How Nas Redefined the "NY State of Mind"
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- čas přidán 24. 02. 2023
- Nas’ debut album, 1994’s “Illmatic” is a masterpiece, and the song “N.Y. State of Mind” has become iconic. And, in typical DJ Premier fashion, the music matches the lyrics perfectly, so much so that we HAVE to talk about it. Today we’re going to break this song all the way down, get into the samples, that iconic bassline, and see how this song is a complete re-definition of the term “New York State of Mind”
After initially recording this video, I had a few other things to add, but had already left for NY, so don't mind the hand held shots. Also, watch to the end to see why I went to NY in the first place.
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Thank you to Markay Fairley adding the info about the chord - check him out here: / markayfairley
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SOURCES
DJ Premier Discussing How The Song was made: • DJ Premier On The Nigh...
Another Good Premier interview: • DJ Premier on NAS NEW ...
Nas in conversation with Harvard Professor Elisa New: • Reflections on the Art...
Awesome interactive map of the history of hip hop labels: pudding.cool/2017/03/labels/i...
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TOPICS COVERED
Nas
DJ Premier
New York State of Mind
NY State of Mind
Illmatic
Hip Hop
History
Production
Lyrics
Frank Sinatra
Billy Joel
Bass line
Music History
Madison Square Garden
King's Disease
Breaks down the whole song, then says "oh yeah' I played this live with Nas last night' 😎
Dopest ending punch!
I just got to this part and thought the same thing. Humble brag.
Amazing! Happy for him!
Fam... humble stunt/brag and I love it. He's better than me lol I'd remind people every chance I got lol. I love this channel.
Word right loll
Bro appeared out of nowhere just to drop the hardest hip hop history videos ever made
🙏🙏
Couldn't agree more
Me too! Thank you!
Facts. I click on these real fast
out of nowhere? nah all of his videos are crazy good
"I played bass in Nas' live band" 😳🤯
What a man, drops a bombshell like that and moves on
Haha I was looking for this comment😂
just saw this part of the video. had to run it back real quick then found this comment LMAO
Fk'n 🐐
I rolled off my chair did a roll polly and shouted What at the screen when he dropped that.
Haha. I was going to comment something similar. What a G
CONGRAAAAAAAATSS. You totally deserve it, your love of music, your musical talent and your work ethic is truly undeniable.
🙏🙏
@@diggingthegreats THANK YOU!
Bruh this was wild. I was the perfect mark for this. I had no idea you were such an accomplished musician just thought you were some former art school kid who now makes youtube videos. I'm thoroughly impressed. Big ups to such a massive career achievement my guy.
Right . I tought he just had a music passion who wanted to share his passion trough youtube . But dude's a whole proffessional bass player 😭😭
Former art school kid making CZcams videos makes it even more impressive, not less 😄
@@darluok23 to you public school kids maybe 😂
@@brianjohnson2409 dude, what are you talking about??
🤔
How DARE you drop this while I have to get ready for work!
As someone who was born and raised in New York City who no longer lives there, I can tell you my favourite thing to do is talk about NY
😂 to be fair, it IS an incredible city
It’s awesome when you come back from somewhere else- sucks when you are trapped in the rat race here
@danielmadden925 hope you're holdin it down with the 🐀s
many blessings 💓
Anyone who doesn’t think sampling is an art form of its own needs to watch this. The way Premier hacked up those samples and arranged everything to make the grittiest New York sound possible is literally GENIUS
Exactly
One of, if not the best channel in the music community. You always give me newfound appreciation in songs/albums I already love, OR you give me a new masterpiece to listen to and enjoy. You should have millions of subs
Thank you so much 🙏 doing my best to pay respect to the music
@@diggingthegreats you’re doing a fantastic job! I have lots of big gaps in my 90s hip hop knowledge, and you’re helping me fill those. You’ve gotten me to listen to Low End Theory and Black On Both Sides which are both amazing listens. You also put me on Voodoo which has such an amazing feel to it. As for suggestions, I’d love to see any Madlib breakdowns as I think he’s the GOAT producer. Regardless, you’re running an absolutely amazing channel, and I hope you’re very proud of the content you’re putting out
Also congrats on playing with Nas!
Damn brotha!! Much love and respect .. I remember buying Illmatic in 94 as a 16-year-old hip-hop head. Even though I’m born and raised out here Cali, I definitely felt that New York vibe on the tape. Congratulations too, on playing one of the greatest openings ever hip-hop masterpiece. 👍👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼
Exact same except I was 13-14 y/o living in Nashville, TN. Crazy part is that about a month ago,I had a girl who's about 15 years younger than me start telling me about what a great album it is, and how it was one of her favorite albums to listen to when she blazed. And then she had the balls to ask me if I'd ever heard it. NGL, part of me wanted to give her 2 for being stupid but at least some of the younger generation appreciates how good that music was. Crazy part is she wasn't even aware of any of the "K.D."'s or "Magic". I was so confused.
