DJ Premier has explained how the recording of this song happened: "[Nas is in the booth] So he looks down at the papers, says, ‘I don’t know how to start this', I’m like, 'It’s coming.’ So I’m counting him like this [showing him 3, 2, 1 with his fingers], and he just happens to look up and goes, ‘Yo,’ and then just starts kicking the verse. And did it in one take." In the end, they kept the "I don't know how to start this" line in the song and it makes it even more special, imo.
@@cookypuss8603 But if you really think about it, it gets you in the mood for the album. Listen to Nas break it down. Its a song. Get over yourself kid.
@@phonymex3340I agree it gets you in the mood. It's Nas and his brother talking back and forth. i just don't think it's a song and i think it's nit picking to be called out for it. I own the album and heard it a million times. Whatever. It's a stupid argument to even have. I'm done!
Nas is one of the 🐐 of Hip Hop You should check out some of his other songs like If I Ruled the World Life's a Bitch Ether(Jay-Z Diss) It ain't hard to tell And you should also listen to the entirety of Illmatic and It Was Written both are masterpieces
"Mind Playing Tricks On Me" is a stone groove. It reminds me a lot of "It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube. So smooth. Worth a reaction. I'm surprised it lost the poll by so much.
Feeling like you and I may be kindred spirits somewhere. I’ve responded to multiple posts from you! 😊 “It Was a Good Day” is so good. I can recite every word. Always on one of my playlists.
He said "sleep is the cousin of death". Hip hop was so diverse back then, therapeutic, fun, socially conscious, gangsta. We had it all! All about the lyrics!
What’s crazy about this beat is how simple it is. Yet it’s amazing. It’s just 4 keys on a piano and a simple drum beat on a loop for almost the entire song.
Hands down one of my favourite songs of all time. The flow, the lyricism, the unapologetic portrayal of his reality. This song is a master class all its own.
IMO the album this song is from, Illmatic, is the best hip-hop album ever made. Another song from Illmatic you should check out is "Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)". No rapper can put words together like Nas, he's one of the best to ever do it.
I’m from Brazil, and used to listen hip hop since the 90’s. Even now, after living in US for a, let’s say, a shot time, I can’t fully understand rappers. But I always loved the beat and the rhythm’s metric. This sounds 90’d hip hop, full of groove and black music!
Nas was 21 in 1994 when this came out and was the rapper that everyone wanted to work with , check out the producers on this album , it's a list of New York production greats. Illmatic is one of the best hip hop records ever and as a debut amazing.
Nasty Nas is a beast. One of my top 2 favorite rappers of all-time. Now you’re discovering his greatness. Good! Next step “I gave you power.” Brilliant storytelling. Also, “Life’s a bitch” is so vibesy. Everything about it is perfect. Lastly, (for now :-p) “One Mic” is legendary and will get you excited. DO NOT listen to the edited video version, though. Too much blurring out of the words. There’s a “dirty” video version. Choose that.
if i’m not mistaken… Nas was 17 when he wrote this song, and the first verse was done in 1 take. The “I don’t know how to start this shit” in the intro was genuine and wasn’t meant to be part of the song.
All the songs on your poll are classics. You need to do them all! Definitely react to the whole illmatic album, all songs are amazing from start to finish! It will change your life. Many blessings, bro and great reaction!
As one of the whitest guys you know, this is way out of my comfort zone but I am really interested in more of this. Jay, your take on this has again made me reassess some new music. Thanks.
Listen to the whole rest of the album 'Illmatic', one of the greatest of all time! & back in the mid 90s it was one of the main albums that got me into hiphop coming from a metal/alternative background
This album kinda started it off back in 1994. I mean Wu-Tang's debut dropped in '93, which really started it off. But after Illmatic, the next year (1995) Mobb Deep dropped The Infamous (they're debut album, Juvenile Hell, from the earlier 90's was not a big hit; they hadn't quite found their sound yet; they were using a sort of Onyx style), Raekwon dropped Cuban Linx, GZA dropped Liquid Swordz & Big L released his debut. By 1995, it was on.
