99 Problems vs Made You Look

[mickill]

Jay-Z vs Nas, yet again.

I've never actually decided for myself which one I like better. I think both are perfect examples of how to do a proper throwback track. I suppose, Without A Doubt by The Roots would be a contender, if the beat wasn't a total replica of the original Schoolly D classic.

Beatwise, I think Made You Look takes it, from a technical standpoint at least; 99 Problems is nowhere near as intricate. The latter pretty much could have been put together by some dude just learning to use a sampler, whereas Made You Look sounds like something God made. The end result is similar, regardless, because no matter how sloppy the production for 99 Problems may or may not sound, it's still vicious as hell.

As far as vocals go, it's Jay, hand down. Nas kept it pretty tame, yet effective. But Jay went over the top on his 2nd verse, which pretty much seals the deal. And despite it being a rehash from a pretty insignificant Ice-T song, I think his hook is arguably just as compelling as Nas' and probably a little more catchy.

Overall, I think 99 Problems may be the better song, despite the fact that Made You Look is probably the better song. I firmly believe that 99 Problems is probably the best rap single of the last five years, while Made You look is perhaps better than any rap single of the last five years.

Final answer. Opinions welcome.

[Kid Presentable]

While the second verse of 99 problems is a killer, I prefer the build up of Made You Look. The "Hey Nas" chant just opens shit up for me so well. What Saalim(sp?) did with Apache I prefer to what Rubin did to Big Beat.

I never skip either of them when they come on random, and they're both in my top 100 playlist thing. Nothing decisive can be said to outline which one I think is better, they're both so good.

But honestly, I prefer made you look. The vibe of that song is so crazy, that swinging bass line, gunshots, it's closer to perfect than 99 probs, for me.

I love that either of them could be club songs, yet both of them are for the streets.

[Gareth]

I love that either of them could be club songs, yet both of them are for the streets.

yep
i thought the chant was 'braveheart' though
actually i think i like jadakiss and ludacris on made you look more than nas on his own.

[mickill]

Yeah, they're actually chanting "Bravehearts", man. That's probably gonna mess with your head now.

I know that Made You Look is tehnically superior, but if I disregard the sophistication of the production and just play them back to back, 99 Problems probably moves me more.

[The Notorious LOL]

for a long time I thought it said "Hey Nas" when the song first came out, then I realized it said "Bravehearts"


I just play the denial route and go "HEY NAS!" louder in my head. Who the fuck cares about the Bravehearts anyway aside from Nas?

[roosta]

hmm...good topic.

i like 'em both. they're both head and shoulders above nearly everything that came out in the last 5 years....

[cj hood]

you're running out of ideas....

[synch]

Thought this was about Home Invasion.

[Qdrop]

for a long time I thought it said "Hey Nas" when the song first came out, then I realized it said "Bravehearts"


I just play the denial route and go "HEY NAS!" louder in my head. Who the fuck cares about the Bravehearts anyway aside from Nas?

i used to think they were yelling "hiiiiiiiiiip hoooooooooop"....but the more i listened, the more i realized that "hip" doesn't sound like "brave"....so yeah.

i can never understand lyrics till i look them up....people don't annunciate clearly in music.

"D, MUTHA FUCKA, D!!"

[Qdrop]

mike, you already laid it down: sonic superiority vs. raw, savage blaze.

there is no "winner"...

we ALL win.

[mickill]

Pssh, of course there's a winner.


you're running out of ideas....
And in General Beastie new ground is being broken as we speak?

Thought this was about Home Invasion.
Made You Look wasn't on Home Invasion.

[dave790]

Made You Look hands down

[mickill]

What's with you people? I don't think it ever sounded like anything other than "Bravehearts" to me ever. I wonder what happens with people in the crowd when he performs it. Are people all just chanting different shit or what?


99 problems seems to be more for MTV and Radio .

I don't think MTV even wanted that video. I don't see how it was geared in that direction at all. Speaking of which, 99 Problems definitely has the better video. But I like both of them.

[mickill]

would you agree that 99 Problems has more mainstream appeal?

:confused:
No.

I think they're both accessible yet street, for the most part. It's like trying to say that Rock The Bells was a mainstream song. And if you think about it, Made You Look had more of a melodic bassline and whatnot, whereas 99 Problems was sorta sparse and almost choppy sounding; Made you look has an actual groove. But again, I don't think of either as blatantly mainstream, just accessible.

[dave790]

MTV were all over 99 Problems

[xrocketman]

made you look, by a cunts hair.


i also like run by ghost and jadakiss. that can go up there.

[mickill]

What the hell kinda expression is that?

Run is sick, yeah.

[Ally Al]

run is sick BUT the whole "i think i'm gonna take my shirt of for this one" "yeah, go head kid" exchange is one of the funniest gayest hip hop moments ever

[mickill]

Haha. I just block it out. I don't need to be picturing Jada's moobs, anyway.

[Kid Presentable]

hey nas

:(

[So Ruff]

I knew it was "Braaave-heaaarts!" when I was a dumbass 12-13 year old listening to it. Heads in the game, folks.

Can't decide. Both songs kick my ass the same every time I hear them.

[Kid Presentable]

I knew it was "Braaave-heaaarts!" when I was a dumbass 12-13 year old listening to it. Heads in the game, folks.


pwned by tdot. :(

[beastiedan]

Both have great videos as well...

It's really a toss-up...

Each time I put on one of Nas' bangers I pray that Nas will get his act together and pick 12 hot-as-fuck beats, release a classic, and in the process reaffirm himself as the king of NY, while crushing g-unit and mobb, without Kelis contributing in any way, shape or form.

[PaddyBoy]

Each time I put on one of Nas' bangers I pray that Nas will get his act together and pick 12 hot-as-fuck beats, release a classic, and in the process reaffirm himself as the king of NY, while crushing g-unit and mobb, without Kelis contributing in any way, shape or form.

Enter DJ Premier!

I'm more of a Nas fan, so I prefer Made You Look. Both are great though.

[Ally Al]

Haha. I just block it out. I don't need to be picturing Jada's moobs, anyway.

hahaha ghostface seemed more than keen to see them tho. Saying that tho the cover of bulletproof wallets raises a few questions. Ghostface cooking for rae with them both in their dressing gowns ??? with a fucking oiled torso and no sign of background ho's ???? WTF ??????