AVAILABLE IN 2 COLOR VARIANTS

Following volumes from Slick Rick, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, Big L, and De La Soul, Mass Appeal's Legend Has It series concluded with an entry from label co-founder Nas and DJ Premier. Rap fans of a certain age began clamoring for an album from these two legends not long after the release of Illmatic, for which Premier produced three tracks, and Nas acknowledges them in the lean and tense "Madman," noting "Almost 30 years -- people won't leave us alone." Light-Years doesn't come across as an act of capitulation, nor does it sound burdened by the weight of expectation. It's unabashedly past-referencing, which should come as no surprise given that Nas wasn't even 20 when he was boasting about what he did at the age of 12. Moreover, Premier is likewise in fighting shape, crafting filmic beats that knock, pound, and prance with typically imaginative sample usage and deft scratch work, best heard on the looming "Madman." There's a third installment of "NY State of Mind," and this one samples the hook of Billy Joel's similarly titled song. Making another connection to Illmatic is an appearance from AZ. He and Nas trade lines on "My Story Your Story" like they're a true duo, not just occasional collaborators. All around, this is a strong showing, and while none of it is as momentous as Preemo-produced Nas classics like the first "NY State of Mind," "I Gave You Power," or "Nas Is Like," it's substantive comfort listening in the form of highly distilled boom bap.

A1        My Life Is Real
A2        GiT Ready
A3        NY State Of Mind Pt. 3
A4        Welcome To The Underground
B1        Madman
B2        Pause Tapes
B3        Writers
B4        Sons (Young Kings)
C1        It's Time
C2        Nasty Esco Nasir
C3        My Story Your Story
C4        Bouquet (To The Ladies)
D1        Junkie
D2        Shine Together
D3        3rd Childhood