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The album kicks off with a fairly impressive intro. Nas raps about the original Illmatic, and how the streets have always wanted another classic. He says that "its only forward I'm moving". If this is the case, why name your album stILLMATIC, seems like he too doesnt want to let it go.

The next track is the Jay Z diss, "Ether". Personally, I think "Takeover" is a superior track, but "Ether" is good. He comes out Jay pretty mean, but if I had to choose between the two, Jay remains the "king of NY".

Following that are "Got yourself a Gun" which jacks the chorus from the Sopranos intro. Its obviously one of Nas's classic crossover tracks, but its not as bad as say, Nastradamus or that horrendous "You Owe Me" (shudder).

"Smokin" doesnt seem to be a very inspired song at all. I wasn't impressed at least. The hook is wack. The beat is throwaway, and Nas isnt spitting like Nas can. Next...

"Youre the Man" has a eeiry beat. Nas is mostly just bragging, but at least he seems hungry. The hook is simply "Youre the man" sung over and over. This is one of the better songs on the album.

"Rewind", conceptually, is a very good idea. Similar to the movie "Momento", Nas tells a story, but tells it end to beginning. I'm not too fond of the beat, and I would say the overall execution of the song could of been better, but it is still better than most of what Nas has released since '94.

"One mic" is another good song. It starts out slow and soft, but the beat speeds up, and the faster it gets, the louder and madder Nas gets. Another good song.

Next is the DJ Premier produced "2nd Childhood". Classic Primo production. It sounds like this beat is straight out of 94-96 era of Premier production. Its a bangin song. My second favorite on the album. This concludes the first half of the album, and I must say, Nas is doing well so far. Other than one or two songs, he's on a roll.

The second half of the album kicks off with "Destroy and Rebuild". Nas assumes the voice and flow of none other than Slick Rick. He starts to lose the Slick Rick flow near the end, but instead of coming of stupid, this idea works. Maybe he shouldve gotten the real Slick Ricky to do the hook. The song itself is a surprising diss cut at Prodigy, Nature, and unsurprisingly, Cormega. Nas sets the record straight, and at the end smoothes things over with Prodigy and Nature. He and Cormega are obviously not on the best of terms still. The Nas-Cormega beef of eight years continues...yawn.

Next comes "The Flyest" with AZ. This song trys to capture the chemistry first seen on "Lifes a Bitch" from, you guessed it, Illmatic. However it pales in comparison. Nas didn't sing on the "Lifes a Bitch" and he shouldnt have here. AZ comes off nice, but as I said Nas sings, and in my opinion ruins the song.

"Bravehart Party" is next. The Bravehearts suck. Ive never heard a good Braveheart song, and this track doesnt change my mind. You'll be skipping this one.

"Rule" blantantly jacks the old "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" hook and melody of Tears 4 Fears hit in the 80's. Nas conveys a good message on the current world affairs. He urges to "stop the killing", however I just couldnt get past the creampuff beat and annoying hook, so I ended up not liking this track much at all.

"My Country" and "Every Ghetto" surround "Poisen. Both of these cuts are simply filler. The first is similar to "I Wanna Talk" off I Am. Overall these two songs are nothing special. Most likely skips from now on for me.

"Poisen" or "What Goes Around" is hands down best song Nas has done in years. It is a socially conscious song, and its brilliant.
"Ectasy Coke you say its love it is poisen
Schools where I learn they should be burned it is poisen
Physicians precriping medicine which is poisen
Doctor injecting our infants with the poisen
Religion so misunderstood its poisen"
These are only the first five lines. Nas rapid flows straight knowledge for the next five minutes. This is the street poet we all thought was the second coming of Rakim. This is the best song I've heard this year. Better than Cannibal Ox, better than The Blueprint, better than anything youve heard this year. In our current times, this is also one of the most important songs in a long time.

The album concludes with two bonus songs. Nothing amazing here, but they are only bonuses after all, cant argue with that.

