#Damian nas distant relatives full#

We have moved from the introduction of our narrators on this journey to the meat & potatoes: the Pan-African subject matter of Distant Relatives. I call it a lyrical appetizer, and it is smooth enough to replay, especially in the whip. вЂњRoad to ZionвЂќ was only a preview, and the witty back and forth is a fun track to bump. Although this opening track is not concerned with the albumвЂ™s topic, it does remind us of how natural a collaboration this partnership is. Junior Gong & GodвЂ™s Son trade bars effortlessly throughout the track. Gong: вЂњNzuri Sana! Switch up the language and move to Ghana вЂќДistant Relatives opens with вЂњAs We EnterвЂќ, a track with booming bass and a Nas laced chorus. Nas: вЂњAnd my man can speak Patois, and I speak rap star/yвЂ™all feel me, even if itвЂ™s in Swahili, Habari GaniвЂќ The project deserves deep analysis, and I want you to be able to read the lyrics that frame my views of each track, and the album as a whole. So take that as a warning that this is the LONGEST review that I have ever written in my life. IвЂ™m going in depth with this review because I truly believe it to be one of the most groundbreaking collaborative albums since John Coltrane & Duke Ellington released their joint album. Then there is the album, which was released 1 day prior to Malcolm XвЂ™s birthday. The event was moderated by hip-hop journalist and personality Sway, who began the night by interviewing Nasir & Damian, and broadened the discussion to include DJ Kool Herc, amongst pioneers from both genres. In December, the National Geographic Society sponsored a panel discussion at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC on the bridge between the cultures of Hip-Hop & Reggae, with Distant Relatives as the frame of reference. Through multiple outlets, Distant Relatives explored the connections between Hip-Hop, Reggae, and Africa. Not only is Distant Relatives an album, it is a documentary. As a fan of both artists, as a lover of Hip-Hop and Reggae, as a participant in the culture, as a writer, and as a part of the African Diaspora, I believe this album to be a milestone. Nas and Damian MarleyвЂ™s Distant Relatives project brings this philosophy to the forefront of two genres of music. On top of the two singles, I also posted a small trailer of Marley and Nas working in the studio (courtesy of RapBasment.It is no secret to many of you that I view art not as a product, but as a vehicle for culture. The official website for the record can be found here. The second song, вЂњStrong Will ContinueвЂќ, is just as sharp, both musically and lyrically, as the rappers channel Tupac by presenting an uplifting, inspirational ode to those who continue to find themselves in a hole.Дistant Relatives is set for an April 20 release date (seems appropriate for these two). Over a smooth reggae bass and bright horn riffs, Nas and Marley effortlessly toss rhymes back and forth, focusing more on their ensuing collaboration and less on the socio-political front Nas had previously promised. Marley and Nas will also focus their attention on the difficulties in America and in American urban ghettos, and relate those experiences through the duoвЂ™s shared African ancestry.Дistant RelativesвЂ™ first single, вЂњAs We EnterвЂќ, leaked back in June. So we named the album Distant Relatives because it talks to all people.вЂќ People are killing themselves over jobs, but we take for granted what we do have hereвЂ¦ In the world, weвЂ™re family.

In the same interview, the Queens rapper also discussed the meaning behind the albumвЂ™s name: вЂњWeвЂ™re in a recession. To find the roots of reggae and hip-hop,вЂќ Nas told the Omaha World Herald back in June 2009.

Together we kind of wanted to give people that. Hip-hop music has helped reggae in its transition periods.

#Damian nas distant relatives full#

Originally, the idea was to release just an EP, but when the duo hit the studio to record last year, they decided to turn it into a full record, entitled Distant Relatives. So when Nas and Damian Marley announced plans to collaborate back in February 2009, fans from both genres eagerly anticipated the result. One is arguably the most iconic lyricist in rap history the other is a reggae star and the son of a legendary musician/activist (Bob Marley).