Nas is one of the best emcees to every touch the mic, so when we heard he was joining forces with Erykah Badu for “This Bitter Land,” a song off the soundtrack to Queens rapper’s new film, The Land, we knew it was going to be good.
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According to IMDb, The Land, which was produced by Nas, “tells the story of four teenage boys who devote their summer to escaping the streets of Cleveland, Ohio to pursue a dream life of professional skateboarding. But when they get caught in the web of the local Queen-pin, their motley brotherhood is tested, threatening to make this summer their last.”
Badu not only makes an appearance on the soundtrack, but she also appears in the film as Turquoise, a spaced-out sex worker, who frequents a local diner. While Badu flexes her acting chops in the film, it’s her collaboration with Nas is where she truly shines.
In “This Bitter Land,” Badu channels Nina Simone, giving listeners “Strange Fruit” vibes while singing of a world that’s just too cold and harsh for those in it. Nas echoes her sentiments, rapping in sort of a spoken word cadence, about trying to survive.
The result is haunting, extremely lyrical, and perfect for these difficult times.
Take a listen.
