Thursday, October 8, 2009

An Open Letter To Chris Winston Regarding Nas "Deja Vu"

Chris Winston,

It has come to my attention via The Bridge '94 blog that you are the producer of the classic unreleased Nas song "Dejavu." It may seem odd to label an unreleased track as a classic but over the years, "Deja Vu" has earned this status. Despite the fact that only relatively lo-fi, unmastered versions have made it to listener's ears, it is apparent to any rap fan that the song is a bonafide gem. Nas' masterful lyrics combined with your perfectly suited sounds like heaven with a few hisses, so a higher quality version might well be the holy grail for us aging hip hop heads. I speak for the vast majority of our 1,100 subscribers (and thousands of other followers and assorted visitors) in saying that I've been fiending for a CD-quality version of this song for what seems like centuries.

It is unfortunate that shady business kept this song from seeing the light of day on a proper release. I understand that this experience must have been hugely frustrating. I also see how it could lead you to believe that there is little interest in the song itself. On this point I beg to differ. Nas' unreleased and rarities catalogue is deep and has been extensively covered on the internet. There was even a popular blog devoted entirely to such songs. Time and time again, "Deja Vu" is mentioned as one of the shining stars of this unreleased catalog, the rough draft of what should have been a perfect album cut on It Was Written. Not only does the song include the verse that later appeared on "Verbal Intercourse," it contains a second verse which is arguably even better (the "swimming pool/ sinning fool/ winning jewel" rhyme is some next shit). You produced a monumental song featuring one the genre's most beloved rappers at his peak and it deserves to be heard - crisp and clear.

Do the right thing, Chris Winston - release a CD quality version of Nas "Dejavu." Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of pairs of ears eagerly await this.

--- Thun, speaking on behalf of The T.R.O.Y. Team, and hip hop fans worldwide.


READERS: If you agree that "Deja Vu" should be released in CD quality format, you should do the following:

1) Respond to this post with a message showing support for the release of "Dejavu" in CD quality. To save time just type "RELEASE IT ALREADY".

2) Retweet this post on Twitter, and link it on Facebook.

3) Get at Chris Winston himself: via Twitter (@chriswinston) or email (chris@chriswinston.com).

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67 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 8, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ill WillOctober 8, 2009 at 2:24 PM

    IF YOU DON'T RELEASE THAT MP3 I WILL DO A PERSON SEARCH ON YOU CHRIS AND COME TO YOUR HOUSE WITH HOODS THAT WILL REDECORATE THAT SHIT WITH BULLET HOLES. YOU HAVE 48 HOURS LIKE NICK NOLTE. SAY I WONT!

    ReplyDelete
  3. unikoneOctober 8, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    dope !!!! RELEASE IT ALREADY.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MudOctober 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    Do it Chris.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 8, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY

    ReplyDelete
  6. dalekOctober 8, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    For real. We've been waiting for years and, in reality, had all but given up before this new info came out. Do the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kimani17October 8, 2009 at 2:45 PM

    Release! Release! Release!

    ReplyDelete
  8. DJCommunistOctober 8, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    it's a crime not to so RELEASE IT ALREADY!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AlexOctober 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    Nas is like releasing a CDQ of Deja Vu

    ReplyDelete
  10. Legal Drug MoneyOctober 8, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    All your props are belong to us.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cenzi StilesOctober 8, 2009 at 3:01 PM

    DEWIT!

    ReplyDelete
  12. vergeOctober 8, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    Please release this in CD quality, Mr. Chris Winston.

    ReplyDelete
  13. KnowbodyOctober 8, 2009 at 3:20 PM

    Release it, please!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. IvanOctober 8, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    "RELEASE IT ALREADY"

    - Ivan of Hip Hop Is Read

    ReplyDelete
  15. elemOctober 8, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    Release it already!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Danny Drive ThruOctober 8, 2009 at 3:29 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY!

    ReplyDelete
  17. thomasvOctober 8, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    Just Do It!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousOctober 8, 2009 at 3:51 PM

    NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR THAT FAT FUCKING WIGGER WHO DROPS THE NIGGA IN HIS VERSES J-LOVE. WE WANT THE REAL VERSION WITH NO ANNOYING VOICEOVERS AND CDQ.

