The classic single, ‘If I Ruled the World’ from the album, “It Was Written” dropped in ’96 and introduced me to Nas when I was 13 years old.

Not until a year later, I discovered there was an album that preceded “It was Written,” called “Illmatic,” which became hailed as a classic writing guideline to original street hip-hop material.

Honestly, I’ve followed him ever since. I can confidently and boldly say that I am a ‘Nas-expert’ unlike other avid Nas fans.

The most recent gift from Nas to his fans is his sixth album, “Street’s Disciple.” Nas returns to the golden age of hip-hop carrying us through the sewers and the grime and grit below the street.

The first single, ‘Thief’s Theme’ speaks on the days of his old life including borrowed lines from ‘The World Is Yours’, a song on “Illmatic.”

He explains, “Philosophical gangsta where violent priors/ goin’ back like black and white TVs with pliers.”

Beats and rhymes of ‘Thief’s Theme’ fit well with riding down the street with a screw-face in a Yukon Denali.

‘Bridging the Gap’, featuring Olu Dara, redefines headsprung by fusing rap with blues.

An original concept developed to teleport us from the essence of blues to the birth of hip-hop.

Nas proclaims on this piece that he is “Bridging the gap/ from blues, to jazz, to rap/ the history of music on this track.”

I would not be surprised if this track convinces those who’ve pledged hip-hop for life to pick up a couple of Ella Fitzgerald CDs.

Rest assured, Nas took his time with this album, rewarding us with quality and everlasting original material.

The late 80s and early 90s are the architects of the concepts, beats, and lyrics featured on “Street’s Disciple.”