How Nas Redefined the "NY State of Mind"
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Жыл бұрынNas’ 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.
► STREAM THE SPOTIFY LISTENING GUIDE: open.spotify.com/playlist/6GQ...
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
@AustinGigstead Жыл бұрын
Bro appeared out of nowhere just to drop the hardest hip hop history videos ever made
@diggingthegreats Жыл бұрын
🙏🙏
@Kelo7 Жыл бұрын
Couldn't agree more
@Mr.TeETH78 Жыл бұрын
Me too! Thank you!
@cajokolo Жыл бұрын
Facts. I click on these real fast
@prefixdelta385 Жыл бұрын
out of nowhere? nah all of his videos are crazy good
@chuckihendrix9 Жыл бұрын
Breaks down the whole song, then says "oh yeah' I played this live with Nas last night' 😎
@acirka Жыл бұрын
Dopest ending punch!
@frofoodie7763 Жыл бұрын
I just got to this part and thought the same thing. Humble brag.
@sosogelovani Жыл бұрын
Amazing! Happy for him!
@shawncharles6077 Жыл бұрын
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.
@DiceB Жыл бұрын
Word right loll
@WhyForWhatNow Жыл бұрын
"I played bass in Nas' live band" 😳🤯 What a man, drops a bombshell like that and moves on
@bigbaby9189 Жыл бұрын
Haha I was looking for this comment😂
@wavvyjoneslocker Жыл бұрын
just saw this part of the video. had to run it back real quick then found this comment LMAO
@Elhastezy888 Жыл бұрын
Fk'n 🐐
@JebaDrops 9 ай бұрын
I rolled off my chair did a roll polly and shouted What at the screen when he dropped that.
@mattbennett7036 7 ай бұрын
Haha. I was going to comment something similar. What a G
@brianjohnson2409 Жыл бұрын
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.
@single4life484 Жыл бұрын
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 😭😭
@darluok23 Жыл бұрын
Former art school kid making KZfaq videos makes it even more impressive, not less 😄
@brianjohnson2409 Жыл бұрын
@@darluok23 to you public school kids maybe 😂
@darluok23 Жыл бұрын
@@brianjohnson2409 dude, what are you talking about??
@AlexanderDivineEmcee Жыл бұрын
🤔
@konstantinosvlachos7057 Жыл бұрын
CONGRAAAAAAAATSS. You totally deserve it, your love of music, your musical talent and your work ethic is truly undeniable.
@diggingthegreats Жыл бұрын
🙏🙏
@southerncalifornia970 2 ай бұрын
@@diggingthegreats THANK YOU!
@thatcostasound 10 ай бұрын
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
@hendersoncnc 4 ай бұрын
Exactly
@gloryhound Жыл бұрын
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
@diggingthegreats Жыл бұрын
😂 to be fair, it IS an incredible city
@danielmadden925 Жыл бұрын
It’s awesome when you come back from somewhere else- sucks when you are trapped in the rat race here
@Elhastezy888 Жыл бұрын
@danielmadden925 hope you're holdin it down with the 🐀s many blessings 💓
@coastercraziness Жыл бұрын
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
@diggingthegreats Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 🙏 doing my best to pay respect to the music
@coastercraziness Жыл бұрын
@@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!
@michaelsaenz Жыл бұрын
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. 👍👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼
@MrEazyE357 Жыл бұрын
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.
@Elhastezy888 Жыл бұрын
@@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
@jakeyoung2485 Жыл бұрын
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!👑👑👑
@jakeyoung2485 Жыл бұрын
I just finished the whole vid and CONGRATS ON MADISON SQUARE THATS AMAZINGGGGG.
@qceventsound3050 Жыл бұрын
I think the story behind getting this gig needs to be a video
@tyisnt Жыл бұрын
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!!
@moeblisss12 10 ай бұрын
I envy you bro. You’re living the dream and probably don’t realize it, keep on pushing!
@tyisnt 10 ай бұрын
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
@angusdog22 7 ай бұрын
“I never sleep…..Because sleep Is cousin of death” may be the hardest bar ever written.