    ReplyDelete
  19. K-FunkOctober 8, 2009 at 3:51 PM

    Release it man, we are waiting for this!

    ReplyDelete
  20. vergeOctober 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM

    I deleted the 'anonymous' comment that had a zshare link because it was the exact version with J Love drops that we already have. And not the entire cut either.
    Didn't want anybody's hopes getting shit on.

    ReplyDelete
  21. MarkshotOctober 8, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    Release it already, CDQ mayne.

    ReplyDelete
  22. rbrt_leeper aka Leeps or 4,5,6October 8, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    The 1st time i heard this track was on J-Love's Best of nas mixtape. that was back in '05. and i must have jammed this song like 10x straight!! no bullshit!! i never had heard this before. Please Chris, Please release this in CDQ format, please! I will be blasting this song everyday on my way to school!! so.....Release It Already!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. hungryOctober 8, 2009 at 4:38 PM

    release it already, along with that other track (or verse) you mention in that interview. pretty please?!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nasir JonesOctober 8, 2009 at 4:47 PM

    Release.

    ReplyDelete
  25. MattOctober 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Michael BerrinOctober 8, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    Release it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Faith NewmanOctober 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    PUT OUT THAT MP3 NOW

    ReplyDelete
  28. ChrisOctober 8, 2009 at 5:33 PM

    As one of Nas' biggest fans and supporters since 1992, I can honestly say that having a CDQ version of this track is high on my music priority list. In fact, I would consider it my holy grail. I have searched the internet far and wide. The first time I heard this track was on a best of Nas J Love tape back in 1997. But I digress. The bottom line is that you have come this far in revealing the fact that you are the producer, you owe it to youself and to all of the Nas fans, and now Chris Winston fans, to release it, if only for the fact that your work should be appreciated in it's proper sonic context. Please, please, release it.

    Peace.

    Pradadon
    TROY FORUM

    ReplyDelete
  29. release it alreadyOctober 8, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY

    ReplyDelete
  30. d. looksOctober 8, 2009 at 5:44 PM

    do it please!

    ReplyDelete
  31. BlazOctober 8, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    realease it please!

    ReplyDelete
  32. JazOctober 8, 2009 at 6:58 PM

    do the right thing Chris, release that jewel.

    Peace

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousOctober 8, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    DROP DAT SHITTT!!! please?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oldsoul76October 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    Release it already!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oldsoul76October 8, 2009 at 7:45 PM

    By the way, I fucking adore this site......

    ReplyDelete
  36. hlOctober 8, 2009 at 9:59 PM

    Release it man!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Paul SmithOctober 8, 2009 at 10:41 PM

    "Deja Vu" is one of the greaatest hip-hop experiences many of us have had since it first leaked, so it would be a damn shame if such a gem remained available only in low quality, with some annoying ass DJ yelling all over it.RELEASE IT ALREADY, PLESE!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Magic JuanOctober 8, 2009 at 10:44 PM

    Excellent track. Please release this gem for all to finally hear proper. It would be most triumphant.

    ReplyDelete
  39. thewoolOctober 9, 2009 at 12:33 AM

    The true heads need this jewel.

    Please release it. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 1:11 AM

    release dat

    ReplyDelete
  41. MistaTurkOctober 9, 2009 at 3:24 AM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY!

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 6:12 AM

    Dear sir,

    Please release this banger.

    Sincerely,

    Skinnyjoe

    ReplyDelete
  43. Paul SmithOctober 9, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    LOL at Ill Will's post :D second only to Eric B's guest blogging :D

    and again RELEASE DAT SHIT PLEASE!

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 7:48 AM

    RELEASE IT NOW !
    DO IT !
    PLEASE !

    ReplyDelete
  45. Jerome's nieceOctober 9, 2009 at 7:58 AM

    This would be great to listen to on my way to Jones Beach this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  46. The really creepy kid from the scene in Belly where they enact the lyrics from "One Love"October 9, 2009 at 8:03 AM

    Release it already!I'm still out here on the same park bench since 1994!

