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It pains me to read "IWW > Illmatic" come on now....
Even though illmatic is the perfect CD, IWW has GOTTA be Top 15 ...
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it is though.....its longer, the lyrical prowness doesn't get diluted from the first album to the second, the production is WAY better, and Nas is
in his Best form on this joint.....his swag was PERFECT in this album....caked up from illmatic but felt he had something to prove since doggystlye
overshadowed illmatic as far as media coverage wise and sales.....so he came back wit the HEATROCK known as it was written....and 1996 was
officially Nas's year....he was EVERYWHERE, sold the most albums outta his catalog, and he took his rightfully place as KING of NY.
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Really good second album, but its no illmatic. My 2nd fav nas album
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I don't care about swag, so I'll ignore that part.
Now, let's seperate IWW and Illmatic from the time periods they dropped and stop judging by attention/hype/response/sales etc
Compare both CD's, nothing more, nothing less.
Illmatic: you got a 17 year old kid out of QB spitting his heart out in the greatest 39 minutes of hip hop (IMO), from start to finish everything screamsclassic. Every verse is incredible, his flow and wordplay are something mainstream hip hop has never seen before. The production was great too, I don'tknow what you are talking about. Just about every beat was a classic melody that fit perfectly, from the first saxophone and bass sound you hear on NY state ofmind to the incredible beat on It ain't hard to tell. Maybe one very minor mis-step with One time 4 your mind, but the album is as close to perfect as youare ever going to get. It's just pure street poetry, with introspection, story telling, reflection... brilliant lyrics, you could just feel his hunger asan artist.
IWW: it's still a gem lyrically, but not even close to illmatic; with a few songs with hot beats. It's not as good of an ALBUM though. You got somegreat songs, but as a whole it doesn't come close to illmatic. There are a few skippable songs, and it just doesn't feel complete. You can just feelhim slowly drifting away into commercialism. You put in IWW, play a few songs, skip a few... it just misses what illmatic had. You put illmatic in and youcould have it in there for days, front to back, and each listen you would hear something new. IWW, for me, was great, but looking at it completely... not evenclose to illmatic.
Now, let's seperate IWW and Illmatic from the time periods they dropped and stop judging by attention/hype/response/sales etc
Compare both CD's, nothing more, nothing less.
Illmatic: you got a 17 year old kid out of QB spitting his heart out in the greatest 39 minutes of hip hop (IMO), from start to finish everything screamsclassic. Every verse is incredible, his flow and wordplay are something mainstream hip hop has never seen before. The production was great too, I don'tknow what you are talking about. Just about every beat was a classic melody that fit perfectly, from the first saxophone and bass sound you hear on NY state ofmind to the incredible beat on It ain't hard to tell. Maybe one very minor mis-step with One time 4 your mind, but the album is as close to perfect as youare ever going to get. It's just pure street poetry, with introspection, story telling, reflection... brilliant lyrics, you could just feel his hunger asan artist.
IWW: it's still a gem lyrically, but not even close to illmatic; with a few songs with hot beats. It's not as good of an ALBUM though. You got somegreat songs, but as a whole it doesn't come close to illmatic. There are a few skippable songs, and it just doesn't feel complete. You can just feelhim slowly drifting away into commercialism. You put in IWW, play a few songs, skip a few... it just misses what illmatic had. You put illmatic in and youcould have it in there for days, front to back, and each listen you would hear something new. IWW, for me, was great, but looking at it completely... not evenclose to illmatic.
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How did I know someone was gonna post that #*!# off of Wikipedia
I read that article earlier this week while TRYING to play IWW all the way through . . .Needless to say I didn't make it past "I Gave You Power" without hittin the skip.
Naw but foreal, you REALLY think I'm gonna argue with someone who thinks IWW is better than Illmatic??
NaS is my N, but lets be honest he was waaaayout of his comfort zone as far as the content of this album goes. You can CLEARLY see how he was influenced by the subject matter/impact of Ready To Die/CubanLinx & and much as it pains me to say it Doe Or Die
. This plays out life an awful Gangster flick. I mean Illmatic was straight NYC Park Bench #*!#, itbasically plays out as NaS view from that Queensbridge park bench speakin to the world about what MC Shan and Marley Marl started with "The Bridge",Illmatic is the ALBUM of that.
