Album Eddits: Reimagining Nas’ Street’s Disciple

I’ve been a big critic of today’s overly long albums, but let’s be real – it’s a problem that has persisted long before the streaming era. In Album Eddits, I challenge a Soul In Stereo fan to join me in trimming down a massive double-album release into a lean, mean 12-track release.

Usually in this space we look at ridiculously bloated albums that were crushed under the weight of their tracklists. In my opinion, that’s not really the case with Nas’ seventh studio album Street’s Disciple. Even thought this set boasts 25 tracks, it’s still relatively consistent and attempts to maintain a few running themes throughout.

This is far from the modern-day content dumps we get on Spotify.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t tighten things up a bit. Since Street’s Disciple marks its 17th birthday next week, I figured it’s the perfect time to revisit this one. The homie Justin Jones from the Soul In Stereo Cypher comes along for the ride as we try to make a pretty good album even better.

Disc 1

1. “Intro”

Justin: When it comes to Nas intros, he’s one of the best ever, but this one just isn’t memorable. Also… who is he talking to??? It’s like he’s having a conversation with his side-piece in the dark at a park lol.

Edd: This is basically Nas rambling to himself about the usual Nas things. It’s fine as an extended intro for the next song but not needed at all.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

2. “A Message to the Feds, Sincerely, We the People”

Justin: This track is ok for what it is, I like Nas on his militant mission, but the track is just too slow and industrial sounding (a shame considering Salaam Remi & the late Chucky Thompson produced it). It’s not bad, but
it’s not necessarily good either.

Edd: This has some dope lines (“Hitchcock of hip-hop since Big Pop departed”) but it doesn’t have the personality of some of the album’s later tracks. We don’t need it.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

3. “Nazareth Savage”

Justin: Now we’re picking up the pace. This is really dark and gritty, but in a good way. This sounds like old Nasty Nas.

Edd: NOW we’re finally getting this party started. This is Black superhero music – sounds like something the Avengers would freestyle to in the Basement with Big Tigger. Gotta stay.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

4. “American Way”

Justin: Another disappointment. Lyrically I get the concept, but the “Atomic Dog” sample kills the record. When you consider that Q-tip produced this is a double disappointment (“One Love” this is not). Kelis doesn’t add anything to the record either.

Edd: Nas mentioned on King’s Disease 2 how he used to get clowned for trying to kick knowledge, now all y’all are trying to be woke these days. This song touches on that concept 17 years early, with Nas speaking about injustice and criticizing some of the voices we let speak for on behalf of our community. I need a LOT of people to listen to this song today. The concept is cool but I agree with Justin, the “Atomic Dog” sample always felt kinda off and I’m not a big fan of Kelis’ hook.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

5. “These Are Our Heroes”

Justin: Nas was woke before it was cool to be woke. I actually like this but the Kobe line doesn’t age well. Buckwild’s production is ok, but this record in hindsight is just … OK.

Edd: For future reference, whenever one of y’all’s faves does something stupid and I respond with “These Are Our Heroes,” this is the track I’m referencing. Again, I appreciate the concept – it’s basically an extension of “American Way” –  but it can’t stack up to the stronger tracks here.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

6. “Disciple”

Justin: Hard hitting production, and Nas spitting aggressively. I still bump this “This ain’t 50, this ain’t Jigga, this ain’t Diddy, this ain’t pretty…”

Edd: Disciple, STREETS!

Disciple, STREETS!

Disciple, STREETS!

This track STILL gets me hype. Hits HARD. This ain’t going nowhere.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

7. “Sekou Story”

Justin: Salaam’s production is cool, but the storytelling is just … meh.

Edd: For those still unclear, guest rapper “Scarlett” is just Nas with his vocals pitched way up. If you dare turn on the radio, it’ll prove that once again Nas was way ahead of the game on that one. I love Salaam Remi’s jazzy production on this one and the storytelling is solid but this is the lesser of the two Scarlett joints and we only need one.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

8. “Live Now”

Justin: Same as last track.

