The 100 Best Nas Songs
By Gabriel Alvarez | May 25, 2011 | 12:36 pm | Permalink
#10. Nas "Ether" (2001)
Produced By: Ron Browz
Album: Stillmatic
Label: Ill Will/Columbia
Rap beefs are a dime a dozen, selling at a nickel a pound, but Jay-Z vs. Nas was a rare event pitting upper-echelon MCs in which things got very personal, going as far as involving baby moms and whatnot. With Jigga having ruthlessly attacked Nas' at-the-time waning influence courtesy of a scorching verse on "The Takeover," many wondered if Nas was finished when he served up a prime cut of utter disregard for Hov, starting off with "Fuck Jay-Z" for good measure. The shit got downright mean with some "super-ugly" talk, like calling Jay a camel and a JJ Evans lookalike. And to demonstrate this conflict was authentic, Nas hit where it hurt the most by questioning Hov's friendship with Biggie: "First, Biggie's ya man, then you got the nerve to say that you better than Big/Dick-suckin' lips, won't you let the late, great veteran live?" This war of words was a war between Gargantuas. Once the dust settled, the memories would be long-lasting—"ethered" was formally introduced into popular-culture slang.
T_VIZZY May 25th, 2011 at 01:00 PM
He did this track for his mother because she wanted him to stop with all the violent tracks and wanted to make a "happy" track, but she passed. So Nasir made this one for the children
young gun May 25th, 2011 at 03:12 PM
how the positive track about african american culture gone be 100 smh i think it should of got a higher rank
Jiggity Tiggity May 25th, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Has anyone made this into a play list file yet? I'm pretty sure I have all the songs, but having the play list would be sweet.
goose May 27th, 2011 at 02:04 PM
DO IT!!! Would be a huge help :D
sa May 25th, 2011 at 03:23 PM
Number 1 was meant to be "The World Is Yours"
Mel32 May 25th, 2011 at 06:35 PM
You're right
unclesam May 26th, 2011 at 01:03 AM
Agreed, but I get NY State of Mind too though.
ajsm August 5th, 2011 at 02:01 AM
No doubt "The World is Yours" is #1
Alex B March 7th, 2012 at 08:06 PM
I couldnt even find The World is Yours on this list, but it's definitely number one in my eyes.
Cigar May 25th, 2011 at 03:51 PM
Its one of the best tracks, i mean it coould be number 25 but not 84,cmon yall
dee May 25th, 2011 at 03:57 PM
Where is Drunk by myself
victor September 13th, 2011 at 05:43 PM
yo I love that joint
HATSTACKS May 25th, 2011 at 03:57 PM
is #49 some sick sad joke? shit doesn't even belong in his bottom 100, let's just forget it, and Jeezy, exist
Rawse May 25th, 2011 at 04:06 PM
Great list, but where the hell is Take It In Blood?
nastynas373 May 26th, 2011 at 11:04 PM
"Take It In Blood" is indeed my favorite Nas song, and should be top 30 for sure just for its content and lyrical and poetical value
Samantha May 28th, 2011 at 06:38 AM
i love take it in blood
Samantha May 28th, 2011 at 07:17 AM
Put poetry inside a crack pot and blow
GeeTee May 29th, 2011 at 05:38 PM
That's exactly what I was thinking once I started getting into the top 5. I was like man if I haven't seen it by now it will not be in top 5. It's in my personal top 5 Nas songs ever. Great list nevertheless, a couple questionable listings but very good, and the insight on all the songs were well written.
EnigMaa May 25th, 2011 at 04:09 PM
I LOVE ME SOME NAS!! Saw him at the DNA Lounge in San Fran back in the day! Still the BEST
nitido357 May 25th, 2011 at 04:13 PM
@Rawse YOU are quite right sir! That cut is lyricism cubed!