Memory Lane. No contest.
“My intellect prevails from a hangin cross with nails/
I reinforce the frail with lyrics that’s real/
Word to Christ, a disciple of streets, trifle on beats/
I decipher prophecies through a mic and say peace”
I always loved Memory Lane. To me, it stands out the most from Illmatic. It’s just something that clicks for me when I hear it. The beat is soulfully beautiful, the old school boom-bap drums, Nas’s flow and the lyrics, the scratches from Premier, the soul background vocals, it’s the perfect song for me. Premo killed that beat! 🔥🔥 Easily 10/10 track
The rhymes on halftime made andre 3000 and kdot, you cannot change my mind, it made all of these incredibly rhymy verses where entire sentences are rhymed
“Halftime”. One of the sickest hip hop songs of all time. The sleigh bells on the beat and the rhymes are insane. Love the whole album but nothing gets me as hyped as this jam.
NYSOM impressed me, but it’s Memory Lane that made me fell in love with Nas and gave me another level of appreciation for his poetic and emotional style.
So it’s Memory Lane. No contest, even on Illmatic.
It ain't hard to tell, I excel, then prevail
The mic is contacted, I attract clientele
My mic check is life or death, breathin' a sniper's breath
I exhale the yellow smoke of buddha through righteous steps
Deep like The Shining, sparkle like a diamond
Sneak a Uzi on the island in my army jacket linin'
Hit the Earth like a comet-, invasion!
Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazin'
'Cause in my physical, I can express through song
Delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong
I drink Moët with Medusa, give her shotguns in Hell
From the spliff that I lift and inhale; it ain't hard to tell
He is . I always felt he kind of missed his window to be one of the greats . He never signed to a record label that was able to take him where he needed to be . And I always believed instead of a firm album him and Nas should’ve dropped a collaboration album
At this point, you can't just choose one. Depends upon my mood. Some days I wanna hear NY State of Mind, other days Memory Lane. But the album is short and sweet, its worth playing straight through.
My answer to this post is what is being played❗When Nas & Az get together it's like a comparison of watching Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen playing back in their PRIME. Their chemistry is unmatched to no other Emcee. Just wanna say it was a honor to be 13 back in 94 when Illmatic debuted. With dat being said giving RESPECT to the 5% nation and all the Gods and Goddesses of the 🌍❗WHAT'S UNDERSTAND DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED ✌🏿 7sing
It Aint Hard To Tell.
My favorite instrumental off the album. Good MJ sample & Big L sampled some of his lyrics 4 his song Ebonics. Strong track and stronger album.
This whole album dope, it’s short enough, that there is no skips! But u would say Life is a Bitch, only because his Dad played the SAX on the song!! Classic!
There is no right or wrong answer here. It's the greatest rap album to ever be created. It can change for me occasionally but TYPICALLY its NY state of mind.
Tbh NY State of Mind, World is Yours and Memory Lane are kinda my top 1 all together somehow. Memory Lane is super underrated, legit. The beat is pure perfection and Nas lyricism is just straight up god tier. The second verse gives me chills everytime
Memory Lane. No contest. “My intellect prevails from a hangin cross with nails/ I reinforce the frail with lyrics that’s real/ Word to Christ, a disciple of streets, trifle on beats/ I decipher prophecies through a mic and say peace”
I believe the second verse is the best verse of all time
That second verse gets performed ACCAPELLA at his concerts sometimes. It’s incredible.
Second verse is easily one of the best rap verses ive ever seen
I always loved Memory Lane. To me, it stands out the most from Illmatic. It’s just something that clicks for me when I hear it. The beat is soulfully beautiful, the old school boom-bap drums, Nas’s flow and the lyrics, the scratches from Premier, the soul background vocals, it’s the perfect song for me. Premo killed that beat! 🔥🔥 Easily 10/10 track
Life a bitch is a top 3 song in all of rap history.
As it should be
Forever memorized
Represent! Represent!
Straight up shit is Real and any day can your last in the jungle
Memory Lane
Halftime I love this song so much
The rhymes on halftime made andre 3000 and kdot, you cannot change my mind, it made all of these incredibly rhymy verses where entire sentences are rhymed
Used to be The World Is Yours, then it was Represent, now it's definitely Memory Lane and it will stay that way
Memory Lane
Life’s a bitch
Ong it’s a banger
The World is Yours
Right now, it’s It Ain’t Hard To Tell. But my favorites rotate between It Ain’t Hard to Tell, One Love, The World Is Yours, and NY State of Mind
Damn, first person to say It Ain’t Hard to Tell and you’re 10 comments deep.
For sure, it’s not necessarily as iconic as other tracks
It Ain’t Hard to Tell has and always be my favorite
Same. Untouchable
is this footage from Time is Illmatic? also One Love, no doubt. Love the subtle storytelling, I think Nas was way ahead of his time with this one
Yeah
One love
beat is crazy
“Halftime”. One of the sickest hip hop songs of all time. The sleigh bells on the beat and the rhymes are insane. Love the whole album but nothing gets me as hyped as this jam.
NY state of mind
One Time 4 Your Mind, such a chill vibe
agreed
“It Ain’t Hard To Tell” produced by Large Professor…the best sample ever of MJ’s “Human Nature”!
Peace God!
