Arts & Entertainment

NAS: STILLMATIC MURDERED DREAMS: THE REVIEW Clayton Mercer Arts & Entertainment Editor Deep, who he feels disrespected the Antonio Barrow memories of the war. Raven Turner, Cnice40 @ collegeclub.com legacy of Queensbridge. The gem of Assistant Editor Desmond’s girlfriend, was accused of the album is the Chucky Thompson thegreatchefOI @yahoo.com killing Desmond, but later, she is “Went from Nasty Nas to Esco’s produced “One Mic,” which Nas released. Trash” was a line from Jay-Z’s “Take­ experiments with the pitch of his Murdered Dreams, a mystery Raven’s ex-boss, Jeanette over”, a song that has helped inten­ voice. Nas begins with a whisper novel by Lola Scales Boone, is a great Horton, was caught charging her ' sify one of hip-hop’s most memo­ and gets louder as he adds more story for those who love mystery. This employees extra commission, but she rable lyrical battles to date. Shawn impact to his lyrics. On “Rewind,” Elizabeth City State University gradu­ charged Raven more. Serena Mor­ Carter’s words summarize what Nas tells a descriptive story from ate provides us with a sense of realis­ gan, the antagonist, suffered from a- many people have been saying ending to beginning. The reunion of tic details. psychological disorder due to her about Nasir“Nas” Jones since his Nas and Large Professor on “Your The story takes place in a city childhood. She is Kyle’s daughter, ' 1994 classic debut, lllmatic. His Da Man” is well received because it called River’s Edge. Talbert Micheals, who now blames Kyle for the pain and crafty lyrics and views of street life gives the album a feel of their work the protagonist, is just released from abuse that she suffered from her took a back seat to a life of fur-coats on lllmatic. prison and is now looking for his adopted parents. and nights full of Cristal and beautiful However, Stillamtic does have brother. When he arrives at River’s This novel is a great mystery and women in nightclubs with P. Diddy its problems. The Swizz Beats pro­ Edge, he finds out that his younger I enjoyed reading it. The writer has. After three lackluster albums and a duced “Braveheart Party” featuring brother Desmond is dead. Outraged by used her mystery writing skills fantas­ not-so- well-received Firm fiasco, Mary J. Blige seems out-of-place on his brother’s death, he teams up with tically. The novel was very factual in Nas has returned to his glory days this album {Stillmatic will be re- police officer Grant Lewis to find out some details such as the police with his latest album, Stillmatic. released and the album will not who the murderer is. They try to find investigations. I also liked the way the Nas spends little time acknowl­ contain the track “Braveheart Party,” any acquaintances or close friends of past changed the fate of the people If edging the war of words between which Mary J. Blige asked to be cut Desmond to see if they could give you love mystery novels, this is truly, a himself and Jigga.The scorching for “personal reasons”). And al­ Talbert any important information. good one to read. “Ether” finds Nas using Jay-Z’s though the chemisty of Nas and AZ Other people also have their To purchase a copy of this mys­ mantra, “I will not lose” to perfection. is great on “The Flyest,” the track share of pains. Kyle Stanton, a Viet­ tery novel and to learn about the With lyrics such as, “You seem to be seems to be a misguided attempt at nam War veteran, relives his painful author, visit only concerned with dissin’ women/ crossover appeal. childhood and also, suffers from the http://www.travlobooks.com. Were you abused as a child?/ Even with the flaws, this is the Scared to smile/ They called you album Nas fans and hip-hop enthu­ ugly?/Well, life is harsh/ Hug me, siasts alike have been waiting for. don’t reject me” and his verbal jabs Nasty Nas has returned to the towards the Roc-A-Fella Records formula that made him one of hip- family “Ether” is a killer-reply to Jay- hop’s finest MC’s. Stillmatic is not Z’s “Takeover.” lllmatic, as Nas did not intend it to The verbal battle continues on be. Michael Jackson may never have “Destroy & Rebuild” as Nas ad­ a better album than his blockbuster dresses his conflict with Cormega, Thriller. But Nas can have a better former Firm associate Nature, and, album than lllmatic. Stillmatic is a most surprisingly. Prodigy of Mobb step in that direction. FAITH EVANS: FAITHFULLY f Clayton Mercer by P. Diddy, is a platform for Faith to Arts & Entertainment Editor show her vocal skills and demon­ Cnice40 @ collegeclub.com strate why she is one of the best soul singers today. With lyrics such Bad Boy Record’s first lady. as “First time I saw your face/ My Faith Evans, has returned with her heart just erase/ All the guys I knew most introspective album ever. before”. Faith easily grabs your Faith’s third album. Faithfully, delivers attention as she blatantly releases a mixture of old school and new her true feelings. Photo Courtesy of genocites.coip\ school anthems. “You Gets No Love” is an up­ The first track on the album, tempo groove that shows Faith “Alone in This World”, includes the having fun with the music. Helped notorious beat and excerpts from out by a rap by P. Diddy and Loon, “Who Shot Ya” by Evan’s late hus­ Faith uses lyrics such as “Played band, Notorious B.I.G., and is Co- with my emotions/You gets no Produced by Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. devotion/ You gets no love” to re­ The track uses light piano tunes to lease her anger towards a man who lightly enhance Faith’s beautiful has done her wrong for the last time. vocals. The retro influence also “Can’t Believe” sees a soulful Faith shows up later on the title track sharing time with label-mate Carl “Faithfully' as the instrumental from Thomas in what has to be consid­ Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit” is easily notice­ ered Faith’s best collaboration to

able. Super-producers, The date. "•K. Neptunes, show up on the album for Faithfully is easily Faith’s best the radio friendly “Burnin’ Up”, which album ever. A typical Faith album also features new Bad Boy artist with strong vocals, great use of old Loon. school/new school flavors, and great The standout track on Faithfully production, Faithfully sho\NS maturity is “I Love You”. The song, co-written and an overall great effort. by Jennifer Lopez and Co-Produced

PREVIEW: “OUMES OFTHE HEART’ Public Relations Reports disagreement. Other characters such Elizabeth City State University as a prudish cousin and a young (ECSU) announces upcoming dates lawyer add sparks to this drama. for the Pulitzer Prize winning play Critical comments include those “Crimes of the Heart.” ECSU’s Univer­ from The New York Times. “While this sity Players will present the family play overflows with infectious high drama February 20, 21, 22 and 23, spirits, it is also, unmistakably the tale 2002 in the G. R. Little Theatre. Cur­ of a very troubled family.” tain time for each performance is 7:30 “It has heart, wit and a surpris­ p.m. ingly zany passion that must carry all The play zooms in on the lives of before it. It would certainly be a crime three Mississippi adult sisters awaiting for anyone interested in the theatre news from the local hospital on the not to see this play.” The New York condition of their gravely-ill father. One Post. sister, Lenny the oldest, has never ECSU’s performances will be married and is running out of pros­ directed by a senior drama student, pects. The middle sister has returned Laura Nykki Houston. Admission for to heal from wounds of a failed singing the general public are $7, $2 for career on the West Coast. The young­ ECSU faculty and staff; $1 for ECSU est wounded her husband after a students. Photo Courtesy of stillmatic.com