May 09, 2018

Nature "For All Seasons" (Press Kit, 2000)


Speak to the hip-hop legends of Queensbridge, and many will tell you that their paths of success were filled with temptation and evil spirits: devils on their left shoulders eager to fill the do-gooding angels on their right with six shots from a nine millimeter. These were the realities of this 49-acre housing project. Still are. So when one of the poverty-stricken community's rhyme warriors make it big, the community rejoices. First, they celebrate the fact that one of their own has safely reached the soundproof booth. Second, and of equal importance, they get excited because this accomplishment brings forth hope aspiring MC's still engulfed by the struggle. - Press Kit (2000). Nature was moderately considered one of their success stories. He was burning up the mixtape scene at the time, a full-length was much-anticipated, as all his features and mixtape cuts were insane! While his album didn't necessarily live up to the hype - and The Firm album was considered lackluster, too - I still think there were enough joints on For All Seasons to maintain his 'hood status. "Man's World," "We Ain't Friends," the Nas-assisted "Ultimate High," "Young Love," "Nature's Shine" and "I Don't Give A Fuck" were all in rotation at the time. The LP was mostly produced by Poke & Tone of the Trackmasters, alongside L.E.S., Ski Beatz, Lord Jamar, and more. There were a number of records that coulda been included, but you can dig into the archives for the 2 volumes of Queens Classics from Nature to fill in those gaps. Revisit Nature's For All Seasons below...



Part of Nature's For All Seasons Press Kit, 2000...