Nas is known for making what is arguably the best hip-hop album of all time; Damian Marley is known for being the son of the most well-known and arguably the best reggae artist of all time (Damian also made - again, arguably - the best reggae album of the 2000's). So, yes, expectations going into this project were arguably high.
High. That is what you're supposed to be anytime you are experiencing a product being presented by somebody with the last name of Marley. Not that I'd ever do that, I'm just saying.
Anyway, Distant Relatives is dope. The chemistry between Marley and Nas is undeniable, made apparent from the first couple of seconds of the opening track "As We Enter." Here, Marley and Nas trade bars back and forth over a head-nodding instrumental, offering the only song of the album that doesn't contain any social or political message. The meshing of their two styles and sensibilities is on display here both lyrically and musically, and it's a wetdream for fans of either genre of music. Marley has an excellent voice, and can both belt out a chorus or spit a verse with a sing-songy flow; Nas is one of the best emcees of all time, and knows how to handle himself on any beat thrown his way. The combination of traditional reggae and boom-bap Eastcoast hip-hop collide to give the listener the best of both worlds. The style errs towards the reggae end of the spectrum, but Nas's lyrics and demeanor easily strike a balance.
It wouldn't be a stretch to say that four or five of the songs on Distant Relatives will find their way to Nas's or Damian's Greatest Hits CD someday. That's saying something considering the two of them have fourteen albums between them. Those songs are what we in the industry like to prematurely call "instant classics." It's impossible to call an album with four or five of these "instant classics" a bad album, but is Distant Relatives itself one?
No. Sometimes, the production really takes away from the overall enjoyment I can derive from a song, no matter how fantastic the vocals and lyrics are. The CD's third track, "Strong Will Continue," is one such case. Marley and Nas sing and rap their respective balls off, but the beat feels kinda like something from a mildly successful Japanese RPG from the early 2000's. Not only is that a very specific sound, it's a very bad one. Another example is "Count Your Blessings," where the beat seems to come from the music they play inside supermarkets. Not a good look.
Still, those are maybe the only two skippable tracks on the LP, with the other songs being best described as either very good or great. This is definitely one of the standout releases of the year, and while it isn't in the top tier of records put out in 2010, it's certainly a lot better than some of the stuff put out this year, and should deservedly make many year-end lists when the time comes. Buy this if you like the sounds associated with either one of these guys; you won't be disappointed.
Grade: 8.5/10
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