D.J. Premier is the illest.

In the 2nd verse, Nas gives the greatest description of every type of thug, low life and hustler that exists in NYC and probably every other city in America.

This song should never be overlooked by the original. In fact it should get the same shine. The Lyrics are vivid as hell and this beat is amazing. The Piano loop in the back especially hypnotic.

That" 8 partners growing up " part always gets me !

Never been to NY .. The God MC took me there with this one tho.. The picture he paints is vivid ..I'm from Alabama Nas is my favorite MC

Dude Nas is so damn timeless. Who else can tell a story like this while still hitting a totally flawless multi-syllabic flow?

Tell me whats better than this?....I am from Zimbabwe, never been to NYC but when I listen to this track, I am transposed to the lived experiences of black Americans in NYC. A real emcee is one who is able to paint a picture with words and share that photographic representation of his lived world with those living in the outer parts of it. I classify Nas with the likes of Dambudzo Marecheras, Chinua Achebe, Charles Dickens...He is a scholar par excellence and I am happy Harvard honoured him with a Research Fellowship.

This song got me through middle school... seems corny but it really got me in my head, and away from the bs. I’d just put my headphones in and blast it. Love Nas

Nas never ceases to amaze

Imagine buying this album back in the day and hearing this song for the first time 🏻‍️

this is the GOAT spitting at 25-26...classic shit

The beat itself makes me want to just go insane. Nas is a genius

The part in the 1st verse when he rapped about his friends touched me so much when I 1st heard this song. It reminded me of people's I had in my life that grew apart or fell off for whatever reason. Real shit you gotta feel especially if you been through it. This song is one of my many favorite Nas tracks.

Nas & Pac two of the few MCs that when you close your eyes and listen to their music, its like an audio movie 🏾

I’m ADDICTED to this piano sample and beat. Killer!

I'm at the gamblin spot, my hands on a knot