Nas – “Film” (Produced By C-Sick)

Many aspiring sound architects would love nothing more than an opportunity to work with a premier lyricist like Nas. For now, that honor belongs to 18-year old Chicago native Charles “C-Sick” Dumazer. C-Sick earned his way to centerstage by edging out a host of producers in last year’s Red Bull “Big Tune” beat battle, using a Toshiba laptop and FL Studios 7 software as his only weapons. Nas held up his end of the bargain and jumped in the booth with the rookie. I summoned the Brain Trust to get their thoughts on “Film.”

Hit the play button and proceed to the round table.

Dom Corleone:
The C-Sick beat instantly reminds me of “Desperados” by The Firm. It’s a perfect backdrop for Nasir’s extensive street journalism, detailing how relationships change with progress (“Some got the heart of gold, some venomous”) and documenting the sacrifice of innocence necessary to succeed, whether materialistically or figuratively. My only complaint is the garbled hook, otherwise Nas remains kingpin of narrative block poetics.

Andrew:
Lyrically, this is the Nas we knew from Stillmatic and God’s Son. The storytelling and smooth delivery, coupled with the resigned, melancholic sound of the melody and the soft but punctuating bass makes his words sound like they’re being read from the pages of a sad monologue. Beautiful track.

Ivan:
Nas’ lyricism will always be his claim to fame, and he stands by that promise with his penmanship on “Film”. But overly-minimalist production, sub-par hooks, and the overshadowing anticipation of Distant Relatives push this track towards the wayside.

Nahshon:
Nas gets back to his storytelling and loosely related thought patterns that we all love him for. The production and lyrics compliment each other so well that I spent most of the time during the verses dreading the hook.

J to the AAP:
“Film” is appropriately titled since Nas knows how to paint a picture with words like few other MCs can. The moody beat has a subtle layer added to the drums during the verses but the hook sung by a thus far uncredited singer doesn’t add much to the song.

Joe:
The beat is very laid back and stripped down but is interesting enough to engage you. Nas attacks the beat in the style only a legend could, speaks volumes. He doesn’t paint a picture, he crafts a reality around you that your mind’s eye can feel and touch.

Rizoh:
The rhymes are solid, but the beat bores me to tears. Worse still, the singer — and I use that term loosely — sounds like a poor man’s Chrisette Michele. Noble in concept, weak in execution.

Overall Rating:

Elsewhere:
A seasoned hip-hop vet welcomes a rookie into the game [Remixmag.com]