Nas and damian marley distant relatives zip. Which, of course, means that this sense of accomplishment will be quickly dashed later today when Nas announces his next album, but shut the hell up and let me enjoy this, okay?Dennis Brown Distant Relatives. Today's post finishes up his discography for all of his existing officially-released solo projects. As everyone knows by now, Nas has teamed up with Damian Marley for an upcoming album titled 'Distant Relatives.'Featuring 'the signature instrumentation and musicianship of Marley with the hard hitting beats and lyrics of Nas,' the tracklist for the new album has found its way online.NAS & DAMIAN 'JR GONG' MARLEY 'Distant Relatives' on Tour NOW - Album COMING SOONmyspace.com/distantrelatives myspace.com/rockthebellsmusic.vtechphones.com/You hear that? It's like some sort of knocking sound, a consistent knocking that goes and stops? That's the sound of a nail being hammered into the coffin that contains the back catalog of one Nasir Jones.

He passes the microphone to his partner throughout, the pair sharing both verses and visions with the listener, and it actually works, even with the unnecessary hook and Nasir's insistence on using the phrase, 'Anne Frank-ly speaking', which just sounded really fucking dumb. And since Damian Marley produced the entire album (with a few assists from his brother Stephen, both of whom happen to be uncles to most of Lauryn Hill's kids, and Hill, of course, has worked with Nas in the past, so it's all like one big happy incestuous family, this music business thing), at least the message probably won't be diluted because of the music.Although hearing Nas on a Major Lazer song is now something I actually want to hear, weirdly.An introduction to the project (and the first single), useful for assisting hip hop heads with acclimating to the sound of Marley's voice, but a playful introduction, thanks to the catchiness of Marley's instrumental, which approaches old-school breakbeat nostalgia, something that we all already know Nasir sounds great over. But after reading a description provided by Nas himself through interviews promoting the album, I have to admit I'm kind of interested: it sounds like the polar opposite of the angry Untitled, which, while Nas had very good reason to be fucking pissed, was just exhausting to listen to.

Who knew all Nasir needed was a consistent collaborator to tell him that some of his latent tendencies weren't beneficial to the final product? (Answer: everyone.) For his part, Esco even sounds refreshed behind the mic. (You know exactly what I'm talking about, you two.) But then the beat kicks in, and Marley starts talk-singing, and you realize that 'Strong Will Continue' actually is pretty good. Still, could have been a lot worse.Kicks off with some Nas lines that will immediately make you think that 'Strong Will Continue' will sound like any of those other boring, 'serious' Nas album tracks that serve as filler in between misguided singles. But nobody on here sounds like they were working alongside anyone else: 'Tribes At War' appears to be a Damian Marley track that Nas and K'naan 'remixed' by adding their own unsolicited verses. Marley's instrumental is pretty decent, even though it approaches Rockwilder-esque synths during the hook which are awfully distracting, and all three verses are alright (one each from our hosts and the guest star, the Canadian-by-way-of-Somalia rapper K'naan), in that everyone sticks to a theme, typically a problem for Nasir: dude just cannot focus most of the time.

That's just how the ghost feels, though: he grew up in a different era. But 'Leaders' shifts the balance of power firmly in Marley's direction, as he invites his brother Stephen to both produce and lend the chorus, and even though he spits two verses on here, Nasir's impact vanishes immediately, like a ghost who has finally taken care of all of his unfinished business and now has no problem with you living in what used to be his home, since you seem to be a nice enough guy and help keep things tidy, although he wishes you wouldn't masturbate quite so much. Which is fine: Nas should be using different approaches in order to get people to give any fucks about whatever he drops.

'Friends' actually wouldn't sound out of place on a proper Nas solo project, which is the highest praise I can actually give any song from Distant Relatives by law.Okay, this was corny as shit. Gong stays out of the way, delivering the hook and his leading verse with a level head. Nas sounds especially bitter during his two verses, as though someone broke his heart right before he stepped into the booth, while Jr. Marley's instrumental moves just as slowly as his brother's work on the previous track, but it suits the subject matter more, as Esco and Marley discuss the differences between real friends and those fake fucks that latch on to you once you've made something of yourself.

Sure, Nas sounds as bored with his art as he always does (I repeat again, it seems to be scientifically impossible for that guy to ever sound like he's enjoying the fact that he gets to make a living doing something as silly as spitting rhymes), but instead of settling for his usual gritty street tales, he at least tries to follow his co-host's lead, attempting to inspire rather than anger. STEPHEN MARLEY)One thing I do like about Distant Relatives is the positive focus most of these songs have.

Nas Distant Relatives Songs