First of all this is Elzhi my friends, he's a legendary cat himself coming from the legendary group Slum Village (90s cats) Who was produced by the one and only J Dilla, so he has every right to make a tribute album to Nas and pulled it off pretty amazingly you gotta admit , Peace to the Gods and Knowledge seekers out there!
That's not dope, thats not in the Qur'an. Thats some 5percenter stuff has NOTHING to do with Islam, nor the Holy Qur'an. I love this track but I wish rappers would start doing research on their metaphors and similies sometimes.
I was a little worried when i heard that Elzhi would to an illmatic remake but he really did a fantastic job. He didnt just rap over the same beats He made it refreshing with the live band and he took every song and added his own story to it. 10/10
just saw him live in Boston! this dude shook my hand like 5 times, signed my Elmatic CD, took a picture with me and finally thanked me for supporting him....SUCH a nice guy man !
I’m here because I JUST sat down and ate Hennessy chicken wings in Brooklyn with Elzhi as he introduced me to the cat who directed this video over a decade ago…
This is the song that introduced me to Elzhi's *lyrical greatness.* I've been a fan ever since. It helps that he remade one of my favorite hip hop songs. I had to steal this beat for myself and make my own version💪🎤
WaxTapeCdEatter only for now... but he needs to be shoved into poeples faces like how wack rappers are.shoved in everyone faces... u think people really fucked with most these rappers that are mad popular today before they had the mainstream back up?
MoodMuzikFilez Good point... But the mainstream wouldnt let him spit like this bro.. they will make him dump it down. they cant have the youth rise up and conquer. thats why they sign who they sign... im with YOU all the way...BUT fuck the mainstream.. its up to us and real Djs that play this type of HIP HOP to promote. EVEN IF ITS US HANDING OUT MIXTAPES(cds) to the youth.....AT Schools. PEACE BROTHER!!!!
Elzhi & Moe P are my 2 fav hip hop artists right now. both from detroit got that golden era vibe...im going to see both of them perform on may 11 (this friday) in LA.
Whats with all the Kendrick comparisons? They're both great but Elzhi is 10x better lyrically. Just bars, no beats, no instrumentals. Just bars. Elzhi would rip him apart.
JuliusC. Yeah I don't know why people compare the two. Kendrick obviously has the better hooks, bridges, beat selection, overall song structure. Elzhi just has more complex bars.
JuliusC. Yeah I respect Kendrick. He's got lyrics and good songs. But I definitely think Elzhi slaughters Kendrick. Better lyrics, better story telling, and I prefer his flow.
I have always loved Nas. Since I first started listening to rap. I've always thought he was one of the most talented in the "rap game". Not only has Elzhi payed tribute to Nas (on a couple different tracks that I've heard from him), but he is also one hell of a lyricist. I love this song and his version of "Memory Lane", in which he also pays tribute to Nas.
you take elzhi and put him in the same spotlight with kendrick doing some of the same songs that made him hot and I bet money elzhi would shine bright and even more so cause he's a better all around lyricist a lot of u cats dickride these commercial marketed emcees and few of them like kendrick have an underground influenced flow so it makes him elite on the commercial circuit it's nothing more than that quite a few of the underground emcees u put them on the same tracks u put mainstream rappers on and they will shine bright too so popularity in mainstream music and album sales don't measure how great your skill is with the art that's fools gold thinking like that!!!
***** Nahhhh, he is actually very dope and easily one of the best MC's to debut in this decade. But Elzhi is on another level, Kendrick needs at least two more great albums to even be in the same category as El.
I've listened to a few of this guy's songs to see why people say hes better than Kendrick. You guys are dumb if you think this dude is better. King Kendrick isn't just a name it's a title which is well deserved.
I guess I'll continue being "dumb" then. Im a huge Kendrick Lamar fan but from an MCing stand point, Elzhi is levels above Kendrick..that's not to say that you can't be fans of both. Just quit the comparisons and enjoy the music.
***** I agree he's mad overrated. To pimp a butterfly isn't all that, I tried to listen I just switched it off after 3 tracks. You know when you listening to a classic you don't wanna turn the shit off you just wanna keep listening and listening and listening coz that shit be old and dirtyyyyy not new and soft like cushion (kendrick sounds like a little girl)
He's a kendrick fan, which is cool, I just don't see what the fuss is about, I guess that's what makes us all unique. He's not a bad rapper, he's not soldier boy at least lol
Born with an arm leg leg arm head like a Qur'an line. Dope ....btw the Qur'an is the strongest form of literature on the planet proven by nearly all linguists.
this man fire but he need to find his own page in the book of history get his own shit poppin not the shadow if nas and other amazing artists u feel; aint no disrespect
One of the greatest most underrated emcees of all time.
