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The Lost Tapes was a compilation album release by Queensbridge rapper Nas. Released shortly following his fifth proper studio album, Stillmatic, the album was a compilation of Nas' previously unreleased tracks, some from the bootlegged second disc of the original double album version of I Am.... The other tracks were underground singles, tracks recorded during the Stillmatic sessions.

Several of the tracks touch on many personal issues as I Am... was supposed to be an autobiography. Examples include "Poppa Was a Playa" a song which was ghost-produced by a young Kanye West for then-mentor Deric Angelettie. It's a record where Nas recounts childhood memories of his father Olu Dara's self-indulgent lifestyle. Another personal track is "Fetus" where Nas recounts his experience while inside his mother's womb before birth. Other notable songs include the social commentaries "Purple", "Black Zombie" and "Drunk By Myself"---a song that ventures into the tragic mind of an alcoholic. The Lost Tapes, along with Stillmatic, and to a lesser extent, God's Son, revived the underground credibility that Nas seemed to have lost over the years while breaking into the mainstream. Gaining notable critical acclaim upon its release, the album is said to have some of his most artistically developed work ever.

The Lost Tapes is highly acclaimed and considered better than most 'lost recordings' compilations. According to Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews.com:

" is far from the typical quality of "rediscovered and unreleased" material that most musicians put out between studio albums. Such CDs are often infamous for having one great song (usually from a soundtrack) and a lot of weak joints, but not this time...all the music is quality...No cameos, no hype, no bullshit."

Track listing

• The production of "Poppa Was a Playa" is credited to Deric Angelettie, West's then mentor.

Samples

My Way

• "Just a Little Bit" by Larry Page Orchestra

U Gotta Love It

• "Love Song" by Mandrill; written by Carlos Wilson, Louis Wilson and Ricardo Wilson
• "Affirmative Action" by Nas (vocals by AZ); written by Nasir Jones, Anthony Cruz, Cory McKay, Inga Marchand, Samuel Barnes and Jean-Claude Olivier

No Idea's Original

• "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More Babe" by Barry White; written by Barry White

Poppa Was a Playa

• "The Newness Is Gone" by Eddie Kendricks; written by Allan Wayne Felder and Norman Ray Harris

Fetus

• "Plus Fort Que Nous" by Francis Lai; written by Francis Lai
• "One Time 4 Your Mind" by Nas; written by Nasir Jones and W.P. Mitchell

Chart positions

References

1. Nas :: The Lost Tapes :: Ill Will/Columbia Records
2. MTV.com: Kanye West: Kanplicated

• Pages with empty short description
• 2002 albums
• Nas albums
• Albums produced by Kanye West