@DjDestinyChicago Жыл бұрын
I’m not surprised how fast the channel is growing! 👍👍
@diggingthegreats Жыл бұрын
🙏🙏
@johndor8772 Жыл бұрын
He should check out Philadelphia
@HighLifeWorkout Жыл бұрын
Bro! You’re the man
@Ryan-ld2nj Жыл бұрын
The opening kick with that Flight Time sample is like a kick to the chest.
@AHG1347 Жыл бұрын
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
@Jimmy1982Playlists Жыл бұрын
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!
@WoozyYami Жыл бұрын
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 🔥
@SzukamStylu Жыл бұрын
Exactly
@dr.woozie7500 9 ай бұрын
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.
@m1scmus1c Жыл бұрын
This channel feels like a gift to hip hop and to the broader music culture
@clementinelives Жыл бұрын
always feeding the youtube streets
@gregalfred8916 Жыл бұрын
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.
@Sixfuta Жыл бұрын
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.
@disistheway2010 2 ай бұрын
100% of rap samples are soul, funk, or jazz. What kinda rap she listening to 😂
@denzibluesolinfinitymusicw6535 Ай бұрын
@@disistheway2010word up right ?
@evanhendricksmusic Жыл бұрын
Congrats on being a part of an iconic performance! Honestly shocked this was Nas’ first time at msg.
@yspt Жыл бұрын
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
@JeffryGonzalezHt Жыл бұрын
A song I've listened to 1000 times, and now will hear differently. This channel sets the bar for KZfaq, 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.
@thedude73 Жыл бұрын
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.
@joshuank3096 Жыл бұрын
Congrats for playing for Nas🔥🔥And Kudos for the work you do in breaking down classics
@GunslingerMediaCo Жыл бұрын
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.
@christopher.catalano Жыл бұрын
That’s insane that you performed at MSG with Nas. What an experience that must have been🎉
@LosRakas Жыл бұрын
This was amazing break down, CONGRATS ON PLAYING THAT BASSLINE IN NEW YORK WITH NAS 🤯
@Megaphone77 10 ай бұрын
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!
@abezona Жыл бұрын
This is such a fantastic video! Thank you
@justalffie Жыл бұрын
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 😁
@NewGrow-kb1bg Жыл бұрын
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 :)
@ReizokoRyu Жыл бұрын
@@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. ✌️
@Crazy-Society Жыл бұрын
I always waiting for a DJ Shadow episode, but nonetheless great content especially for us bass players. WOW man!
@sam2124 Жыл бұрын
That’s crazy man congratulations! What a great twist
@tav333 Жыл бұрын
So happy for you man!!!! Amazing
@RuiSantos24k Жыл бұрын
Super dope vid!!! And a major flex!!!! Congrats on this
@georgeyoung6707 Жыл бұрын
Love the videos. Congrats on playing msg with the Legend.
@thebulldan Жыл бұрын
Enjoyed the show - well done to all of yall!
@kittykittygumdrops Жыл бұрын
So cool! Great vid!
@mambaveli_24 Жыл бұрын
Very pleasant narration. Well done and researched
@ThePacemaker45 Жыл бұрын
Had Illmatic on repeat for like a month now. Amazing watch this was.
@jamesosei6888 Жыл бұрын
Best breakdown I have seen so far. 👌 thanks for this Bro
@joedellava7805 Жыл бұрын
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!
@davidmcclain8851 Жыл бұрын
Great breakdown!! That was an Epic night at MSG!!!
@Mrbudderful Жыл бұрын
This was so unexpected. So awesome. So much props. 🔥🔥
@iancwebb Жыл бұрын
this video literally gets more amazing every second. incredible content.
@edbaprod Жыл бұрын
Man, your videos are top quality!
@shugo33 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing & congratulations 🎉
@bartonfunk1237 8 ай бұрын
Brilliant breakdown! Flawless execution.
@MuShinGirl 9 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing this knowledge and experience
@JediGuy1000 Жыл бұрын
This video was awesome man!
@groovivi Жыл бұрын
Excellent breakdown and insights ! Thank you
@rpole78 Жыл бұрын
This is a great breakdown!
