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@HopHeroes' 1st Track-by-Track Album Review Thread
Nas - King’s Disease
Overview: Nasir has released an album that perfectly exemplifies the position he holds in Hip Hop
Reserved, but not complaisant, it balances tradition & modernity in sound, style & substance
Peep game
Nas - King’s Disease
Overview: Nasir has released an album that perfectly exemplifies the position he holds in Hip Hop
Reserved, but not complaisant, it balances tradition & modernity in sound, style & substance
Peep game
Overview Cont: A return-to-form, of sorts, without ever retracing old footsteps, this is the offering of a veteran who has long since known that he has nothing left to prove, but chooses to share his outlook gracefully
Track 1 - King’s Disease
Nas knew what he was doing when he made the Title Track & the Intro track one & the same.
This song does what an intro should in that it sets the tone for the album. But it also represents one half of it’s thesis/theme, which is completed by the outro
Nas knew what he was doing when he made the Title Track & the Intro track one & the same.
This song does what an intro should in that it sets the tone for the album. But it also represents one half of it’s thesis/theme, which is completed by the outro
Track 1 - King’s Disease (Cont.)
Nas raps over soulful somber sonics while partly defining a "Disease" that Interpret to be about "priorities": Focusing our energy where it serves best & not letting the poison from the world keep us from standing (gout).
Nas raps over soulful somber sonics while partly defining a "Disease" that Interpret to be about "priorities": Focusing our energy where it serves best & not letting the poison from the world keep us from standing (gout).
Track 2 - Blue Benz
Blue Benz was clearly for them “Nas doesn’t pick good beats” mf’s
A strategically polished choice, Hit-Boy momentarily shifts from the soulful/somber direction of the Intro, so we know this is a modern Nas album
The sequencing of this album is sharp
Blue Benz was clearly for them “Nas doesn’t pick good beats” mf’s
A strategically polished choice, Hit-Boy momentarily shifts from the soulful/somber direction of the Intro, so we know this is a modern Nas album
The sequencing of this album is sharp
Track 3 - Car 85
Type of joint makes you nostalgic for sh*t you never even did
We’re back to the soulful vibe, Charlie Wilson killin’ the hook, & Nas bridging from the previous track with more storytelling, over a more melodic sound keeping the feel from track 1
Deliberate.
Type of joint makes you nostalgic for sh*t you never even did
We’re back to the soulful vibe, Charlie Wilson killin’ the hook, & Nas bridging from the previous track with more storytelling, over a more melodic sound keeping the feel from track 1
Deliberate.
Track 4 - Ultra Black
At 1st drop, I thought this was a decent single, but struggled to enjoy it’s upbeat, celebratory theme originally, due to the dark climate we’ve been in this year
Nas knew better than me
At 1st drop, I thought this was a decent single, but struggled to enjoy it’s upbeat, celebratory theme originally, due to the dark climate we’ve been in this year
Nas knew better than me
Track 4 - UItra Black(Cont.)
My mindset was: If I’m getting a pro-black anthem, I want it to be more pointed about the issues we face.
In context of the album though, it flows sonically from the previous tracks and, given Nas' temperament throughout the album, it
My mindset was: If I’m getting a pro-black anthem, I want it to be more pointed about the issues we face.
In context of the album though, it flows sonically from the previous tracks and, given Nas' temperament throughout the album, it
makes perfect sense that he isn't going full militant or political, but rather simply making a statement on Black Excellence without retracing issues he's already covered in the past.
Track 5 - 27 Summers
Coming off the buttery, classic Nas flow of Ultra Black, we switch up to a more modern delivery with content that continues the pro blackness & celebration from of the previous track, while emphasizing priorities again.
Hit Boy kills the beat ofc
Coming off the buttery, classic Nas flow of Ultra Black, we switch up to a more modern delivery with content that continues the pro blackness & celebration from of the previous track, while emphasizing priorities again.
Hit Boy kills the beat ofc
Track 6 - Replace Me
This may be, by my estimation, one of 2 tracks that stray noticeably from any overarching themes, opting for more straight braggadocio lyrics.
Still, HB & Toliver keep the sonics consistent, without it being the same, while Esco & Sean just vibe.
This may be, by my estimation, one of 2 tracks that stray noticeably from any overarching themes, opting for more straight braggadocio lyrics.
Still, HB & Toliver keep the sonics consistent, without it being the same, while Esco & Sean just vibe.
Track 7 - Til The War Is Won
Amidst the intersection of multiple societal crises, Nas brings us back to priorities: We must not be numb to one another’s pain, but stand together.
Amidst the intersection of multiple societal crises, Nas brings us back to priorities: We must not be numb to one another’s pain, but stand together.
Track 7 Til The War Is Won (Cont.)
