my first thoughts on Light Years by Nas & DJ Premier

Описание: Here are my initial thoughts on "Light Years" by Nas x DJ Premier after first listen. I think this highly anticipated collaboration delivered. It showcases the evolution of a legendary producer still able to do what he loves at 59 years old while Nas remains a solid writer, performer, and young at heart with every word recorded. What immediately stood out to me was Premo's focus on his bassline grooves, which took the driver eat on several songs like "GiT Ready" and "Madman." The bass really takes a front seat, rather than just being background to a classic sample flip, demonstrating Premier's growth.

Nas, of course, does what he does best. His ability to capture some nostalgia of what we wanted to hear with current commentary as a now hip-hop elder statesman was blended well and felt refreshing. Premier spins some of his cleanest scratches ever, strategically placed as ear candy throughout some verses to break up Nas's elite structural writing. The tracks recorded in different time periods are a cool easter egg for audiophiles and hardcore fans that have an ear for that.

Some tracks were a little too mellow or outside of Premo's hard-hitting style for my liking, such as "Welcome To The Underground" and "Shine Together". Unfortunately, "N.Y. State of Mind, Pt. 3" had impossible expectations and I think they went a different direction on purpose to avoid coming up short with capturing that same feeling that Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 produced.

All in all, the album proves its quality on first listen and will only get better after multiple listens like all Nas albums do.

My Current Top 5:
1) Nasty Esco Nasir
2) It's Time
3) Junkie
4) Madman
5) Writers

How are you liking the album? What tracks stood out to you most on Light Years? Let's hear it!

#nas #djpremier #lightyears #hiphop #rap

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