So in the end, we are left with Nas's best CD since Illmatic. Other than "Braveheart Party", "Rule" and "Smokin" it seems Nas finally put some effort in. Perhaps Jay Z finally awoke Nas from his near decade long slumber. Nas is no longer the hungry street poet he once was, but he certainly isnt a generic NY rapper either. With this release, helped in large part to "Poisen", Nas at least reclaims his spot in hip hop's elite. I have heard that Nas will retire after three more albums. If this is true, we might as well enjoy him while he is around. When he is on his game, he is the greatest MC of our generation. Better than Jigga, better than Biggie, better than Pac. Obviously these artists have and had much more charisma and consistency, but when it comes to MCing, Nas is the king. Hopefully Nas will inch closer to Illmatic on evey release from here on out. If he does, we are all due for that second classic we have longed for for so long.


I'm sick of hearing it...   July 10, 2002
 31 out of 38 found this review helpful

Sorry, folks. But whoever compares ANY rap CD to Illmatic would be in for some major disappointment. I'm tired of hearing people say, "He'll never be as good as he was on Illmatic." Newsflash, people. Illmatic is a classic. Nas is no longer hungry. But he's one of the few remaining rappers who can still deliver quality albums (at least when he deems it necessary. Nastradamus was garbage).

I'm suprised at rap purists who don't like this CD. Aren't you all tired of hearing the same bling-bling crap over and over again? Are you aware of how rare it is for a mainstream rapper to try somthing experimental? Take one listen to "Rewind" or "One Mic" and tell me that Nas still doesn't have what it takes to be remembered as one of the best. Whoever doesn't think this is at the very least a DECENT album fall into one of the three following groups -

1. People who don't like rap
2. TRL lovers who think Ja Rule is the epitome of good hip-hop
3. Morons

So with all the praise I've given this album so far, why didn't I give it a five star rating? Two words: Braveheart Party. This is such a terrible song and it ruins the flow of the album as a whole. Of course, for all you TRL worshippers out there, this may strike you as the best song on the album.

Every other song is extremely listenable. Aside from "One Mic" and "Rewind," I'd recommend paying close attention to the lyrics in "Rule." This is a very positive song with a controversial topic and a great beat. Another good one is "Ether," which I'm sure you've heard before. I just love dis tracks. They're a lot of fun to listen to and I think Nas destroys Jay-Z on this one. But have no fear, people. ...It's all about who's the better emcee. Nas wins.

I've heard rumors that Nas plans to retire from the rap game after about three more albums. If he stays focused and keeps up with what he did on "Stillmatic," rap lovers will be BEGGING him to come back. Who knows? He may even out-do himself on his next effort. And if his future CD's become red hot sellers, maybe other so-called rappers will finally get the clue and realize that hip-hop isn't all about cars, women and money. Maybe Nas has the potential to change the face of rap music as we know it.


Welcome Home   December 19, 2001
 24 out of 30 found this review helpful

This is the album we always knew Nas could create. Nas fans, lets be real, nobody really wants another Illmatic. Illmatic was a classic in 1994. It is now 2002. Nas is a multi millionaire. He is no longer the project/ghetto reporter.

That being said, with just 12 days left in the year, Nas has dropped perhaps the best album to come out in 2001. I am quite aware that an album called "The Blueprint" came out on September 11, however as a Jay-Z fan, I will tell you that Stillmatic is far vastly superior, both lyrically and production-wise. You can without a doubt, listen to the first 10 tracks without even having to press the skip button. While some may not be feeling the "Braveheart Party" track, that is a minor hiccup in what is a stellar album.

In closing the definite authority on reviews, The Source gave Jay-Z's album 5 mics. If that was a hip hop classic, than we should see 7 mics next to Nas's name in the next Source magazine. After listening to this album, you wonder if Jay-Z really does have an obsession with Nas. He samples Nas's voice on his songs, he sleeps with a girl Nas slept with years ago...

This album is not Illmatic. But at his fifth album, this is the best and most conclusive piece of work Nas has made.


A Great Addition to the Nas Catalogue   August 11, 2002
 19 out of 19 found this review helpful

Why compare "Stillmatic" to "Illmatic"? They're different albums from different years, and each deserves to be experienced on its own terms. I listened to "Still" before I bought "Ill", so I was able to enjoy it fully without having to compare it to its illustrious predecessor. And I loved it...

