Thursday, August 11, 2011

Nasty Nas' REAL demo

I am of course aware about the so called "Pre-Illmatic" tape that has been floating around the net for several years now. For a long time that had me believe that tape was the actual demo that Nas shopped around and eventually made Serch and Faith Newman sign him to Columbia in '92. Through interviews and articles I found while researching the subject, that's not the case at all. Many of the songs on that internet bootleg are even "It Was Written" outtakes ("Deja Vu" and I believe "Understanding" is post-"Illmatic" too). So what was the original Nasty Nas demo tape that led to his Columbia signing which gave him the chance to record the impeccable "Halftime" for the "Zebrahead" soundtrack and guest on Search's own album in the fall of '92?

According to MC Serch himself, the actual demo tape that had him climbing walls actually only had two full songs; but two very powerful tracks at that. These joints were "Nas Will Pevail" and "I'm A Villain", two tracks both produced by Large Professor. And although the sound quality isn't top notch you can clearly hear that this is straight up fucking-amazing hip-hop music, and Nasir Jones can't have been much more than 17-18 years old when these recordings were made. They both have that incredible, classic "Illmatic" chemistry between the young word gymnastic and his main producer although it's of course slightly more unpolished (I'm not talking about the sound quality here). In fact many of the rhymes found on the "I'm A Villain"track showcases Nas's tying together alot of bars that he would later revisit in part on "Represent" and "One Time 4 Your Mind", but there is some exclusive lyrics too of course. Some interesting trivia is that the  "I'm A Villain" beat was something Large Pro had created and intended for Eric B. & Rakim, this must have been for the "Don't Sweat The Technique" LP, but the God MC didn't show up that day and NaS got the beat for his demo.

The second song was "Nas Will Prevail", which of course was re-created and re-titled "It Ain't Hard to Tell" when the debut was finally unveiled in 1994. The "...Prevail" track is similiar to the album version in production, with the sax sample and the "Human Nature" part intact, but all three verses are completely different and has, to my knowledge, never been revisited on anything later..Now there is no doubt in my mind that the vast majority of y'all have heard these two tracks before but to hell with it, I wante to make a post on this incredible "demo single" that led up to one of my top 3 albums of al time. I'm also planning to start dropping some demo tapes from legendary artists, so why not start with my favorite of them all? And if you haven't heard these songs in a long time, follow my lead and do so right now. (these are the best quality rips I have ever found of them). Oh and I also added a few banging bonus track that's definitely pre-"Illmatic" and in good quality so that you can listen to this as an EP if you wish. There's only one rule though -  TURN IT UP!!

01. "NaS Will Prevail"
02. "I'm A Villain"
03. "Just Another Day in the Projects" [* Bonus Track]
04. "Live @ The BBQ" (w. Large Pro, Akinyele & Joe Fatal) [*]
05. "Back to the Grill" (w. MC Serch, Tone & Chubb Rock) [*] 

Nasty Nas - "91 Demo Tape" 
(w. Bonus Tracks)

13 comments:

  1. Props for the tracks and the research in this post! Very nice.
    Iwas aware of the fact that the actul Nas demo tape was much different from that internet bootleg you mentioned. But only two tracks? Damn. I wonder if there are some more tracks Nas and LP recorded during the Wanted Dead Or Live sessions (or was it the Let The Rhythm Hit Em sessions?).
    Can you please point me to the interview or article where Serch says that these two tracks are the ones that got Nas his deal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i am now claiming the rights to all of the songs i have ever produced and dropping a discography album in 2014
      google me: JAE SUPREME / JAE SUPREME QB

      Delete
  2. thanks man, glad you enjoyed it. Large Pro produced pretty much all of "Wanted Dead Or Alive", alot of "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em" plus was involved in "Don't Sweat the Technique". if you haven't read this before, check it out - one of the first articles I wrote when I started the blog and i got alot of good feedback:

    http://claaa7.blogspot.com/2010/11/eric-b-rakim-production-mysteries.html


    i read that from Mc Serch quite some time ago and i just remembered it but i'm certain it's still out there. don't worry, i'll hook you up with it but it might take some time.

    peace and keep checking the blog homie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i am now claiming the rights to all of the songs i have ever produced and dropping a discography album in 2014
      google me: JAE SUPREME / JAE SUPREME QB

      Delete
  3. That would cool, if you can find it. I love reading about details about songs, recording sessions, unreleased stuff etc.
    And I'll def keep checking. Nice blog you got.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nas (Villian) was produced by Jae Supreme from Queensbridge NY.
    It is now available on ITUNES

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jae Supreme QB: Thanks for the info, that is very interesting, i have seen your name in other CD booklets i have at home.. that's really interesting you've been down for so long.. i would love to interview you for this site.. if you're interested, hit me with an e-mail @ lost.tapes.claaa7@gmail.com

    peace

    ReplyDelete
  6. Re-up please!

    BTW, AWESOME blog. The Rawcotiks joints you gathered was truly a blessing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. any chance u can re-up the nas demo with the extra tracks that u posted b4. it would be amazing to hear those demo versions in good quality thanks!

    ReplyDelete