Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One, & Rakim - “Classic (Remix)”
produced by DJ Premier
I’ve never had a problem with artists lending their songs to companies for use in commercials or advertising campaigns, but I’ve always been apprehensive about music commissioned by corporations. Thankfully, the 25th anniversary of Nike’s Air Force One shoe is more an excuse to get together three legendary emcees—and a fourth who’s a legend in his own eyes—on one song (and discuss what constitutes “classic” music... hmmm, this sounds familiar) than anything nefarious on behalf of the athletic apparel giant.
At first glance, Kanye might seem like a solid—if overachieving—second line grinder (yes, this is a hockey metaphor) who gets by on heart and hustle trying to keep up with certified hall-of-famers, but he doesn’t embarrass himself; on the contrary, Kanye holds his own and even manages to convince us he might one day be mentioned among the names he’s rapping with on this posse cut. Nas doles out sage advice from his rocking chair (“When they do make the whip you like your chips ain’t right / By the time you can afford it, the car ain’t important”), his flow aging comfortably like a bottle of fine wine. And perhaps spurred by their younger colleagues, KRS-One and Rakim deliver particularly effective verses. Both the golden-era rappers sound youthful; Kris utilizes his commanding presence and Rakim sounds like he stepped out of 1987 instead of 2007.
The song’s production is a bit of a mystery at this point in time. It was initially reported that Rick Rubin was going to produce the track, but after hearing it if you told me this was a Rick Rubin song I’d call you a liar—it sounds like a Moment of Truth-era DJ Premier beat. The scratches, the sequencing of chops, the drum programming, the hard-to-explain but palpable head-nod factor—it all screams Chris Martin (no Coldplay). As per most Premo beats, it’s unobtrusive but gives the emcees a direction. And no one flows over Premier beats like Nas and Rakim. If it’s a Premier beat, it’s probably the closest we’re going to get to a Nas and Premo album. If it’s not a Premier beat (I don't believe you), then Nas should do an entire album with Rubin, because this is the best Premier imitation I’ve heard in my life. Maybe Rick Rubin "produced" this track just like Dr. Dre has been “producing” songs since the late 90s. Is “Classic (Remix)” the making of a classic? Maybe not, but it’s the first great posse cut of 2007.
Posts
3 comments:
why is Kanye on this?...it is absolutely ruined with his shitty flow,it's really dope to hear The R, KRS and Nas on a DJ Premier beat again, but in my view Kanye should not have been on this, why not O.C. or Lord Finesse?
Dre working with instrumentalists/co-producers doesn't mean they're producing his shit. it's known Dre isn't proficient in playing instruments, but he puts stuff together and figures out what he wants 'em to play. if that makes him a non-producer you might as well go after people who just sample and tweak/chop it a bit.
the only guy Dre's worked with who's become big is Storch, and he has a completely separate sound. think that says something.
You're right, trey. If Rubin had produced "Better Than I've Ever Been (Classic Remix)", it sounds so much like a Premier track (which it turns out it is) that it reminds me of those Dr. Dre rumors that have been around for years—where he supposedly gets other people to do the work then puts his name on the beat. Nothing more, nothing less.
Post a Comment