Nas - Soundview Vol.2 - Start Wildin’ Like Insane Asylum on Rikers Island

Nas - Understanding

Recorded shortly after Illmatic, “Understanding” is one of the better tracks from Nas’ extensive unreleased catalogue. It’s one of the few songs made between his debut and sophomore that still displayed the “Live at the BBQ”-style delivery that made many critics and fans alike declare him as the successor to Rakim’s crown. Joined by AZ and Bizmarkie who lace the intro, Nas floats over the Grover Washington sample with ease:

“High priest release voodoo
“Déjà vu” on this taboo
Illmatic shit and what have you
Chef cocaine cook, no brain and got the proper diction
My composition bleeds words and weed blurs my vision
I'm freezing in time, stop the rhyme
I'm sober in the stolen Range Rover, much crime
I… stick up America, Nas in your area
Disrupt the sound barrier, clowns get rounds of terror”

For most Nas fans it remains a firm favorite. Now if only we could find a clear, CD quality version…

Nas - Belly Button Window

The predecessor that would eventually evolve (or devolve) into the jewel “Fetus” from The Lost Tapes is another testament to Nas’ superior storytelling ability. Detailing the life of a fetus, he rhymes:

”I existed in a womb, just like an abyss
Came straight from spirit land, my hands balled in a fist
Punching on my moms stomach, kicking on her cervix
Twitching cause I'm nervous
Thought my intended purpose
Was to be born to reign, not in scorn or vain
But to take on a name, my pops chose for me
Bloodstream full of indo
Developing eyes looking out my belly button window
My father's face wears a frown
And I'm wondering if they even want me around
Cause I'll go back to spirit town
So I could rest longer before I come back down
The chute again, in the near future when
My moms and pops can agree on this
Was here before but my moms saw her gynecologist
He dumped me off, first they want me then turn around and they don’t
You got a 120 days do what you want
But as for me coming back this be my last time
Abort me, keep me, give me away, make up ya mind”

Clearly influenced by the Jimi Hendrix record of the same name, Nas tackles the subjects of pre-conception spirituality and unwanted pregnancies, but it’s the imagery he uses in referencing domestic disputes which makes it so dope:

”Watching 'em yell, heard my moms voice well
Feared fist fights, so terrified when we fell
While they broke up furniture and smashed plates on the wall
I wondered if I am born will I be safe at all”

The joint was initially supposed to feature on the double album I Am... Nastradamus but following bootlegging, the project was split into 2 single albums with some of the original tracks, such as "Belly Button Window," put back on the shelf in favor of bland, newly-recorded songs like “You Won’t See Me Tonight” and “Life Is What You Make It.” An updated version of it was released on 2002’s Lost Tapes with some revised lyrics in light of Nas’ mother’s passing, but the original will always be the illest.