- Critic score
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- By date
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Still, as much as the warped good intentions of the album can get exhausting and embarrassing, Nas and Damian's creative side remains pure enough to carry one through the lunkheaded didacticism.
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Nas isn't as passionate or well-informed about Africa's issues as he is about his own, a problem on an album that's supposed to be all about... Africa....Meanwhile, Marley dutifully toasts over the record's limp, rootsy production but really only wakes up for the harder beats, which are few and far between.
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Q MagazineReggae-rap soundclash fails to catch fire. [July 2010, p. 136]
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The live-band reggae sometimes feels sleepy, but Nas is there to slap the track awake--as on "Land of Promise."
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At times, the results are a bit aimless; even a cute kids' chorus can't save "My Generation" from Joss Stone's wailing or Lil Wayne's awkward motivational turn. When the two principles catch a groove, though, it's impressive.
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It all adds up to something that is far less than a great record, but those who approach Distant Relatives can expect at least a handful of keepers for the summer months.
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UncutSadly, Nas brings self-importance to "Strong Will Continue," that's encumbered his latter career, but it's the exception on a broadly fruitful collaboration. [Jul 2010, p.115]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 89 out of 98
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Mixed: 2 out of 98
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Negative: 7 out of 98
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Oct 3, 2012
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Dec 17, 2010
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Nov 27, 2010