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It's time for that THREAD about STILLMATIC, one of NaS' most beloved albums. Peep the bonus tracks on the copy I picked up in Tokyo. Japanese CDs nearly always have the lyrics. The CD's design lets you know what time is it 
NaS was getting it from all sides between the releases of NaStradamus’ in Nov. 99 and Stillmatic, his fifth solo album, in Dec. 2001. NaStradamus was hated, Queens rap crews were falling apart, Jay-Z dropped Takeover in Aug. 2001, and NaS’ beloved mom, Ann, was dying of cancer.
I say August 2001 because that's when The Blueprint leaked, weeks before its Sept. 11, 2001 release date.
The QB’s Finest compilation and the popular single Oochie Wally failed to get people off his back so he went back in the booth to record one of rap’s most storied comeback albums. Just prior to the album, he fired off Stillmatic, a brief response to Takeover, on mixtapes.
That song, which samples Eric B. & Rakim and is not on this album, promised a “difficult test inside the cover for the mind’s optics.” What was that? NaS paying tribute to Slick Rick with a pigeon? Who knows?
People were rooting for NaS, the underdog, back in the winter of 2001, just months after 9/11 (an event that haunts this album). That might have led to Stillmatic being overrated a bit. Five mics in the Source, just like The Blueprint. Is it a five mic album?
That’s for the individual listener to decide. It’s not, in my opinion, though it is a very good record and a return to form after the previous two albums. Let’s put the album on:
Stillmatic Intro. THIS is how you open an album. Dramatic as fuck. Hearing it the first time, you thought, “Holy shit! NaS may have dropped a classic. He’s back.”
Ether. Gunfire and 2Pac (“Fuck Jay-Z’) open this legendary diss that has been attacked by historical revisionists. It accomplished what it set out to do: hurt Jay-Z’s feelings and made him cry like a baby. I’m sorry, but NaS won this battle. Em murdered you on your own shit.
Go Ur Self a... The lead single. Hook samples The Sopranos’ theme song. It’s cool, NaS is spitting, I like it, but it’s not great. Check out the video. NaS recreates Tupac’s murder in Las Vegas.
Smokin’. I didn’t love this at first but now I think it’s one of the most underrated songs on this. Eerie beat. NaS’ singing doesn’t bother me. Dope verses, third in particular. One of the songs that leaked before the album.
You’re Da Man. Another song that leaked early; the lyrics were censored a lil' on the album. One of the best on Stillmatic. Like Smokin’, sets a haunting mood. Makes you forget the radio bullshit on prior projects. NaS reveals the Jay / Carmen thing but few caught it.
Rewind. Much discussed Memento-like concept that blew people’s minds when the album was released (NaS tells a story backwards). I’ve always thought it was kind of a gimmick but I wouldn’t skip it.
One Mic. Probably the most popular song on Stillmatic and one of the songs NaS will be remembered for. Very dramatic and unique. Love the way NaS builds it up. I cringe when I hear the Jesus / 33 bullets shit but this is great.
2nd Childhood. Old school feel; the last Primo beat on a NaS album, a tragedy for rap music. This is better than Come Get Me on NaStradamus but doesn’t equal the excellence of their earliest work. Still, another great song on this arguably front-loaded album.
Destroy & Rebuild. NaS channels Slick Rick to shit on Cormega, Nature, and Mobb Deep’s Prodigy, who was seriously wounded by Jay’s Takeover. Prodigy was never the same. Not one of NaS’ best diss records, I just don’t like this one’s beat or hook. I can’t get past that.
The Flyest. You’ll like this song more if you don’t compare it to Life’s a Bitch. I think the AZ / NaS “Essence” collabo released months later on Aziatic is better. This isn’t a bad song, it’s just not as great as it probably could be. I enjoy it though.
Braveheart Party. A horrible song produced by Swizz Beatz (who I hate to see on a NaS album) that was removed shortly after Stillmatic was released. It’s still part of the album, in my opinion. Worse than “Salute Me,” another Swizz track some thought was for Stillmatic.
Rule. A bit cheesy, this song over a Tears for Fears inspired beat, contains NaS’ musings on a post-9/11 world. I enjoy it. It shows how far NaS has grown away from NaS Escobar. He’s comfortable talking about more than his personal experience and mafia fantasies.
My Country. Rule naturally leads into this much bleaker assessment of America and the way it treats its citizens. I’d like it more if the hook was rewritten and NaS didn’t sing it. My country shitted on me?
What Goes Around. NaS rants about all the evil he sees in the world. A sign of his anti-vaxx mindset. Maybe Jay was right on Blueprint 2? A worthwhile song despite my disagreement with some of NaS’ opinions.
Every Ghetto. A bonus appearing on every copy. Its sound reminds me of the Don Killuminati’s. NaS is bursting with energy and insightful on two verses bridged by Blitz. Good but not great. Worth being a bonus track.
No Idea’s Original. Circuit City / Japan bonus track that was remixed for Lost Tapes. I prefer the Lost Tapes’ more soulful production but this is good, too.
Everybody’s Crazy. Another Circuit City / Japan bonus that ended up on The Lost Tapes. I like this one, too, but it’s not a classic.
Black Zombies. A Japan bonus / Got Ur Self B-side included on Lost Tapes. Really like it. Has one of the best examples of NaS’ singing. Would’ve been a highlight of Stillmatic’s body. Tapes would’ve lost out, but it could’ve helped Stillmatic really earn those 5 mics.
Closing thoughts: I'm feeling generous today so I'll say that the bonus tracks push this album to 4.5 mics It's not as well executed as It Was Written but its content is a lot more varied and interesting. What do you think?
Am I wrong if I say NaS kind of reminds me of Michelle Obama in this pic?
