Zone Out” and “Blunt Ashes” are dedicated to his habit. In “Purple” (named after purple haze, a strain of weed), Nas lets his mind wander as he touches on different topics including ghetto politics, social commentary and racial bias.

You’re Da Man (Second Verse)

Stillmatic (2001)

“When everything around me got cloudy

The chair became a king's throne, my destiny found me

It was clear why the struggle was so painful

Metamorphosis, this is what I changed to

And God, I'm so thankful”

The Stillmatic album is mostly known for “Ether” (Nas’ visceral Jay Z diss) and being the album that represented Nas’ return to form after the creative misstep that was Nastradamus. In this album highlight, Nas throws further darts at his rival in the first verse before getting introspective in his second verse. His use of spiritual imagery is particularly striking as he contemplates his status as a successful musician and the accompanying temptations that threaten his life and happiness. But as he brings this verse to a close, he realizes that with the birth of his daughter, Destiny, he’s found purpose and fulfillment.

The World is Yours (Third Verse)

Illmatic (1994)

“I'm the young city bandit, hold myself down single-handed

For murder raps, I kick my thoughts alone, get remanded

Born alone, die alone, no crew to keep my crown or throne

I'm deep by sound alone, caved inside, 1,000 miles from home

I need a new nigga for this black cloud to follow

‘Cause while it's over me it's too dark to see tomorrow”

This isn’t just one of the best songs in Nas’ extensive catalogue, it’s one of the greatest songs in hip hop history. Even though it was sampled for another classic hip hop song in its own right (Jay Z’s “Dead Presidents”), this Pete Rock produced number is superior. Although the hook suggests Nas’ verses would take on a motivational tangent like “I Can”, his verses continue the general theme of Illmatic as he regales his listeners with detailed street tales tinged with wisdom beyond his tender years.

The Message (First Verse)

It is Written (1996)

“Red dot plots, murder schemes, thirty-two shotguns

Regulate with my dunns

Seventeen rocks gleam from one ring

They let me let y'all niggas know one thing

There's one life, one love, so there can only be one King…”

When Nas dropped the It was Written album, it was in the midst of arguably the most heated and competitive era in hip hop history. Not only did that year see the likes of Outkast, Ghostface Killah, Redman, Jay Z and the Fugees drop some of the best albums of the genre, but that was also the year 2Pac lost his life in the middle of his beef with the Notorious B.I.G and Bad Boy Records. Although Nas had no stake in this beef, “The Message” was filled to the brim with subliminal lyrics aimed at both 2Pac and Biggie. In his first verse, he not only questions 2Pac’s thug persona, he asserts himself as the true king of the New York rap scene over Biggie. In 1996, Nas was in Escobar mode and was letting potential rivals know he wasn’t to be joked with.

One Mic (Third Verse)

Stillmatic (2001)

“What I stand for speaks for itself, they don't understand, don't wanna see me on top, too egotistical

Talkin' all that slick shit the same way these bitches do

Wonder what my secrets is, niggas'll move on you

Only if they know what your weakness is, I have none

Too late to grab guns, I'm blastin' ‘cause I'm a cool nigga

Thought I wouldn't have that ass done? Fooled you niggas…”

This song is notable for the tonal shifts Nas uses in his verses and how these shifts sync with his subject matter. He starts his first two verses with introspective lyrics and uses hushed tones and then increases his volume as the verses conclude on a more aggressive note. He flips it around in his third verse and basically starts the verse in a state of fury as he calls out all his enemies to war before he calms down and reflects on lessons learned. It’s not only one of Nas’ most conceptually clever songs, it’s also one of his biggest singles.

Nas is Like (Second Verse)

I Am (1998)

“Some'll fall, but I rise, thug or die

Making choices that determine my future under the sky

To rob, steal or kill, I'm wondering why

It's a dirty game, is any man worthy of fame?

Much success to you, even if you wish me the opposite

Sooner or later we'll all see who the prophet is”

One of the essential weapons in a rapper’s arsenal is the ability to cleverly or convincingly brag on themselves. The most successful rappers aren’t necessarily the best wordsmiths but the ones that ooze charisma. Not many rappers bridge the gap between pure lyricism and braggadocio the way Nasir Jones can. In “Nas is Like”, he references the spiritual, the historical and even the cosmological to assert his supremacy as an MC.

Life’s a Bitch

Illmatic (1994)

“I woke up early on my born day; I'm 20, it's a blessin'

The essence of adolescence leaves my body, now I'm fresh and

My physical frame is celebrated ‘cause I made it

One quarter through life, some godly-like thing created”

Although most would have you believe that AZ’s remarkable opening verse on this song is the song’s highlight, Nas’ verse is also packed full of jewels. Not only are his opening bars (listed above) one of the best openings to a verse ever, but the rest of the verse paints a lucid picture of the mentality of inner city youth. Money making is still his primary focus but with more maturity on his side, he understands there are better ways to go about his ambition.

No Idea’s Original

The Lost Tapes (2002)

“Let's witness, the horrific, the stench'll make you nauseous

See what I seen every day I live with this torture

Lightin' spliffs up to stay high like 24 hours

Sleep with my heat, wash with my gun in the shower

My tongue is power, it thrills women, kills demons

Long as I'm still breathin' I'm still winnin', I'll teach 'em…”

In this Lost Tapes highlight, Nas eschews the conventional structure of typical rap songs as he goes for something more free form. “No Idea’s Original” has no hook and one extended verse where Nas does what he does best and lets his mind run free. He ponders on philosophical matters, hood politics, religion and his own mortality. This is Nas in his element and the way Alchemist flips the Barry White sample helps provide fitting bluesy accompaniment to the former’s introspective lyrics.

Still Dreaming (First Verse)

Hip Hop is Dead (2006)

“How you a man waiting for the next man to get rich?

Your plan is to stick out your hand real quick

So if he feed your family and he serve you shit

Then he need that head you get and he deserve your bitch…”

As Nas has advanced in years, he’s also advanced in wisdom. By the time he dropped the controversially titled Hip Hop is Dead album, Nas’ had taken the status of rap’s elder statesman with enough clout to speak to a younger generation of upcoming rappers and rap fans. In this song, he speaks with the authority of a sage as he explores the mentality of those who choose to sleepwalk through their lives. The first verse sees Nas focus his ire on the type of people who feel entitled to handouts for no reason. There’s no question Nas speaks from personal experience here as he calls out these hangers on and questions this parasitic mindset.

#nas #illmatic #stillmatic #itwaswritten #hiphop