Nas (Nasir Jones) is a typical model among all educational singers. Nas is a rapper whose music and public discourse can help white teenagers disrupt the dominant racial ideology in the United States. Nas specifically used his music as a platform to challenge colorblindness and American racial politics. Even though it was released in 1994, Nas' Illmatic is still considered one of the best and most influential hip hop albums of all time. The opening track from his debut album, NY State of Mind, is one of the most complex songs ever recorded, every word chosen for a reason. I admire Nas because he went from a kid growing up in the ghettos of New York to a hip hop legend. I enjoy a lot of Nas' songs, as do his opinions and his flow, but I chose to analyze NY State of Mind because of his history, the legacy he left on hip hop and the complex lyrics it contains. . NY State of Mind is one of the most profound songs I listen to regularly. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In NY State of Mind, Nas uses his imagery skills to paint a picture of his city. Using these images, he shows us the difficulties of living in an urban area hit by violence and poverty, in this case Queensbridge. Nas points out the increasingly dangerous streets he lives on, saying anyone "without a gun is done for." After Nas gives his account of his life in Queens, we can begin to understand the deeper meaning of this song. In NY State of Mind, Nas represents a critical view of New York. Nas disagrees with the "thug lifestyle" that has become so popular in his hometown. As Nas says, New York "isn't the same" and he must have a "New York mindset" or one that is extremely aware and cautious of the imminent danger that exists all around him. Many literary devices are used in New York. Mindset. Nas repeats several times throughout the song "I never sleep, because sleep is the cousin of death." It's a metaphor. Nas doesn't mean that he literally never sleeps, but rather that he is always vigilant so as not to become an easy target to be robbed or killed. Another literary tool Nas uses in NY State of Mind is symbolism. When Nas raps "bullet holes left in my peephole," he uses bullet holes as a symbol of constant danger, even to innocent bystanders in his neighborhood. Nas uses personification to better explain his city when he says "this city never sleeps." It gives New York City the human characteristic of sleep. Nas uses a simile in the second verse when he says they're being "held like hostages." He compares him and his friends, arrested by the police, to hostages. The final literary device Nas uses comes near the end of the song when he alludes to Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal in the line "The Smooth Criminal on Beat Breaks." Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayNY State of Mind is a very deep song with a lot of story and many literary devices. It's no wonder it became an anthem for New York's ghetto dwellers, as well as a reference for other hip hop songs...