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"I Can"
Single by Nas
from the album God's Son
Released	February 11, 2003
Recorded	2002
Genre	East Coast hip hop conscious hip hop
Length	4:13
Label	Ill Will Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Nasir Jones Salaam Remi Ludwig van Beethoven Roy Charles Hammond
Producer(s)	Salaam Remi
Nas singles chronology
"Thugz Mansion" (2002) "I Can" (2003) "Get Down" (2003)

"I Can" is a single by American rapper Nas from his sixth album, God's Son. It was released internationally February 11, 2003. Unlike the rest of the album, this does not have the Parental Advisory (or Explicit and other labeling on digital stores) label on the song, as it is aimed at children. The song peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Composition

Boasting production from Salaam Remi, the song samples Ludwig van Beethoven's "Für Elise" and the drum break from the Honey Drippers' "Impeach the President".

The lyrics are positive encouraging kids to stay drug-free and to pursue their dreams, pointing to examples of powerful icons in the African-American community like Oprah Winfrey. Conversely, Nas raps about a friend who was moving up in the music scene, only to fall victim to a debilitating drug addiction that took her career and her looks.

Music video

The music video, directed by Chris Robinson, was shot in Los Angeles, and contains footage of Nas rapping while children stand around him. The video starts out with the music from the introduction of "Get Down," but it soon transitions into "I Can." As the video starts, a young girl plays Beethoven on a piano in a vacant lot. Later in the video, children are jumping on a mattress in the same lot. The video also contains footage of break dancing and famous Egyptian structures.

Reception

The single received positive reviews. Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine labels "I Can" as "a silly stay-in-school ad attached to a Beethoven sample." This comment may be attributed to the "singsongy" call and response chorus featuring the voices of young children. Other reviewers appreciated "I Can" more: Jon Robinson of IGN.com claims that on his second single, "Nas delivers some of his most inspiring lyrics to date."

"I Can" charted in 2003 at #12 in Billboard Hot 100, #7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, #6 on the Hot Rap Tracks and #58 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2003. This is Nas's highest charting single as a lead artist to date.

Media usage

In 2019, the song was used by French life insurance company AXA which dedicates to all people who want to be when they can pursue their dreams. Tennis player Serena Williams is featured in this advert.

Track listing

1. "I Can" (Clean Version) (4:13)
2. "I Can" (Instrumental) (4:14)
3. "I Can" (Acappella) (4:03)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

1. SamplesDB - Nas's Tracks
2. Hoard, Christian. Review: God's Son Archived 2017-12-06 at the Wayback Machine. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2012-02-14.
3. Kim, Serena. "Review: God's Son". Vibe: 135–136. February 2003.
4. Robinson, Jon. "God's Son review at IGN". Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved February 3, 2007.
5. "Nas' Billboard singles chart positions at Allmusic". Retrieved January 17, 2007.
6. "Nasir Jones – I Can". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
7. "Issue 697" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
8. "Top 50 Singles". Jam!. Archived from the original on May 21, 2003. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
9. "Nasir Jones – I Can". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
10. "Nasir Jones – I Can" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
11. "Nasir Jones – I Can" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
12. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Nasir Jones". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
13. "Tipparade-lijst van week 17, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
14. "Nasir Jones – I Can" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
15. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
16. "Nasir Jones – I Can". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
17. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
19. "Nas Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
20. "Nas Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
21. "Nas Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
22. "Nas Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
23. "Nas Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
24. "Nas Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
25. "2003 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 3, 2012.

• 2003 singles
• Nas songs
• Music videos directed by Chris Robinson (director)
• Song recordings produced by Salaam Remi
• Songs written by Nas
• Songs about school
• Songs about drugs
• 2002 songs
• Columbia Records singles
• Popular songs based on classical music