Him and Phonte
Yes! Not enough people give phonte props
AGREED 💯 those who Know
"I got your head bobbing and my verse didn't rhyme" 🐐
100% Agree
SKYZOO mentioned CANS
This album is pure perfection. Production, lyrics, everything. Still bump this shit consistently. A true poet
First of all this is Elzhi my friends, he's a legendary cat himself coming from the legendary group Slum Village (90s cats) Who was produced by the one and only J Dilla, so he has every right to make a tribute album to Nas and pulled it off pretty amazingly you gotta admit , Peace to the Gods and Knowledge seekers out there!
🔥
Very well put sir. School them please.
Word!!!!!
I heard Elzhi used to battle rap I would’ve love to see that
Elzhi is Detroits finiest n im sure Em would agree he deffo listens 2 Elzhi 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
Genius
You made Nas proud
I wouldn't say that much. He chose Fashawn. Elzhi would have been the reflection in the mirror.
Elzhi is too dope!
Top 10 rappers D.O.A.
Mother gave birth to this divine mind
Born with this [A]rm, [L]eg, [L]eg, [A]rm [H]ead like a Quran line
Dope.
+NewSchool nice
ras kass - interview with a vampire
+NewSchool Other rappers have used the Arm Leg Leg Arm Head most notably Rza on "Reunited"
Common acronym in the streets. Not as special as you make it out to be
That's not dope, thats not in the Qur'an. Thats some 5percenter stuff has NOTHING to do with Islam, nor the Holy Qur'an. I love this track but I wish rappers would start doing research on their metaphors and similies sometimes.
I was a little worried when i heard that Elzhi would to an illmatic remake but he really did a fantastic job. He didnt just rap over the same beats He made it refreshing with the live band and he took every song and added his own story to it. 10/10
Facts
Facts!! Easily the best tribute cover by anyone.
Been following Elzhi since his Slum Village days! Very underrated MC! Elmatic is a true masterpiece! I will never get tired of this album.
All factz
@LostItt why?
just saw him live in Boston! this dude shook my hand like 5 times, signed my Elmatic CD, took a picture with me and finally thanked me for supporting him....SUCH a nice guy man !
Classic to a classic damn...
Born with this arm, leg, leg, arm, head (A.L.L.A.H.) like a Quran line.
If anyone should pay tribute to this album, it's Elzhi.
Damn, I didn't realize this dropped nearly 9 years ago. Time flies. Still shits on a lot of today's MCs.
This kid is nice...one of the BEST TRIBUTES I've ever seen/heard.
His flow is old school! I could listen to this all day, Respect bro!
the most slept on emcee
I feel like canibus is the most overlooked rapper
2024 we still rockin 💪🏾
frfr
I came here after I watched. R. A.s Interview on vlad and..... Man Did he have a point. This dude is a great lyricist and this song is amazing.
Still listening in 2020 🔥🔥🔥
I’m here because I JUST sat down and ate Hennessy chicken wings in Brooklyn with Elzhi as he introduced me to the cat who directed this video over a decade ago…
Crazy that this is 11 years old now, danm!
It's still so good
Happy Birthday ElZhi!!salute from Mozambique
This is off the chain!!! human nature wished their track sounded this good when they put their vocals to it
How is this guy not on everybody's top 10?! Spits pure fire!
One of the absolute greatest "cover" albums ever
All the way from #SouthAfrica 🙌 I first heard of Elzhi when I was bumping Royce's bar exam 2(Royal flush) and since then I've been a fan of dude 🙌
elmatic was a great project, my favorite was his tribute to the world is yours doh
Yes
This is nice as hell. He did an outstanding job on this song. nas is proud for sure.
This is the song that introduced me to Elzhi's *lyrical greatness.* I've been a fan ever since. It helps that he remade one of my favorite hip hop songs. I had to steal this beat for myself and make my own version💪🎤
Sad how this barely has 305 views... Elzhi is so much better than anybody else.
😳🔥🔥🔥🔥☕ where have I been? Very very nice... Thank you.
How can anyone not like this gem, amazing pure hip-hop....the flow, the beat, everything wow...
it ain't hard to tell He's a nas fan
word you took it right out my thoughts i was like is he suppose to be the detroit nas. nice lyrics tho
lol
andrew martinez you think? What's the original track?😐
Glad he did this cause its Illmatic. We all know he couldn't touch it was written.
No shit
Finally, getting out there Elzhi. I've been a fan for like 3 years. Detroit saving hip-hop nuff said.
The second I heard the first line I laughed...I knew I was in the presence of the best rapper of our time.
Elzhi, you're sic on the mic. SIC!!!
One of my favorite songs of all times
Damn its crazy how he got nas beat and switched it up. Dope
maaaan, this ish is soooo dope man, nice tribute to nas, good flip to the beat...classic
Damn how I never heard this! Dope!