Without question, Nas is one of the greatest rappers of all time, but those other songs you mentioned are all classics and I can't believe he got so much of the vote. Glad you're getting into more classic rap though
I lied. Here’s more: “Got yourself a gun” is dope & the beat hits. Likewise with “Made You Look.” Those two songs got played constantly. Again, the unedited versions are sooo much better.
This album is the Greatest Album of ALL Time in Hip-Hop History. It is the BIBLE! The first song "The Gensis" says it all! The producers that worked on it? Legendary. Front to back.
Nas featuring Lauryn hill- if I ruled the world Nas- Ether ( Jay z diss) Nas- Hate me now Nas- the world is yours Nas- it ain’t hard to tell Oh and my personal favorite. Oochie Wally lol but it’s not meant for little ones lol
This song is definitely an instant classic. But so is Mobb Deep's Shook Ones, part 2. The Nas song probably doesn't get quite as many reactions though. 2 more straight classics from this album are Halftime & Represent. Souls Of Mischief's '93 To Infinity is a great song as well.
I appreciate the younger generation checking out the 🐐... but it will always surprise me when they're surprised that Nas is good. LMAO... This man is one of the greatest rappers to ever live.
Now I know you’re young, but even young folks bout Nas. But if you don’t know you have a mountain of Nas tracks to listen to. He will give you a perspective of street poetry like no other.
This song would beat those songs in any competition...but you should listen to each of those classics..I'd watch every 1..they are all great songs..93 to infinity, pharscyde, mobb, ghetto boys!!!....1
If you'd like to react to a very funny song, TH-cam, lenny and the squigtones- night after night. From the tv show Laverne and Shirley. From the 80's very!! Funny song!!!!!! 50's style song. I guarantee you will laugh at the lyrics!!!!!! Give it a shot.
Check the whole album man it’s the greatest hip hop album of all time
^this
i tend to agree. but in my opinion, he fell off pretty hard after this album, weirdly
Can't disagree. Heavy album bruh. It was written stilll.
Nah it’s good but not the best
Let me ask y’all something. 36 Chambers or Illmatic?
DJ Premier has explained how the recording of this song happened:
"[Nas is in the booth] So he looks down at the papers, says, ‘I don’t know how to start this', I’m like, 'It’s coming.’ So I’m counting him like this [showing him 3, 2, 1 with his fingers], and he just happens to look up and goes, ‘Yo,’ and then just starts kicking the verse. And did it in one take."
In the end, they kept the "I don't know how to start this" line in the song and it makes it even more special, imo.
Nas was 17 when he wrote this!!!🤯🤯🤯
Every track on Illmatic is a classic!!!
His intelligence is unmatched!
That whole poll list is absolute FIRE
Damn right!
React to all of those!
FOR REAL all those songs are a must hear 🔥🔥
Shook Ones is a classic, but it’s too played out now
Nas,
"I never sleep, cause sleep is the COUSIN of death".
I love that line…..but seriously, sleep is really important get as much as you can 🤣
I borrow this one no cap
@@user-xi1nm4ir7y it’s also about sleep as in letting your guard down
AcTuAlLy sleep is the brother of death 🤭
that and "life is parallel to hell but I must maintain" blows my mind every time I hear this.
The world is yours… Nas is like… It ain’t hard to tell… Represent… Get down… Made you look… So many bangers you have to react to!
ETHER
This is the first song off his debut album! This album is typically rated a top 5 rap album of all time by most of us old heads.
I got the album the day it dropped and it has always been in my rotation since day 1!
Actually The Genesis is.
@@phonymex3340 Uh okay! The Genesis is an intro. Don't be stupid!
@@cookypuss8603 But if you really think about it, it gets you in the mood for the album. Listen to Nas break it down. Its a song. Get over yourself kid.
