THE ESSENTIAL NAS is a 30-track set that goes significantly deeper than other
collections
before it. 1994's Illmatic, represented with four selections, is essential for
anyone with the
slightest amount of interest, and this complements that classic rather well
since there are no
other five-star releases in Nas' catalogue. Ego Trip's Gabe Alvarez contributes
an excellent
essay filled with knowledge, context, and insightful analysis about this
brilliant and
occasionally baffling MC.