DAMN YOUNG SOLDIER YOU ARE HOPE MADE A OG CRY.
Instant classic! True to the old skool, voice over beat, the message and flow is the definition of Hip hop!
Timeless classic!!
TBH I wasnt expecting much especially considering the title. Its actually pretty damn good.
I wish people would stop bringing up Kendrick Lamar on Elzhi videos.
+Jordan Rios I know man, Kendrick is on another level as a complete music artist
+Jordan Rios Who???
+Cesar Alcanzar I agree but straight MCing this guy is better
He shits on Kendrick lol
you can keep telling yourself that... it's all good
Your song is a classic too 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Killed it!!! So dope.
Can’t think about finding the meaning of life when tryna define mine 🔥 keep moving king
Elzhi is one of the few people that can recreate illmatic and get away with it
Big up from Switzerland🇨🇭👍 Europe
He did this justice .. much respek Nas
oh my goodness i love stumbling across some good ass music like this, i cant believe ive never heard of this guy!!
HE KILLED IT.
You can never write better than this! 😷
1:39 this line touched me on a personal level
Wow, it's actually pretty good to see Elzhi with a VEVO. A lot of people gonna get turned on to one of the greatest of all time.
Elzhi been the underground king of the world for yeeeaaaaarrrrssss now. its time to go mainstream!!!!!
MoodMuzikFilez
No please....nowadays you can stay underground and make the same cash flow.
Without the fake pop hop kid
fans.
WaxTapeCdEatter stop being close minded. the world needs to know about Elzhi.
MoodMuzikFilez
True...but the world dont care
ABOUT HIP HOP LIKE THIS...
THIS IS ONLY FOR THE CHOSEN FEW.
WaxTapeCdEatter only for now... but he needs to be shoved into poeples faces like how wack rappers are.shoved in everyone faces... u think people really fucked with most these rappers that are mad popular today before they had the mainstream back up?
MoodMuzikFilez
Good point...
But the mainstream wouldnt let him spit like this bro..
they will make him dump it down.
they cant have the youth rise up and conquer. thats why they sign who they sign...
im with YOU all the way...BUT fuck the mainstream.. its up to us and real Djs that play this type of HIP HOP to promote.
EVEN IF ITS US HANDING OUT MIXTAPES(cds) to the youth.....AT Schools.
PEACE BROTHER!!!!
Ain't hard to tell I should have found this year's ago. Man that sound is DOPE! HipHop!!! This is The music that soothes my soul
Just realized this samples Michael Jackson's Human Nature. Love how he flipped that beat.
.....He didn't flip the beat, he sampled Nas' It ain't hard to tell beat which sampled Human Nature
Mike DeSimone the props should really go to Large Professor. As he's the one who didn't the beat and sampled MJ
Dude. Thriller is top 3 albums of all-time. You're missing out if you just learned this was MJ sampled
LordVolddy *did
miles davis - human nature actually
I love Elzhi, I was filled with excitement when I noticed they made a music video to this track, i love it. everyone download his mixtape off datpiff!
Damn this guy's sick.
Back again in 2021....Yeap its still Hard ASF
This Kid is so Nice real Hip-Hop Wow
ELZHI IS THE BEST RAPPER ALIVE!!!! FUCKING INCREDIBLE WORDPLAY, MULTI SYLLABLE RHYMING PATTERN, SCHEME, SMILIES AND METAPHORS
hard! but I can’t unsee the “where’s Waldo” fit he got on though . 😂
iz u color blind?
lol
Waldo red and white
Yo we need more cats like wreck mumble rap now adays. His breath of fresh air I stay pumping this joint
You can only trust an MC like Elzhi to pay homage to a classic from Illmatic.
Nothin but real ones in here. Long live the spirit of hiphop
love this shit and the human nature made me feel like this was a classic and it is. fuckin perfect
He freaking murder this shit lol
About time my boy got a vevo!
Thumbs up for El !!
Huge Nas fan n this shit is dope ! keep up the good work !
Elzhi & Moe P are my 2 fav hip hop artists right now. both from detroit got that golden era vibe...im going to see both of them perform on may 11 (this friday) in LA.
Detroit has produced 3 of the greatest lyricists of all time, Elzhi, Royce and Eminem.
And arguably a top 5 hip hop producer as well
Alexander Shimrat top 3**
Absolutely amazingly dope 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
nas flow
Man I remember first hearing this song as a young kid. So dope
Its hard for me to listen anybody who remakes any of Nas'a classics.
Thank you for bringing hip hop back. Mad respect bro.
STILL UNDERRATED
Perfect flow
Whats with all the Kendrick comparisons? They're both great but Elzhi is 10x better lyrically. Just bars, no beats, no instrumentals. Just bars. Elzhi would rip him apart.
Dick Dansom I didn't make the fucking comparison, OTHER people have.