In REALITY NaS Escobar was basically his answer to BIGs Frank White, Raekwons Lex Diamonds, Ghostface's Tony Starks . . . His execution"Musically" just wasn't on the level of the aforementioned . . .
Naw but foreal, you REALLY think I'm gonna argue with someone who thinks IWW is better than Illmatic??
In REALITY NaS Escobar was basically his answer to BIGs Frank White, Raekwons Lex Diamonds, Ghostface's Tony Starks . . . His execution"Musically" just wasn't on the level of the aforementioned . . .
i r andre
Banned
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album is brilliant
i skip no songs
i skip no songs
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This is one thing that I have to co-sign Ninjahood (
) on......IWW is agreat CD.
I never really gave it its just dues until I really sat down and absorbed it. Illmatic was the first CD (tape) I ever bought with my own money and IWW was thesecond. The shock that I felt back in the day from Nas's change of style, combined with the mediocre reviews that the album got when it first dropped hadleft me salty about this joint up until I was a grown man.
But some of Nas's most insightful lyrics and messages are on this album. I could have done without all of the over the top, out of character gangsterstories but other than that its a brilliant album.
Y'all smoking Woolies if you think this is better than Illamtic though....
I never really gave it its just dues until I really sat down and absorbed it. Illmatic was the first CD (tape) I ever bought with my own money and IWW was thesecond. The shock that I felt back in the day from Nas's change of style, combined with the mediocre reviews that the album got when it first dropped hadleft me salty about this joint up until I was a grown man.
But some of Nas's most insightful lyrics and messages are on this album. I could have done without all of the over the top, out of character gangsterstories but other than that its a brilliant album.
Y'all smoking Woolies if you think this is better than Illamtic though....
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Always skipped:
black girl lost (I get his message, but it's a wack song)
nas is coming (lame)
silent murder (if you count this)
Skipped sometimes:
watch them N's
Suspect
The set up
black girl lost (I get his message, but it's a wack song)
nas is coming (lame)
silent murder (if you count this)
Skipped sometimes:
watch them N's
Suspect
The set up
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Tracks that SUCK
- Intro - What is this?? Nas is a slave now?? In the deep south?? What the ++!% is this . . . Where's the "Uzi in the army lining"??
0/5
- Street Dreams - just corny, flat out, the hook is STUPID, sounds like somethin 50 Cent would've made. Beat is just flat out corny, not to mention its theEXACT same beat Pac used on All Eyez On Me, there's no way NaS people didn't know this, that album was the BIGGEST hip hop album of 1996 (until he gotshot and made ANOTHER album)
2/5
- Watch Them Ninjas - This sounds like a lost instrumental from the Dogg Pound or some west coast group, I mean if yall remember what was goin on in 96you'd take offense, NaS was supposed to be holdin NY down, this isn't the right way. The hook is wack too, he should've just gave Foxy & AZthis joint
1/5
- Take It In Blood - Wait a minute . . . Nas used to watch Kathy Lee & Regis?? Oh yeah this +##! sucks
2/5
- Nas Is Coming - How do you get arguably the BEST MC in the game, and the BEST producer and this is final product?? I aint gonna front this song was kindacool when I was in 7th grade
2/5
- The Set Up - Doesn't this sound exactly like the +##! Mobb Deep was making?? Nas shouldnt have been copying Prodigy's +##!. Its not an all of awfulsong, but its not really all that good.
2.5/5
- Suspect - Just not a good song, boring beat GOD awful hook . . . Sounds like somethin off of Doe Or Die (Not a good thing)
1/5
- Live Ninja Rap - This would've made a good UNRELEASED song. Nas & Prodigy both in their lyrical primes and this what we get??
3/5
Overall the album has NO theme to it, I mean would a movie be GREAT if it just has good action scenes and no type of plot/purpose or OVERALL theme?? I mean hehas some pretty solid work on here
I Gave You Power
Black Girl Lost
If I Rules The World
& for those that remember, the "Streets Dreams Remix"
, the 2nd verse on that >>> ANYthing on this album
- Intro - What is this?? Nas is a slave now?? In the deep south?? What the ++!% is this . . . Where's the "Uzi in the army lining"??
