“2nd Childhood” condemns self-gratification at the expense of others. On “Rule,” Nas desires world peace and insists, “We must stop the killing,” however . . .
His appeal for nonviolence rings hollow when he concludes that America operates by the rule, “Whatever you feel is rightfully yours, go out and take it even if that means blood and death.” Seven other cuts recommend solving problems with violence and murder (“I’m blastin’ cause I’m a cool n-gga,” “Leave bodies chopped up in garbages,” “Walk by your casket, spit in your face,” etc.). Crass, occasionally graphic sexual references appear on “My Country,” “The Flyest,” “Rewind,” “Got Ur Self A . . .” and “You’re the Man.” Nas may be anti-Ecstasy (he calls some drugs “poison”), but he’s got a soft spot for alcohol and marijuana. Nearly a dozen raps glamorize getting drunk, high or both. “The Flyest” mentions driving under the influence and states, “[I’ve] been blessed with Allah’s vision, strength and beauty.” Racial and misogynist slang, as well as frequent f- and s-words, expose the artist’s limited vocabulary.
A lyric on “Every Ghetto” states, “My songs come from the Father.” The father of what? Nas thinks his tunes are heaven-sent, but John 8:44 reveals the true father of gangsta violence, pot smoking, foul language, illicit sex and warped spirituality. Don’t let Stillmatic slice, dice, cube and make julienne fries out of your teen’s value system.
