Image via Complex Original
Today, Nas' tenth solo album, Life Is Good, is finally in stores. Not only is life good but so is the album, which boasts some of Nas' best work to date. Not only are the beats and rhymes on point, but compared to his other albums, this latest effort is distinctly revealing. As he explained in his recent Complex cover story, "I'm at a point where everything I record is going to be close to my life—not just rhyming acrobatics."
Never has Nas talked quite so openly about his feelings and his personal life. So we gave the album a close listen to the album closely to discover 10 Things We Learned About Nas From Life Is Good including why he doesn't like to do interviews, how he could have died in the '90s, and what he considers the highlight of his life.
Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
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Biggie Told Him To Keep His Pajamas Armani
Line: “Remember talking to Biggie inside his Lex truck/Said stay fly when you bummy, keep your pajamas Armani.”
Song: "No Introduction"
Big also once reasoned, "Niggas wanna hit me, if they get me/Dress my body in linen by Armani." Maybe Armani should try a new tag line: "Perfect attire for a short nap ... or the dirt nap!"
He Has Indian Ancestry
Line: “Shattering your silence, passing 'round the chalice/Due to my Indian ancestry at the weed dispensary.”
Song: "Loco-Motive"
We totally want Nas to elaborate on this way more. What kind of Indian?
He Used To Rob Trains?!?
Line: “I was a crook by the train with the iron thing/Concealed reaching/Soon as I heard those iron wheels screeching/When it came to a halt whoever walked off got caught/Token man safe behind a locked door for sure.”
Song: "Loco-Motive"
Nas previously mentioned robbing trains on "Hero" (albeit briefly) but we really didn't believe it. But he goes into such great detail here it sounds like it could be true. But then again, Nas has always had a vivid imagination so who knows?
He Made $17,000 As A 17-Year-Old
Line: “At 17 I made $17,000 living in public housing.”
Song: "Loco-Motive"
We really hope that money was from hustling or something because if Nas didn't catch at least 20 stacks for his original advance that's some Industry Rule #4080 shit right there.
He Could Have Died The Same Night As Stretch
Line: “Fucking with Stretch from Live Squad/I could’ve died the same night that Stretch died/I just got out of his ride/He dropped me off and drove to Springfield/November 30th, another Queens king killed.”
Song: "A Queens Story"
Okay fine, we—and anyone who read our piece The Making of It Was Written—already knew that. But still, it's kind of dope to hear Nas talk about the close friend he lost after all these years.
His Daughter Has A Prison Pen-Pal
Line: "I saw my daughter send a letter to some boy her age/Who locked up/First I regretted it then caught my rage like/How could I not protect her from this awful phase?"
Song: "Daughters"
Wonder if Destiny was listening to "One Love" while writing those letters?
He Doesn't Do Interviews Because...
Line: “I don’t get the credit I deserve, that’s why I don’t do interviews.”
Song: "Back Then"
Guess Nas felt he finally got his props when we did The 100 Best Nas Songs because he had plenty to say in our cover story.
As A Child, He Saw MC Shan & Run In Queens
Line: “I remember seeing Shan chilling near his Audi/Hollis Ave, Run and them, but I proudly/Put a poster up of Shan and Marley/That was art, kid.”
Song: "Back Then"
Think of all the up-and-coming rappers of tomorrow who'll claim they saw Nas in his Lex back the day.
He Went Through Marriage Counseling
Line: “Did counseling, couldn’t force me to stay.”
Song: "Bye Baby"
Got to admit that a reality show with Nas and Kelis in marriage counseling would be amazing. Sorta like a real-life version of this.
The Highlight of His Life Was Seeing Kelis Screaming At The Cops
Line: “You screaming at the racist cops in Miami was probably/The highlight of my life, like ‘Hey yo, look at my wife’/Gangsta, me and twenty cops ’bout to fight, crazy night/Bailed you out, next morning we got clean.”
Song: "Bye Baby"
This glimpse into Nas & Kelis' marriage is priceless. Wonder if they'll ever get back together?
