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Life & Arts

Hip-hop artist's 2002 album keeps résumé rolling 
with album

by ELI JABBE
The Daily Cougar

Editor's note: On The Record is an article that explores the relevance of a past album in today's music culture. It also gives writers the opportunity to explain why the work is significant to them.

The Lost Tapes is one of the best releases from hip-hop legend Nas. It's not a traditional album but rather a collection of unreleased songs that didn't make several albums. Released in 2002, a year after his classic Stillmatic, it featured songs from I Am that weren't included on that album because they were bootlegged, songs that didn't make Stillmatic and new songs. This awkward blend turned out to be a recipe for success, as Lost Tapes features great production and some of Nas' best lyrics.

On the introspective "Doo Rags," Nas elaborates on a universal truth: "You get nothing without struggle and hard work." The piano melody on "Doo Rags" is similar to that of the next song "My Way." This song features a message about making your own decisions regardless of others opinions: "(I did it my way) take your sacrifices, kid / (I did it my way) You're only getting one life to live."

"U Gotta Love It" features a sample of Nas' cohort AZ on the chorus and features one of Nas' best lyrical performances. Nas talks about changing what you don't like about your life instead of whining with the lyrics, "Miserable cats, hunger-paining / Get off your (expletive), stop complaining."

The introspective "Nothing Lasts Forever" is a highlight and features a motivational message about letting go of the past. Nas explains, "You should live, there's only one life, that's the physical / Rich or poor, or in jail, why the (expletive) should you be miserable / Things happen for reasons, the clocks keep ticking / Everything must eventually come to an end."

"No Idea's Original" features one long verse and is lyrically excellent. "Blaze A 50" epitomizes Nas' elite storytelling ability with a compelling story. "Everybody's Crazy" features memorable quotes like, "I'm Langston Hughes' predecessor / Slang I use upsets college professors / more knowledge than Webster's dictionary."

The somber "Purple" features a message about moderation with the lyrics, "Too much of anything will hurt you."

"Drunk by Myself" is a compelling story from an alcoholic's perspective.

The Kanye West-produced "Poppa Was A Playa," originally intended for I Am, is stellar. It features West's vintage soul sample production courtesy of a sample of The Temptations' singer Eddie Kendricks' 1976 song "The Newness is Gone." Over the catchy Motown string sample, Nas elaborates on the indulgent lifestyle of his father, Olu Dara, who was a professional musician. Nas explains: "Papa was a player / Papa loved the ladies / Could I help it that Papa was a rolling stone?"

All in all, The Lost Tapes features excellent lyrics and production.
 

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