@@phonymex3340I agree it gets you in the mood. It's Nas and his brother talking back and forth. i just don't think it's a song and i think it's nit picking to be called out for it. I own the album and heard it a million times. Whatever. It's a stupid argument to even have. I'm done!
Nas is one of the 🐐 of Hip Hop
You should check out some of his other songs like
If I Ruled the World
Life's a Bitch
Ether(Jay-Z Diss)
It ain't hard to tell
And you should also listen to the entirety of Illmatic and It Was Written both are masterpieces
Stillmatic has some great choices too like Rewind and Poison.
Agreed this song old af in his wordplay is just as amazing when it first came out today fucking insane wordplay for the time this came out.
"Life is parallel to Hell but I must maintain" -Nas. He really has a lot to say and he is like a story teller!
"Mind Playing Tricks On Me" is a stone groove. It reminds me a lot of "It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube. So smooth. Worth a reaction. I'm surprised it lost the poll by so much.
Feeling like you and I may be kindred spirits somewhere. I’ve responded to multiple posts from you! 😊 “It Was a Good Day” is so good. I can recite every word. Always on one of my playlists.
@@jenniferkasowicz9463 Great ears listen alike... 😎 There is something about telling an interesting story to a groove.
@@TheRedWaltz24 it was also an important song in terms of defining LA hip hop/culture. ✌️
Everyone reacts to Mind Playing Tricks, I always vote for tracks that aren’t on every reaction channel
I would like to see Jay react to it.
First time hearing nas.wtf.where have you been.nas is the g.o.a.t. 🐐. 👑.anyways amazing reaction.word up son
He said "sleep is the cousin of death". Hip hop was so diverse back then, therapeutic, fun, socially conscious, gangsta. We had it all! All about the lyrics!
"never put me in your box if your shit eats tapes" LMAO!!! I had a car tape deck destroy some of my fave tapes back in the day
It IS poetry... He was interviewed by a public broadcasting show on poetry about his lyrics. As they say, "Game recognize Game".
What’s crazy about this beat is how simple it is. Yet it’s amazing. It’s just 4 keys on a piano and a simple drum beat on a loop for almost the entire song.
That's just how classic 90s new york hip hop was back than when this album came out which was amazing.
@@iraford5788 I remember… I’m old 😂 I grew up with 80’s hip hop first in NY, but imo 90’s hip hop is the golden era. Nothing can touch it.
Iconic beat.
That beat captures the grimmest of NYC projects. It's so dope
This song is a lyrical onslaught. One of my all time favorites.
Hands down one of my favourite songs of all time. The flow, the lyricism, the unapologetic portrayal of his reality. This song is a master class all its own.
Nas was King of New York after this hit. One of the greatest raps in history!
A good story rhyme from NAS is "I Gave You Power". Any fan of story raps gotta listen to it.
The album is a legit masterpiece. Played the hell out of this and still go back to it regularly.
IMO the album this song is from, Illmatic, is the best hip-hop album ever made. Another song from Illmatic you should check out is "Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)". No rapper can put words together like Nas, he's one of the best to ever do it.
Amazing goat album along with a goat 🐐 artist like Nas.
I’m from Brazil, and used to listen hip hop since the 90’s. Even now, after living in US for a, let’s say, a shot time, I can’t fully understand rappers. But I always loved the beat and the rhythm’s metric. This sounds 90’d hip hop, full of groove and black music!
Nas- I Gave You Power
Nas was 21 in 1994 when this came out and was the rapper that everyone wanted to work with , check out the producers on this album , it's a list of New York production greats. Illmatic is one of the best hip hop records ever and as a debut amazing.
He was 21 when it released but he wrote it when he was like 16 lol
Nas - Aint Hard to Tell
Nas - I gave you power
I absolutely love your channel! You really try everything, which is pretty much my entire theory of love of music. This one is 🔥
He's using that beat sample (piano? bass?) from Slick Rick's Children's Story.
Hard to belive he was 17 writing this. Years ahead of the game at the time. Still the most perfect rap album imo.
