Nas and his fans have wanted The Lost Tapes 2 to be released for a long time.
Esco even wrote an angry letter to Def Jam nearly a decade ago about the record company allegedly delaying the compilation’s release. His ire seemed understandable at the time, given that The Lost Tapes was quintessential Nasir and remains a fan favorite. However, the follow-up is a disappointing array of free-association rhymes that pale in comparison to Nas’ album work.
Comparisons to the original The Lost Tapes are unrealistic and unfair — yet inevitable. The OG compilation consisted of leftovers from Nas’ most creative period of output: 1998-2001. And yet, the throwaway cuts from that joint ended up being better than much of i am… and Nastradamus. The beats alternated between elegant minimalism and roughneck grime, as Nas effortlessly shape-shifted from heartfelt to hard-edged and back again.
Listeners will find little of that charm on the sequel, which mines unreleased tracks from recording sessions for Hip Hop Is Dead, his untitled album, Life Is Good and NASIR. Nas wastes his nimble, multisyllabic flow by jumping from tired topic to exhausted topic. “It Never Ends” pays tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. on the hook, with a reference to Biggie’s song “Come On”: “I got seven MAC-11s, about eight .38s/Nine nines, 10 MAC-10s, the shit never ends (Never ends, never ends)/The world’s going crazy, this shit never ends (Never ends, never ends).”
Once upon a time, Nas would have had the foresight to turn this appropriated B.I.G. hook into a street-smart condemnation of the gun violence that has been a hot topic in America since Columbine. And yet, he wastes the cut rapping about wearing “buckets like Gilligan.”
Nas proved capable of focus and poise in the years these songs were crafted with tracks like “Accident Murderers” and “Cops Shot the Kid,” so the disconnect is puzzling. Regardless, Nas’ failure to live up to his talent marks The Lost Tapes 2 a frustrating affair.
The songs that permeate The Lost Tapes 2 aren’t earsores but are lesser variations of cuts he crafted during that time frame. He inspired his audience better on “We’re Not Alone” from the untitled LP more effectively than he aims to do on “Royalty” featuring RaVaughn. “Bye Baby” from Life Is Good‘s reserve is a much more satisfying commentary on Nas’ divorce from Kelis than “Beautiful Life,” also featuring RaVaughn. And, “A Queens Story” from Life Is Good is a wistful tribute to his hood that is far superior to “Vernon Family.” The Lost Tapes 2 also lacks the cohesion that made the first compilation so endearing. “Tanasia,” a shrug-inducing sex ode to a femme fatale, is placed back-to-back with “Royalty,” which preaches abstinence to women. Duality has always held intrigue in Hip Hop, but the fact that these two were placed together only adds to the sense of dissonance that plagues this project.
Nas has never completely missed the mark, and he doesn’t start here. The production ranges from adequate to outstanding. Aside from Nas’ unfortunate foray into a scat flow with “Jarreau of Rap (Skatt Attack),” Mr. Jones stays in the pocket with enticing piano loops and thick, NYC-favored drums. The solemn piano keys on “Queensbridge Politics” set the stage for a touching tribute to the late Prodigy. Likewise, Nas wins with nostalgia over an elegant backdrop on “Queens Wolf”: “At 14, tried out for the ball team/Junior high, they denied me, shot bricks that made the backboard scream,” he humbly spits. Cuts like these show the poetic jones that made him so endearing back when he had a New York state of mind.
Painfully, these gems are few and far between on The Lost Tapes 2. Nasir Jones mostly sounds uninspired and distracted throughout the 16 tracks, which begs the question: why even release these previously hidden records to begin with?
After last year’s underwhelming NASIR, the living legend needed to come back with a fire in his belly and hunger in his voice. Instead, we’re left with The Lost Tapes 2, which is a lesser rehashing of Nas’ latter years.
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completely disagree. nas leftovers over production from hiphop’s best can still hang with all these new projects coming out. if nothing else this project just cements him as one of the best wordsmiths ever. more than makes up for that misguided kanye project.
Saying things like “Nas has more talent in his fingernail than the entire generation” has never helped the quality control and ultimately proves diehard fans will often cloud their minds with nostalgia instead of facing reality.
No one who lived through the Jordan Era believes that shit but do go and bury the original argument.
Ay Trent maybe YOU should check that pretentious aire of condescension and start “ facing reality “ that the COMMUNITY on this site thread is in majority agreement that the reviewer reads as unqualified and that the review itself is str8 TRASH!! ….Instead of “burying the original argument “ with your snotty cowardice.
