Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been Remix)

Thursday, 15 February 2007 09:40

Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One & Rakim - Better Than I've Ever Been Kanye West, Nas, KRS-One, & Rakim - Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been Remix)
Produced by DJ Premier

I’ve never had a problem with artists lending their songs to companies for use in commercials or advertising campaigns, but I’ve always been apprehensive about music commissioned by corporations. Thankfully, the 25th anniversary of NIKE’s Air Force 1 (AF1) shoe is more an excuse to get together three legendary emcees—and a fourth who’s a legend in his own eyes—on one song than anything nefarious on behalf of the athletic apparel giant.

KRS-One, Rakim and Kanye West at 25th Anniversary of Nike's 'Air Force One' sneaker

At first glance, Kanye might seem like a solid—if overachieving—second line grinder who gets by on heart and hustle trying to keep up with certified hall-of-famers, but he doesn’t embarrass himself. On the contrary, Kanye holds his own and even manages to convince us he might one day be mentioned among the names he’s rapping with on this posse cut. Nas doles out sage advice from his rocking chair (“When they do make the whip you like your chips ain’t right / By the time you can afford it, the car ain’t important”), his flow aging comfortably like a bottle of fine wine. And perhaps spurred by their younger colleagues, KRS-One and Rakim deliver particularly effective verses. Both the golden-era rappers sound youthful; Kris utilizes his commanding presence and Rakim sounds like he stepped out of 1987 instead of 2007.

The song’s production is a bit of a mystery at this point in time. It was initially reported that Rick Rubin was going to produce the track, but after hearing it if you told me this was a Rick Rubin song I’d call you a liar. It sounds like a Moment of Truth-era DJ Premier beat. The scratches, the sequencing of chops, the drum programming, the hard-to-explain but palpable head-nod factor... It all screams Chris Martin (no Coldplay). As per most Premo beats, it’s unobtrusive but gives the emcees a direction. And no one flows over Premier beats like Nas and Rakim. If it’s a Premier beat, it’s probably the closest we’re going to get to a Nas and Premo album. If it’s not a Premier beat (I don't believe you), then Nas should do an entire album with Rubin, because this is the best Premier imitation I’ve heard in my life. Maybe Rick Rubin "produced" this track just like Dr. Dre has been “producing” songs since the late 90s. Is Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been Remix) the making of a classic? Maybe not, but it’s the first great posse cut of 2007.

Editor's note:: Actually Rick Rubin produced the original Better Than I've Ever Been, which features the same line-up with the execption of Rakim. The remix was indeed handled by DJ Premier. As Renato pointed out above, NIKE commissioned the track in honor of the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Air Force 1 release.; The AF1 was the first basketball shoe to feature NIKE air technology, and was embraced as quickly off the court as it was on. A track that pays homage to the perseverance of the AF1 and the community that has championed it, Better Than I've Ever Been (along its DJ Premier remix) will go on sale on iTunes this February 20th; All NIKE and artist proceeds from the sale of the track will be donated to the "NIKE Youth Sport for Change Fund," to support youth programs that use sport as a catalyst for change. The fund will be administered by Charities Aid Foundation America. (For more information, check cafamerica.org)