Since 1994's instant ghetto classic Illmatic, Queensbridge's finest, Nas, has struggled with every release since, trying to duplicate the mastery that he demonstrated a little over 10 years ago. He finally came close with 2002's God's Son, moving back to a more raw beat inflected sound, and away from the MTV pop-rap/fake hood scene that poisoned him for so long, and that poisons true hip-hop a little more each day. Nas himself seems to be aware that he has entered a renaissance of sorts, because Street's Disciple, the follow up to God's Son, is a double album that is exploding with thoughts and ideas that never would have been prevalent five years ago. And while, at times, Street's Disciple can be wildly indulgent and uneven (as double albums tend to be), it is also shows that Nas has awoke from his slumping slumber, and boy does he have a lot to get off his chest.

Nas seems to have an opinion on everything on these two discs, from the state of politics on "American Way" to the black community's out of control pandering to white culture on "These Are Our Heroes." It's also interesting that he chooses to reminisce about past female conquests on "Remember The Times," but then directly after that, rap about his impending marriage to R&B songstress/love of his life Kelis on the excellent "Getting Married." The finest track though is when Nas brings in his father Olu Dara to guest on the touching blues inspired "Bridging The Gap." I guarantee it's the only rap track you'll hear a shout out to Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Street's Disciple overall isn't a surefire masterpiece like Illmatic certainly was, but at least Nas is finally starting to realize some of the potential.