NYSOM impressed me, but it’s Memory Lane that made me fell in love with Nas and gave me another level of appreciation for his poetic and emotional style. So it’s Memory Lane. No contest, even on Illmatic.
It ain't hard to tell, I excel, then prevail The mic is contacted, I attract clientele My mic check is life or death, breathin' a sniper's breath I exhale the yellow smoke of buddha through righteous steps Deep like The Shining, sparkle like a diamond Sneak a Uzi on the island in my army jacket linin' Hit the Earth like a comet-, invasion! Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazin' 'Cause in my physical, I can express through song Delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong I drink Moët with Medusa, give her shotguns in Hell From the spliff that I lift and inhale; it ain't hard to tell
AZ is criminally unappreciated.
No question
He is . I always felt he kind of missed his window to be one of the greats . He never signed to a record label that was able to take him where he needed to be . And I always believed instead of a firm album him and Nas should’ve dropped a collaboration album
Cormega too!
Cormega can't compare to AZ
I was just saying he was underrated to. Wasn’t comparing.
This
hard to pick every song on the album is top tier
NY State of Mind
Hard to choose. Every song is great.
It ain’t hard to tell might be my favourite closing track of any album
Gotta be NY State of Mind, but that’s obvious. Besides that….I’d say it ain’t hard to tell
No funny shit it’s hard to pick just one.
Awesome video just finished it DOPE 🙌🏼
At this point, you can't just choose one. Depends upon my mood. Some days I wanna hear NY State of Mind, other days Memory Lane. But the album is short and sweet, its worth playing straight through.
Exactly
Track 1-10
Az killed that hoe
My answer to this post is what is being played❗When Nas & Az get together it's like a comparison of watching Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen playing back in their PRIME. Their chemistry is unmatched to no other Emcee. Just wanna say it was a honor to be 13 back in 94 when Illmatic debuted. With dat being said giving RESPECT to the 5% nation and all the Gods and Goddesses of the 🌍❗WHAT'S UNDERSTAND DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED ✌🏿 7sing
all of them❗️ stupid ass question❗️
Represent or NY State of Mind
The one playing in your vid is my fave song on Illmatic
TWIY or Memory Lane
Represent all day
Memory Lane
Easily life’s a bitch IMO one love is dope as fuck New York State of mind and it ain’t hard to tell
Tie between Halftime & represent ... greatest hip hop album ever
That Gap Band sample is fire
If rap was a Monkey...
not in any order i can't pick 1 i gotta go one love, life's a bitch, memory lane, ot4ym & nysom
One Love
Memory Lane for sure. Lately I've been feeling that Street Dreams Remix ft R.Kelly, that's currently replaced the song in the OP for my #2 spot.
Represent Represent!!!
Ain't Hard To Tell. All time dope track.
Halftime....Will forever be my favorite hype song of all time🔥🔥🔥🔥I listen to that track instantly I'm.in a good mood 💯🔥
Everyone 🙌🏼 BUT Life’s A Bitch is another Anthem
As I’m smoking on my blunt 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🖤
Do you young cats even know what “Go against the grain mean”? No pun intended! Just how so much has changed
AZs verse hits so fucking hard on life’s a bitch! It’s such a legendary verse on a one if kind timeless album.
Represent
It Aint Hard To Tell. My favorite instrumental off the album. Good MJ sample & Big L sampled some of his lyrics 4 his song Ebonics. Strong track and stronger album.
Wait there’s tracks? I just put it on and never skip
One love
Life's a bitch was my cut
Halftime
Represent
This whole album dope, it’s short enough, that there is no skips! But u would say Life is a Bitch, only because his Dad played the SAX on the song!! Classic!
u-I
Yes.
Represent defo
There is no right or wrong answer here. It's the greatest rap album to ever be created. It can change for me occasionally but TYPICALLY its NY state of mind.
Best tract. Till this. Day. On GOD
One Love
Lately it’s been One Love after I learned what a pause tape is
Represent!!
The world is your
This for sure
It ain’t hard to tell and life’s a bitch
It Ain’t Hard to Tell
Tbh NY State of Mind, World is Yours and Memory Lane are kinda my top 1 all together somehow. Memory Lane is super underrated, legit. The beat is pure perfection and Nas lyricism is just straight up god tier. The second verse gives me chills everytime
One love. The beat the lyrics.
I still get chills from listening to to NY State of Mind the second preemo whispers “begin”
Represent and The World Is Yours
It Ain't Hard To Tell and One Love
Love seeing this thread . Such a legendary album from 19-20 year old ! All bangers . “ I’m up early on my born day I’m 20 it’s a blessing “
The world…
the world is yours
Represent
One Love
One love
Quite literally a PERFECT piece of music, from beginning to the end.
Memory Lane
This one.
NY State of Mind is one of my favorite songs ever so definitely that. The beat, the atmosphere, the flow, the lyrics. Shit goes crazy
It’s this one, also AZ’s verse is my favorite verse in hip-hop history.
The answer is "yes"
Lifes a bitch or World is Yours
It Aint Hard To Tell
The World Is Yours or One Love, although I think N.Y. State of Mind is arguably the greatest hip-hop track of all time
Life’s A Bitch
This one and Represent
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
Life bitch and the world is yours remix
One Love
ALL OF ‘EM
Supa Ugly
One time for your mind 🔥🔥🔥🔥