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Kanye West, Nas, Rakim, KRS-One - "Better Than I've Ever Been" / "Classic"

Nas, Kanye, Rakim, KRS-One - "Better Than I've Ever Been" / "Classic" Review

About.com Rating 4.5

From Rodney Dugue, for About.com

Nas, Kanye West, Rakim, KRS-One - Better Than I've Ever Been

Legendary Line-up?

What's white and been worn all over (and no it's not Britney Spears)? Here's a hint: your favorite rapper and their least favorite nemesis wear them almost all the time. The inimitable Air Force 1 sneaker gets a cultural price tag for its 25th anniversary ("can't buy this") and a permanent hip-hop immunity from a group of legends, well 4 legends and another rapper known for his legendary hubris. KRS-One, Nas, Rakim, and Kanye West reminisce and react to the pearly white legacy of the most celebrated shoe in recent memory.

"Better Than I've Ever Been" - by Rick Rubin

| Listen |

Produced by co-Def Jam founder and part-time rock stalwart Rick Rubin, "Better Than I've Ever Been" is bullied (and probably pureed) by a crunching guitar riff. It sounds like rock 'n' roll--and that's the problem (Rakim is inexplicably absent, also) at least to DJ Premier.

"Classic" (Better Than I've Ever Been Remix) - by DJ Premier

| Listen |

DJ Premier addresses the original with an excellent remix and the appearance of Rakim, thankfully. He uses a sprawling selection of two or three strings and a sneaky guitar to set up a beautiful narrative dedicated to the "hustler's shoe". And, in case if you were wondering, women need not worry "uptowns we call em uppies when they on divas".

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