Street's Disciple
*Street’s Disciple* is a juxtaposition of the two aspects of Nas’ personality that have been warring for years: his focus, and his pompousness. With the multi-character storytelling of “Sekou Story” and the father-son blues of “Bridging the Gap,” Nas proves he\'s determined to push his music forward. At the same time, *Street’s Disciple* is lined with references to classic hip-hop, from the canonical samples of “American Way” and “Sekou Story,” to the beatboxing of “Virgo” (rap godfather Doug E. Fresh) and the tributes to Jam Master Jay (“You Know My Style”) and Rakim (“UBR”). Perhaps best of all is “Thief’s Theme,” a sequel to “Made You Look” that proves Nas still knows how to make a rock-solid street rap song. Following the soul-baring *God’s Son*, *Street’s Disciple* signaled the beginning of a new chapter in Nas’ career. Nas now has so much to say that his songs represent jam-packed collisions of concepts, observations, and poetry. The window into his soul was widening, and though he’s lost the concision of *Illmatic*, the new Nas is more fascinating and revealing than ever.
Considering Nas' one-hot-album-every-10-year average, he's due for another great record. The sprawling, two-disc Street's Disciple isn't it, but it's a step in the right direction, as well in a new direction: If the Nas of Illmatic was trying to get out of the ghetto, the Nas of Street's Disciple is trying to get the ghetto out of the ghetto-- and find a decent babysitter.
Ten years deep in the rap game, Nas unveiled Street's Disciple, an indulgent album that sprawls across two discs, freewheeling through a dizzying array of ace productions and thoughtful raps.