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.

Nas - Soundview Vol.1 - I Might Stutter But I'm Still Crazy Butta.

Nas - Deja Vu

"Through the lights cameras and action, glamour glitters and gold
I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe
When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast
to conquer peace leaving savages to roam in the streets
Live on the run, police paying me to give in my gun
Trick my Wisdom, with the system that imprisoned my son"

Some call it the greatest hip-hop verse of all time. At the very least, its considered an exemplary piece of lyricism and a fitting representation of New York street rap during its dark and moody mid-90s era. Many will recognize it as Nas' verse from his "Verbal Intercourse" collabo with Raekwon the Chef on the iconic Only Built for Cuban Linx. However, the verse also appeared on the unreleased Nas classic "Deja Vu" backed by a different beat. The somber piano melody marks a stark contrast from the Emotions vocal sample that RZA cleverly chopped on "Verbal Intercourse," giving the verse more of an introspective feel. As good as the first verse is, some prefer the second (myself included), which includes this gem:

"Blunts, thugs, and alcohol, what a mixture
Just picture your life as a whole, judged in court they convict ya
They telling you your state of mind like you worthless
So he curses, his mom saying Bible verses
That's all she works with, But miracles never leave the churches
Instead it hits the pockets of the preacher just to purchase
A house with a swimming pool, labels me a sinning fool
I'm just a nigga who inherited a winning jewel"

The exceptional comparison between the archaic, ghetto-harvesting U.S. Justice system and the faith-fueled - and often misguided - Christian devotion highlights Nas at his finest. With regards to "Deja Vu" and "Verbal Intercourse," it's unknown for sure as to which song came first, but according to Raekwon in XXL Magazine's stellar 'Making of Cuban Linx' piece "he [Nas] had already went through three or four rhymes [for "Verbal Intercourse"], and he couldn't really see which one he wanted it to be. But I heard it. Once it came out his mouth, I was like, 'that's it.'" With this in mind, it's possible that "Deja Vu" had already been recorded and that the other rhymes Nas was auditioning were verses 2 and 3.

If there was ever a track that not only deserved to be on Illmatic, but is arguably one of the best songs Nas has ever recorded, its "Deja Vu." Enjoy.

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Nas - '94 Freestyle from the Westwood Show on Capital Radio

Shortly before Tim Westwood, the European equivalent of Funkmaster Flex, bounced from Capital Radio to the BBC Radio One juggernaut at the tail end of 1994, he featured a young and relatively unknown, up-and-coming lyricist from the Queensbridge Housing projects of New York. At that time, Nas was embarking on a promo tour of Europe in support of his debut masterpiece, Illmatic. As was customary on Westwood's shows, the guest was invited to spit a freestyle. Like most emcees, Nas recited a partial verse to start and semi-freestyled the rest. Beginning with the second verse of "Memory Lane" over a sped-up version of the classic "Ike's Mood" break, Nas drops jewelz galore:

"I keep a gem star razor under my tongue
And near my gums when I'm not strapped
Blow you just before you cock your glock back
Touch your temple, leave ya leakin' while I'm speakin'
The shit that I be freakin' gives me papers when I'm sleepin', chief
Walk around mega hard like 'whateva god'
You couldn't count how many niggas my Beretta scarred"

Even while stumbling verbally in an effort to prevent using curse words, his delivery remains entertaining as he throws in another line from his "waving automatic guns at nuns" phase - a far cry from his future claim of God's Son:

"Pardon the curses, but just send the verses
When I was a kid I used to blow up the churches
But now, I got older, snatchin' purses
walkin' around... I'm a nervous wreck
What the heck, don't disrespect
'cause if you do, you might get hit with the Tech
Off the top off my head, yes, I'm a blunthead
The FI-FBI wants me dead
But chill, I might stutter but I'm still crazy butta
Do whatever you want, I'm from the gutter"

Hip-hop Interpretation

One of my favorite albums of 2001 was Jay-Z's Unplugged - a recording of his MTV Unplugged 2.0 episode. To those unfamiliar with the concept behind the popular series, it entails artists and musicians who typically rely on electronic equipment to 'unplug' them and perform acoustically. The show has featured music icons ranging from Bob Dylan to Nirvana in the past, however at the time it was rare (and well, still is) to see a hip-hop artist featured. Given the severe regression of quality live rap performers who also enjoy mainstream success, the absence is understandable. Another glaring issue revolves around replacing the electronic soundtrack that the emcees rap over. While rock acts could simply swap electric for acoustic, the potential transition for their musical cousins wasn't so easy.

Enter Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson and his world famous The Roots band.


The Roots

While it wasn't the first time hip-hop music had been recreated using instruments, The Roots' interpretation of beats from Timbaland, Just Blaze and Kanye West among others was so seamless that they gave the electronic originals a run for their money. Who better to do it than a hip-hop act themselves? If you haven't heard it already, check their interpretation of the seminal diss track, "The Takeover," which is particularly ill considering how they flip Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones" and Nas' "N.Y. State of Mind" & "Oochie Wally" while Jay throws his darts live. Don't sleep on the always dope Jaguar Wright doing her thing with the soulful vocals.

Jay-Z - The Takeover unplugged
Jay-Z - Girls, Girls, Girls unplugged
Jay-Z - Song Cry unplugged



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Based out've Brooklyn hard rock and steeped in lush funk grooves are the El Michels Affair band who've lately been on tour with Raekwon the Chef in preparation for his highly anticipated Only Built for Cuban Linx II album. XM Satelitte radio captured the sounds of Shaolin Soul interpreted by the funk band for a special showcase. Hearing how they flipped classics such as "Criminology," "CREAM" and "Glaciers of Ice" is worth the download alone. Check out the Truth and Soul website if you like what you hear, their Sounding Out the City album is ridiculously good. Click the links below to hear hip-hop interpretation at it's finest.

El Michels Affair and Wu Tang Clan - Live in Concert 10-22-05
El Michels Affair - CREAM Instrumental
El Michels Affair - Glaciers of Ice Instrumental



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On a mission to reclaim Jazz from the lounge Lizards are Marc Mac's Visioneers. Last year, The studio project released their Dirty Old Hip-hop album on BBE Music to relative critical acclaim. Interpreting classics such as Nas' "The World is Yours" and The Pharcyde's "Runnin'," this joint is a must-cop for the heads. Check out the Treacherous Three styled "Funkbox" featuring Capitol A to escape to '84. Fresh.

Visioneers - Funkbox feat Capitol A
Visioneers - Runnin'
Visioneers - The World is Yours

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Josh Verdes

Hailing from Richmond, Virginia is guitar impresario Josh Verdes who caught the attention of many with his electric interpretation of Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents II" and Nas' "New York State of Mind." A ballsy attempt considering the anthemic status of both songs respectively, but to his credit he flipped them both with the niceness.

Check out the Youtube clips right hurr:

Josh Verdes - Dead Presidents II Interpretation:


Josh Verdes - New York State of Mind Interpretation: