The Best Of Jay-Z and Nas | The Legacy Of Scarface

Join Us For Another Episode Of Mic Check. Tonight We Discuss The Best Of The Best Of Nas and Jay-Z. Also We Explore The Legacy Of Scarface.
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[@CelisMusic]

I'm a lil confused on homie's perspective on Nas. So on one hand he says Nas is in HIS top 5 favorite rappers of all time (@ 1:19:20), but also says he's never really listened to Lost Tapes (@ 1:17:32) which is considered by many to be a top 4-5 project from Nas. Then goes onto ask (@ 1:36:18) outside of Illmatic, how many people get into their car and say let me put on some Nas? I would think if an artist is in your top 5, that when getting into your car you'd be more inclined to play their music. Just an observation, but that's a lil unusual to say the least.

[@Maal7432]

He’s all over the place

[@idolgray]

The whole "you listen to nas is the whip" line is a dead giveaway of him being a casual that only rates nas to boost his hip hop cred. People always try and lump him in the with dusty "scarring the hoes" rappers but that isnt true. Sure, if I was out with 20 somethings that dont listen to any 90's legends u wouldnt play him...but a legend with so many classics and recent bangers is def getting play in the cars..they treat nas like he's black thought or canibus (no disrespect)

[@CelisMusic]

@@idolgray I mean I would've respected it (not that he needs my respect) if he just said Nas wasn't his cup of tea, but how is a rapper that's supposedly in your top 5 not getting played in your whip and you haven't heard some of their best material? Just seems kinda odd to me is all.

[@leroygreen6310]

He's talking about the GROUP factor. When I was young my house was where alot of kids would hang out after school and I never got any objection to playing Jay Z but I would often ask before I put on Nas because it's not group listening music cause it's not a balance of fun records vs lyrical records. Now this is really something everybody already knows but just don't wanna admit.

[@rufuscross3884]

@@leroygreen6310i understand your point but the group factor doesn’t apply to riding around in your car as a man. outside of your woman/kids…you are going to be alone in the whip more often than not.

[@Fortune31Studios]

Love both guys. Legendary careers & Catalogues but Nas stands by himself. Nobody else has 10 to 12 albums that are either great or classic. Illmatic, IWW, KD3, Stillmatic, Life Is Good, Lost Tapes, KD2, Magic, Magic 3, Magic 2, God's Son, KD1 & you still got I Am, HHID, Untitled & Distant Relatives still on the table. Crazy!

[@kes9298]

Facts. Nas Catalogue is ridiculous. Real ones know.

[@BusyB1993]

Only the real.

[@Don.M.]

And when you factor in the unreleased and feature catalog…not even close

[@CommonNotCommon24-7]

Its 3 different types of Jay fans. 1. Jay fans that use to love Nas also but once they started beefing they stop listening to Nas after Ether. 2. Jay fans that believe he is the GOAT but will also tell you that Nas is #2 which means to me that they still listen to Nas. 3. The very very rare Jay fan like Mike who believes Nas passed Jay as the GOAT with that Hitboy run.

[@leroygreen6310]

Any Nas fan forming a "lyrical" argument against Jay Z is probably a casual listener of Hip hop all together.

[@CommonNotCommon24-7]

​@@leroygreen6310 why u always come on ppl post with the corny shit bro? When did I say anything about lyrics?

[@leroygreen6310]

@@CommonNotCommon24-7 You didn't but a Nas fans claim to fame is based on lyricism so that alone cancels out any argument they have against a Jay fan and they either mad about that or don't know why they mad.

[@CommonNotCommon24-7]

​@@leroygreen6310and you use to always reply back with "records sold and money" so what's the reason why you believe Jay better than Nas?

[@leroygreen6310]

@@CommonNotCommon24-7 The argument that I never use lyrical ability is the primary reason why Jay is the Goat is false.

[@SD-vf1er]

As far as Lost Tapes… I’m not mad at Doo Rags or Blaze A 50 or Purple or No Idea’s Original but I have to go with My Way. I feel My Way is everything Nas is great at. Great Alchemist beat. Great hook. Storytelling, introspective, bragging, stream of consciousness flow… that record is everything Nas is great at wrapped up in one song. Purple is right there.

[@alassiter643]

blue Benz!

[@AINASRAYLEWIS]

I Know Coop Can Be Annoying Cutting U Off Mike But U Gotta Reconcile Y'all Differences... His Knowledge Is Uncanny... The Show Was Really Good With Ya'll...

[@dre7580]

@@AINASRAYLEWIS mannnnnn this was a mouthful pause⏸️⏸️⏸️⏸️

[@tengofey]

All due respect, but this was just a bad show.

[@ray45king84]

Dude said Best of both worlds got joints,but then says he didn't listen to Lost Tapes..lols

[@deontae777]

best of both worlds forsure has joints

[@ray45king84]

@deontae777 that album was trash and aged horribly...Jay chasing waves watered down his catalog

[@jamaaldavis7907]

​@@ray45king84jus like w.t.t. agreed ova hyped

[@Maal7432]

@@deontae777That was an awful album. That’s why no one talks about. Jays failures get swept under the rug.

[@Maal7432]

@@ray45king84Fr. Jay gets a pass for bad music he’s put out. They just wanna act like it’s never happened.

[@raymondgracie2592]

I revisit Illmatic, It Was Written, Stillmatic, Godson, Lost Tapes, Life Is Good, KD 1,2 &3 stay on deck and Magic 1,2 and 3. Nas got the best catalog in hip hip history

[@BusyB1993]

Very easily too. People hate to admit that though.

[@williesween8780]

Nas has the largest catalog in hip hop history. But most of his albums are lackluster. I would say that biggie has a better catalog than Nas.

[@BusyB1993]

@@williesween8780 how does biggie have a better catalog lol?? Let’s be forreal fam if biggie has a better catalog than Nas then he has a better catalog than every other rapper as well. Illmatic and Iww better than Biggie whole catalog. What are you talking about lol?

[@jamaaldavis7907]

​@@williesween8780I now u a hater now...biggie catalog of 2 albums ain't close 2 Nas..😂😂😂😂

[@jamaaldavis7907]

​@@BusyB1993thank u nas first 2 cds laps big only 2 cds....folks bozos 🤡🤣🤣🤣

[@darrenwilson83]

Yo Juvie can't sellout a Madison Square Garden or do a World Tour solo with 400 degrees and all his other albums it's levels for a reason

[@ptreznov240]

Feel like Stout meant that lyrics didn’t matter to the greater populace in the 90s when old heads try to act like that was the case, obviously to hardcore heads it did but there wasn’t as much of a “switch” as people think, it was always the case

[@kes9298]

Ole Buddy had a nerve to say Nas has a bunch of misses with his albums and completely disregard the multiple weed plate albums Jay has. Several of his albums aged like garbage.

[@williesween8780]

Jay makes way better songs than Nas. Nas has some bangers, no doubt. But most of Nas’ music is mid.

[@jamaaldavis7907]

​@@williesween8780boi go slp😂😂😂

[@kes9298]

@@williesween8780 Yea if you call Nas music Mid, you aren't a real hip hop fan and that's Ok. Or you are just surface level hip hop fan.

[@iamcsimon8104]

That’s my primary issue with many Jay fans

[@jamaaldavis7907]

@@kes9298 💯💯

[@rufuscross3884]

shavonne needs to sit down. music is subjective and everybody’s taste is different. It is wild and ignorant to think everybody feels the same about Nas’s music. I personally love most of nas catalog and i listen to all of his albums at least one a month. The way he feels about nas is the way i feel about jay. I think Jay is dope but i have to be in a mood to throw on a jay-z albums. His discography sounded much better ten years ago to me. Most of it doesn’t hit to me anymore. Nas catalog is aging way better to me.

[@BusyB1993]

Everyone knows Nas catalog is better , Jay Stans will come around in another 10 years lol.

[@ceedubb365]

One of my favorite Nas songs 🎵 that never get mentioned like that is "Moment Of Silence" ft Quan

[@SD-vf1er]

Project Windows is clearly the best song on Nastradamus

[@rufuscross3884]

it definitely wasn’t last wordz.

[@luddman77]

Project window on the bootleg versions was better. But I prefer these songs over PW: Family Last words Come get me

[@SD-vf1er]

@@luddman77 yes it was better on the bootleg but it was still the best song on the album. The other songs you mentioned are also dope as are Life We Chose, Shoot Em Up, and Some of Us, and God Love Us. Album is better than people claim.

[@dealowmorgan885]

I’m sorry please don’t bring this guy back he brought nothing to this convo that could have been great

[@BusyB1993]

Zero.

[@Don.M.]

🗑️

[@BusyB1993]

Why would you bring bro on to speak on Nas catalog? Could have kept Leroy to speak on that to be honest. Woulda been a lot better. That was atrocious.

[@tobyfoster5842]

1)Illmatic- It Ain't Hard to Tell 2)It Was Written- Take It In Blood 3)I Am...- NY State of Mind Pt. II 4)Nastradamus- Come Get Me 5)Stillmatic- You're Da Man 6)Lost Tapes- Fetus 7)God's Son- Revolutionary Warfare 8)Street's Disciple- Just A Moment feat. Quan 9)Hip Hop Is Dead- Still Dreaming feat. Kanye & Chrisete Michele 10)Untitled- Hero feat. Keri Hilson 11)Life Is Good- Stay 12)Distant Relatives- Nah Mean 13)Lost Tapes 2- Bad Energy The Hit-Boy era had so many great joints on each record with the beats it's too hard to choose one except on each of the Magic albums, so I won't touch them at this time.

[@davidt4337]

The Jay fanboy talk is too bias for me, bring back Leroy 😂

[@SD-vf1er]

Every time y’all review Jay’s albums, it’s glaring how overrated he is and it’s actually funny hearing his fans try to champion these wack albums. Vol 2, Vol 3, Dynasty, BP2, KC, BP3, MCHG, 4:44… these are some trash ass albums. Vol 2 is the classic example of his fans praising garbage. That album was trash from day one when it dropped the same day as Aquemini and Black Star. There are maybe 3 good joints on Vol 2.

[@leroygreen6310]

Just saying Jays albums are trash as if that argument is supposed to be taken serious is the laziness of folks with arguments that know it's untrue.

[@dre7580]

@@leroygreen6310a lot of the Albums aren’t Cohesive like even in the series vol 1 he definitely was spitting vol 2 just a collection of songs vol 3 wasn’t really good just a collection of songs had a couple moments and a sub diss to Nas with Come and Get me. A lot of Jay albums just lack that creative conceptual cohesive lane that his fans try to put him in. A lot of his albums became very formulaic same issue the Cloths has with Drake after if your reading this it’s too late subject matter never evolved. This is why Nas is just simply better. Nas music takes you places you never really been. Jay albums only going a couple place Money Cash Hoes. Later on after 4:44 “extreme opulence”

[@SD-vf1er]

@@leroygreen6310 I don’t feel like typing the non-lazy version as I have done so in the past. They keep rehashing the same topic. And honestly, those lazy ass albums don’t deserve a well thought out opinion. Tell your mans to do better.

[@leroygreen6310]

@@SD-vf1er That's cool but the chances of another artists coming out with a better discography and similar skillet is almost zero. It's easy for people to say what Jay did is trash cause they'll never have to try doing it.

[@leroygreen6310]

@@dre7580 Alot of Jays albums are formulaic? Trust not too many artists have that formula cause if they did they would do it too smh.

[@SD-vf1er]

Madmax is that dude that doesn’t know his opinions are the reason the artform sucks and just keeps talking like he’s got it all figured out lol

[@jamaaldavis7907]

😂😂😂😂

[@dre7580]

Agreed 👍🏽 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@MadMaxTopShotta]

😂😂😂 love you to Brodie

[@ptreznov240]

Didn’t u say Jay Z was overrated? Automatic sign of someone being suspect in their hiphop knowledge

[@jamaaldavis7907]

@@ptreznov240 Jay is all time great n I agree overrated

[@andremoore5712]

I know Mike is like I’m glad Coop is gone so I can talk about Jay again 😂

[@stevencouplin1165]

What happened to coop

[@LoyisoVabaza-wu3fq]

Mike D looks like Dre Dre's young brother and sounds like common voicewise

[@erwinjones9869]

Mike is going to SMOKE homey on the verzez!!! He's going to rely heavy on 96-03 Jay!! He's going to stay away from Holy Grail and 4:4:4, and sprinkle in Blueprint 3 and Watch the Throne!!!

[@Maal7432]

Jay never mastered the art of storytelling and he’s not that original. Can’t be the goat or better than Nas.

[@leroygreen6310]

What stories did he have mistakes in the narrative in? Please stop making things up smh

[@luddman77]

Leroy is a sensitive jay fan. This dude is all in the comment section. He needs attention very badly!!!

[@leroygreen6310]

@@luddman77 Not at all. I'm actually a pretty quiet person that just chills but folks is capping. Run back the show. song for song its a clear winner even in Nas land.

[@williesween8780]

Nas struggles to make songs that people outside of his niche fan base want to hear.

[@luddman77]

@@williesween8780 what’s considered outside his niche? Because the dude has songs for almost everything

[@kc-zf1jp]

The vol2 narrative of being not aged well is ridiculous. Plenty of joints on there. Bp2 is underrated. I agree with what bro says about what separate Jay and Nas. I enjoy Jay more because he's more entertaining. His lyrical greatness, wordplay, storytelling, and braggadocio swag make him my favorite. Nas is an excellent MC with great songs. But hovs entertainment value is bigger and better. The Carter's album is good to me

[@cyrilxolani8097]

Nas is too smart for this guy 😂😢

[@trustalmighty4090]

"Mike raps like Montell Jordan" took me all the way out

[@BusyB1993]

I’m getting tired of this thief’s theme is the best on SD , it’s not. Actually listen to the album and you will realize that it’s not smh.

[@luddman77]

I prefer these songs over thief’s theme: Sekou story Live now A message to the feds Disciple Just a moment Makings of a perfect bish Getting married War No one else in the room Me & you

[@MadMaxTopShotta]

Best song for me bc I like the beat switch is probably Nazareth savage lol or these are our heros even tho Nas dissing my mans Kobe on there song still tuff

[@BusyB1993]

@@MadMaxTopShotta song is tough. That hook is crazy too. The title track Streets Disciple is my favorite. 🔥Nas really levels ahead so people have to catch up frfr.

[@luddman77]

@@BusyB1993 no doubt, he is a far superior artist!!!

[@Don.M.]

War, Reason, Rest of My Life 🔥

[@TapeDexxReviewz]

Mike is definitely right about the formula changing depending on the person and the song. He used Mix A Lot as an example, let's take My Posse's on Broadway. The beat would be first, his flow would be second, and the lyrics would be last. It's not an exact science I think it depends on how the artist feels inspired by the music.

[@leroygreen6310]

The conversation was never about and order of importance in song structure. It was solely about if lyrics mattered and to hear they don't anymore is disappointing. Mike added some clarity with his personal opinion but the general consensus is that lyrics don't matter.

[@leroygreen6310]

The Hip hop of today has failed the mission statements of Cube, Pac, Nipsey, KRS, Rakim, Chuck D, Wu Tang, Jay, Nas, Common etc and it's the surrender of intelligent thought (for the handcuffs of corporate interests) that's been the decay of lyricism.

[@AINASRAYLEWIS]

Life We Chose Is 1 Of The Best Songs Ever... U Niccas R Not Nas Fans... It's Okay Mike...

[@tengofey]

Hovi baby was a recycled verse. He showcased some of Bp2 on Angie show. But i think show you how or a dream my favorites.

[@alassiter643]

Patience!

[@edward-eq5ys]

Black girl lost is the best track on the album because it puts you in the trance

[@milescagejr6987]

Great more Jay & Nas conversation smh

[@edward-eq5ys]

who says pause while speaking damn guys

[@quinnbennett9502]

NAS equal 🐐

[@alassiter643]

Otis

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

Jay the GOAT 🐐 please Nas stans don’t cry under my post. Y’all sensitive af.

[@luddman77]

If you think jay the goat, why did you have to post it in the chat to prove your point. It seems like you’re the sensitive one.

[@ArtisanWindchimes]

@@luddman77 you just proved my point good sir

[@luddman77]

@@ArtisanWindchimes I never said who my goat was, so how did I prove your point.

[@williesween8780]

Jay is the goat.

[@luddman77]

@@williesween8780 nope because when the real GOATS was out, he was number 4

[@williesween8780]

Nas makes music for lonely depressed emo dudes who never leave the house.

[@BusyB1993]

Nas makes music for people that actually want to listen. Try it out.

[@stillhere6558]

Dude is projecting. He’s the one lonely and depressed

[@williesween8780]

@@stillhere6558 I’m listening to Hov and outside living my best life pimp.

[@stillhere6558]

@@williesween8780 while taking the time to let us know. Yeah sure

[@jamaaldavis7907]

​@@williesween8780washed up hov

[@stillhere6558]

Ka Album Review: The Thief Next to Jesus. Ka seems to be straddling the fence regarding his spiritual beliefs. He uses gospel styled production, song titles and soundbites. He even uses the name of Jesus, a Biblical scripture (Luke 23:32) and imagery depicting Jesus' crucifixion for his album cover and album name. However, I didn't hear him mention there were two thieves next to Jesus, one who revered Jesus and one who mocked Jesus. Ka at times seems to lean on the tired trope of Jesus and God being forced on black people, while also using Jesus as the main attraction for his album. He highlights aspects of the civil rights and black power movements. Ka isn't saying anything we haven't heard before. His tone and style are monotone, one dimensional and often slurred speech. His messaging is that of a person who is tiptoeing around his spiritual beliefs. He's 52yrs old, but the manner in which he expresses his thoughts seem somewhat adolescent and incomplete. There's nothing exceptional about this album. What's most interesting is many people who openly and underhandedly mock Jesus and God, or are lukewarm in expressing their belief in them, still lean on both of them for the sake of relevancy and name dropping - especially people whose rap idols are the ones practicing this weak approach.

[@leroygreen6310]

Jesus being forced on black people is 100% an historical FACT. Whether we like it or not and this is no personal diss to the church because I know they don't want to reconcile this fact but black people were forced to except Jesus under the conditions of warfare and enslavement and there is over a thousand years of evidence that backs up this has a FACT.

[@leroygreen6310]

Black people can continue to run from their own history but that's the same cowardice that's behind the surrender of Hip hop to corporate interests.

[@leroygreen6310]

The reason why black folks refuse to accept the history of how they were introduced to their faith is because it's too painful for them to read through.

[@stillhere6558]

All you speak is a bunch of empty rhetoric centered on exalting yourself above others. You’re misreable

[@stillhere6558]

All you talk is a bunch of empty rhetoric. You hyped this Ka album but only listened on a surface level. You despise Jesus yet hype an album using Him as the main attraction

[@leroygreen6310]

Smh Hip hop "culture" is DEAD.

[@stillhere6558]

Just like your spirit

[@stillhere6558]

Lamenting over “hip hop culture” being dead when your spirit is what needs saving. You idolize rap and despise God. Focus on getting that corrected

[@leroygreen6310]

@@stillhere6558 Your waiting on a white man from 2024 years to save your spirit. I'm good on that.

[@leroygreen6310]

@@stillhere6558 Lamenting over spirituality is why Hip hop doesn't put value in it's culture (way of LIFE) and just hands it over to others believing it's better to parish having very little rather then to appear too worldly in the eyes of God by attaining the value black people put in blood, sweat and tears to establish with this culture.

[@dre7580]

And who tried to warn you about this shiiiii waaaaay back in 2006 Leroy Green??? Which Artist had the foresight to see and speak to it damn near too decades ago while your favorite artist was capitalizing and sucking the life force out of the game. But you won’t speak on that shiiii. Jarv was right bro you super full of shiiii lol