The 100 Best Nas Songs
By Gabriel Alvarez | May 25, 2011 | 12:36 pm | Permalink
#50. Nas "We Will Survive" (1999)
Produced By: Trackmasters
Album: I Am...
Label: Columbia
Using the letter-writing technique from "One Love," Nas pens two stirring correspondences to the Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac, both of whom he had misunderstandings with while they were still alive. Using Kenny Loggins' popular record "This Is It," he takes extra care in weaving in the song titles to some of their works and wonders about what could have been: "You came to my 'hood, we was broke/I wonder if we stayed that way, would there have been gunsmoke?," he writes to Biggie, then offers an explanation for missing his funeral: "I missed your wake not 'cause I'm fake 'cause I hate to see somebody so great in that way." As far as 2Pac, you can tell Nas is conflicted about unresolved issues he had with the slain rapper: "You asked if I could trade in your place, how would I hold up?/How long would I ride, before I fold up?/How did you know through your rhymes it was your time to go?/You predicted it in every line, all in your flow/There could 'Never Be Peace,' I have to quote/Can't believe I heard my name on the realest shit you ever wrote." That last line is an obvious reference to Pac blasting him on "Against All Odds."
(This record is also notable for an early Jay dis: "And these niggas is wrong using your name in vain/And they claim to be New York's king?")
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!