I guess I didn't quite make it for my NY heads... But I don't think I'm there yet so it's all good! But before I go any further I gotta send a big shout out and thank you to DeVon & D Black at Sport N Life for puttin on a great show last night. Bringing Freeway out was a great look and something I won't soon forget! Thank You.

Still the Poet, Still the Prophet, Stillmatic

It's the half way point and the record most likely responsible for why Untitled is dropping. After much chart success, the fans and critics were growing tired of what Nas had become and it seemed like he was destined for the side of the milk carton (© XXL). But ya'll know the story. Jay took it to him and Nas had to handle his business, which culminated with the release of Stillmatic.

This record was hailed as the second coming. The title, with it's obvious reference to his untouchable debut meant that expectations were high and room for error was minimal. While it was held as a return to grace then, almost seven years ago, today Stillmatic is a solid record from a continually changing emcee.

The triumphant feel of the intro is one of the greatest beats to ever begin a record! Nas sounds hungry and ready to take it to anyone, which of course gives us "Ether." But what do I really gotta say about it? "KRS already made an album called Blueprint" or "I rock hoes y'all rock fellas" – the whole song is a quotable and he did it with what feels like such ease, I'm a Jay fan (some might even call me a stan) but Nas killed him without question.

We are treated to another epic banger courtesy of Megahurtz, before the album slows down a bit and Nas starts getting serious on us. While I've often heard "Smokin" dismissed as a weak link here I respect Nas for it's inclusion as it continues to show his drive to control what he releases – it's a beat by him and is completely on it's own in terms of content and style

Hearing Nas and Large Pro back together again is probably my favorite thing about this record. Sure the Primo match ups are always great, but this pairing cannot be touched. "You're Da Man" is slow moving with the subtle vocal sample and minimalist sound creating the perfect atmosphere for Nas to spit deep about his legacy and what it is he wants to achieve. "Rewind" on the other hand is a more traditional Extra P beat with the funky drums knocking throughout while Nas tells us a story, but in a fashion no one had ever up to that point, nor since, tired.

The last Primo collaboration is here in "2nd Childhood" and yet again we are treated to a great example of two men who love their work and bring the best out in each other. Nas gets behind the boards one more time teaming up with Hitman alum Chucky Thompson for the ever classic "One Mic" – which yet again demonstrates Nas vision to push boundaries and try new sounds as he progressively increases his volume over the course of the verse getting to a point of almost screaming during the chorus.

The beef theme comes back around in "Destroy & Rebuild" this time attacking his fam from the QB. Except where "Ether" is an obvious attack, here it feels more like Nas is the elder statesman getting all the kids in line so they can stand stronger together. It's a great demonstration of the love he holds for his home and the artists he has nurtured along the way, along with the realization that with his position comes a responsibility – something too many rappers seem to ignore.

In the vein of reuniting we see AZ come through for a verse alongside the man who gave him his career on "The Flyest." Once again AZ kicks it off first and he sounds as good as ever here with his smooth voice blending well with the laidback L.E.S. track. Hearing them together makes me wish for their rumored, but never gonna happen collaborative album – I guess we got the tracks they have done together and this one fits in with the rest perfectly.

The Trackmasters come through after taking an album off and deliver the forgotten about first single "Rule" featuring Amerie. Nas addresses the issues of control within the world and the struggle for power between men. While Poke & Tone usually deliver hip club tracks, this goes against the grain with its live instrumentation and Amerie might actually steal the show!

After all this you want so much for the album to just pull through and finish as strong as it's been throughout but unfortunately it falters, however minimally. "My Country" and "Every Ghetto" are not bad, but the beats rely a little to heavily on cheap drums and Nas' presence isn't as capturing as he has demonstrated he can be. On the other hand "What Goes Around" is maybe the lost gem here. Marking the first time Salaam Remi got together with Nas, we see a chemistry that is natural and fresh foreshadowing much of the work we would see from Nas in the coming years.

And that is Stillmatic for ya! I'm not normally one to break down every track, but that was what had to be done here. Nas had a lot to prove and while I think the next project beats this, this was what got us to it and everything else he has released in the last seven years – rest assured if this had flopped in any sense Nas wouldn't be here today. Respect is due, but not no five mics!

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Easy Street is the lucky holder of a used copy for $7 and a brand new one for $12.99