JuliusC. Yeah I don't know why people compare the two. Kendrick obviously has the better hooks, bridges, beat selection, overall song structure. Elzhi just has more complex bars.
Exactly and plus elzhi been rapping longer then Kendrick and elzhi just finally getting his shine fuck Kendrick over rated ass
Dick Dansom You do understand music is supposed to be a medium of art?
JuliusC. Yeah I respect Kendrick. He's got lyrics and good songs. But I definitely think Elzhi slaughters Kendrick. Better lyrics, better story telling, and I prefer his flow.
🔥🔥🔥 shout to the d from md to NJ to NY salute
Still 2018
I have always loved Nas. Since I first started listening to rap. I've always thought he was one of the most talented in the "rap game". Not only has Elzhi payed tribute to Nas (on a couple different tracks that I've heard from him), but he is also one hell of a lyricist. I love this song and his version of "Memory Lane", in which he also pays tribute to Nas.
Third verse almost sounds like a young Nas, tight shit Elzhi
Those bells are lovely, damn
nice cover of nas ✊
holy shit, im so glad i found this guy..
sickest rapper ive found in a while
Bet you made Nas proud - awesome track.
This video better be at a million views the next time I look at it
you take elzhi and put him in the same spotlight with kendrick doing some of the same songs that made him hot and I bet money elzhi would shine bright and even more so cause he's a better all around lyricist a lot of u cats dickride these commercial marketed emcees and few of them like kendrick have an underground influenced flow so it makes him elite on the commercial circuit it's nothing more than that quite a few of the underground emcees u put them on the same tracks u put mainstream rappers on and they will shine bright too so popularity in mainstream music and album sales don't measure how great your skill is with the art that's fools gold thinking like that!!!
Preach
mf doom is still times ahead on both lyrically
yeah i agree with that for sure doom is a special type of lyricist
Finally Elzhi is getting some props!!!! been the best rapper in the game for years now!!!!! DETROIT!!!!!!
Kanye should've done an album with el and let Nas stay retired.
Awwww c’mon, you can’t just say that.
Nas still makes dope shit tho
Wow discovered today this is fireee respect from Egypt
Elzhi > Kendrick
Elzhi shouldn't even be compared to Kendrick. Elzhi is one of the GOATS while Kendrick sucks
robert sweet LMAO yeahhh I take that back now. To Pimp a Butterfly was a masterpiece.
WildfireWiffler44 glad to see you learned
***** Nahhhh, he is actually very dope and easily one of the best MC's to debut in this decade. But Elzhi is on another level, Kendrick needs at least two more great albums to even be in the same category as El.
***** Can you explain to me why you think Kendrick is garbage? Because I used to think the same thing but he really isn't.
This is uncut dope from Bolivia 🇧🇴
I've listened to a few of this guy's songs to see why people say hes better than Kendrick. You guys are dumb if you think this dude is better. King Kendrick isn't just a name it's a title which is well deserved.
I guess I'll continue being "dumb" then. Im a huge Kendrick Lamar fan but from an MCing stand point, Elzhi is levels above Kendrick..that's not to say that you can't be fans of both. Just quit the comparisons and enjoy the music.
***** I agree he's mad overrated. To pimp a butterfly isn't all that, I tried to listen I just switched it off after 3 tracks. You know when you listening to a classic you don't wanna turn the shit off you just wanna keep listening and listening and listening coz that shit be old and dirtyyyyy not new and soft like cushion (kendrick sounds like a little girl)
***** exactly
Huh
He's a kendrick fan, which is cool, I just don't see what the fuss is about, I guess that's what makes us all unique. He's not a bad rapper, he's not soldier boy at least lol
How this ain't got a million views is beyond me 😐
Born with an arm leg leg arm head like a Qur'an line. Dope ....btw the Qur'an is the strongest form of literature on the planet proven by nearly all linguists.
Lol you're drunk most scholars laugh at the Quran it's basically a fake Bible lol
Ashley O'Brien LOOOL not agreeing with the other guys comment but what tf do u mean by a fake bible? like the bible isn´t fake in its self
I'm saying it's a false Abrahamic religion. It's like they took the new and old testaments and changed all the important facts to oppose Christianity.
ah ok i stand corrected
*Bible gets altered multiple times in history*
*Calls islam fake abrahamic religon*
You make alot of sense in my book buddy.
This guy has vevo now? That means he's getting bigger!! About time America.
this man fire but he need to find his own page in the book of history get his own shit poppin not the shadow if nas and other amazing artists u feel; aint no disrespect
He's not riding Nas coattail. This was a song from a tribute album , no more no less .
Gianmarco Imperioli He already had his page before. You must not know of slum village.
"...bustin' off cartridges through your window/
different from the one from my Nintendo/
that line shoulda been my intro..."
Damn eLZhi son!