Distant Relatives - 12 months on

[stillmatic]

What are people's thoughts on it? Anyone still bumping it?

I gave the album a full spin from top to bottom again tonight, and my predictions about it's effect on me came true. I loved it last year, it was easily my favorite album of the year, and I predicted that as each year passed, that it would continue to grow on me. It's been so long since I heard an album like this, one that drives you to so many different type of emotions. Such an inspirational ode to all of Africa, blacks and all people who want change.

Nas and Jnr Gong together, they capture the essence of what music was and is always supposed to represent... that conscientious mysticism that leaves listeners in the most amazed stage of contemplation.

Favorite song 12 months a go - Patience.

Favorite song now - Friends. Oh man, some forget the problems Nas had faced around the time this album was being made, and this is his most powerful work since 'Dance' (or One Mic). Even his subliminal shots at Mega, 50 and Hov somehow still extract warmth.

10/10 before and 11/10 now.

[Master Chief]

I honestly thought the production was boring and for the most part Damian just dragged the album down for me. Don't like his singing/accent at all. He does decent on Strong Will Continue though. That song was amazing. So much energy, a true anthem. One of the most inspirational songs Nas has created. Friends was extremely yawn-worthy tbh as was Patience. And I'm not one of those people that use the "boring" cop-out against Nas that is beyond overused. I thought Untitled is his best album and that is was simply a masterpiece. Y'all My Niggas, Sly Fox and Black President are mindblowing songs. Hip Hop Is Dead was amazing as well. I just thought this album was a step-down and it wasn't really due to Nas.

Hopefully, Life Is Good is gonna be a return to form. Nasty is a good sign of things to come.

[Satire]

I'd probably give it a strong 7 or an extremely low 8. Really good.

I knew who Damien Marley was long before I had fully gotten into Nas so when I heard they were doing a collab album I expected every song to sound like Road To Zion (Great song, btw) & what I thought would be basically Nas over Welcome-to-Jamrock style beats...Needless to say I was pretty disappointed on first listen, the production was too uplifting for my taste I guess, and I just didn't feel like listening to an African-themed album so I would have rated it a personal 5-6 back then, but I gave it more of a proper chance and began to appreciate it. They did something different, and in the end, I like that.

Nas surprisingly sounded very comfortable on these beats. Him and Damian come off really natural together and set the tone for the theme well. It's amazing how long Nas has been around this long and still pushes out great verses. Damian's performance, from the choruses to the verses, was all on-point as well.

I could go more in depth but fuck it. My favorite songs were As We Enter, Strong Will Continue, Dispear, Count Your Blessings & In His Own Words.

[Cube23]

The production on the album really sucks. It's still a pretty damn good album. I'd give it a 6.5 or 7 out of 10. My Generation is probably my favorite song.

[OMEGA]

The production in the album is excellent, wtf? Nah Mean, Patience, My Generation, As We Enter... all incredible. I think Damian actually outshines Nas in some songs, but the whole thing is extremely well balanced. One of my favorite albums of all time.

[Wallace]

Wow, 1 year passed really fast.
A lot of nice songs around 2007 and before I'm still bumpin like crazy, like some MLK stuff from Tech N9ne

It could'nt be different with such a nice album from Nas and Damian.
I agree about D singin bein kinda of a letdown sometimes. But the overrall result is still impressive musically.

I play "As we enter", "Strong will continue", "Patience", "Friends" and "Count your blessings" the most.

[Devil'sAdvocate]

its a good effort,feels fresh,i did not like the production that much and not a big fan of damien but nas's lyrical game on it was good,id give it a good 7.

[EyeQ200]

One of my favourite albums of the past few years, it's on point and the production is top notch, i gave it a full listen a few days ago and listen to "As We Enter", "Patience" & "Nah Mean" quite a lot, i think i'll listen to it later today too
I think Nas & Damian have great chemistry as shown before the album on "Road To Zion", and the album is really refreshing for me, it brings something new to the table.

[momentsgolden]

To be honest, the only album i listened to before Distant Relatives was Hip-hop is dead and i was bored to death. Then, came Distant Relatives

I mean, who touches it like that? They managed to avoid being preachy, cliche, condescending, annoying and fake. Being from Africa it touches me in a deeper more personal way and its to its benefit Jamaican music is a local favourite. This is the only album touching on Africa of its calibre i've ever heard.

I admit, there are still songs that annoy me like Nah Mean because the flow is a bit different. But the ones I love are eargasmic. Like Master Chief said, "Strong will Continue" is as inspirational as music gets. Africa must wake up is tear-jerking. K'Naan delivers my favourite guest verses ever. Across the board.

In short- 9.5/10. Classic.

[Trimss]

Ironic, I'm listening to it now haha I love it man, it doesn't get old. It makes me feel at peace.

I love this album.

My favorite songs are Strong Will continue, Count your blessings, Patience .. Shit, there's not one song that i don't like.

It has such a vibe.. It's chill, never heard a mix between Rap/Reggae or whatever it is that sounded that good tbh. Nas is perfect on it, and Damian has such a good voice. I love it.

To everyone who thinks Nas is boring, they should listen to this album. Nah mean?

I love it. A great 9/10

Edit: And I don't know why the fuck I quoted Menzo.

[Hiphopdane]

Sometimes I lose faith in hip hop and forget what is so special about it but a track like Patience is a brilliant reminder of what hip hop at its finest is.

It is not only the brilliant production and songwriting that make it such a fantastic song but also the representation of different souls and cultures in human society and music.

Masterpiece, masterpiece, masterpiece.

[yoshi]

It's a masterpiece. I fell in love with 'Strong Will Continue' the first time I've heard it and I knew this album was going to be great. And I remember I was so excited when they announced it, 'Road To Zion' is amazing. Damian and Nas just sound so natural together, they got this positive vibe about their music.

I love Damian's voice and accent, and I love how they both always stand up for not only Africa, but all the people, freedom and unity. Probably one of the most positive and inspiring albums I've ever heard. I give it 11/10.

[AJS2050]

This was in my top 10 favorite albums of last year. 1 year on i feel it has aged well so far.

Favorite Production:

As We Enter - love this beat.
Patience
The Promised Land

Favorite Tracks:

Africa Must Wake Up - inspirational.
Strong Will Continue - encouraging, a great workout track.

Favorite Video:

Nah Mean - simple but powerful.

[slimshadylappin]

Generation and Strong Will Continue are just incredible

espically the latter which was one of the best tracks of the year