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Happy 8 year anniversary to one of the most under appreciated albums of 2010’s. Nas’s 11th studio album, Life Is Good.
This album holds a special place for as it’s the first CD I ever purchased along with Wu Tang’s 36 Chambers in 2012. I was 17 years old at the time. Now at the age of 25, I grew to appreciate the album even more than I did back then.
With this being said, this will be an extensive thread. The album deserves its flowers. Mute me if you must.
Four years after his concept album, Untitled, Nas decided to take his next album under a new direction. He told Billboard that the album was going to be more freeform. With no particular theme. He also said he overthought his last record and wanted to play it after it’s done.
The first single, Nasty, was released in August 2011 to give fans a taste of what’s to come. Safe to say, the hype was real. This will end up being a bonus track on the deluxe edition. If you ask me, it should’ve been on the original 14.
The album cover was revealed on June 2012. The most noticeable aspect was the green wedding dress Nas has across his knee. The same dress that Kelis Rogers wore during their wedding in 2005.
Upon their divorce in 2009, Kelis left a part of the dress at Nas’s home. According to Nas from The Guardian: "I found it in my house and thought, it's going somewhere! Either on the cover of my album, or burning in a garbage can."
"I was angry when I first found it. Hurt and angry – but I don't think she left it deliberately to hurt me. It's just part of the dress, so I don't know where the rest of it is. But it made all the sense in the world for me to hold on to that. I guess that's just my personality.”
Nas’s divorce is a strong theme throughout the album. He often compared this album to “Here, My Dear” by Marvin Gaye. An album Marvin when he was going through his divorce with Anna Gordy Gaye. A classic
An interview with Kelis on her feelings towards Nas using her dress as apart of the cover in 2012.
The album was supported by two singles: The Don released in April and Daughters released in May. Both albums displaying what is to come. Lyrical exercise, as well as more introspective “grown man” content. Daughter’s was praised in particular because of the unique subject matter.
With the production being laced primarily by Salaam Remi and No I.D. (J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Buckwild, Heavy D (R.I.P.), 40, and etc. also have production credits), Nas created one of his most focused bodies of work to date.
No Introduction produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League is one of my favorite opening tracks. Three verses that expresses pain, and triumph at the same time. The last verse especially sets the tone for the rest of the album.
https://twitter.com/lordjibroni/status/1266035018255626241?s=21 https://twitter.com/lordjibroni/status/1266035018255626241
There are quite a few features on this album, Mary J Blige, Anthony Hamilton, Swizz Beatz, Miguel, Victoria Monet, Rick Ross, Large Professor, and Amy Winehouse (R.I.P.) all made appearances on this album.
While the album is called “Life is Good”, the album expresses a dark point in a mans mental state. A failed marriage could do that to anyone, but how Nas carries this theme give you a feeling of him moving forward the entire time. Life is Good despite his shortcomings. Its real
Stay is one of Nas’s best songs, and my favorite song on the album.
“I might kill you, but do I got love for you?
I want you dead under six feet of soil.
At the same time, want you here to witness me while you in misery.
We hate each other but it's love, what a thug mystery?”
“I might kill you, but do I got love for you?
I want you dead under six feet of soil.
At the same time, want you here to witness me while you in misery.
We hate each other but it's love, what a thug mystery?”
While it’s a shame that Stay didn’t get a music video because it definitely became a fan favorite over time. But the album closer, “Bye Baby”, summarizes the album perfectly. Understanding perspective, gratefulness of the experience, and again, not being afraid to move on.
Nas made it possible to feel like a grown man with hardships and feelings, but not sound corny or old. He’s one of the few rappers who spit that kind of knowledge, and we believe him. I’ll end this thread with a clip of Nas speaking on the album at his listening party in June.
