Nas "I Can" (2002)

"I Can" is Nas' biggest solo success on the Billboard singles chart and also his weirdest: It's a motivational anthem for kids that runs a Beethoven melody over the classic "Impeach the President" break. It shouldn't work, and it kinda doesn't. The hook, which features Nas leading a group of children through a chant of, "I know I can be what I wanna be," is almost too corny to be believed and nearly sabotages the faint feel of Slick Rick he was going for.