Take the best of reggae and combine it with the best in hip hop and Distant Relatives is born. A reggae and hip hop collabo seems unlikely but Nas and Marley bring something unique and creative to the table that is very enjoyable, and well written. Distant Relatives is one of the best collabo albums I have heard in a long time.While other rappers are worrying about money and working with more big names, Nas is here to make a completely different innovative album with unique style and relevant lyrics.
Nas and Marley are on top of there game as the address issues of poverty, poor leadership and ancestry within Africa. The messages in there songs are nothing short of elegant that few other artists are capable of achieving.Nas and Marley are very ambitious opening with the song " As We Enter" giving you a great taste of how the album will be. "As We Enter" shows the huge chemistry that Nas and Marley have, as they switch off verses flawlessly.Both artists styles converge together perfectly with mixes of hip hop and reggae. "Leaders" has Nas coming in with a angry flow about the corrupt African leaders who watch people die.Marley is just as strong as Nas in his delivery and gos great with the beat. In "Patience" Nas belts out "my mind is my modern day spear" and it feels like both artists are very inspired in there writing. Nas says that we are all family because we all come from Africa which is the idea behind Distant Relatives
Nas and Marley should be praised more for thinking outside the box. While more people gravitate towards Eminem and Jay Z for doing the same thing, Nas and Marley bring something unique and special that is well worth a listen. If you want to see more rappers being innovative and unique in there approach please support this album.