Ann 2
Alain
JennYNas - Untitled Album Review
July 21st 2008 23:43
Release date: July 11, 2008
Genre: Hip hop
Length: 54:04
Label: The Jones Experience / Def Jam / Columbia
Writer:Alain
As you know, Nas is back with a ninth album called Untitled, another controversial record after Hip Hop is Dead. The album, initially named N****, caused quite a stir in the industry because of its title. Despite getting massive support from rappers such as Ice Cube, Jay-Z, Common, Method Man, etc., the album was finally renamed after several stores refused to sell it. Nas first renamed the album after himself, but then changed it to Untitled, saying “people will always know the real title of this album and what to call it.”
The album starts off with the song Queens Get The Money with only two piano melodies as the beat which was created by Jay Electronica. Nas spits some great metaphors in this song, still keeping his unique style and flow. There are no chorus in this 2:16 track and even though the beat is really simple (no changes to the melody, no drums, no claps), you don't get tired of hearing it. I think that it gives a great start to the album.
In You Can't Stop Us Now, Nas uses the word “us” to represent African-Americans. In this song, he mostly talks about the various achievements of black people over a beat with some loud bass and a small guitar riff while people say the song's title in the chorus.
Breathe is the album's third track. I really like the chorus' style, there are three small choruses repeated but the sentences change. Furthermore, his tone when he says “breathe” really goes well with the beat. Nas' songs are different from most artist since he's able to say more in two verses than other rappers who use three/four verses.
Make The World Go Round features Chris Brown and The Game. From the title, you might suppose that this will be about the three artists' greatness – well, you're right. It's not too much of a show-off song but they do talk about themselves in a good way. Nas and Game have made good collaborations in the past, and they still sound great together. Chris Brown wasn't bad but he wasn't really needed as he only did half-a-verse. The chorus is uplifting, just like the beat. Once again, Cool and Dre came up with a good hook, The Game also shares credits as co-producer.
Hero (featuring Keli Hilson's great voice) is the album's official first single. The beat is hard-knocking with some pretty hard kicks. This is the second track in a row that has a great hook and chorus. The first verse isn't as long as the other two, but the last one is really something – getting you to think about what he's saying and thinking “he's right.”
Hero Music Video
America is pretty self-explanatory. In this song, he talks to America's citizens, telling them what they should change. He also talks about the bad things in America, showing how much America isn't a free country because of human misjudgment.
Sly Fox follows is in the same vein as America as the song is, first of all, against Fox News. Nas uses his rap abilities really well to keep up with the beat which makes you want to march and start a revolution. The chorus is a warning to not believe everything that you watch and/or listen. Once again, the last verse is a thought-provoking section that will get you to agree with him.
Sly Fox Music Video
On Testify, I think that Nas wanted to show some sadness but the pace was too slow, he is more talking than rapping. There are no differences between the verses and the chorus since he's talking at the same pace throughout the song. The rapper doesn't really show his lyricism on this song as his verses are either strong or average, not really consistent. No word plays or metaphors, he simply puts it all on the table. The one thing I hated was the length of the song, it seemed really short, and is the worst song on the album at this point.
N.I.G.G.E.R (The Slave and The Master) brings back life to the album after Testify. I could listen to this song over and over again because of the good beat and claps. Nas doesn't disappoint as he talks about African-Americans being more than what they are, saying that they are not at their fullest, and denouncing the use of the N-word in different classes of society.
On Louis Farrakham – the album's tenth track – Nas states that people didn't have the power to stop Louis Farrakham, so he wants to be seen as a revolutionaire too. However, he wonders if they will get rid of him, and do what they did to the others fighting for the black men's rights.
Busta Rhymes features on Fried Chicken. Nas interprets the word “chicken” to mean women as he says that they can't separate while Busta refers to “chicken” as something good, something that you need. I think Nas did this song because of the stereotype where African-Americans love chicken and can't live without it. Both rappers say that they're going to eat it, even if it kills them.
In Project Roach (featuring The Last Poet), Nas states that n**** are like roaches. He explains it as a metaphor in his verse. I wish this song was a bit longer because one minute and eighteen seconds really doesn't cut it.
Y'all My N***** is up next. It has a good beat you can nod your head to but it drowns the chorus which seems to be at a lower volume. As the title states, Nas talks about the N-word again. Once again, it's a great song that you can't get tired of earing. It was produced by J. Myers.
Nas did a good thing by choosing Mykel to feature on We're Not Alone. The singer has a good voice that fits with the beat and Nas brings his A-game on this track.
Black President (Featuring Johnny Polygon) is another thought-provoking song. One of Obama's speeches introduces the song as the snare gets you ready for the whole beat. This track would've probably been a little bit different if Barack Obama wasn't running for president since Nas honors him in one of his verses. The beat – sampled from Tupac Shakur - is really great and was produced by DJ Green Lantern.
Most rap fans – even Nas fans – say that he can't choose good beats, I think they're wrong. Sure, he could have better beats but his taste isn't bad. Out of fifteen songs, I really liked nine tracks – that's more than half. Some people may prefer Hip Hop is Dead over this one and vice-versa but I think that you can't compare the two since they are about different subjects. If you don't like the “new rap” that's out there, if you want hip hop to live, then buy this album because this is hip hop people. I thought the lyrics would be more controversial, but it was worth my money. Also, go listen to Nas' The N**** Tape, produced by DJ Green Lantern.
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