Blk women in the US are dealing with not 1 or even 2, but at least 3 epidemics, being disproportionately affected by police violence, rape, & the latest pattern to reach national attention: simply disappearing without a trace
Blk women in the US are dealing with not 1 or even 2, but at least 3 epidemics, being disproportionately affected by police violence, rape, & the latest pattern to reach national attention: simply disappearing without a trace
Track 7 - Til The War Is Won (Cont.)
Nas makes sure to center the black woman, while carrying the theme of priorities in life.
Nas makes sure to center the black woman, while carrying the theme of priorities in life.
Track 8 - All Bad
Along with the content of “Replace Me”, these relationship based musings aren't as reconciled with the general lyrical tone of the rest of the album, & as such seems more like the old school “obligatory relationship song”.
Along with the content of “Replace Me”, these relationship based musings aren't as reconciled with the general lyrical tone of the rest of the album, & as such seems more like the old school “obligatory relationship song”.
Track 8 - All Bad (cont.)
That being said, the song is still solid.
Nas’s rhyme schemes, flow & delivery are all on point, & Anderson Paak is the cheat code.
That being said, the song is still solid.
Nas’s rhyme schemes, flow & delivery are all on point, & Anderson Paak is the cheat code.
Track 9 - The Definition
Falling asleep reading my review? Play “The Definition”, it’ll wake you up
This track rightfully brings the energy back up from the previous one, while adding a piece to the puzzle of the theme of the album: what is Kings Disease ?
Falling asleep reading my review? Play “The Definition”, it’ll wake you up
This track rightfully brings the energy back up from the previous one, while adding a piece to the puzzle of the theme of the album: what is Kings Disease ?
Track 9 - The Definition (cont.)
Rebuking the gov't & media, Nas recants about the same sabotage that he spoke of in his intro: When you’re a successful leader, & you speak truth, people will try to sabotage you. People will be envious, bitter & their priorities become skewed
Rebuking the gov't & media, Nas recants about the same sabotage that he spoke of in his intro: When you’re a successful leader, & you speak truth, people will try to sabotage you. People will be envious, bitter & their priorities become skewed
Track 10 - Full Circle
A muthaf*ckin Z. C’mon man
Nas, AZ & Cormega all speak on their evolving priorities in relationships from childhood to adulthood, while Foxy just blacks out, as Hit-Boy continues the soulfulness.
Can't stress how well HB laced this.
Consistency
A muthaf*ckin Z. C’mon man
Nas, AZ & Cormega all speak on their evolving priorities in relationships from childhood to adulthood, while Foxy just blacks out, as Hit-Boy continues the soulfulness.
Can't stress how well HB laced this.
Consistency
Track 11 - 10 Points
Nas really drives home the point of priorities here. He references the same jealousy & bitterness that he spoke on in the intro, while outlining how a King should carry themselves via the chorus.
Nas really drives home the point of priorities here. He references the same jealousy & bitterness that he spoke on in the intro, while outlining how a King should carry themselves via the chorus.
Track 12 - The Cure (Outro)
Lastly, while paying tribute to iconic black figures of the past who embody his ideal, Nasir continues to offer the antidote:
Prioritize true family, move with purpose, believe in your dreams, Salute other Kings, Give back..
And more..
Lastly, while paying tribute to iconic black figures of the past who embody his ideal, Nasir continues to offer the antidote:
Prioritize true family, move with purpose, believe in your dreams, Salute other Kings, Give back..
And more..
Conclusion:
Nas made a statement with this album. A timely one, for those who seek it & relate to where he is coming from, but better still also a broadly inclusive album both lyrically & sonically, yet does not waver from delivering exclusively pro black messages....
Nas made a statement with this album. A timely one, for those who seek it & relate to where he is coming from, but better still also a broadly inclusive album both lyrically & sonically, yet does not waver from delivering exclusively pro black messages....
Hit Boy crafted very Nas specific beats for this project, that somehow managed to sound retro & current at the same time, which is no easy task.
I am not going to make comparisons, or declare what this album "Is" or "Is not", but I will say this:
I am not going to make comparisons, or declare what this album "Is" or "Is not", but I will say this:
I find no inherent flaws with this album.
Criticisms I’ve seen largely come from either purists still holding out for a traditional Nas with no “autotune” or melodic hooks, others expecting a more technically competitive Nas, or those who don't relate to the content..
Criticisms I’ve seen largely come from either purists still holding out for a traditional Nas with no “autotune” or melodic hooks, others expecting a more technically competitive Nas, or those who don't relate to the content..
Nas has added to the wave of great releases seen in recent years by strictly 1 Producer, 1 Rapper. Particularly important given that Nas is the man who changed the standard from “1 DJ/Producer, 1 rapper” to “Team of super producers, 1 rapper” via the illustrious debut: Illmatic
Lastly, compared to other releases by a single producer/rapper combo, Nas’ release is special given that Hit-Boy's balanced blend perfectly bridges a mainstream & traditional sound, that may result in a blueprint for other late-career mc's to follow..
Time will tell
Thread/
Time will tell
Thread/
