I’m back in New York with a fresh new perspective on things. Just as the sound of this record was flipped from the original classic, gritty boom-bap style to a more pensive and introspective production, so has my attitude changed towards NY. Love it or loathe it, it’s still a great city if you take it for what it is: Grimey, glitzy and most importantly real. Never know what lies ahead but I’m looking forward to looking for the best in my city.
I heard this joint 9 or 10 years ago, when I was younger and more naive. At the time, I didn’t really see how the squad could dwindle down from 9 strong to a few. But sure enough, some years later, homies got caught up in the system, brothers chose different paths, and the crew is still shrinking.
As far as the song, Part II’s more reflected take on NYC 6 years after the original NYSOM mirrors the (d)evolution of his crew during that same time period. Our feelings, views, and outlooks are dynamic and always changing; comparing the ‘Illmatic’ version to the ‘I Am’ version really captures this.
…good find.