We’ll all remember this the next time you guys review Lil Xan or try to create the next Tay-K or that new ‘ fire emoji ‘ Bhad Bhabie interview…
1 thing that everyone who comments and/or lurks here understands emphatically; is that MOST of the editorial staff on this site is a bunch of pencil dicked Sell-Outs and Vultures… That’s why y’all have sooo many Trolls here…
NO CREDIBILITY!!!! ——Aiight Cool
This is quality NaS. Not a masterwork compilation but, relative to everything else out, Id keep this on repeat for a while man. Do the right thing and delete your entire review, fuckin worm.
But if we truly believe the statement you just made about him then what makes it so wrong? When i mentioned this could hang with the other releases i was talking about gibbs, westside gunn, dreamville, etc. there’s an insane amount of dope artists right now. but comparing this to all the releases from these lil soundcloud rappers is hiphop blasphemy and anyone who lived through the 90s would tend to agree.
your reviewer literally wrote, “After last year’s underwhelming NASIR, the living legend needed to come back with a fire in his belly and hunger in his voice. ” This was a compilation of unreleased tracks. It is less about whatever rating you guys makes, but the review itself is boring and uninteresting.
The other problem is that you guys have this weird perspective or inability to judge an album as is. The author even writes, its unfair to compare, and then does exactly that. I don’t know if yall need a bigger budget to hire better writers, but some of us can see how lazy and unskilled some of the authors are. Maybe these freelance, need a buck, etc writers just need a bigger check to write something interesting.
Or maybe, i dont know, maybe, the labels need to cut a bigger check.
Peace
How is this a review if you don’t even mention a quarter of the songs that are on it ?
One Listen And My Nike’s Turned Into Timbs…This Album Is Dope On A Spoon????
I have to strongly disagree with this review I don’t understand what the ratings are based on I’ve seen worse albums with no subject matter rated higher than this.
I’ve only heard 4 songs so far but the shit is fire. This Aaron guy reviewing this doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about and obviously isn’t qualified to be reviewing shit. Just look at the discrepancy between the reviewers and the community’s rating. Some hip-hop websites don’t even review albums anymore because the people they have reviewing them. Their opinion just ends up getting shredded because it’s obvious to everyone reading the review that they don’t know what the fuck they’re talkin about.
I disagree about the rating. I guess everybody has a different taste on what they think but to me the only joint I am not feeling is the Kanye West produce track and that’s because the sample goes over Nas vocals Kanye should have made the sample into a hook because his beat was dope but besides that this album was dope.
fire
Horrible review!
Wack review! It should be comprehensive not based on one cats opinion. That makes it too subjective.
NASIR got a 3.8 rating. I guess no one from DX caught that. That should’ve been considered when picking someone to review this. It’s far better than NASIR! No question.
HipHopx and Vladtv have a vendetta against Nas. Nobody is above criticism but this review has a very nasty tone.
I think this is an honest review. Last time his throw away songs were really good. This time, he should have thrown this songs away
Dope Bars dope beats. What more do you want?
I am so tired of sheep, every time dude puts something out it gets knocked. This “album” is dope as hell. Every time. Then the dummies pile on its crazy.
Fuck your review. It’s not neutral. Is a very good album. I know it is not illmatic but stop this hating. Personally i was a little about the swizz records but i was surprised. The beats are really good. The point of view of a father, story telling, fucking internal and multisyllabic rhymes, conscious shit. I dint heard multiple flows in nas work since a while. Fuck your review. Maybe i agreed with the fact that Nasir wasn’t good but tgis record is Fire. You don’t want accept the changement. If nas did another record like illmaric, you would say: nas try to recreate another illmatic with another shitty review. Peace
I never reply but here’s we go. Sorry reviewer, this is a horrible review. I think you’re review was a 2 out of 5. I can tell you did like 45 minutes of homework on Nas. Album is dope, listen to it guys
Had to give the album a 5.0 rating since there is no option for 4.5. This reviewer probably listens to some cool pop songs and doesn’t know what Hiphop is about, hence vote horrible review.
I only found one track I could really skip and that’s the track royalty. I wasn’t entirely conformable with Jarreau of rap, but I love the beats.
This review sounds like a wanna be A&Rs wet dream of what I could of done better. In the last year we had so much garbage music released much worse than lost tapes 2 less stellar tracks. Keep in mind these were throw away concept songs that sound 10x better than anything released the last 45 days. The fact that 17 yrs ago dude dropped the first version and in 2019 still be relevant while outshining today’s newer acts speaks volumes to his career.
ALL reviews are opinion based. With that in mind, listen for yourself.
