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THREAD about NaS' third solo album, I AM..., released by Columbia Records on April 6, 1999 
Coming 3 years after the popular but arguably disappointing It Was Written, I Am… was touted as a return to form. Peep the message suggested by this 'toon published by The Source. I Am… was promoted as a musical autobiography and was rumored to be two discs long
Numerous songs from its sessions were bootlegged months prior to its release, a common occurrence at the time. Columbia panicked. New songs were apparently recorded and what we got was different than what was originally planned, creating one of rap’s greatest “what ifs.”
Dope songs that fit the biography theme were cut. A few were released on NaStradamus five months later and on The Lost Tapes years later, but I Am… suffered. Many consider it a failure, although the reception back in '99 was positive (4.5 mics in The Source) and it sold well.
I’m more forgiving than most, because I’m such a NaS fan and because I have nostalgic feelings for it. I bought I Am... the day it was released during my first trip to NYC and remember listening to it on my Discman on the subway and at the top of the World Trade Center.
This is the “King” album in NaS’ tetralogy, evidenced by the Egyptian Tutankhaman-like death mask he wears on its cover (he nearly suffocated during the shoot).
What about it suggests royalty? Not much but this is NaS at his most commercially ambitious. There are more radio-friendly records here than ever and guest appearances by artists and producers from outside NY who were hot at the time. Let's go to the songs . . .
Album Intro. More than any song, this intro reflects the bio theme, taking listeners on a journey through NaS’ career to that point, followed by unnecessary dialogue by the Bravehearts.
NY State of Mind Pt II. This Premier-produced sequel is underrated. The beat harkens back to the one on Illmatic and NaS is at his best, creating vivid scenes of lives in poverty. This takes us all the way back, beyond It Was Written’s mafia life, to Nasty NaS. Superb.
Just when you thought NaS was going back to the essence, here he is with Puff on a melodramatic single about haters. Popular in its time, this spawned a controversial video with NaS and Puff on crosses. I enjoy this but it misses the “O Fortuna” sample on the pre-release mix.
Small World. This quiet well-told story contrasts sharply with the bombastic Hate Me Now that it follows. A bit sleepy, it’s cool but isn’t that special.
Favor for a Favor. NaS and Scarface, how could this not be a classic? It isn’t. It’s let down by production that does the performers few favors. The verses and hook aren’t terribly inspiring either. Not awful but one of I Am…’s more disappointing songs
We Will Survive. I like this song, sometimes called One Love Pt. 2, much more than the average NaS fan. Perhaps because I’m such a big 2Pac fan. The Loggins sample works well and all 3 verses are insightful and poignant. NaS’ BIG verse helped start his tiff with Jay-Z.
Ghetto Prisoners. NaS on his political shit, which isn’t always his greatest strength. His verses aren’t bad but the hook is a tad tedious and the beat sounded cheap back in ’99. It hasn’t aged well.
You Won't See Me Tonight. NaS unites with two of the late ‘90s’ hottest artists, Timbaland and Aaliyah, and the results are unsatisfying. The beat sounds like a Timbo scrap; NaS is incapable of being seductive; and Aaliyah doesn’t add that much. Lukewarm.
I Wanna Talk to You. A poor man’s “Letter to the President.” Uninspired production and NaS singing the hook are a few of its issues. I might skip this at times.
Dr. Knockboot. This NaS Is Like B-side transforms NaS into Dr. Ruth. Does “humorous” sex advice from NaS sound like a good concept? NaS isn’t a funny rapper, nor is he adept at sex songs. Another cheap-sounding beat. A recipe for disaster.
Life Is What You Make It. Can DMX, probably the hottest rapper in '99, breathe life into I Am? Yes, but not as much as you might hope. This is not one of X’s more memorable guest appearances from this era. Underwhelming but worth hearing.
Big Things. NaS wants you to know he's into BIG things. He experiments with flow; admirable ambition but a failure. Cringe-worthy; one of the worst songs on I Am…
NaS is Like. One of the worst songs on I Am… is followed by one of the NaS’ best songs ever. Incredible; might be my favorite NaS song. I literally got goosebumps the first time I heard it. Premier’s production is godly. I look past I Am…’s flaws because of it.
K-I-SS-I-N-G. Many hate this one. I don’t dislike it or skip it when it comes on. The hook doesn’t annoy me much, the R. Kelly sample is cool, and NaS is alright. I’ll damn it with faint praise: better than Big Things.
Money Is My Bitch. Steel drum song can’t hold a candle to It Was Written’s Silent Murder. Another terrible hook with NaS singing; nearly kills the song singlehandedly. “Near genius in its metaphor” according to The Source’s review. Nah.
Undying Love. I Am… closes with one of its best songs. This is NaS at the peak of his storytelling powers; it allegedly ended the first I Am… disc. NaS, who kills himself at the end of it, would have been resurrected following “Amongst Kings” at the start of disc two.
“Natures Shine” by Nature; and “Pray” by Bravehearts. Unlike the bonus songs on other NaS albums, these songs on the cassette don’t come at the end. Neither features a verse by NaS, although he ad-libs on Pray. Superfluous to all but the most diehard fans.
Final thoughts. NaS' most mixed bag yet. He's experimenting (arguably selling out) more here, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Both icredible highs and his worst songs ever recorded to this point are jumbled up. I'd give it 3.5 mics, maybe 4 if I'm feeling generous.
NaS is Like video: music.apple.com/us/music-video…
Hate Me Now video music.apple.com/us/music-video…