    ReplyDelete
  47. SoulsurvivorOctober 9, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. hotlikesauceOctober 9, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    yo son
    dont be a herb

    ReplyDelete
  49. serchlight publishingOctober 9, 2009 at 9:48 AM

    release ya

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    release this chris

    ReplyDelete
  51. ILL COSBYOctober 9, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    i dont see how any of this shit is gonna persuade dude to release it...
    yall think he cares what a bunch of internet crybabies that are stuck in the previous decade say???
    p.s.
    please to step off dudes dick

    ReplyDelete
  52. IKH5150October 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    Release it!

    ReplyDelete
  53. dochiphopOctober 9, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    release it already homie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. AnonymousOctober 9, 2009 at 10:27 PM

    c'mon son! liberate that for the masses. we need this. Like the guy from Amistad said "Give us free".

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousOctober 10, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    fuck you chris

    ReplyDelete
  56. Mrs. WinstonOctober 10, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    Do it son. I order you.

    ReplyDelete
  57. SHaunuzOctober 11, 2009 at 3:54 AM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY!

    ReplyDelete
  58. tbaOctober 11, 2009 at 12:14 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY!

    ReplyDelete
  59. K-FunkOctober 11, 2009 at 5:31 PM

    any words from him by now?

    ReplyDelete
  60. Shaun D. aka WickedOctober 12, 2009 at 1:30 AM

    I've always assumed DEJA VU was recorded AFTER Illmatic cuz of the fact Nas even SAYS '95 in the song. But anyways, I really REALLY hope this song see's a proper release or at least the CDQ version leaked online in MP3 format.


    peace

    ReplyDelete
  61. AnonymousOctober 12, 2009 at 1:36 AM

    what up. i agree w/ everything you said about this track - i do not know of an iller nas track and thats sayin alot, because i know em all and so many classics. of course everything he spit back then was fire. nas in his prime was the goat, i think, he had the smoothest, most intelligent rhymes ever, he made the streets come to life unlike anyone else, and lyrically illmatic remains the true pinnacle of hip-hop.

    Here is an excellent quality version of deja vu. Perhaps not quiiite cd quality, but very close, a big improvement over the one posted on youtube, and with no dj. only thing, at the beginning of the second verse,"blunts" is edited out, and the verse just starts "thugs & alcohol, what a mixture". the editing is good and you barely notice, but might be a little annoying if you know the song. so close to being perfect, too. hope you enjoy it.

    http://rapidshare.com/files/291908909/Nas_-_Deja_Vu.mp3.html

    -Jimmy in NY

    PS - anyone know where to get a dirty version of escobar '97 or mobb deep's "mobb of steel" with no dj? i only got them on clue tapes

    ReplyDelete
  62. AnonymousOctober 12, 2009 at 2:15 AM

    Damn listenin to deja vu again, amazed all over again. Its as ill as hip-hop gets, too many ill rhymes to list here.
    Here are couple more high quality versions of unreleased tracks available all over the internet in poor quality. I don't mind sharin em. the record companies cant say shit cuz their dum asses havent released them

    Nas Will Prevail - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JXCHTWV3
    - This was the illest thing I found on http://nas-jonesexperience.blogspot.com, an early version of It Ain't hard To Tell

    Nas Westwood Freestyle - http://rapidshare.com/files/291924644/Nas_-_Westwood_Freestyle__May__94_.mp3.html

    - Jimmy in NY

    ReplyDelete
  63. EstebanOctober 14, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    Although my comment may not mean much but if your not releasing this joint because of the music industry being a dark world, it would be best to drop it to the phila heads. You should know that if you were to release it to these cats is your best bet. You will get your props no doubt.

    ReplyDelete
  64. BreezeOctober 15, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    Do it Chris. I need this in my life,

    ReplyDelete
  65. AnonymousOctober 15, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY

    ReplyDelete
  66. AnonymousOctober 18, 2009 at 2:17 PM

    RELEASE IT ALREADY

    ReplyDelete
  67. PatrickMarch 10, 2010 at 2:51 PM

    There are great poets in Hip Hop but NONE like Nas.

    Please RELEASE IT.

    We need this.....HIP HOP NEEDS THIS.

    Exkimo64

    ReplyDelete

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