Nas - Surviving the Times

One of the new tracks from Nas’ Greatest Hits album, due out November 6. This one finds Nasir chronicling his early days as a burgeoning rapper in Queens, NY. He also uses the track to sum up the Columbia era of his career. Nas was Columbia’s cash cow for 16 years, and this so-called Greatest Hits album concludes his contract obligations to the label.

I’m a sucker for soulful samples and storytelling, so this one won me over. It’s worth noting that Ghost, ‘Face, Ricky D, and Nas are the most compelling storytellers alive. BIG and Hov are also great storytellers, but one’s dead and the other only drops one tale every ten years.

Words by Rizoh | Posted on Friday, October 5th, 2007 at 10:03 am and is filed under Nas, hip-hop music.

12 Responses

esbee Says:
October 5th, 2007 at 1:49 pm

NAS.

T2 Says:
October 5th, 2007 at 3:03 pm

This song is OK but i’m not feeling the tracklisting for this album.

There are alot of dope tracks missing compared to some of the shit on it already and this song shouldn’t be above ‘nas is like’, ‘memory lane’, ‘get down’ etc.

I don’t need it cus I got all Nas albums but it ain’t a great choice of songs.

DSuper Says:
October 5th, 2007 at 5:27 pm

Sounds like he’s going back to his Lost Tape days. That’s the Nas I appreciate. Nice track.

Daily Banger: Nas - Surviving the Times « Ali’s Basement Says:
October 6th, 2007 at 12:09 pm

[...] Nas - Surviving the Times [props to TheRapUp] [...]

nation Says:
October 6th, 2007 at 3:48 pm

>> Nas was Columbia’s cash cow for 16 years

word?

>> and the other only drops one tale every ten years.

apparently he’s on some Slick Rick shit on this album.

btw… the opening+piano of this song arw better than the actual lyrics

moneda Says:
October 6th, 2007 at 5:24 pm

I’ll agree with ‘nation,’ in that the lyricism on this track ain’t up to par, but I dig the sample and telling of the story, so overall I like the song… but I’ll probably download it and skip the album.

Rizoh Says:
October 7th, 2007 at 5:15 am

I’m curious to know who produced this song. Those piano loops are straight up extraterrestrial.

Sketch Says:
October 7th, 2007 at 6:24 pm

Beat was from “As the Art Fades Away” by Wordsmith.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=36579284

Gmoney Says:
October 8th, 2007 at 12:46 am

he’ll still always be second to Big Homie!!

10.

Mista Mista scareface Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 6:46 am

AMG was the first cat to use that sample over 10 years ago. Track called around the world from ballin outta control.

U can check the song here
http://www.illmuzik.com/vip/viceverse_amgaroundtheworld.m3u

11.

The Rap Up » Blog Archive » Nas’ “Surviving the Times” vs. Wordsmith’s “As the Art Fades Away” Says:
October 9th, 2007 at 2:45 pm

[...] “Surviving the Times,” produced by Chris Webber, turned up last week as part of his Greatest Hits compilation. [...]

12.

Dano Says:
October 25th, 2007 at 10:59 am

Every joint he droped last 2 albums been resumés..all baning but Im really looking forward 2 hearin what his done with Mannie fresh..and what about that Preimer album is it evver coming??!! cant wait anymore..almost got goose b´s from this one.

Nas - Surviving the Times

12 Responses

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1.	esbee Says: October 5th, 2007 at 1:49 pm NAS.
2.	T2 Says: October 5th, 2007 at 3:03 pm This song is OK but i’m not feeling the tracklisting for this album. There are alot of dope tracks missing compared to some of the shit on it already and this song shouldn’t be above ‘nas is like’, ‘memory lane’, ‘get down’ etc. I don’t need it cus I got all Nas albums but it ain’t a great choice of songs.
3.	DSuper Says: October 5th, 2007 at 5:27 pm Sounds like he’s going back to his Lost Tape days. That’s the Nas I appreciate. Nice track.
4.	Daily Banger: Nas - Surviving the Times « Ali’s Basement Says: October 6th, 2007 at 12:09 pm [...] Nas - Surviving the Times [props to TheRapUp] [...]
5.	nation Says: October 6th, 2007 at 3:48 pm >> Nas was Columbia’s cash cow for 16 years word? >> and the other only drops one tale every ten years. apparently he’s on some Slick Rick shit on this album. btw… the opening+piano of this song arw better than the actual lyrics
6.	moneda Says: October 6th, 2007 at 5:24 pm I’ll agree with ‘nation,’ in that the lyricism on this track ain’t up to par, but I dig the sample and telling of the story, so overall I like the song… but I’ll probably download it and skip the album.
7.	Rizoh Says: October 7th, 2007 at 5:15 am I’m curious to know who produced this song. Those piano loops are straight up extraterrestrial.
8.	Sketch Says: October 7th, 2007 at 6:24 pm Beat was from “As the Art Fades Away” by Wordsmith. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=36579284
9.	Gmoney Says: October 8th, 2007 at 12:46 am he’ll still always be second to Big Homie!!
10.	Mista Mista scareface Says: October 9th, 2007 at 6:46 am AMG was the first cat to use that sample over 10 years ago. Track called around the world from ballin outta control. U can check the song here http://www.illmuzik.com/vip/viceverse_amgaroundtheworld.m3u
11.	The Rap Up » Blog Archive » Nas’ “Surviving the Times” vs. Wordsmith’s “As the Art Fades Away” Says: October 9th, 2007 at 2:45 pm [...] “Surviving the Times,” produced by Chris Webber, turned up last week as part of his Greatest Hits compilation. [...]
12.	Dano Says: October 25th, 2007 at 10:59 am Every joint he droped last 2 albums been resumés..all baning but Im really looking forward 2 hearin what his done with Mannie fresh..and what about that Preimer album is it evver coming??!! cant wait anymore..almost got goose b´s from this one.