A few months back I posted this song...
It was the lead single off of RZA's Digi Snax album that came out recently (go cop that!).
Most recently, the rapper of the moment, Nas had this song featured on the album...
For those unable to listen, both songs feature the same sample and utilize the same hook.
Personally, I think RZA's version was produced a little bit better, but I mean how can it not. It's RZA. He's a producer and an emcee, so of course he's going to have a better idea of how he's going to structure his song. This doesn't mean that the Nas version isn't poorly produced, but I'd imagine if Salaam Remi, the guy who produced the Nas' version, were an emcee as well, he'd be able to not only have a vision for the beat laid, but a vision for his delivery as well. If Nas had produced the beat, then it'd be harder for me to say.
The RZA version is nostalgic journey through his past and a nod towards the now scattered Wu-Tang Clan (the group he helped start and grow). His verse recounts the experiences that led him to become a producer. While RZA's delivery is composed and undramatic, his verse is followed up and juxtaposed by Inspectah Deck's blaring reaffirmation that he won't be stopped. It's a nice balance, it's this same duality that made the Young Jeezy and Kanye West song, "Put On", work.
The Nas version is equally formidable in my opinion. Whereas RZA recounts his personal history, Nas sticks to the theme of his album and recounts striking images and names within Black history that include everything from "Willie Lynch to Willie Hutch". Nas' version invokes a 70's nostalgia vibe, much like RZA's, but broader in the sense that he touches upon history well beyond his own. The song is not only a testament to his people, but to the strength of his people, given their 400 plus years within this country. This is one of my favorite songs on Untitled, given the content and delivery. It comes off as dope spoken-word song with a poignant message about Black history.
The RZA version is nostalgic journey through his past and a nod towards the now scattered Wu-Tang Clan (the group he helped start and grow). His verse recounts the experiences that led him to become a producer. While RZA's delivery is composed and undramatic, his verse is followed up and juxtaposed by Inspectah Deck's blaring reaffirmation that he won't be stopped. It's a nice balance, it's this same duality that made the Young Jeezy and Kanye West song, "Put On", work.
The Nas version is equally formidable in my opinion. Whereas RZA recounts his personal history, Nas sticks to the theme of his album and recounts striking images and names within Black history that include everything from "Willie Lynch to Willie Hutch". Nas' version invokes a 70's nostalgia vibe, much like RZA's, but broader in the sense that he touches upon history well beyond his own. The song is not only a testament to his people, but to the strength of his people, given their 400 plus years within this country. This is one of my favorite songs on Untitled, given the content and delivery. It comes off as dope spoken-word song with a poignant message about Black history.
So my question to you is, who flipped it/rocked it better?
Posts
1 comments:
i respect Nas' version, but RZA's flows more nicely. That's all i got.
Post a Comment