@Jibbbreel Жыл бұрын
This is great, from the history, to the beat breakdown, to the first hand part in this you played. Awesome stuff man.
@OGHalcyon Жыл бұрын
Man all of your videos are so so good! And that's the best flex ever at the end congrats!
@vonjbond Жыл бұрын
🔥 great great vid. Congrats
@anunsashtray8244 Жыл бұрын
youre a legend for this! congratulations!
@sandwichbro5032 Жыл бұрын
That video is just straight up a masterpiece i love it
@mattdicicco6813 Жыл бұрын
luv the videos dawg
@Jean-Pierre.B Жыл бұрын
AMAZING! My favorite YT channel. Big up from France.
@ShadyLife101 Жыл бұрын
This is my introduction to your channel. Very impressed, amazed actually.
@MichaelMartin-pg4ef Жыл бұрын
Your channel is incredible bro! Keep up the good work!!!!!
@otislindsey9993 Жыл бұрын
This was amazing and I'm happy for ya dude. Legendary.
@Greenery808 Жыл бұрын
Congrats bro!!
@johanb21 Жыл бұрын
Huge respect and so happy to see you doing so well in your music journey my dude! 👊🏼
@wushushorty1 Жыл бұрын
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.
@adam.axford Жыл бұрын
You inspired me with this poetic moment - I can feel your elation! Please keep making these incredible odes to this beautiful musical culture 👊🏽
@deboxbeats Жыл бұрын
loved the twist at the end! and so happy for you that you preformed with nas himself!
@Pmason718 Жыл бұрын
Dude. What you did with this video is beyond 🔥. Thank you. I’m from Queens.
@zpoukiboi1334 Жыл бұрын
congrats on the experience! You deserve it
@MrJohnMDean Жыл бұрын
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!
@mcbain83 Жыл бұрын
well spoken, dropping some knowledge, thanks from Belgium
@DiceBambu Жыл бұрын
My man! You're rightfully proud of yourself. Must have been magical! 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
@JoseMorales-oo6wp Жыл бұрын
This is a sick breakdown dude. Thanks for sharing. Peace.
@UFJokR Жыл бұрын
What a great video, thanks for sharing! ✌🏼❤️🎶
@natemartel4375 Жыл бұрын
You got the thumbs up right at the end! Great story great breakdown of this flawless tune! 👏
@emilioguzmanalvarez420 Жыл бұрын
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
@gleicon Жыл бұрын
Musical education. Amazing video, thanks for making it available for us.
@dicasys Жыл бұрын
Awesome content! I can binge watch your videos. Thank you
@prod.godmadebeats7847 Жыл бұрын
I absolutely Love this channel!!!
@keithballard27 2 ай бұрын
This was a great breakdown. Thanks for the music theory elements.
@MakeSomething Жыл бұрын
My goodness. This video was perfection. Insane breakdown and how cool to know you performed it live at MSG!
@iownalawnmower4942 Жыл бұрын
So good man!
@dradil3469 Жыл бұрын
Great video!
@coryporter5641 Жыл бұрын
Man, I've really been digging you talking about and breaking down so much classic hip hop lately. It's hard to find on KZfaq, 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.
@sk8ergirl182 Жыл бұрын
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.
@JavierPartyOfFive Жыл бұрын
Love how you weaved your real life story of playing at MSG with Nas into this one. Solid!!!
@MrMaddzkillz Жыл бұрын
This might be the best breakdown of one of the greatest songs ever released. Such awesome, much wow. 🔥
@JamesSmith-ov5um Жыл бұрын
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
@unclehertz1768 7 ай бұрын
just seen your video... great as always!!!!
@moondog1774 2 ай бұрын
Incredible Videos with great knowledge. Thanks teacher! ❤
@theheartsfirm1784 Жыл бұрын
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
@big_t_dynasty Жыл бұрын
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
@_PSYC Жыл бұрын
Congrats bro, thats huge!!
@4miniUSA Жыл бұрын
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. 🙏🏼
@StrawHatShonen Жыл бұрын
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 👏🏾
@seankent1807 Жыл бұрын
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 👏👏👏
Poetry in America
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