The album is NOT supposed to be cohesive. These are songs written in a 17 year span. The first lost tapes sounded more like it went to together because the majority of songs were written for I Am, which was supposed to be a double album. Also, all of the content was written in a span of 3 to 4 years, so it had more of the same feel. How is he supposed to come back with “fire in his belly and hunger in his voice” if these songs were written before Nasir? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it doesn’t sound like the author knows what they’re talking about, almost comical to say the least lol
My rating
3.1 is a fuckin joke 10 out of 5 the fuck people think they listening too lil nas x people r fuckin retarded
I am a big nas fan and ny rap fan. Found the album underwhelming. Really liked tanasia and queensbridge politics. Tanasia bumps in the car. 2019 atleast good hiphop back but Freddie Gibbs got a lot more replay value than this but let me listen a few more times.
5/5. Exceptional.
The album should get nominated for a Grammy. This is some smooth shit.
The person who wrote this review is secretly the Fuck Queensbridge troll
True talk!
How does this get a lower rating than NASIR? It’s clear this reviewer isn’t in tune with the culture.
Caution if you’re not a 40 yr old tone deaf grandpa stay clear of this trash.
Yes much better to listen to artists with one word hooks and silly EDM beats that all sound the same. Good luck with welfare!
This is your definition of trash?…………WOW!! I’m 29 and this shit dope.Your brain capacity obviously not mature enough..You must be a 14 year old that listens to beats instead of actual lyrics.
This review was some BS…straight up and down….Album is dope…And Nassir was dope…..Need to get somebody else to do the reviews
FAVORITE LYRICS:
_______________________________________________________________
Amateur Hannah Barbera characters know they envy
The illest Hennessy Black sipper with loaded semis
You pick of the week, voted-in rappers you go against me
You can’t tantalize a call girl with just a roll of pennies
Can’t bait a lion in ya trap without a tranquilizer
You entering a boxing ring with no trainer beside ya
My Panerai watch glows like Avatar
Caviar black diamonds, can you imagine, y’all
Takin from a rich man plate? Kick in his door
‘Cause it’s war with the bloodsuckers of the poor
The first shall be last, that’s just universal law
Pop the cork, the Perrier-Jouët pours, like this
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you, we had the best times but I’m about respect, I’m about the talent I possess
Never know, there could just be a time when I’m behind your desk then let you go
Could you imagine Nas the exec?
The artist(e) on the masters controlling your release
Probably they wanna wait ’til I’m deceased to honor me
So my product’ll be a big commodity
__________________________________________________________________
Some are caricatures, amateur boys
I’m like a classic pianist with a handful of swords
Bandages on my finger, still managing chords
Like a live band, performing in a sand storm
You just gonna the fact ‘Queens Wolf’ is about him being a Hood werewolf..? That weird concept aside (can’t decide whether I love it or hate it) this is clearly better than ‘Nasir’ so why it has a lower rating is mind boggling. This site used to be my go to place for reviews, but you’ve ran it into the ground. Fair enough if it was a bad rating, but it’s a bad REVIEW too. Also rating it lower than MGK’s garbage is insane. It’s a 4/5
Lol. Album is not even 24 hours old. What happened to consuming the music in its entirety before picking up a pen to write a fucking review?
you have got to be shitting me! a 3.1?. this album was fire and it was definitely better the than album that Yeezy produced last year. what have Nas ever done to y’all to deserve this. this review was dumpster juice.
Gave the album 5 out of 5
People listen ? its time to stop supporting this website please just don’t click on it anymore. This guy is a culture vulture
You’re reviews are whack and it’s sad that a hip hop outlet will let you diss on things you have no clue on I hope you get fired
What the hell kind of trash review is this?! Seriously. This has to be a marketing ploy to get people talking because nobody who actually knows hip hop is going to agree with this garbage. You don’t know anything about hip hop, period. Banning this site from being visited in my household ever again, damn clowns. Foh with this 3.1
The album is amazing, despite being unpolished at times. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift for my 26th birthday. I don’t skip a single track, but my least favorite songs are Royalty (which is dope in its own right) and Queens Wolf (which is dope from a lyrical and conceptual standpoint, and I know a lot of fans love it, but I think the beat is missing one extra layer that would’ve taken the song to another level and brought it to life even more). I give the album a 4.5/5 (9/10). It’s still early, but this is his most satisfying release since the original Lost Tapes. Untitled and Life is Good are amazing too, but no song on this album is nearly as cringeworthy as “Make the World Go Round” or “Summer on Smash.” 1. Illmatic, 2. IWW, 3. Stillmatic, 4. The Lost Tapes, 5. God’s Son, 6. Life is Good, 7. The Lost Tapes 2, 8. I Am, 9. Untitled, 10. Street’s Disciple (bloated, but criminally underrated), 11. Hip Hop is Dead, 12. NASIR (a solid release, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed after waiting 6 years for 7 songs that sounded more like Kanye records), and 13. Nastradamus. One of the greatest-yet polarizing-discographies in rap history.
