***** out of 5 stars
Nas is back with his new album "The Lost Tapes" and he has heads bouncing once again. The motto of this CD is "No cameos, no hype, no bull?Ae_," and deservedly so.
Nas earned his distinction in the hip-hop world after proving his lyrical genius during the battle of words on Hot 97 with fellow New York City rapper Jay-Z, and has now come out with a fresh album of pre-release classics.
"The Lost Tapes" consists of 11 tracks, and one bonus track ("Fetus"), made during especially productive recording sessions for the classic albums "I Am" and "Stillmatic." Nas fans have patiently waited for a compilation of underground hits that, until now, were famous for never having been officially released.
This album is quintessential Nas, showcasing his ability to paint clear mental pictures of urban reality with his intelligent lyrical flow in songs like "Poppa Was a Playa" and "Nothing Lasts Forever."
These songs are not new but have been widely heard on select underground mixed tapes. Other tracks like "Doo Rags" and "U Gotta Love It" have been sought by Nas fans over the Internet one-by-one to extend their collection past his seven albums.
On "The Lost Tapes," Nas has stayed true to himself. There is nothing watered-down; the album is simply Nas and his "one mic," making some of the best music he has ever made. Songs like "Black Zombies," "Purple" and "No Idea's Original" cement his place as one of the greatest rappers of our time. This album is a must-have for any serious hip-hop fan. His clear lyrical flow paints a gritty yet hopeful portrait of love for the street life.
Nas continues to keep fans on their toes. "The Lost Tapes" is a kind of "hold them over album" until November when "God's Son" will be released as the follow-up to the platinum-certified "Stillmatic."
Nas has climbed up to the top of the rap ranks, giving fans what they need and offering a flavor comparable to great rappers like Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac. There are not too many rappers out there who can do what Nas has done with "The Lost Tapes" ?Ae_ release an album of old, unreleased songs and make them as good as new.