All the rest of the songs on that poll are fire as well and def deserve a listen.
I think he says “I never sleep, cuz sleep is the cousin of death”
Does anyone know for sure?
Yea that’s it
Just to think this man's talent and evolution has kept him relevant for 4 different decades. He won his 1st Grammy in 2021 at age 47 which is crazy.
You gotta realize this came out in early 1994 and this album was just pure diamond 💎
My teenage years with this classic, very good memories 😍🎧🎛🎶
How dear you sir nas is the 🐐
Nas is THE best to ever do it untouchable. React to Nas it aint hard to tell or memory lane 🐐
Nasty Nas is a beast. One of my top 2 favorite rappers of all-time. Now you’re discovering his greatness. Good! Next step “I gave you power.” Brilliant storytelling.
Also, “Life’s a bitch” is so vibesy. Everything about it is perfect.
Lastly, (for now :-p) “One Mic” is legendary and will get you excited.
DO NOT listen to the edited video version, though. Too much blurring out of the words. There’s a “dirty” video version. Choose that.
The world is yours is a banger by him as well
Main source - live at the barbecue feat Nas, Joe Fatal & Akinyele. Nas- Rewind
One of the greatest rap albums of all time. All the songs in your poll are classics as well. You should just do all of them. Shook Ones first.
You should definitely check all the other songs on that poll
if i’m not mistaken… Nas was 17 when he wrote this song, and the first verse was done in 1 take. The “I don’t know how to start this shit” in the intro was genuine and wasn’t meant to be part of the song.
When I used to listen to this while my brother drive places. Then it came back in Saints Row 2.
All the songs on your poll are classics. You need to do them all! Definitely react to the whole illmatic album, all songs are amazing from start to finish! It will change your life. Many blessings, bro and great reaction!
“The smooth criminal on beat breaks, never put me In ya box if the s**t eats tapes” my favorite hip hop verse ever wrote
Def one of the greats...Life's a Bitch and If I Ruled the World....and Hate me Now
"Nevr put me in your box , if your sh*t eats tapes" - Nas
Only Gen X got this...
Nas got bars for days!!! He's def the 🐐
“Picked the mac up told brothers back up the mac spit lead was hitting _____ one ran I made him backflip” hardest line in history
Nas is the GOAT and Illmatic is the GOAT album.
Mind Playing Tricks on Me is a MUST!
LOVE all those songs but that just shows how good Nas is
That piano sample is so eerie
That whole album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Greatest rapper of all time...
🔊🎶 “Nas - I Can, Nas - One Mic, Nas - If I Ruled The World, Nas - Moment of Silence and like eight more hits of his”
Nas- I can is his best song!!
It's an OK song. Every song from illmatic is better.
This and Wu-Tang's Proteck ya Neck really brought Hip-hop back to the East coast from that Cali Gangsta vibe.
This is the young prime 90s rappers, when you hear the old skool rapping now its not the same,
I Gave You Power hes rhyming about being a GUN. Shit is epic. Gotta review that.
This is Peak hip hop
Now you know why this classic tune was voted no.1 out of the 5...that piano note so effective
We still need Mobb Deep Shook ones and The Pharcide Passing me by too though.
As one of the whitest guys you know, this is way out of my comfort zone but I am really interested in more of this. Jay, your take on this has again made me reassess some new music. Thanks.
Listen to the whole rest of the album 'Illmatic', one of the greatest of all time! & back in the mid 90s it was one of the main albums that got me into hiphop coming from a metal/alternative background
This album kinda started it off back in 1994. I mean Wu-Tang's debut dropped in '93, which really started it off. But after Illmatic, the next year (1995) Mobb Deep dropped The Infamous (they're debut album, Juvenile Hell, from the earlier 90's was not a big hit; they hadn't quite found their sound yet; they were using a sort of Onyx style), Raekwon dropped Cuban Linx, GZA dropped Liquid Swordz & Big L released his debut. By 1995, it was on.
