Albums Nas & DJ Premier - Light-Years (Discussion Thread)

[ROBEEZYKILLA]

nas killed it but the beats felt like someone trying to imitate dj premier

 

[g-ice]

Mobb and De La had the best albums out the series. shyt pains me to say man.

De La's album may be top 3 rap album for me this year.

 

[Artfull Dodger]

Most the beats make for ok tracks instead of great tracks.
The disappointment for some of us is Premo prides himself on tailoring beats to the artist - the concept and the mood of the lyrics but it rarely comes to the fore on this. His tailored beats watered down most of the songs to nothing memorable.

When he is on his best its undeniable (Writers n Junkie) and Nas floats effortlessly on these.
My Life is Real beat does nothing for an album opener, even check the posters who said thy love it are talking bout Nas rapping not the beat. Nas album openers are legendary this was anything but that,,(Just a basic track)
As For NYSTOM Pt3 you cant go from Part one 10/10, Part two10/10 to Part three 4/10.


LOL at some of yall sayin "REAL fans" get this..its the "fake ones not feeling this....REALLY?

Trolls aside. Some of us are both Nas and Premo fans. both my GOATS.

Some of yall saying Premo made this for those who appreciate the watered down late 80's and early 90's Gangstarr, Jeru sound
what about us who love that mid 90's sound .....on a NAS ALBUM?

If u believe Premo couldnt do better on the boards with a Nas in his bag with multiple concepts ... then you better fans than some of us then...


Album is not wack but ...why good when it can be great...It feels like a missed opportunity
Esco carried this...... like @Peak said.....

Props to Nas. He did what he could with what he had.

 

[spliz]

When u listen to what Terror Squad did to Billy Joel it makes me even more mad.

 

[god shamgod]

Junkie dope & my favorite song on here

The rest mid but I wasn’t amped for this so my expectations were low

De la soul dropped the best album of this legend series

 

[the cac mamba]

Nas needs to retire and focus on that casino

someone needs to retire here. but it isn't nas

 

[g-ice]

I gotta sit with this album more later on but as I did a quick run through, I don't see/hear anything wrong with these beats. I just think many people wanted an album full of "Nas Is Like" type joints OR their ears have simply veered away from that classic Boom Bap style of Preme.

It's possible that Nas wanted to venture that route with the production as well. I don't think Primo fell off at all. I mean he gave us that Ab Soul joint a year and change ago and he laced De La Soul this year. Nas ear for beats is just particular.

 

[Mike Wins]

I get the criticism that they should have used the last 20 seconds of NYSOM 3 where they blend the OG with the Billy Joel piano. Would have been obvious but dope anyway. Should have done that and used the main beat for something else.

Don't get the criticism of the actual beat during the verses though. It's sinister, one of the hardest beats on here. Reception would be way better if it had a different title. I know if that exact beat was on a Conway album The Coli would be all about it.

 

[Tetris v2.0]

I didn't expect an album of bangers. Premo has never really done that. He's always had contemplative tracks, concept tracks, emotional tracks, etc. Sons, Writers...all dope contemplative or concept records. Pause Tape too. Love letter to hip hop...I get it. But still man. This isn't it.

Fair enough no worries lol it's proving to be a divisive release

 

[maxamusa]

It was a good listen. I sent this to some of my older fam.


I like how they kept the theme of appealing to 1993.


Nas did his thing.




but unfortunately I won't be listening again; this wasn't for me....but it wasn't aimed for me.



love how NAS has just been out here killing shyt tho.

 

[H. Selassie]

Nas is my 1B G.O.A.T. but I gotta be completely honest…I’ve given this 2 tries so far and it has not been a pleasant experience.

 

[ThirdAct]

Mobb and De La had the best albums out the series. shyt pains me to say man.

Definitely wouldn't be mad at Hav producing a Nas album

 

[the cac mamba]

I hate that I don't like this production more. I'm so frustrated with myself that I don't just enjoy it more.

there's no need to force yourself into liking it, which i notice a lot of people doing lately

hell, nas and primo are my two GOATS at their crafts. but how many classic beats can a producer expect to come up with in a 35 year career? it is what it is i don't expect michael jordan to be able to suit up in the NBA in 2025, either

i'm still laughing at Define My Name being my favorite song of the run not putting it on the album doesn't even make sense now. it's EASILY worthy of joining the other tracks

 

[ADP]

It's unrealistic to not expect some of these takes. Most people on here are of the age where various eras of Preemo's style is hugely tied into their lives, and many people prefer different eras of Preemo's sound based on when you were born, what part of Preemo's catalogue you grew up on, etc.

I totally understand someone being like "I prefer Moment of Truth Preemo over Hard to Earn Preemo."

That's human nature, bro. Some people like Nas is Like Preemo more than Illmatic Preemo, or vice versa, and that's fine too.

This album been hyped for over 20 years and was Detox status at one point. Expecting some people to have no expectations or feeling of being let down is also unrealistc.

Personally thought better of the coli than your random casuals

Nas aint delivering any verses as intricate as his previous work with Premier, you can tell he doesnt have time to read as much as he used to, hes not as poignant or interesting as an mc as his prime but Chris is supposed to deliver ALL TIMERS HISTORY OF RAP LEVEL INSTRUMENTALS ?!

Speaking of Detox, he did much better than Pictionary or whatever that weed plate of Snoop and Dre album was called

This is a very dope project for me from these two in 2026 and feel its unfair how Premier is treated BASED ON THE QUALITY OF THIS.

Thank God for those 347 albums by the pound beats per year Alchemist is putting out otherwise what would we even listen to...

Peace to everybody cause these are LIGHT years, guess i need to enjoy things for myself and keep it moving...

 

[Digital Omen]

Yo this shyt is so ill only a hip hop head makes tracks shouting out female MCs and graf legends (reminded me of Unpopular opinion: Graffiti is not art.)
It started off weak for me, NYSOM3 was a huge disappointment but at the same time this is the GOAT so the clunkers come with the territory. Yes, even MJ and Quincy made clunkers. We just never heard em. I don't know who A&R this but c'mon son.
Anyway I'm stuck on It's Time. That's the Nas we all want to hear. 50+ flowing like that, he needs to stay in that pocket.
Unlike NYSOM 3, 3rd childhood is decent.