Unlike many hip-hop projects of the time, the album utilized live strings, horns, and drums to create a rich, organic sound.
Musically, the album justifies this effort. Distant Relatives is a conceptual masterpiece that explores the shared lineage of African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans. Tracks like "As We Enter" and "Count Your Blessings" showcase a seamless chemistry, where Nas’s gritty, intellectual lyricism intertwines with Marley’s melodic, Rastafarian-influenced cadence. The production serves as the third member of the group, utilizing samples like the choir in "Tribes at War" or the Amadou & Mariam sample in "Patience" to create a sound that feels ancient yet futuristic. The "install" process, in this context, is the listener preparing their system to receive this weighty message. It is an act of preparation for an album that demands active listening, tackling themes of poverty, heritage, and the African diaspora. nas ft damian marley distant relatives zip install
: Critics have called it a "poetic, political, and real" ballad that serves as a centerpiece for the album's Afrocentric message. Other Recommended Tracks Unlike many hip-hop projects of the time, the