Some artists you're supposed to hear. Others are to be felt. Nas falls into the latter category. Nas' street-slugging 1995 debut, "Illmatic," earned such critical acclaim that he was knighted one of hip-hop's greatest emcees right out of the gate. His second album was good but disappointingly materialistic and self-righteous. With his third effort, "I Am ...", Nas has proclaimed a return to those accolade-laden, platinum-lined streets.
"I Am ..." is hit and miss -- falling somewhere between the first and second albums. "Big Things" is wack Midwestern slow-beat. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G" has Nas coping R Kelly's groove. Worth checking out, but keep the fast-forward button cocked.