@@MrEazyE357"had the balls to ask"
somebody is respectful enough NOT to assume something & ask you a question & you call them "stupid"
sometimes ones "personality" is just a personality disorder
Bro this show was so good. I just got a job at Madison square garden as a cook in January (moved here from Florida last May), and it’s been a dream so far. Came upstairs to watch after work and it was one of the best experiences of my life. To bring out AZ, Hit Boy, Slick Rick, and Mary J?!?! Dream come true. This man is a part of a huge list of legends that have inspired me to take the jump to move up here and follow my dreams as an artist and I am just so grateful to be here. Really happy for you bro this is a dream come true for you man!!! Keep the great energy and keep being a nerd for this thing we love!!! Peace!!
I envy you bro. You’re living the dream and probably don’t realize it, keep on pushing!
hahahaha bro i promise you I am so hyperaware of the dream that i am in man. I am so grateful and had to go through alot of pain and turmoil to get to this point. I'm only 23 but my mind is older, and this opportunity has changed my life beyond measure and it's only the beginning. I just actually saw Chapelle at MSG a few nights ago and he brought out Common, TI, and Busta, it was insane. I am so thankful and I appreciate your kind words brother!!!@@moeblisss12
Okay I just wanna say that you make some of my favorite videos!! I’m so glad you started uploading awesome content from the soulquarians to Nas. Also being the Bassist of Nas’s band is the HUGEST FLEX EVER. Keep being awesome man!👑👑👑
I just finished the whole vid and CONGRATS ON MADISON SQUARE THATS AMAZINGGGGG.
When the added footage is a flex to playing live music with Nas at MSG... bravo good sir!
Also this channel content is absolute 🔥 with the historical deep dives across numerous musical genres that help us better understand where and how great music came about.
Thank you
The opening kick with that Flight Time sample is like a kick to the chest.
I’m not surprised how fast the channel is growing! 👍👍
🙏🙏
He should check out Philadelphia
I think the story behind getting this gig needs to be a video
This was amazing break down, CONGRATS ON PLAYING THAT BASSLINE IN NEW YORK WITH NAS 🤯
Amazing video, and perfect timing with the Nas show at MSG last night! That's so cool that you were playing, congrats, I was in the crowd going wild when that NY State of Mind Bassline hit! That was one of the best concerts ever, Nas really went back and did all the classics 🔥
Exactly
Dude...i don't know ANYTHING about music other than I love it and love to hear classic DJs' creative process (e.g., this song, Mathematics). And I appreciate that YOU nerd out over it. Your passion for hip-hop is clear and it shows.
Whenever that piano line starts up... _STANK FACE!_ Gives me chills every time.
Keep killin' it, bruh!
Edit: _"I just played Madison Square Garden with Nas..."_ 😲🤯🤯🤯🔥🔥🔥 EPIC!
This channel feels like a gift to hip hop and to the broader music culture
Woooowww you played this last night!!! Bro, I love this channel, but I didn’t know you were this professional at it. That’s so incredibly dope.
So happy for you man!!!! Amazing
Bro! You’re the man
Congrats for playing for Nas🔥🔥And Kudos for the work you do in breaking down classics
This channel deserves so much more attention it’s clear that every single video has so much love, hard work and passion put into it
Man I really gotta say, your videos are one of a kind! I love the Golden Era of Hip Hop. They way you explain these songs and their structures just makes me wanna listen to them over and over AGAIN :). Keep up the good work! Greeting from Germany.
A song I've listened to 1000 times, and now will hear differently. This channel sets the bar for CZcams, IMO. Amazing production quality, deep dives, just 100% quality and so much love. Actually teared up a bit at the end - thanks for sharing the joy.
Almost 30 years later, this song is a masterpiece and a time machine. I feel like I'm back in my youth walking the gritty streets of 90s New York, rainy skies and columns of smoke on rooftops above me, with a subway train rumbling in the background.
Congrats on being a part of an iconic performance! Honestly shocked this was Nas’ first time at msg.
My goodness. This video was perfection. Insane breakdown and how cool to know you performed it live at MSG!
This is my introduction to your channel. Very impressed, amazed actually.
Damn man. You are a humble guy. I knew you played bass but had no idea you played with Nas live at the garden.
Just shows how talented you are above and beyond what we see with the stories you tell.
Love the content man!
Had Illmatic on repeat for like a month now. Amazing watch this was.
Best breakdown I have seen so far. 👌 thanks for this Bro
That show was amazing last night!!! Great job on the bass!!
