Nas

Not many people could get away with singles imploring listeners to arm themselves and "wreck" radio DJs, but Queensbridge legend Nas has earned the right. Over a sample of Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," which Nas previously used on the excellent "Thief's Theme," Nas bemoans the commercialization of hip-hop and lays the idea of hip-hop culture to rest. It's a sentiment commonly expressed by older rappers, but Nas delivers it with his usual poetic panache.