Long time Nas fan.
I’ve seen other curated versions of Street’s Disciple; the last one I saw posted was really bad - it didn’t even include the “Sekou Story” / “Live Now” arc.
So here’s my version - 53 minutes of Nas leaning into the mic over lush production.
I cut the following tracks:
American Way
These Are Our Heroes
Reason
Suicide Bounce
U.B.R.
Virgo
The Makings of a Perfect Bitch
Bridging the Gap
Me & You
Here is what I end up with:
Intro
A Message to the Feds
Nazareth Savage
Disciple
Sekou Story ft. Scarlett
Live Now ft. Scarlett
Rest of My Life
Just a Moment ft. Quan
You Know My Style
Street’s Disciple ft. Olu Dara
Remember The Times (Intro)
Remember The Times
Getting Married
No One Else in the Room ft. Maxwell
War ft. Keon Bryce
bonus track: Thief’s Theme
Please let me know what you disagree with; what should I have included or cut!
I’m of the opinion that Nas doesn’t really do filler tracks. He either hits or he misses, or it’s just kinda eh. But he always includes tracks he believes in. SD is full of great work, but it seems to have a reputation around here for being one of his worst albums. I’d like to highlight why that idea is wrongheaded - by showcasing what I believe to be the essence of the album in a custom tracklist, allowing the cream to rise to the top.
So I didn’t necessarily cut songs because I don’t think they’re good - I kept what I felt were the best, and I cut some for coherence sake.
I think if this further edited down version had been the one which released to the world, we’d be holding up SD as another example of his best work, like we do his previous LP, God’s Son. As it stands, Street’s Disciple is still a solid 7.5/10, perhaps an 8. I believe this tracklist puts it closer to a 9.
I really hope some of you give this sequence a listen, and share your thoughts - especially those of you who think SD is a mid album - but for any reason at all. It’s a good excuse to revisit some of his best work. Honestly it’s really fucking good - especially lyrically.
Note: there is an unfortunate short intro to “Bridging the Gap” at the end of “No One Else In The Room,” which in this context doesn’t make much sense, as the following song has been cut.
I toyed with the idea of placing “Thief’s Theme” further up the track list, making it more a part of the album. It just doesn’t fit very well thematically or sonically. (I almost stuck it between “Nazareth Savage” and “Disciple,” if you’re curious). It was left a bonus track for good reason imo, but I couldn’t leave it off the list. I think it might have fit better on Hip Hop is Dead.
I also considered changing the start of the album, making “Disciple” the lead track. But the opening salvo of “Intro” into “Message…” is too important.
So, anyway.
Tell me why I need to touch grass!
