Nas' Sampling Techniques: A Breakdown of His Creative Process

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Nas Magic Sample is a popular term in the music industry. It refers to the use of a specific sample in Nas' song called "The World is Yours" from his debut album "Illmatic" released in 1994. The sample is taken from the song "I Love Music" by Ahmad Jamal, a renowned jazz pianist. This sample is considered by many to be a magical and transformative element in Nas' song, elevating it to a whole new level. The use of this sample showcases Nas' artistic vision and his ability to incorporate diverse musical influences into his work. The main idea behind the Nas Magic Sample is the impact it has on the overall sound and success of the song.


Before diving into the album itself and delivering a track-by-track recap of my listening experience, I want to take two seconds to try and determine why Lil Wayne is the only feature on the album. Without discussing whether it fits, how good the verse is or if Wayne is worthy of riding shotgun with Mr. Jones, it’s a really interesting sub-narrative that was evident the moment the track listing dropped. IF anyone has insight into this – get at me! Also, this is a full length album – not some 7-song 15 minute ‘project’ but a complete 15 song, 45 minute listening investment – and it captures your ears and mind for the duration. So, let’s get stuck in and digest what Nas and Hit-Boy have concocted this time around!

Between King s Disease and Magic , I ve been more bullish with the latter, but maybe it s that some of the boom-bap beats in the latter series felt dry; however, as it comes to a close, Hit-Boy brings his all, keeping your interest afloat through each production adding up to more consistent and captivating work. Try-hard wordplay causes him to put his foot in his mouth multiple times and dull the effects of his words My scrotum is golden sounds cringey coming out of his mouth, though it s not clear who could make My scrotum is golden sound cool, either.

Nas magic sample

The main idea behind the Nas Magic Sample is the impact it has on the overall sound and success of the song. Nas' creative use of this sample has not only gained him critical acclaim but has also influenced many artists in hip hop and beyond. The distinctive jazz piano melody adds a rich and atmospheric layer to "The World is Yours" and creates a captivating listening experience for the audience.

Magic 2

Nas and Hit-Boy cook up another collaboration, a low-stakes mid-career rap album to show that one of the genre’s icons is still in decent fighting shape.

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Hit-Boy has brought his ear for samples and synths to collaborations with several artists in the past, but in Nas, he’s found a kindred spirit interested in the interplay of old and new. With every new release, Nas and Hit move slightly further away from the stately bland boom-bap of the first King’s Disease in 2020, and Magic 2 features some of their most adventurous moments to date. “Abracadabra” and “Black Magic” embrace rhythms from Atlanta and Memphis, respectively, that give Nas space to explore new patterns and pockets. He said he’s inspired by the youth, and it shows. He rattles off triple-time couplets over pianos and 808s and catches a stutter-stop flow over sampled scratches and tinny horns and organ. On “Earvin Magic Johnson,” he bounces lyrics between a fanfare and speaker-shredding drums like a basketball between legs. Phonetically, the words pop and bounce around the production in a pleasing way, and he sounds more awake and engaged than he has in a while.

But more often than not, the spell comes undone when you home in on exactly what Nas is saying. When he spits lines with catchphrases and slogans like “Durag energy/I’m on a wave, you niggas cap” or ends a handful of others with “for real” on “Abracadabra,” it feels forced, like he’s cycling through Urban Dictionary tabs open on a laptop in the booth. Try-hard wordplay causes him to put his foot in his mouth multiple times and dull the effects of his words—“My scrotum is golden” sounds cringey coming out of his mouth, though it’s not clear who could make “My scrotum is golden” sound cool, either.

Nas and Hit clearly have a lot of fun putting these projects together—otherwise, why make five of them in three years?—but the punchlines and flexes are hit-or-miss, and it doesn’t help that Hit’s beats lose all of their luster once they default back into his dead-eyed retro-traditionalism. Ironically, Nas’ jokes and boasts land better when mixed in with his trademark eye for storytelling. Take the second verse of “What This All Really Means,” which converts his frustration about his double album I Am…The Autobiography leaking into fuel to keep making music on his own terms well into old age; or how, on “Earvin Magic Johnson,” he looks back on memories of fights at McDonald’s in Manhattan and playing stages in Australia with the same reverent eyes. He’s getting better at balancing aged reflections without trying too hard for the kids.

It’s difficult to get too worked up about these Nas and Hit-Boy projects because, at their core, it’s miraculous they even exist at all. Nas is flying high on a career third wind (or fourth, depending on who you ask) and having a ball just kicking rhymes and experimenting with flows and styles with a producer who’s on the same wavelength as him. But at the same time, Magic 2, just like the four projects that came before it, isn’t grand, sharp, or thoughtful enough to warrant the several adoring re-evaluations of Nas’ GOAT status it’s spawned. It’s the textbook definition of a low-stakes mid-career rap album, a place for one of the genre’s icons to show he’s still in decent fighting shape.

Warbling, synth / horns bring a different, edgy funk to ‘Pretty Young Girl‘ before it gets to that modern, boom bap, head nodding medicine. It’s fresh, and Nas is tuned in when delivering his street narrative. More horns on ‘Based On True Events‘, but they are more of a traditional sounding set up with the boom bap drums punching underneath. The beat feels a ‘little’ empty, but Nas is also really on point with his story-telling vibe which tends to allow us to hear more of what he is saying in the sparsity of the snare. ‘Based On True Events, Pt. 2‘ is more a traditional Nas, street-narrative, concrete poetry kind of deal. Simply due to following a more subdued production, this one really feels next-level in all aspects and I am digging this joint.
Nas magic sample

Furthermore, the Nas Magic Sample represents the importance of sampling in rap music. Sampling is a technique where a portion of an existing song is taken and incorporated into a new composition. It is a creative practice that allows artists to pay homage to their musical influences while adding their own unique touch. The use of the Nas Magic Sample showcases the power and potential of sampling, demonstrating how it can be used to create something entirely new and original. Ultimately, it highlights Nas' skill as an artist and his ability to create timeless and influential music. In conclusion, the Nas Magic Sample has become a significant and iconic element in the world of music. It represents Nas' artistic vision, his ability to incorporate diverse musical influences, and the power of sampling in hip hop. This sample is a testament to Nas' talent as a musician and its impact can still be felt in the industry today..

Reviews for "Nas' Sampled Beats: Exploring the Art of Production"

1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Nas magic sample" to be underwhelming and unoriginal. The beat lacked creativity and sounded like a recycled loop from previous songs. It felt like a lazy attempt at making a hit, without putting any effort into making it stand out. The lyrics were also forgettable and failed to captivate me. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this track and expected better from Nas.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
As a long-time fan of Nas, I was disappointed with "Nas magic sample". The sample used in the song felt misplaced and didn't mesh well with Nas' style. It disrupted the flow of the track and made it hard to connect with the lyrics. Additionally, the production felt lackluster and uninspired, lacking the depth and complexity that usually characterizes Nas' music. While I appreciate artists experimenting with new sounds, "Nas magic sample" was a miss for me.
3. Robert - ★★☆☆☆
"Nas magic sample" lacked the lyrical prowess and storytelling that Nas is known for. The sample overshadowed Nas' vocals, making it difficult to fully appreciate his message. The track felt disjointed and failed to provide a cohesive listening experience. Compared to Nas' previous work, this song fell short in terms of both production and substance. Overall, "Nas magic sample" was a letdown and didn't showcase Nas' true talent.

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