TLT2 has everything that made me a Nas fan in the first place: descriptive lyrics (Queens Wolf, Lost Freestyle, Vernon Family), cinematic storytelling (Tanasia, Who Are You, The World), social consciousness (War Against Love), raw, technical multi-syllabic flows and street poetry (The Art of It, Queensbridge Politics, Highly Favored, It Never Ends), and relatable adult music (Adult Film, Beautiful Life). I even liked the creativity and jazz-influence of Al Jarreau of Rap. TLT2 also has what many fans knock Nas most for: outstanding production from legendary producers (Pete Rock, RZA, No I.D., Pharell, Ye, and Swizz Beats–whose beats were surprisingly great). Comparisons to the the original Lost Tapes are inevitable, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this review is extremely rushed considering the album came out less than 48 hours ago. The reviewer didn’t give the album (in its entirety) a thoughtful analysis. Salute the GOAT on another great project. RealHeadsKnow.
YOURE OUTTA POCKET FAM!! I AM… IS A SOLID 4 MIC ALBUM AND OVER LIFE IS GOOD. GO BACK TO IT
I agree I Am is a 4/5. I love I Am, but I really wish the original double-disc would’ve come out instead. Nas should re-release it in the future, even with the songs the made the original Lost Tapes. I Am has higher points than Life is Good (NY State of Mind Pt. 2, Hate me Now, Small World, Favor for a Favor, We Will Survive, Nas is Like, Undying Love), but Life is Good is more consistent throughout for me (both sonically and thematically). The only song I dislike on LIG is “Summer on Smash, but I Am has a few skips and lower tier songs (Big Things–probably the worst Nas song ever, I Wanna Talk to You–great lyrics and message but flat execution).
The album is amazing, despite being unpolished at times. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift for my 26th birthday. I don’t skip a single track, but my least favorite songs are Royalty (which is dope in its own right) and Queens Wolf (which is dope from a lyrical and conceptual standpoint, and I know a lot of fans love it, but I think the beat is missing one extra layer that would’ve taken the song to another level and brought it to life even more). I give the album a 4.5/5 (9/10). It’s still early, but this is his most satisfying release since the original Lost Tapes. Untitled and Life is Good are amazing too, but no song on this album is nearly as cringeworthy as “Make the World Go Round” or “Summer on Smash.” 1. Illmatic, 2. IWW, 3. Stillmatic, 4. The Lost Tapes, 5. God’s Son, 6. Life is Good, 7. The Lost Tapes 2, 8. I Am, 9. Untitled, 10. Street’s Disciple (bloated, but criminally underrated), 11. Hip Hop is Dead, 12. NASIR (a solid release, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed after waiting 6 years for 7 songs that sounded more like Kanye records), and 13. Nastradamus. One of the greatest-yet polarizing-discographies in rap history.
TLT2 has everything that made me a Nas fan in the first place: descriptive lyrics (Queens Wolf, Lost Freestyle, Vernon Family), cinematic storytelling (Tanasia, Who Are You, The World), social consciousness (War Against Love), raw, technical multi-syllabic flows and street poetry (The Art of It, Queensbridge Politics, Highly Favored, It Never Ends), and relatable adult music (Adult Film, Beautiful Life). I even liked the creativity and jazz-influence of Al Jarreau of Rap. TLT2 also has what many fans knock Nas most for: outstanding production from legendary producers (Pete Rock, RZA, No I.D., Pharell, Ye, and Swizz Beats–whose beats were surprisingly great). Comparisons to the the original Lost Tapes are inevitable, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but this review is extremely rushed considering the album came out less than 48 hours ago. The reviewer didn’t give the album (in its entirety) a thoughtful analysis. Salute the GOAT on another great project. RealHeadsKnow.
This is blasphemous!!!! These ignorant reviewers want attention. Some people just dont understand what real hip hop is. It hasn’t been the whole weekend to digest an album of this magnitude, but yet the negativity. The LT2 is the best album out so far. Just too bad people’s brains are lost. SMH.
If y’all actually listened to the lyrics of Beautiful Life, you would realize that the song isn’t solely about Kelis. SMH. He’s touching on his life OVERALL.
What ass clown did this review? Do you know shit about hip-hop? Fire this chump this album is great!