Thank you 🙏 incredible to be part of it!
Super dope vid!!! And a major flex!!!! Congrats on this
I always waiting for a DJ Shadow episode, but nonetheless great content especially for us bass players. WOW man!
Dude congrats on playing MSG, I can’t even imagine how surreal that was for you. Your work on here is impeccable and I love watching all of your videos but this one was really special. Keep up the good work, you deserve all the flowers.
Major props on the breakdown! You basically bring the visuals and info to the stuff that I try to find online about these tracks. Awesome that you were able to be part of the set!
Dude. What you did with this video is beyond 🔥. Thank you. I’m from Queens.
Today, I heard a Chicago radio DJ say that she doesn’t like Nas’ songs because she doesn’t like the kind of hip hop where people rap over Jazz beats. Thats like saying you could eat gourmet but you prefer to eat out of a garbage can. I may never listen to that station again.
100% of rap samples are soul, funk, or jazz. What kinda rap she listening to 😂
@@disistheway2010word up right ?
always feeding the youtube streets
Can’t get used to how good this channel is from the beginning, Mother of god
I was there, I’m happy for you fam! This night was epic and this was an incredible break down of the instrumentation and meaning behind the song
NY state of mind has been on repeat lately. What a phenomenal track. This vid is sick fantastic job as always dude! Cant believe u got to play it live
Thank you very much for your work on this video and your story and your performance with Nas! That is so great!
I really love 'NY state of mind'. So I've practiced it since maybe 2003. Finally I rapped NY state of mind to my 5 year old niece with a mobile karaoke mic, when I traveled with my sister's family. She doesn't understand any words haha. I live in South Korea and I'm Korean, so are my sister and niece. I also sang 'New york state of mind' by Billy Joel after Nas's rap. That's why I related to this CZcams clip so much.
Very VERY few channels like this .. actually, as far as hip-hop, Funk, Soul and most definitely Jazz is concerned .. is there another channel like this? That breaks them down musically .. giving the sampling history, the music history of tracks especially but of the songs as well? .. I REALLY enjoy your channel .. makes music we nostalgically love feel ever so fresher. Power to you!! And oh yeah .. KEEP ON .. WE WANT MORE 😁
Jake beato, Adam Neely and Doug helvering do similar videos of musical history and theory breakdowns of popular songs. Though this channel seems to fill a much needed hip hop niche :)
@@NewGrow-kb1bgI second that. Good suggestions. This one definitely seems to fill that niche though.
A little embarrassing to admit (especially being NY born and raised!), but I'm kinda new to exploring hip-hop and I'm loving it! This channel really brings some cool history and insight too, so it just spurs me to listen to more and more.
My big brother grew up with hip-hop and I was always the rock guy, but I'm expanding my horizons now and reliving nostalgia of hearing it through him. ✌️
Love how you weaved your real life story of playing at MSG with Nas into this one. Solid!!!
Finally a video on Nas. I love this channel
🙏🙏 I appreciate the support!
Quite possibly your best video yet! I found myself cheering for you when you admitted you were in NYC to play MSG w/ Nas! I’m hooked…please keep up the great work 👏👏👏
Congrats on making it as big as you have! You have a great appreciation for music of all kinds and help us appreciate it even more. And MAD PROPS for getting to play with one of the greatest MCs on the planet, from my hometown of NYC! You deserve the best, my man.
this video literally gets more amazing every second. incredible content.
That’s insane that you performed at MSG with Nas. What an experience that must have been🎉
“I never sleep…..Because sleep Is cousin of death” may be the hardest bar ever written.
Congrats Brandon! So psyched for you man. Also thank you genuinely for these videos, your channel is going places and I feel honored to be here from the beginning. 🙏🏼
Great breakdown!! That was an Epic night at MSG!!!
Man, I've really been digging you talking about and breaking down so much classic hip hop lately. It's hard to find on CZcams, so it's much appreciated!
On the subject of Illmatic, I almost feel bad for Nas. It was such an incredible debut and he arrived with this fully-realized voice that it would've been almost impossible for him to top it I think.
loved the twist at the end! and so happy for you that you preformed with nas himself!
Man, your videos are top quality!
That's insane that you were there, CONGRATS!
NY State of Mind it's such a classic, that beat it's too legendary and recognizable.
This might be the best breakdown of one of the greatest songs ever released. Such awesome, much wow. 🔥
You inspired me with this poetic moment - I can feel your elation! Please keep making these incredible odes to this beautiful musical culture 👊🏽
Between this channel and Premier's So What's Up, it's like a master class in hip-hop history. I really appreciate the work you do my brother. This is absolutely amazing work
First: Congrats on the MSG gig with my favorite emcee Nasir Jones! That’s huge. Definitely!
