Life Is Good: If
u thought Nasty Nas was done, well think again….This album is varied and has
very good beats. What I really like is that Nas was VERY PERSONAL on this
album. He himself and his experiences were the topic of many of the songs. He
raps about his break up with Kelis on Bye Baby. He speaks on growing up on No
Introduction, and on Back When he pays homage to those mcs that have come
before him.
A+
Nas(Untitled): An
album that was originally to be titled N***er. It is better than Hip Hop is
Dead. The lyrics are amazing here, even exceptional for this elite rapper.
There are just so many good songs here, in fact there are no bad ones. Hero is
my favorite track. Its flashy and glossy, and the beat is fire. Keri does
wonders with the hook as she does on just about every song she’s featured on. Sly
Fox is the albums best song….its relevant and Nas spits the truth. Breathe is
another awesome song. The lowpoint on the album may be Testify, or We’re Not
Alone. They aren’t as interesting as the rest of the album’s songs. Overall this
is one of Nas’s best works.
A
Hip Hop is Dead: An album that got many rappers and fans
attention, due to the bold title. Nas keeps up the theme of the album fairly
well, although it seems that some songs are just there, but that doesn’t mean
they aren’t good. Black Republican is where Jay outshines Nas, but not easily.
The album has pretty hot beats, but they’re not all that cohesive with each
other at times, and other times they sound too similar. $ over Bulls*** is a
perfect opener, as Hope is a perfect outro. I’m not sure what the best song is,
but its between HHiD, Can’t Forget About You, and Black Republican. The weakest song seems to be Not Going Back,
which still isn’t a bad song. This was a great way for Nas to solidify is
staying power in the rap game. (93)
A-
Street’s Disciple:
One Nas album that I listened to a whole lot when I first got it. It’s a double
disc. Im not sure if he wanted to compete with the Blueprint 2(Gift and Curse),
but this album has the same main problem; Filler. Theres too many songs that
shouldn’t have made the cut. Live Now is one of those. It seems like the 2nd
disc is the better, but they both have some pretty boring songs here and there.
Some of the beats aren’t all that. Negativity aside, this is a good album. Nas
is still a great lyricist. Virgo is a fun track, as is Suicide Bounce, American Way ,
Just a Moment, and the Makings of a
perfect B**tch.
B-
God’s Son: Some
hail this album as better than Stillmatic. Its not by any stretch but it does
have a more livelier sound to it. It’s exactly what Nas needed to keep going
for Hip Hop supremacy. It doesn’t really have many flaws. Songs like the
anthemic Made You Look and the (preachy) I Can are major wins.
B+
The Lost Tapes:
An incredible assembly of bonus tracks that melds together to form one really
good album.
B
Stillmatic: Nas’
comeback album. He was under a lot of pressure to make another Illmattic but
the first album title track answers that. After that is a vicious assault on
Jay-z and Rocafella records…then you have an awe inspiring and mostly varied
album. Got Urself a.. Is the song that made me a Nas fan actually. The album is
filled with some really interesting songs like What Goes Around and Every
Ghetto.
A+
Nastradamus: The
worst offering in Nas’s catalogue. It’s just best forgotten. He shouldn’t have
put out 2 albums in 1999.
C-
I am….: A pretty
decent album. It almost seemed like Nas realized he is one of rap’s greats, for
the first time. The album has some guests like Scarface, DMX, and P.Diddy. Hate
Me Now w/ an Ad-libin P. Diddy is one of his best tracks.
C+
It Was Written: It’s
basically just a follow up to Illmatic. It’s not quite as addictive however.
The album has some good tracks, like If I Ruled the World with Lauryn Hill.
Well that’s the best song. The production is varied; like the Dr. Dre produced
Nas Is Coming.
B-
Illmatic: A lot
can be said about Nas’s debut album. For starters its one of the best rap
albums of all time, if not the best. The album features a young Nas who has a
lot to prove. He opens with N.Y. State of Mind, a flawless rap song that has
Nas all over the beat. The album is a short 10 songs, but none are bad. Theres
no doubt that the first 5 songs are the better 5. But One Love is another
classic song. I really like Halftime and Life’s a B*tch. Overall its easy to
say Nas has outdone this album in some ways with other albums he’s done, but
this is his best solo work to date.
A+