About that single.
Already had this argument out with a friend IRL. I always loved it when Nas did weird experimental shit like Who Killed It or Shoot Em Up. Al Jarreau killed the horns and Nas chopped the shit outta this beat. I like that they aimed for speed jazz instead of some slow bebop. IDGAF what anyone says, I fucks with it.
That said......all you Esco stans need to get out your damn feelings about Budden doing his job as a pundit and giving a muhfuckin opinion on ONE song. Fuck outta here with these hurt feeling "Budden can't spit" hot takes. "Nas worst albums better than Budden best"? Nastradamus or Nasir over Mood Muzik 2?? Nigga please. "I can rap better than Joe, check my soundcloud"? NIGGA PLEEEEEASE LMAO FOH.
Nas is the greater MC with a legacy that's only rivaled by MAYBE like 4 other people in the culture's entire history. Duh. Joe would tell you as much. That's why the podcast immediately went to other Nas songs they loved.....ain't no disrespect, relax.
If you're unaware of how good Budden is at punchlines, wax battles, blood-as-ink deep personal shit, and storytelling tho.....that's your goddamn loss as a hip-hop fan. Budden is probably the only rapper to repeatedly do 8, 10, 15+ minute original songs with no hooks that feels like a easy to digest 3 min track instead of a viewing of Godfather part 2.
Anyway I feel like LT2 is at worst a 8/10 album. All the legends behind the boards (except Koonye sunken place ass) brought their A-game. Toomp beat was a pleasant surprise. Pete Rock is Yoda.