Comprised of the duo Shabeeno and Panchi, NYG’z is a new twist on an old concept.  The album Welcome to G-Dom, carries the torch where the Gang Starr Foundation left off, making it an exciting release for fans of true, underground hip-hop.

The release begins with the classic Premier styled track “It’s On”, a perfect introduction that makes you want to get up and jump around, like on an old school M.O.P. song. “Ya Dayz R #’d”, the album’s lead single and video channels the classic Screwball sound all over it.  While the lyrical content is very generic, production and overall street vibe makes up for it.

“Laundry Kings” (feat. St. Laz), is laced with a gritty beat by Kingdom reminiscent of vintage QB Mobb Deep or CNN. However the NYG’z don’t always take it back to the old school with equal results. Their remake of “Gz & Hustlaz”, originally performed by Snoop Dogg, features basically the exact same track with the same rhyme scheme. How are they going to try to do this better than, or even on par with, 1993 Snoop Dogg?  You can’t!

Thankfully, the title track, “Welcome To G-Dom”, brings it back to that classic DJ Premier sound. This is solid track, but with lukewarm lyrics. “Giantz To Thiz” comes off better, as Premier freaks the overused sample like only he can, making it into something entirely new. The same can be said for “Strength”, which is probably the best representative of Premo’s style on the entire release.  As many songs we have heard from Premier over the years, this song is great example of how he can keep his own unique style intact by constantly keeping it fresh.  No one does this better than Preem.

“Bow Down” featuring Blaq Poet (Screwball) & Rave, directly follows the infamous 2Pac interview snippet that closes out “Giantz To This”, and then includes samples of ‘Pac in its chorus.  This is very well executed, over an insanely dope beat by Kingdom, who has no problem shining next to a producer great like DJ Premier.

Overall, if you are a fan of raw, street NYC hip-hop, you will enjoy this album. The production definitely outwieghs the lyrics, but just the fact that these cats are resurrecting that grimy vibe that many modern day artists (both underground and mainstream) seem to lack, makes it worth the price of admission alone. However, if unique concepts and lyrical wordplay are what you crave, simply look elsewhere. But if you just need a seriously energetic track when waking up in the morning, NYG’z is a perfect fit. – Prizmatik

First and foremost, anyone unfamiliar with just how talented this man is, you have to go out and cop this. Nas’ Greatest Hits contains 12 classic gems along with 2 brand new songs.  The new songs are “Surviving the Times” and “Less Than An Hour (Theme From Rush Hour 3)”. “Surviving The Times” is a great nostalgia track produced by Ill Will’s own Chris Weber (yes, the basketball player). This track reminisces the classic struggle an MC such as Nas pursued in order to get put on in the game – eventually become one of Hip Hop’s elite. “Less Than An Hour (Theme From Rush Hour 3)” is also a serious track containing soulful vocals by Goodie Mob / Gnarls Barkley’s own Cee-Lo. Nothing but heat here, folks.

Ok, ok…  A lot of folks would say how you going to condense Nas’ classic material into 12 key joints.  The answer, you can’t!!  This being the case, the biggest beef fans may have with this album are the lack of certain key joints in the mix.  It’s almost to say that there are several joints on here that really don’t deserve to be there. First of all, what is a Nas greatest hits album without “The World Is Yours”? This was a classic, many attribute this song with putting them on to Nas in the first place.  Tisk tisk y’all.

On to one of the most apparently misplaced tracks, “Affirmative Action.”  Not only was this on “It Was Written,” but it was the key single on The Firm’s The Album. This track has resonated so much throughout the industry and the fans, it is still a number one request amongst folks.  Anyone in their 20s knows it, loves it and can’t live without it.  It is the theme for everything that is Nas and his Queensbridge brethren.  Where is it?

Back to Nas’ second solo release, “It Was Written”, it is hard to even think of a greatest hits album without the Sting influenced sample, “The Message”.  This was one of Nas’ strongest tracks, definitely a fan favorite. The next overall consensus of what should have been on here comes in the form of the Premier produced classic, “Nas Is Like”, a staple of all that is Nas for years, the name itself says it all.

One could really go on for hours about what classic gems are missing, where the label(s) went wrong with this release.  But bottom line, it is a dope album and a sure thing for anyone unfamiliar with some of Nas’ back catalog. Some of the key classic joints that are included: “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”, “Life’s A Bitch”, “One Love”, “NY State Of Mind”, “If I Ruled The World”, “One Mic”, “Made You Look”; make it a worthy purchase.

However, to anyone really looking for Nas’ greatest hits, you could simply cop all of his releases, one by one, as his catalog is that consistant. Do yourself a favor, go to your favorite online retailer and start buying all the albums you are missing.  Nas is a legend, a teacher, a true pioneer in the music world not just Hip Hop.  Do not sleep, because after all, sleep is the cousin of death. – DJ Prizmatik

While sonically pleasing, Big Shug tends to be pretty generic at times. He doesn’t have to much to come with lyrically.  Concept joints like “Play It” and “Lost” really show what he is capable of, proving that Shug needs a concept when laying it down, otherwise the track ends up being very stale and borderline redundant. The most impressive track here is the aforementioned “Lost”.  On this track he actually sings (in his own kinda way) while really speaking on something other than just being hood in the street.  It almost may have been better if he did this more on the regular, as his normal rap style is average at best.  His voice can be a tad annoying, as well as extremely monotonous.  However, with production from those stated above, even the most monotone has a shot.

Despite these minor beefs, this is still a pretty solid LP. Certain tracks like “Street Champ”, “Hood With That” and “Walk Away” definitely grow on you the more you hear them.  A true hiphop critic will find plenty of faults within this package, however the average listener who is looking for that oldskool vibe that we all miss so much will love it.  It’s the type of record that you need to take a step back and really just vibe with it.

The production on this album along with the concept joints are definitely what stands out.  Some very soulful, funky beats are on here y’all.  If you are a fan of Premo, Moss and east coast boom bap flava, do yourself a favor and cop this.  Notable tracks include “Lost”, “Hear Me”, “Spitfire” ft Dre Robinson & Singapore Kane, “Hood With That”, “Walk Away”, “Warpath” ft Termanology & Ea$y Money,  “Play It”. – DJ Prizmatik