0/5
- Street Dreams - just corny, flat out, the hook is STUPID, sounds like somethin 50 Cent would've made. Beat is just flat out corny, not to mention its theEXACT same beat Pac used on All Eyez On Me, there's no way NaS people didn't know this, that album was the BIGGEST hip hop album of 1996 (until he gotshot and made ANOTHER album)
2/5
- Watch Them Ninjas - This sounds like a lost instrumental from the Dogg Pound or some west coast group, I mean if yall remember what was goin on in 96you'd take offense, NaS was supposed to be holdin NY down, this isn't the right way. The hook is wack too, he should've just gave Foxy & AZthis joint
1/5
- Take It In Blood - Wait a minute . . . Nas used to watch Kathy Lee & Regis?? Oh yeah this +##! sucks
2/5
- Nas Is Coming - How do you get arguably the BEST MC in the game, and the BEST producer and this is final product?? I aint gonna front this song was kindacool when I was in 7th grade
2/5
- The Set Up - Doesn't this sound exactly like the +##! Mobb Deep was making?? Nas shouldnt have been copying Prodigy's +##!. Its not an all of awfulsong, but its not really all that good.
2.5/5
- Suspect - Just not a good song, boring beat GOD awful hook . . . Sounds like somethin off of Doe Or Die (Not a good thing)
1/5
- Live Ninja Rap - This would've made a good UNRELEASED song. Nas & Prodigy both in their lyrical primes and this what we get??
3/5
Overall the album has NO theme to it, I mean would a movie be GREAT if it just has good action scenes and no type of plot/purpose or OVERALL theme?? I mean hehas some pretty solid work on here
I Gave You Power
Black Girl Lost
If I Rules The World
& for those that remember, the "Streets Dreams Remix"
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illmatic is probably one of my 5 favorite albums of all time.
And I'm smart enough to know it's not "perfect".
And I'm smart enough to know it's not "perfect".
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And by the way, an album is still an ALBUM. CD is the medium through which that album is delivered.
It also came out on cassette and vinyl. Not just CD.
It also came out on cassette and vinyl. Not just CD.
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I like Nas... A LOT... but I just realized I don't necessarily like his albums that much though.. not as complete thoughts anyway. I could name 100 songsright now that I LOVE but I can only name 2 albums. And they both end in -matic
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im convicned you said all that for shock value....Originally Posted by Harlem On The Rise
Tracks that SUCK
- Intro - What is this?? Nas is a slave now?? In the deep south?? What the ++!% is this . . . Where's the "Uzi in the army lining"??
0/5
- Street Dreams - just corny, flat out, the hook is STUPID, sounds like somethin 50 Cent would've made. Beat is just flat out corny, not to mention its the EXACT same beat Pac used on All Eyez On Me, there's no way NaS people didn't know this, that album was the BIGGEST hip hop album of 1996 (until he got shot and made ANOTHER album)
2/5
- Watch Them Ninjas - This sounds like a lost instrumental from the Dogg Pound or some west coast group, I mean if yall remember what was goin on in 96 you'd take offense, NaS was supposed to be holdin NY down, this isn't the right way. The hook is wack too, he should've just gave Foxy & AZ this joint
1/5
- Take It In Blood - Wait a minute . . . Nas used to watch Kathy Lee & Regis?? Oh yeah this +##! sucks
2/5
- Nas Is Coming - How do you get arguably the BEST MC in the game, and the BEST producer and this is final product?? I aint gonna front this song was kinda cool when I was in 7th grade
2/5
- The Set Up - Doesn't this sound exactly like the +##! Mobb Deep was making?? Nas shouldnt have been copying Prodigy's +##!. Its not an all of awful song, but its not really all that good.
2.5/5
- Suspect - Just not a good song, boring beat GOD awful hook . . . Sounds like somethin off of Doe Or Die (Not a good thing)
1/5
- Live Ninja Rap - This would've made a good UNRELEASED song. Nas & Prodigy both in their lyrical primes and this what we get??
3/5
Overall the album has NO theme to it, I mean would a movie be GREAT if it just has good action scenes and no type of plot/purpose or OVERALL theme?? I mean he has some pretty solid work on here
I Gave You Power
Black Girl Lost
If I Rules The World
& for those that remember, the "Streets Dreams Remix", the 2nd verse on that >>> ANYthing on this album
it was written is Nas's arguably best album...if not SOLID 2nd effort....
I am would've been better IF the bootlegged version didn't tear that album apart.....
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Originally Posted by Untitled
im convicned you said all that for shock value....Originally Posted by Harlem On The Rise
Tracks that SUCK
- Intro - What is this?? Nas is a slave now?? In the deep south?? What the ++!% is this . . . Where's the "Uzi in the army lining"??