Nas is an amazingly talented rapper. His lyrics are the meat and his beats are the bones of his music. It's fun (and pretty rare) to listen to a catchy rap that actually says something besides merely celebrating ho's, dope, and guns. Blazing tracks like "One Mic", "My Country", and "What Goes Around" testify to that. "Rewind" is one of the most cleverly structured raps I've ever heard (a musical "Memento"?), and Nas slings some dirt on Jay-Z, Prodigy, and others on "Ether" and "Destroy and Rebuild", which would be a tiring conceit if it didn't sound so damn good.

Get this album. Nas has made some missteps ("Nastradamus" anyone?), but he's stepped back on his throne with this one.


By Far His Best Since ILLMATIC.......   December 21, 2001
 17 out of 21 found this review helpful

1 word 4 this: HOT!!....He's tried the commercial tracks-"You Owe Me" & "Oochie Wally",& He's tried the collabos with Mobb Deep,DMX,& others but he couldn't find that recipe that gave him initial success with his 1st album....Well this album is no ILLMATIC,but it's about as close as he's gotten to it in the last decade.....this album is hot & I seen shades of ILLMATIC in some of his verses.....He's hungry & you can hear the lyrical poet spit knowledge in every verse.....
1)Stillmatic intro-Tight intro....sums up the whole cd almost....he has a line like "they thought I'd make another ILLMATIC,but forward I'm movin,but listen to this,another classic....Perfect way to begin a cd.....
2)Ether-What can I say....It puts both of Jay-Z's disses-"The Takeover" & his Hot97 verse to shame....When he took a shot at Roc-a-fella CEO Dame Dash I thought that was hilarious...."What is he?? Dame-Daddy,Dame-Diddy,or Dame-Dummy?? Oh I get it,you Biggie & He's Puffy"....
3)Got Ur Self A-Aight track....Never really grew on me that much....lyrics are nice but the production could've been better...
4)Smokin-Nice relaxed chill song here....Throw it in the ride & just chill.....Beat is nice & the lyrics are hot.....
5)You're The Man-Very Nice track,only problem with it is the hook.....a lil' bit annoying....tight lyrics & beat though....
6)Rewind-1 of the more creative tracks on this album....He tells the whole story--backwards.....very creative & it doesn't sound bad at all....
7)One Mic-I'm feelin this joint right here....nice mellow track but at the hook he gets hype & lets you know what this world needs more of.....
8)2nd Childhood-1 of the overall tightest tracks on the album...hook is hot,lyrics are blazin,& the beat couldn't had been better.....
9)Destroy & Rebuild-This is a hot track.Surprised me because aside from the Nas/Jay-Z beef I didn't think Nas would make a track dissin anyone else....but He finally comes down on Cormega for makin diss records about him & he tries to school his boys "Prodigy & Nature" on some knowledge...Pleasent surprise here.....
10)The Flyest-Another ILLMATIC reminder here.....Nas & AZ spittin over a nice beat like they used to.....Blazin track...
11)Braveheart Party-I admit,the verses given by Jungle & Whiz didn't really get me at 1st,but they're aight.....The beat & Mary J.Blige's vocals saved this one.....You gotta know any hip-hop track with Mary on it is a definate banger.....
12)Rule-A track I felt was needed on this album with the terrorist attacks on America still looming.....He talks about how proud he is to be an American & Amerie really does even more justice to the track......
13)My Country-Another nice track....I'm not sure who it is rappin with Nas on this track but it sounds like one of his young-boyz "Nashawn"....I'll have to check the credits on that one....but the beat is tight & it has some meaningful lyrics....
14)What Goes Around-Tight track....One of those joints where Nas just rips a grimy beat to shreads & he have no choice but to feel it....
15)Every Ghetto-Probably my only problem with this album....the track is nice,the beat is tight & Nas puts his thing down on it,but the cat that's on this track with him doesn't do anything for me....His voice doesn't seem to sound right on this beat & I think this would've been a track for Nas to do solo....
In comparison with Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" this cd holds it's own....but the only thing that drags it down is the poor production on a few of the tracks......"Got Yourself A" & "You're the Man" would've been best served if a female were to sing the hooks in my opinion....other than that,if "The Blueprint" were to get 5-stars.....I'd have to lean toward 5-stars for this too....This album has better lyrics,but the Blueprint has better production..which is why I think Jay-Z's album is just a little bit better than Stillmatic....Nas still gets 5-stars from me....Great comeback kid....We see you're still hungry & you're back.....