Without question, Nas is one of the greatest rappers of all time, but those other songs you mentioned are all classics and I can't believe he got so much of the vote. Glad you're getting into more classic rap though
Check out IF I RULED THE WORLD by Nas featuring Lauryn Hill. It’s 🔥!
I lied. Here’s more:
“Got yourself a gun” is dope & the beat hits. Likewise with “Made You Look.” Those two songs got played constantly.
Again, the unedited versions are sooo much better.
This album is the Greatest Album of ALL Time in Hip-Hop History. It is the BIBLE! The first song "The Gensis" says it all! The producers that worked on it? Legendary. Front to back.
Try NY State of Mind ...... a Billy Joel song.
Nas is amazing. You have to do Rare on King’s Disease II. 30 years later and he’s still bringing more than some rappers can only dream of.
Nas featuring Lauryn hill- if I ruled the world
Nas- Ether ( Jay z diss)
Nas- Hate me now
Nas- the world is yours
Nas- it ain’t hard to tell
Oh and my personal favorite. Oochie Wally lol but it’s not meant for little ones lol
Yeah, I’ve banged many mami’s to Oochie Wally, LL Cool J’s - Doin It, and Big Pun’s song 🎵
Sad, Jayvee. You told me in March that you would react to Icehouse. The song is Electric Blue. Written by John Oates of the famous Hall and Oates.
You still need to listen to "minds playing tricks on me" and "shook ones" they are absolutely classic songs.
You should check out the whole album Illmatic
You shoukd react to these Nas songs:
The message
I gave you power
Nas is like
Ether
Rewind
Made you look
Those are some great songs as well.
Arguabley my favourite album of all time
Nas is one of the best story tellers ever in his bars
Classic album.
I graduated high school the year this came out. Many a blunt smoked to this….
Great hip hop Ms jayvee p.
You should also give Billy Joels New York State of Mind........Class
Sleep is the cousin of death ....
This song is definitely an instant classic.
But so is Mobb Deep's Shook Ones, part 2. The Nas song probably doesn't get quite as many reactions though.
2 more straight classics from this album are Halftime & Represent.
Souls Of Mischief's '93 To Infinity is a great song as well.
Every song in the pole is banger. Btw this whole album illmatic is one of those you not gonna skip a song. You could react to every track there
You want to really go deep, check out Nas' DAD. He is Olu Dara!!!! His music is my absolute favorite. OLU DARA.
Do One Love and Halftime!
I appreciate the younger generation checking out the 🐐... but it will always surprise me when they're surprised that Nas is good. LMAO... This man is one of the greatest rappers to ever live.
Ghetto Boyzzzz
Mind
Playing
Tricks
On
Me!
Please Santa.....
You really should check out the Geto Boys. I had the pleasure of seeing them on their reunion tour in 2013. It was an experience to be had. 👍🏻
Now I know you’re young, but even young folks bout Nas. But if you don’t know you have a mountain of Nas tracks to listen to. He will give you a perspective of street poetry like no other.
This song would beat those songs in any competition...but you should listen to each of those classics..I'd watch every 1..they are all great songs..93 to infinity, pharscyde, mobb, ghetto boys!!!....1
Nas is the G.O.A.T !!!
Illmatic is the greatest hip hop album I've ever heard. I love it.
He mentions Scarface, so maybe react to Geto Boys too! It's incredible.
Nas is a genius
Yo trust me on this you have to listen to I gave you power by nas it'll blow your mind.
The Album was produced by Dj Premier of Gang Starr.
Check out Nas's "I Gave You Power " probably the best TH-cam reaction song
Part 2 on the I Am album is just as good
Three times dope- greatest man alive
If you'd like to react to a very funny song, TH-cam, lenny and the squigtones- night after night. From the tv show Laverne and Shirley. From the 80's very!! Funny song!!!!!! 50's style song. I guarantee you will laugh at the lyrics!!!!!! Give it a shot.