0/5
- Street Dreams - just corny, flat out, the hook is STUPID, sounds like somethin 50 Cent would've made. Beat is just flat out corny, not to mention its the EXACT same beat Pac used on All Eyez On Me, there's no way NaS people didn't know this, that album was the BIGGEST hip hop album of 1996 (until he got shot and made ANOTHER album)
2/5
- Watch Them Ninjas - This sounds like a lost instrumental from the Dogg Pound or some west coast group, I mean if yall remember what was goin on in 96 you'd take offense, NaS was supposed to be holdin NY down, this isn't the right way. The hook is wack too, he should've just gave Foxy & AZ this joint
1/5
- Take It In Blood - Wait a minute . . . Nas used to watch Kathy Lee & Regis?? Oh yeah this +##! sucks
2/5
- Nas Is Coming - How do you get arguably the BEST MC in the game, and the BEST producer and this is final product?? I aint gonna front this song was kinda cool when I was in 7th grade
2/5
- The Set Up - Doesn't this sound exactly like the +##! Mobb Deep was making?? Nas shouldnt have been copying Prodigy's +##!. Its not an all of awful song, but its not really all that good.
2.5/5
- Suspect - Just not a good song, boring beat GOD awful hook . . . Sounds like somethin off of Doe Or Die (Not a good thing)
1/5
- Live Ninja Rap - This would've made a good UNRELEASED song. Nas & Prodigy both in their lyrical primes and this what we get??
3/5
Overall the album has NO theme to it, I mean would a movie be GREAT if it just has good action scenes and no type of plot/purpose or OVERALL theme?? I mean he has some pretty solid work on here
I Gave You Power
Black Girl Lost
If I Rules The World
& for those that remember, the "Streets Dreams Remix", the 2nd verse on that >>> ANYthing on this album
it was written is Nas's arguably best album...if not SOLID 2nd effort....
I am would've been better IF the bootlegged version didn't tear that album apart.....
This album was bootlegged what happen?
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Oh i knew that i thought u meant IWW was bootlegged. I just need two more albums from Nas and I'm good
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I Am... is crazy slept on too.
I think it got a 4.5/5 on the Source when it dropped
Oh yeah, Street Dreams(remix)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Street Dreams.
And I like Street Dreams
Honestly... this is a great album.
But it's not even a top 3 NaS effort by me.
I'd put Stillmatic and Untitled over it.
Lyrically? This album is right there with Illmatic.
Subject Matter wise, and the overall "album" feel, it's not even close.
And I do think that Nas is the GOAT, but that doesn't mean I would have 3 of his albums be in the top 15.
WAYYYYY too much good hip-hop for one artist to flood the board.
I think it got a 4.5/5 on the Source when it dropped
Oh yeah, Street Dreams(remix)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Street Dreams.
And I like Street Dreams
Honestly... this is a great album.
But it's not even a top 3 NaS effort by me.
I'd put Stillmatic and Untitled over it.
Lyrically? This album is right there with Illmatic.
Subject Matter wise, and the overall "album" feel, it's not even close.
And I do think that Nas is the GOAT, but that doesn't mean I would have 3 of his albums be in the top 15.
WAYYYYY too much good hip-hop for one artist to flood the board.
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^Co-sign 100%
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It's crazy how time can change perception of things.
IWW was canned for trying to be too mafioso etc. when it first released, Now it's lauded as a classic.
I've always thought it was dope...I was like 11 bumpin' the tape.
IWW was canned for trying to be too mafioso etc. when it first released, Now it's lauded as a classic.
I've always thought it was dope...I was like 11 bumpin' the tape.
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The only people I think have a legit 2 albums in the top 15 are Quest.
IWW was a good album IMO... but i like Gods Son, Stillmatic, and prob even the Lost Tapes more than IWW...
also i dont understand anyone who can listen to Nas and NOT have Illmatic as their favorite Nas album... like really? Wat is wrong with that album? What songsDONT you like. Illmatic= GOAt, but IMO BIG= GOAT cause he got 2 top 10 albums and those were his ONLY 2 albums...
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i love this cd.... but i love that god son joint to i was sleeping on it at first lol
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Top 30 album more like it.
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only song that couldve been left out was black girl lost........this is one of if not the most complete albums ever released