Nas - Nas Is Like (dirty) -

: In signature Premier style, the hook consists of precise scratches of Nas’s own voice from past hits like "It Ain't Hard to Tell" and "Street Dreams," effectively letting Nas "sample himself". Lyricism: A Masterclass in Similes

Lyrically, the song is a "lush litany of hip-hop braggadocio" where Nas defines his persona through a barrage of vivid metaphors and similes. Nas - Nas Is Like (Dirty)

is widely considered one of the greatest technical displays in hip-hop history. Released in 1999 as the lead single for his third album, I Am... , the track reunited Nas with producer DJ Premier to recapture the "Illmatic perfection" fans craved after his more commercial turn. Production: The "Church Record" Miracle The beat is a legendary piece of hip-hop lore. : In signature Premier style, the hook consists

: Critics point to lines like "Nas is like, Iron Mike, Before the Christ after the death" as some of the most complex poetry in the genre. Released in 1999 as the lead single for

: DJ Premier famously found the core orchestral string sample on a 10-inch Lutheran church record he was about to throw away.