The 30 Greatest Hip-Hop Demos
By Chairman Mao | Mar 17, 2011 | 2:55 pm | Permalink
#2. Nas, Two Song Demo (1991)
Nas "I'm A Villain"
Nas "Nas Will Prevail"
Bonus Tracks (Not on demo but mentioned below)
Nas "Just Another Day In the Projects"
Nas f/ Kool G. Rap & Whiteboy "Number One With A Bullet "
The Nasty Nas 1991 Demo Tape—sometimes referred to as Prematic—is a great collection of early, largely unreleased Nas material, but accuracy-wise it’s problematic. Of the ten tracks included more than half (including “Déja Vu’s” test run of the guest verse from Raekwon’s “Verbal Intercourse”) were recorded post-1991, some even post-1994. What remains appears to be of more convincing vintage. “Number One With a Bullet” (featuring Kool G Rap and White Boy) was, according to Illmatic executive producer MC Serch, a byproduct of unconsummated business flirtations with Cold Chillin’. In part an early draft of “New York State of Mind,” the superb “Just Another Day In the Projects” previews the storytelling sophistication so intrinsic to Illmatic.
However, as Serch recalls only the dual Large Professor productions “I’m a Villain” (a JBs-sampled beat Extra P had originally reserved for Rakim, but gave to Nas when the Mic God was a no-show at Power Play Studios that particular session) and “Nas Will Prevail” (a.k.a. the OG “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”) are from Nas’ actual demo. The former features lyrics later used on Illmatic’s “One Time 4 Your Mind” and “Represent.” The latter, a signature Stretch and Bobbito exclusive, remains one of the all-time demo classics, as a teenaged Nas flows with a charisma and assuredness far beyond his years.
Stretch March 17th, 2011 at 06:26 PM
You forgot to mention Payday Records, as well as Freeze which was part of the Priority deal.
Shawn Biggs March 17th, 2011 at 09:55 PM
No body deserves to be number one other than B.I.G
verge March 17th, 2011 at 10:47 PM
The Organized Konfusion demos and quite a few others here, and NOT here, are much iller than Biggie's but it's a matter of personal taste. This is a cool list, props Chairman Mao, no way would I wanna sit here and rack my brain to do something like this. A part 2 of lesser known acts' demos would be the bee's knees.
Hannibal March 19th, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Why? Because that's all you know?
Kell Bc August 3rd, 2011 at 04:28 AM
Hannibal, that really made no sense.... knowing lesser known Demo Tape's takes more knowledge more time, more dedication to digging.... then a person like yourself going to google & typing the 50 of the best hiphop albums. I'm assuming you don't even know what Verge is about.... do some research & go a little deeper then the shallow waters of hiphop your only frolicking in you herb.
reese March 18th, 2011 at 01:07 AM
does anyone have downloads for some of these demos? it would of been cool if they put download links in the list too
MontePlus March 28th, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I agree... You should check us out at www.dynamicproducer.com
nubalance March 18th, 2011 at 01:07 AM
saafir boxcar sessions demo. slept - if youre tired then go take a nap - on. cenobites. fabulous fleas. beatnuts intoxicated demo. good job chairman.
Clarence Ray Ash March 18th, 2011 at 03:42 AM
This whole list is incredible. Thanks for taking the time !
GeeKay March 18th, 2011 at 04:06 AM
Nas' demo is the best imo. i listen to it everytime the seasons change..it jus thas that feelin to it
Clarence Ray Ash March 18th, 2011 at 04:25 AM
After having skimmed, and listened to several of these I hadn't heard all the way through ha ha.. I have to say: : Public Enemy should have been #one.. one.. one .one. one...
j love hater March 18th, 2011 at 04:57 AM
who the fuck is j love? that guy is already getting on my nuts!
Huh? March 18th, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Cage doesn't drop the N bomb at all in that song... Not even once.. Not sure where you guys pulled that from
He Who Hungers March 19th, 2011 at 10:28 AM
few bars before the end of the 1st verse.
Seriously? March 19th, 2011 at 05:07 PM
"Sick - I guess I am so could you please pass the Pepto / Next up, I'm stealing niggas hearts like I was klepto" Sooooooo, did you even listen to the song?
Huh? March 18th, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Cage doesn't drop the n bomb once on that song.. Not at all. What are you guys talking about??
verge March 19th, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Not sure exactly what you're talking about but I DO have Cage demos where he drops n-bombs here and there. Some of his better material, imo, no racist.