Lastly, props on this channel. It’s nostalgic, motivating, inspiring, and always done well.
Respect.
AMAZING! My favorite YT channel. Big up from France.
Just stumbled across this randomly. Absolutely incredible work. The dedication it took to make this video and to be a professional bass player for someone like Nas must be credited. You're extremely talented. Great video. Nas is the GOAT 👏🏾
The quality of the channel just keeps getting better. Congrats!!!
Dude each one of these videos has been such a fun trip through hip hop history. Keep doing what you do, and congrats on playing MSG! That’s wild!
Your passion shines through, underpinned by the knowledge you bring. We should all strive to bring something so beautiful into this world but only a lucky few succeed. I have yet to see a bad video on your channel. Excellent work!
Your channel is freaking AWESOME!! Some of the best videos out there on music and the culture with it. You're brilliant dude, you deserve much success with this!
Dude, you’re so good at this. The level of detail is so dope. I love Hip Hop and you get into the ingredients, the essence. Awesome editing too that was dope to see you were playing at MSG w/ Nas!!!
Congrats on the MSG show! This video is an amazing insight. As a life long hip hop lover and a house producer, I'm always trying to understand what the greatest works are doing. Complex in the rhythm and simpler on top. Relatively easy to understand! I'm on it!
What’s good bro, great video . Thanks for adding the featurette or directors cut additional content to add much needed context and 360° perspective to the song. Especially for people who aren’t from NY.
Well thought out and researched video
This is great, from the history, to the beat breakdown, to the first hand part in this you played. Awesome stuff man.
My favorite Nas song just got upgraded. It is true then - behind the walls of intelligence, life is defined! Your content is A+, Hip Hop needs this.
Your channel is incredible bro! Keep up the good work!!!!!
Enjoyed the show - well done to all of yall!
I just discovered your channel a couple of months back and have been going through all of your videos. Great stuff, really. Insightful, well researched and fun to watch. Congrats on playing MSG with Nas. That's the payoff for hard work and dedication. Thanks again for the enjoyable content!
Yooo my man, besides dropping all these jewels in each video, he casually says he plays bass for Nas’ live band. Props brother 💎
Bro.... Congrats man! such a moment i can imagine. This video is wild
My man! You're rightfully proud of yourself. Must have been magical! 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
what an achievement dude! as a hiphop fan i can only imagine how it felt being up there. massive congrats!
I remember watching Nas freestyling in the staircase in Queens Bridge with my blood cousin Ty Nitty (Infamous Mobb). I didn't know who he was at the time but I knew I was witnessing someone GREAT. My fondest Nas memory
I'm happy for you hearing you describe your experience onstage with Nas. That's a once in a lifetime thing man, good for you💯 I'm sure you earned it
Huge respect and so happy to see you doing so well in your music journey my dude! 👊🏼
Wtf, didn't expect the last part, congrats man, I seen all your videos and I don't know you, but I still felt proud.
These videos are amazing, this channel came out of no where and there is no other place that serves such interesting content so articulatly and polished. Keep it up! I would love to get some sort of background video on who you are and how you got where you are today. Not many CZcamsrs can casually pop in backstage at a nas show to get clarification on a musical note from his keyboard player.
Man all of your videos are so so good! And that's the best flex ever at the end congrats!
Excellent breakdown and insights ! Thank you
I can't say enough how much I appreciate the content on this channel. Salute.
Dude, pretty sure you are my favorite CZcamsr. Been following from basically the beginning. Loving your trajectory, knowledge and talent.
This is such a fantastic video! Thank you
What a flex man, your videos are top notch. So happy to hear the breakdowns of what makes these tracks iconic!
Dude I just got so happy for you at the end of the video! You definitely deserved to be there 🔥 keep grinding 🔥
That’s crazy man congratulations! What a great twist
Stumbled upon your channel recently and love your videos, great production quality and from someone who's really in the mix. Congratulations on playing with Nas.
I so appreciate your breakdown of iconic songs like this. You get way too nerdy with the music theory for me but that is just fine as I know there are others that understand and love that stuff. The structure of these videos and in depth explanation are top notch, and I thank you for your continued amazing videos.
As a bass player and hip hop fan myself, I just gotta say
YESSSSS BRO! Happy for you and congrats on where your hard work has brought you. I love your channel so thanks for the great content and priceless insights. 👽
damn I remember when this channel didn’t have 5k subscribers. You’re growin so fast bro love the quality content
Thank you for being here since the beginning 🙏 let's go 🔥
Ican't imagine how it must have felt to play NY State of Mind, at Madison Square Garden, WITH Nasty Nas himself. I hope you're hella proud of that shit. You make some of the best hip hop content on CZcams and have the knowledge/experience to back it up. Congrats man, keep the quality content coming