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Time for a mercifully brief THREAD about NaS' compilation, The Lost Tapes, released by Columbia Records on September 23, 2002 
Forget Jay-Z’s Black Album. The Lost Tapes was a real black album. No singles, no videos, no radio reaches, no real promo campaign to speak of. It’s not really a NaS album, it’s a compilation, but I’ve included it in my overview anyway.
Where do the songs on The Lost Tapes come from? From the I Am… sessions and Stillmatic sessions. Some songs were bootlegged prior to I Am…’s release, fucking up Columbia’s plans for that project. I’m glad they finally got released, though at least two songs weren’t the same.
This is a relatively brief compilation and was reasonably popular, given the absence of promotion. It’s one of the most beloved NaS projects (Pitchfork gave it a 6.9 LMAO). Is the affection fans have for the Lost Tapes justified?
It’s great but I must admit not being as enthusiastic as some. Why not? I had been listening to most of the songs for years before the Tapes dropped. My familiarity doesn’t change how great many of the songs are, however. Cue the album…
Doo Rags. One of my favorite NaS songs. Immaculate piano; beautiful nostalgic and interesting NaS verses. No faults here. First heard this on the Got Ur Self... single. Why was this shit a B-side? Why include Braveheart Party but not this? WTF
My Way. Prod. by Alchemist. This is cool but not one of my favorites on this compilation. Would've fit in on I Am... with the autobio theme but was NaS working with Alchemist then? Did Alchemist remix after the fact this like he did No Idea Is Original? Anyone know the deal?
U Gotta Love It. Dope song. Sounds like one of the oldest songs on Lost Tapes and NaS refers to himself as NaStradamus, suggesting this is from I AM... This shit leaked in non-CDQ form long before Lost Tapes
Nothing Lasts Forever. This is a personal favorite of mine. NaS' carpe diem message resonates with me. Would've liked a third verse but everything must eventually come to end, so try to savor your moments, 'cause time flies don't it?
No Idea's Original. The I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More-sampling remix improves this song first released as a Stillmatic bonus. I can't listen to this shit without hearing, "Tony for mayor!" Let me know if you know what I mean.
Blaze a 50. Another I Am... leak casualty. Boy, NaS and Columbia really screwed up when they decided to scrap this one. Some of NaS' best storytelling; one of his most propulsive songs. You can almost feel the Azure's horsepower
Everybody's Crazy. You know this one. It's identical to the Stillmatic bonus track. A good song. NaS's verses arguably deserved better production but it's not a bad beat by any measure.
Purple. To me, this is the most overrated song on here. You're gonna think I'm crazy but this is just pretty good and it's almost all you fucking hear when people talk Lost Tapes. I'm tired of it. How is this better than all the other shit on here? Tell me.
Drunk By Myself. Should've led up to Undying Love and then to Afterlife and Amongst Kings on I Am... But no, taken off. Better than Purple LOL. NaS at his best; introspective fearless story-telling
Black Zombie. I told you how much I love this one in the Stillmatic thread. Better than a bonus. One of the great things about Lost Tapes is that it exposed casual fans to gems like this.
Poppa Was a Player. Few songs fit I Am's autobio theme more than this dedication to NaS' father, Olu Dara. Reminds me of Tupac's Dear Mama because of its honest recounting of a conflicted but ultimately loving relationship with a flawed parent.
Fetus. An unlisted bonus track with NaS rapping as, you guessed it, his fetus self. Would've been perfect on I Am..., NaS rerecorded this after his mom's death, changed some lyrics. A Jimi Hendrix sample is missing. The OG I Am mix is best but this is still quite good.
Summing up, this is a great compilation, one of NaS’ best projects. I hate to compare it to his albums or judge it in that way. It’s not fair, so I won’t. I would be shocked if Lost Tapes II is comparable to this but Lost Freestyle sounds like a classic