Edd: One of the more underrated cuts here. Poor Scarlett is on her death bed after contracting a life-threatening STD while urging listeners to live life to the fullest. Yeah, the message is a little on the nose, but I dig it. It works best when paired with “Sekou Story” but I think it can stand on its own.

Justin says CUT, Edd says STAY

9. “Rest of My Life”

Justin: The fact that Amerie is reduced to just background vocals on this alone is a crime, c’mon son. I’m realizing that the beat-picking criticism of Nas (which is unfair) is really during this era.

Edd: Those uncredited background vocals have to be from Amerie, right? I like this one a lot but Nas’ off-kilter delivery still bothers me and y’all know how I feel about that Big Sean syndrome.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

10. “Just a Moment”

Justin: I loved this when it was out and still play it sometimes, especially the video. Surprisingly this got decent radio play during the whole 50 Cent era.

Edd: My favorite single from this album, yes, even over “Thief’s Theme.” No way I let this one go. Also I thought Quan had a lot of potential, who does the rap-sung thing MUCH better than half the people currently infesting radio.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

11. “Reason”

Justin: This was a good track. I loved Emily King’s vocals on the hook.

Edd: Wow, I totally forgot about this track! Nas spits with such intention and Emily King is incredible, as always. What a forgotten gem.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

12. “You Know My Style”

Justin: This was geared more to the clubs for promo for the album. Not a bad joint, but it doesn’t fit the album.

Edd: I love how Nas continues to celebrate the greats, this time throwing back to Run-DMC. Again, a fun song but the album can survive without it. Yet another solid track, yet another regretful cut.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

Disc 2

1. “Suicide Bounce”

Justin: I always loved this track that Nas surprisingly produced himself. I just wished Busta had spit a verse this joint

Edd: This right here is a HEAD NODDER. Busta on the hook is the perfect addition as well – if you need a hype man, call on the Dungeon Dragon. An outstanding way to kick off Disc 2.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

2. “Street’s Disciple”

Justin: An underrated cut that has that classic NY boom bap sound, courtesy of Salaam Remi. Lyrically Nas is on fire here. Peep the Cam’Ron subliminal too.

Edd: Once again, shout out to Salaam Remi for this soulful yet hard-hitting production on this album. Having Papa Nas Olu Dara serve as a Morgan Freeman-like narrator is a great touch.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

3. “U.B.R. (Unauthorized Biography of Rakim)”

Justin: This stays just for the education lesson alone.

Edd: I LOVE the concept of this track. I mentioned earlier that I always respected Nas for celebrating rap’s pioneers (a trait I wish would rub off on more of today’s mush-mouthed morons) and this is such a cool way to do it, serving as both a history lesson and a chance to flex Nas’ storytelling skills. Honestly, it does feel like a random addition to the album but it’s too good to let go. Too bad we never got that promised sequel with KRS-One.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

4. “Virgo”

Justin: Love all three of these artists…just not on this track.

Edd: I like this track but it always felt more like a Luda song than a Nas joint. Doesn’t fit the tone of the album for me.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

5. “Remember The Times (Intro)”

Justin: This is moreso just a convo so…SKIP.

Edd: And now we kick off the “Nas Gets Hitched” portion of the album. Just a bunch of yakkin’.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

6. “Remember the Times”

Justin: Beat is dope, but I cant deal with Nas pillow talking.

Edd: Another one of my favorite tracks on the album but, personal preferences aside, it’s certainly not essential to the overall set so I can’t keep it. Man, being an Unbiased Music Reviewer™ is tough, y’all don’t know my struggle.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

7. “The Makings of a Perfect B****”

Justin: Beat is trash, only 2pac could get away with a flow like this.

Edd: Yeahhhhhh so this one gets a bad rap – and I get it, it’s absolutely absurd – but I have a soft spot for the goofy production on this one. Plus it’s clear Nasir isn’t taking himself all that seriously. But on an album with 25 tracks, we don’t need Nas playing Dr. Frankenstein. Bye.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

8. “Getting Married”

Justin: Even though they’re divorced now, Nas and Kelis were at one point relationship goals. It was good to see Nas maturing here.

