Nas commemorates hip-hop witnessing an artist release an album lost songs for the first time.
In over two decades, Nas has blessed fans with many pivotal albums and moments in hip-hop. Illmatic is undisputedly the best work his career but in the years that followed, Nas failed to receive the same type critical praise until the early 2000s when he was at war with Jay-Z. Following the release Stillmatic, he dropped f a compilation project called The Lost Tapes — an album filled with songs that were previously leaked online and recorded in between the release 1999’s I Am and Stillmatic.
September 23rd marked the 17 year anniversary the release The Lost Tapes. Over the years, many have continued to champion the project as some Nas’ best work. He took to Instagram today to reflect on the project’s release and some the songs that made their way onto the project.
“The Lost Tapes. ILL Will Records/@columbiarecords Sept. •23• 2002. #purple #myway#drunkbymyself was one the hardest joints on there. #doorags#noideasoriginal #poppawasaplayerand more 17 Years Ago this was the first time Hip Hop witnessed an] artist release an entire album lost songs. #blazea50 tells a mean story,” he wrote.
The rapper released the long-awaited sequel to the compilation project earlier this year. To commemorate the anniversary, he dropped f the visual for “War Against Love” from The Lost Tapes 2. Watch it below.