Nastradamus [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Nas

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000031XCY
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (232 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,418 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Some artists take years between CDs, and some just keep spitting them out. Put Nasir Jones in the latter category, as his fourth album is his second of 1999. Judging by the title and the semi-apocalyptic tone of many of the tracks, Nas has millennium tension and then some, but his fears and prophecies are all stuck in the same old--and by now played out--ghetto melodramas that have become the leitmotif of hip-hop. Nearly every track concerns the life on the streets, the Game, the 'hood, the mayhem and murder, and Nas's muse and old stomping grounds, the QB Projects. Not that Nas doesn't have something to offer on any of the above topics. You can, through the often clumsy production, hear fiery glimpses of the young child-poet who burst on the scene in 1994 and was instantly heralded as the successor to Rakim. But as one might expect from a disc that arrives seven months after its predecessor, Nastradamus seems half thought out, with Nas conflicted between glorifying the thug life and trying desperately to issue a cautionary tale. As always, the best cut is when Nas joins forces with DJ Premier, who may be incapable of a bad beat. "Come Get Me" is the nearly perfect marriage of voice and rhythms, and like the equally solid "Some of Us Have Angels" (produced by Dame Grease), shows why Nas--even with his shortcomings and missteps--can never be slept on. Now if he would just take a break and find new inspiration. --Amy Linden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The First Comments On Nastradamus, November 23, 1999

By	Nick A. (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

First, I would like to say somthing about past Nas Albums, I have a incredible respect for Nas and his music. His first cd, Illmatic is so incredible that it remains a immeadiate classic in world of Hip-hop and rap, Some people, not even radical hip hopfans, will go as far to say that is one of the best cds from all catagories of music EVER. Its truly an amazing composition that deserves all the credit it gets, and more. His follow up cd to Illmatic (1994) was It was Written which I believe satisfied his want for Radio play and attraction. His cd was glamorized and he produced 14 songs that were commerical tracks. His hit on the album, If I ruled the World, is great- but it is clear his styles changed since the days of Illmatic. He had some tight joints but it was different. Listen to it, you can tell. Despite its problems it does have "The Message" which I believe is one of the greatest songs ever. It is so good, so deep- with the guitar in the back; its tight. Aiight, then came I Am came in april 1999,for this Cd, people had their high hopes, they thought he would return to his original styles, of straight amazing tunes, tottally perfect music that is amazing. He was incredibly commerically, which can lose him a lot of his original fans- but...it also gives him what he wants which is attention. BUT, NO MATTER HOW COMMERICAL NAS GETS HE WILL ALWAYS MAINTAIN HIS INITIAL QUALITIES THAT MAKE HIM ONE OF THE GREATEST MUSICIANS/POETS OF OUR TIME. Now on to this cd- Nastradamus is alright, its not great, its pretty bad in my view. We can obiviously have very different views on this album. For any rapper, this would be an alright joint. Nothing stands out 2 much on this album. We got some strange poetry in the beginning and end. We have some old samples, we got him rapping about his life (THIS IS THE GOOD NAS WE WANT) we also hear him talking about cars and money (THIS IS SOMETIMES GOOD<NOT ALWAYS) Most rappers rap about money, Nas raps about that kind of stuff on this album, nAS i FEEL is above rapping about garbage, finding as many ways as he can to ryme Bentley and BMW, Nas is a little above that. I gotta give him credit for trying to creat stuff with his creativity, but i THINk he was influenced by what seems to go well these days... Buy this album, listen to it- understand the simple stuff he stresses. IF you want greatness get Illmatic, if you a solid commerical, but great cd, get I am, if you want couple hit songs and little of everything get It was written. This album, to me was a dissapointment. It was hyped, but its really NOT THAT good. It has no stars, kill em all- is tight, but lyricially advanced, it aint. so when grading this album I am going 2 go on strictially whats on this album, Not knowing anything else about nas, 3 stars to 3.5, Now looking at his past accomplishments, this album in my view is a 2- 2.5. This album will have its fans, it will people who hate it, It might even get a couple hits, I am sure people are going to say its great. It cant be in my view. Go buy Illmatic, then buy this. Now u tell me, which one do you think is better?

Final comments... This album is not up to Nas's potential in any areas, it has many faults...not many great qualities... 2 stars.. NAS: U CAN DO BETTER. GO MAKE SOMTHING LIKE ILLMATIC> YOU WILL GET THE PEOPLE BACK BEHIND YOU.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It hurts to hear., October 12, 2000

By	"thegreatgrizant" (Eindhoven, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Positive: Nas is a great rapper who usually has pretty tight lyrics. There were some pretty good tracks on his last attempt: I am. There are 5 tracks on this record that I find worthy of listening to. "Quiet Ni**as" is my favorite track cause it's something I agree with Nas about. A few songs have good rapping but nothing else.

Negative: Beats sometimes lacking. Choruses seriously lacking. "Life We Chose" sounds like Nas isn't quite with the beat. "Nastradamus" is so "Made-For-MTV" that's it hurts. It surprises me how pretty good rappers continue to try to attract Backstreet Boy fans by "selling out". The track "Big Girl" is so bad/comical it could be on Adam Sandler's next CD. The beat for "New World" is another comical experience for the true hip-hop fan. I heard he made this 7 months after "I am". He should have waited a little longer. The bad by far outweighs the good on this album and Nas has older albums that top this with only the intro.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Who is this... Nas or some COMMERCIALISED G?, December 10, 1999

By	Hip Hop Lover (New York) - See all my reviews

Basically, Nas ain't street. This is a brother who would RATHER RAP about dollars, cars, girls and watches than his roots and NY State of Mind. Illmatic, which has never left my CD Player since 94', was just amazing. Words can't express how good it was. I definately say GO AND BUY Illmatic and LEAVE THIS POOR EXCUSE FOR A CD TO COLLECT DUST IN SOMEONE ELSE'S ROOM.

Peace.