Edd: I love how this starts out with Nas’ old “K-I-S-S-I-N-G” track. I stan for the I Am album. As always, the storytelling is strong, you can actually envision riding in the limo with Nas’ fam on his wedding day. I’m a fan of this one but we can only keep 12 songs and we don’t need FIVE marriage joints. Sorry, Esco.

Justin says STAY, Edd says CUT

9. “No One Else in the Room”

Justin: This is actually one of my fav Nas tracks. In hindsight this would’ve been a good single. Maxwell rarely does features but he sounds perfect on this.

Edd: Time to throw on my Unbiased Music Reviewer™  hat again. Of all the marriage joints here, I probably play this one the least. That said, it’s probably the most essential to my new cut of the album – Maxwell’s hook is great, the energy is high and it’s a totally different vibe from the usual Nas track. Let’s keep it.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

10. “Bridging the Gap”

Justin: A real father/son record (sorry Birdman/Wayne). A history lesson across generations, this was ahead of its time.

Edd: This was the hardest track to weigh. I love the Muddy Waters composition, I love the inclusion of Nas’ father and I love that it stands as a tribute to Nas’ childhood. That said, I ALWAYS skip it while going through the album. That said, this album’s theme of family is strong, and it’s essentially for that purpose.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

11. “War”

Justin: This has a jazzy touch with Nas spitting about his dilemmas at the time. Vintage Nas feel on this.

Edd: Another underrated track. My lord, Keon Bryce sounds like BUTTER on that hook.

Justin says STAY, Edd says STAY

12. “Me & You”

Justin: The sample and production was top notch, but Nas did a better version of this years later on “Daughters” off of Life Is Good.

Edd: This is a cute tribute to Nas’ daughter but I’m not a big fan of his baby-talk delivery. I get why he used it – he can’t be screaming at young Destiny with “Ether”-level base in his voice – but it always takes me out of the experience. It’s also why I never got into “I Can,” but that’s a debate for another day.

Justin says CUT, Edd says CUT

13. “Thief’s Theme”

Justin: One of Nas’ best songs. Dark, haunting, and gritty tales from NYC courtesy of Esco.

Edd: Unpopular opinion, I like the “Hip-Hop Is Dead” flip a little better than this one. Dope track though, worthy of inclusion.

Justin says STAY, Edd stays STAY

The Eddits:

Justin: Mannn, if this was maybe sequenced a little in this direction, Nas would’ve had a three-peat after Stillmatic and God’s Son. This is pretty much the best combo of the conscious records, and the autobiographical stuff that was stretched too thin for a double album.

1. “Street’s Disciple” (feat. Olu Dara)

2. “Nazareth Savage”

3. “U.B.R.”

4. “Just A Moment” (feat. Quan)

5. “Getting Married”

6. “No One Else In The Room” (feat. Maxwell)

7. “Bridging The Gap” (feat. Olu Dara)

8. “War”

9. “Disciple”

10. “Suicide Bounce” (feat. Busta Rhymes)

11. “Thief’s Theme”

12. “Reason” (feat. Emily King)

Edd: I think it’s pretty telling that Justin and I selected nearly all the same tracks. Street’s Disciple is a solid album overall but it’s quite clear which tracks are top-tier and the ones that are just here for padding. Cutting out the filler just strengthens the album’s narrative on family and community.

1. “Nazareth Savage”

2. “Disciple”

3. “Just a Moment”

4. “Reason”

5. “Street’s Disciple”

6. “U.R.B.”

7. “Live Now”

8. “Suicide Bounce”

9. “Bridging the Gap”

10. “No One Else in the Room”

11. “War”

12. “Thief’s Theme”

Which cut of Street’s Disciple works best for you? Let us know below and share your picks too.