Nas

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Editorial reviews

Album Description
Nas is back and more controversial than ever on his new untitled Def Jam release. On this, his 9th studio album, Nas studies and lyrically dissects some of the our most divisive issues: race, inequality, poverty, and power. And who better to stir up debate than the man most consider one of the top five emcees in the history of the game? From his brilliant 1994 debut Illmatic, to his mainstream success with It Was Written, to anthems like "Hate Me Now" and "One Mic" and his venomous lyricism on "Ether," Nas' ability to tell stories, educate, make you dance--and make you look--is the stuff of rap legend. The outspoken Queensbridge rapper has sold over 15 million albums worldwide over the course of his storied career. Nas' Def Jam debut, Hip-Hop Is Dead, was released in December 2006 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with over 350,000 copies sold in its first week. Preparing now for the 2nd Def Jam release, Nas is ready to release his untitled album on July 15th.

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-18 rating:
NAS IS BACK WITH ONE OF HIS BEST RELEASES
Once more Nas is back with a powerful album. There is solid production on this album even if Primo, Timbo and other producers from his past albums are not on the list of producers on this one. He's lyrics are a little bit more political than before. Nas proves once again that he's one of the best rhyme writers in the game. Since his first album he has progressed a lot and nobody can tell that Nas has delivered a bad album in all his career. Listen to the songs "Black President" which contains a Pac's sample, [...] (The slave and the Master)" and "We're not alone" and you will buy the album without a doubt.
Peace to you Nas. Keep feeding the Game with great songs.

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review by: www.HonkIfyouhateBush.com date: 2008-08-17 rating:
Best album of the Year - Power to the People!!!
This album was a pleasure to listen to I enjoyed every track. Buy IT NOW!!!

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review by: date: 2008-08-17 rating:
Strong, Political Album; Proves Nas's Relevance...
2006's HIP HOP IS DEAD was certainly controversial from all angles. Personally, I though Nas was telling the truth as hip-hop was truly dying in sales and in talent. While the title of that fine album had a double meaning, I'd like to think in some ways it was a call to action to all the wack MCs to get their **** together. Either way, it certainly gave Nas a certain amount of attention, which turned into a third #1 album for the veteran MC. It didn't go platinum, but it did give the vet yet another gold plaque. But when you're as uncommercial as Nas, and you don't rap about sex and going to the club, then what more can you expect? But Hip-Hop isn't dead, especially on Nas's exceptional NAS [UNTITLED] (formerly called N.I.*.*.E.R.) which proves that commercial success isn't everything.

To call Nas stodgy in some respects isn't unfair; his beats tend to be restrained while Nas wants to emphasize his rhymes more than the productions. HIP HOP IS DEAD had a more updated sound for Nas in some respects, but still, that sense of "old-school" was quite prevalent, even with will.i.am at the boards. NAS is similar, though there are a lot of fresher productions here as well as some great guest stars from a younger generation including Chris Brown and songwriter/new R&B singer Keri Hilson. Also, the Polow Da Don laced beat on "Hero" (ft. Ms. Hilson) can't be ignored.

The album does start off a bit slow with "Queens Get The Money", though "You Can't Stop Us Now" (feat. Eban Thomas of the Stylistics and The Last Poets) gets the show started with the catchy guitar riff. The production is understated at first, but the hook adds horns and the great vocals of Eban Thomas from the Stylistics. On a side note, many rap listeners may remember The Last Poets guest-starred on Common's comeback single "The Corner" in 2005. "Breathe" is another strong track in which Nas asks "can't a n#%^* just breathe? " Here Nas is on fire, as he is on the Chris Brown featured "Make The World Go Round". Sure, that track works, but it is a track like that that also convinces hardcore Nas fans that he doesn't have to conform to new hip-hop/R&B standards. If you can believe, Nas didn't have to have Chris Brown guest star to make him relevant. His rhymes truly do speak for themselves on this album.

"Hero" is one of the standouts of NAS. Here, Polow's production work is sick, Nas is on fire, and Keri's vocals soar making "Hero" a five-star listen. "America" is solid, though not a favorite while "Sly Fox", despite it's 80s styled production, is quite strong. Tracks "Testify" and "N.I.*.*.E.R. (The Slave and The Master)" are amongst the "cream of the crop" of NAS where Nas has never rhymed better. The soul-laced production work on "N.I.*.*.E.R." is phenomenal, and very appropriate to what the MC is spittin'. "Untitled" isn't bad, while the Busta Rhymes featured "Fried Chicken" is stereotypical, but a fine listen. I'm glad to hear Busta Rhymes "back" (after 2006's questionable BIG BANG).

The brief "Project Roach" features the Last Poets once again, while "Y'all All My Ni**as" finds Nas spittin' more heavy rhymes, though the production is a bit too subdued here for me. Still, it is a solid Nas track. "We're Not Alone" (featuring Mykel) finds more conservative beats from Nas. Despite the retro-production, Nas still paints the pallet well with his rhymes. However, Nas does so better on earlier tracks such as "N.I.*.*.E.R." or "Breathe". He makes up for any laxness of the exceptional "Black President". "Black President" may be my favorite with its sick production work, alongside it's message and it's inquiries. Nas's politics on this particular track are right on point and bring up relevant questions amongst the African-American population. Sure Nas has a political agenda with such a track, but it is certainly a fine listen, no matter what your political affiliation or otherwise.

Overall NAS is better than HIP HOP IS DEAD. Sure I've heard stronger hip-hop albums, but it certainly one of the strongest hip-hop albums of 2008. Alongside of that, it is one of the best albums of 2008. I'd be surprised if Nas didn't receive a Grammy nomination. Grammy or not, this is a 4 star album. Period.

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review by: ezfresh date: 2008-08-17 rating:
RACIST!!!
Let me say first, I did not listen to the whole album. About halfway through the extremely racist track entitled "America," I chucked this CD out my window, if he doesn't need white people to buy his music like he said on this track, I decided I was through with Nas, and did not even want this CD in my car.

I was hesitant in buying this CD because of its proposed title. I asked the clerk at the music store what he thought of this CD and he told me it was a good album worth purchasing even for a white person. Since I have always liked Nas' music and I greatly respect his ability as an MC I went ahead and bought it. Although I have listened to his music for years, at times Nas' music made me feel as if he did not want me to listen to it, this album confirmed this for me and I will never listen Nas again, obviously he does not make music for me.

Nas really needs to get over himself, if it wasn't for white people like me that buy his music he would not be anything. Slavery and mistreatment of African-Americans is a somber part of American history, but Nas was not around for any of that. The "white devil" has really made it hard on Nas by buying his music and making him a millionaire, he should love America because if he expressed his radical views in a number of other countries it would not be allowed, and he would be considered a criminal.


review by: date: 2008-08-14 rating:
Anti-American. Expected a lot more.
Nas really fell off. He went the political route and it his album flopped because of it, good. He actually rhymes about burning the American flag. He could not have the success he has if it was not for America. Truly racist album. Never saw an artist fall off so bad from his first album (Illmatic is a classic). Nas you owe me twelve dollars.

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