NAS & DJ PREMIER — LIGHT-YEARS
Finally.
That’s probably the best way for me to start this review. After all these years of waiting for a full Nas and DJ Premier project, we finally got it. For me, the collaboration delivered.
Nas is extremely top tier throughout this album. His flow, rhyme schemes, lyrical ability and overall delivery are on point. He sounds sharp, focused and comfortable over Premier’s production. At this stage of his career, Nas continues to show why he belongs in the conversation with the greatest MCs of all time.
DJ Premier’s production is dope. Sonically, though, it’s a little different from what some listeners might have expected. The album has a darker, grittier sound. Instead of simply trying to recreate the classic Nas and Premier records from the past, Light-Years has its own sonic identity.
The chemistry between Nas and Premier works. That was important because people have imagined what a full album between these two legends would sound like for years. To me, they didn’t need to recreate the past. They needed to make a strong album together in the present, and that’s what they did.
Replay value is one of the biggest reasons I rate this album so highly. Out of fifteen songs, eleven stand out enough for me to keep going back to them: “My Life Is Real,” “GiT Ready,” “NY State of Mind Pt. 3,” “Writers,” “It’s Time,” “Nasty Esco Nasir,” “My Story Your Story” featuring AZ, “Bouquet (To the Ladies),” “Junkie,” “Shine Together” and “3rd Childhood.”
When I can replay eleven out of fifteen songs, that tells me the album is doing a lot right.
I also think Light-Years is going to grow on people over time. Some listeners may initially judge it against the Nas and Premier album they imagined in their heads for years. The darker and grittier production might not immediately match those expectations. But once people stop looking for a recreation of the past and start appreciating the album for what it actually is, I think its reputation will get stronger.
Light-Years gives me top-tier Nas, dope DJ Premier production, strong chemistry, a distinct darker sound and a high level of replay value. It was a long time coming, but they finally gave us the collaboration.
And I think this one is going to age well.
Final Rating: 4.5 Mics out of 5.
