Jay-Z Or NAS

Typically, this is a discussion designated for those hot air personalities that gauge music authenticity, credibility and overall success of an artist by record sales. This very sad fact further illustrates why most radio booths have no sharp objects (other than the sound scan barcodes.

Further punctuating this painful proof is that fact that Jay-Z’ Reasonable Doubt [released Jan ‘99] and NAS’ Illmatic [released Apr ‘94] are the best pieces of work by either artists’ admittance even though neither was their top-seller.


Now, it doesn’t matter whether you are riding with Marcy’s Man child or Queens Bridge’s Qur’an quotable — both are boiling at the top of their game. Jay says he’s done, but he said that before NAS dropped his last one — which may be his best yet, and the inspiration behind this post.
Should Jigga hold onto his vow and hang up the mic for good, there will be little “doubt” that these feuding foes fight ended in a NAS victory. Of course I thought the battle track “Ether” [released from the highly underrated Stillmatic] sealed that debate. However, some die-hard JZ fans were just unconvinced. NAS’ "double disc Street Disciples" should put another nail in that coffin reasonable doubt.

It is so ironic that both Jay-Z and NAS spent a great deal of time and energy defending ‘Pac and Big — and in some many ways are just like the slain rap icons.



Big had a (well) big street presence that transformed into the business of show (just like Jay-Z).

While 2Pac was destined for showbiz but his music lit up the streets -- just like Esco.

In general, emcee battles are what most Hip Hop fans prefer. It’s a simple choice between poetic genius vs. commercial corniness — and, in my opinion, Jay-Z spent too much of his career trying to justify both.

For the record, I think "The Black Album," along with "Reasonable Doubt" are classics--everything in-between underscores my point. Conversely, NAS spits reverberating lyrics which challenge the spirit, regardless of the target. He attacks the soul and expects the knowledgeable to understand. For the unawake, weak and wack…, well they can simply call their local morning shows.

Advantage NAS

1 Love,
Ray Lewis