Land of Promise

Okay, I can’t hide the fact that I am in love with this song "Land of Promise" off the album “Distant Relatives”. A joint effort with Nasir Jones and Damian Marley “Distant” is a collection of some of the catchiest melodies, hooks, and singing I’ve heard in awhile. All of that is so clearly on display on the song “Land of Promise.” The first thing that catches you about this song is the menacing bassline. It works in such a way that you can’t help but nod your head in time with it and Damien Marley’s vocals float on top of the track so perfectly that he almost reminds you of his father Bob. Then Nas comes in and rocks the mic like he hasn’t done in years. His recent projects haven’t come close to the lyrics he drops on “Distant Relatives”. His own albums don’t contain such uplifting, political, empowering, and searing verses delivered with the power like he offers on this album and if you listen to his rap on this track it’s a good representation of his work on the other tracks.

How these two got artists got together I don’t know but I hope they get together again and do another project soon. “Land of Promise” is a hot track but there are other tracks on this album in my opinion are simply amazing. That doesn’t mean there aren’t tracks that should have been reworked or completely forgotten about but for the most part if you are a fan of these two men then you will love this album. Songs like “As We Enter”, “Friends” and the poignant “Africa Must Wake Up” are just three of the highlights on this album and on “Strong Will Continue” Nas even raps about his recent marital strife and being divorced from the mother of his newborn son.

If you’re not a fan of hip hop or reggae then maybe you won’t like this album but if you’re of an open mind then maybe, just maybe you’ll listen to this song and enjoy it as much as I do (well, maybe not as much but I’m confident you’ll like it).