Overall, Lost Tapes II is simply an amazing effort that must be placed alongside Nas’ other seminal works.Nas’ output this decade has been pretty sporadic, with the rap legend only putting out two new studio albums: 2012’s ‘Life is Good’ and 2018’s ‘Nasir’. No ID produced the standout “Beautiful Life” the album’s defining track in which Nas goes in depth about his personal struggles with life, love, and family. Pete Rock brings more heat on “Queensbridge Politics” which Nas uses to pay homage to Prodigy and the history of his legendary neighborhood. “You Mean The World To Me” is a melancholic soul sample featuring Nas telling a heartfelt story about a lost love. Alchemist, one of Nas’ most effective collaborators, assists on “It Never Ends” which finds him using classic Biggie lyrics to frame his braggadocio flow. “Queens Wolf” is a lustrous DJ Toomp beat that features Nas in concept mode while displaying his considerable storytelling acumen. “Highly Favored” is another overwhelming sonic wonder produced by RZA complimented perfectly by Nas’ cadence. “The Art Of It” is Nas at his best, decimating a Pete Rock track with blinding lyrical precision. “War Against Love” is one of the album’s standouts produced by DJ Kalil and DJ Dahi providing smooth beat Nas expertly deconstructs to espouse the virtues of empowerment in the Black community. “Adult Film” features Nas in relationship mode addressing complex issues as only he can over another nifty Swizz Beatz produced track. It begs the question why it wasn’t included on that masterwork. “Who Are You” is a smooth Eric Hudson track with a savage takedown of Black Civil Rights leaders who criticized Nas for his Untitled album. “Royalty” features Nas in gem dropping mode imparting wisdom over a Hit-Boy produced track with a hook that takes some getting used to. It’s enough to make you salivate about the prospect of God knows how many other tracks that might exist from the RZA produced album Nas has been inexplicably sitting on. It features sharp Nas lyrics inspired by a girl Nas knew in Queensbridge back in the day.
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“Tanasia” is a RZA produced masterpiece that is already in heavy rotation among New York City drivers with booming stereo systems. “Lost Freestyle” lives up to its name with Nas freestyling off the top of the dome over the second half of this inspired Static Selektah beat. Although this one is more experimental with Nas displaying a masterful flow over an Al Jarreau sample. “Jarreau of Rap” is reminiscent of “Jungle” and other jazzy collaborations Nas has done with his father Olu Dara over the years. “Vernon Family” quickens the pace on a Pharrell Williams produced track that finds Nas repping his beloved Queensbridge neighborhood. The tone is quickly set by “No Bad Energy” The Swizz Beatz and Arrab Music assisted intro that fits nicely into Nas’ legendary streak of classic album openers. The tone Lost Tapes II is a surprisingly cohesive compilation for music that spans more than a decade across several iterations of Nas’ work. Lost Tapes II is a surprisingly cohesive compilation for music that spans more than a decade across several iterations of Nas’ work.
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