This is the most stupid review iv ever read in my entire life
This website is done for me
Fire all the way
Whoever gave this review knows nothing about Hip Hop…please fire them like I saw someone else here write. There’s sooo much I wanna say here but my time is limited so I’m gonna just gonna say how y’all give sooo much other way wacker albums 4.0’s and whatnot but give this great album that I’ve played continuously since I heard it a 3.1…You need your pink slip not now but right now!!!!!
The album came out yesterday! Review already?
Who tf wrote this shit VladTV?
WOW. THIS WEBSITE IS A JOKE. THESE CLOWNS GIVE IGGY AZALEA’S ALBUM A 4. WOW. WOW.
This is the worst written review of any album I have ever read! This site used to be my go to for hip hop, but after reading this piece of terribly written garbage, I’m done coming here for anything! This is not a great album, but a very good compilation with some great tracks; tanasia, lost freestyle, adult film, war against love, queensbridge politics. Compared to the shit out there currently this is quality music! the reviewer should listen to album more than once before reviewing next time and obviously knows nothing about hip hop.
THE CLOWNS ON THIS WEBSITE REALLY GAVE LIL NAS X A BETTER REVIEW THAN NAS. WOW
I think the reviewers in this site are no more than 15-21 years old. This site never seems to review anything from earlier era rappers in a good light. This site gives Six9, Migos, etc. 4/5 and 5/5 ratings yet give Nas and Em 3’s. I guess I’m just a crotchety old man because I don’t get it.
I’m 29 and been listening to hip hop bout 3p years since I was bout 8 years old. Got older brothers late 30s and early 40s. So I grew up on 90s shit early. I totally agree bruh
*20 years
4/5
This is one interesting “review”, wow… I disagree, this is very good.
Question to the reviewer? You don’t like albums with content? So you like albums that you understand every other 16th bars? This album is Lyrically placed at a place that still boggles the mind and, then (nowadays) Google the lyrics or just hit the lyrics link on what ever streaming app is being used.When back in the day we used rewind the tape. Not to mentioned produced beautifully!
Pete Rock and RZA just to mention a couple……This album is Masterful and refreshing. I GIVE IT…
5 out of 5 MICS. 3.1? TO THE REVIEWER..ONE THING TO SAY TO YOU. GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE WITH THAT!
Proof is being shown just by the people rating this album that this reviewer was off by a long shot lol. I know that everyone has a different kind of taste but when you see the comments being shown and how the community is rating the album it makes the reviewer look bad. The reviewer has it rated a 3.1 and look at the community rating a 4.69 and that’s 32 comments and counting enough said lol
Aaron McKrell it is interesting all other sites is getting nothing lest than 4.5 out of 5 or 8.5 out of 10. You gotta be kidding me where is your ear for hip hop. This album of unreleased tracks is better than most artist albums. Nad is always held to a higher standard than any other rapper because people expect to get something amazing and creative knowing they can’t get that from most other artist.
That’s what I think also. Seems like others do lackluster works and are praised and Nas had to be top notch every time or it’s panned.
The writer must be on crack or is just really hating on Nas! Dude should be fired. Not because he’s hating on Nas but b/c he’s losing credibility for his employers. I can’t this company serious after this. Your critiques makes no sense. “He sounds uninspired..”, really???, song placement, seriously??? Umm in lost tapes 1 he had drunk by myself before black zombies. It’s called the lost tapes for a reason cornball.
This shit all flames!?
These old songs are better than 90% of rap albums that dropped in 2019
Top 5
TUPAC
NAS
BIGGIE
JAY Z
SNOOP
Classic
Site gotta be careful. Bad journalism leads to poor credibility
Album is solid!! a lot of good tracks
That album!! Didn’t feel this feeling in the city in a long time!! The passion, the hunger, the flows…you can tell he took his time with this!
What a horrible review, they did the same thing with the Nasir album, and that was a great album as well. He had so much substance, I’m not used to hearing that anymore. Thank you Nas. But reviews like this gets into the heads of the consumers, then all of a sudden they will agree with what they are saying.
Reviewer is clearly trash.
I’m losing faith ..This is one of the best projects that Nas has released in years. Please get Aaron McKrell off of the album review team smh
Whoever wrote this review is a 3.1/5..
Nas will always be fire lyrically.
You are an idiot, Aaron
THANK YOU, NAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t know what’s up with the review, but Hip Hop ain’t going nowhere….Know dat….
I love Nas, but this album is not worthy of the “Lost Tapes” name in my opinion. None of these so called “Lost Tapes” are the lost tracks I wanted to hear. Where is “The Curse” or “Summer Cookout” with Nature, etc…? There is a long list of Nas tracks that were never released so when I think of “Lost Tapes 2” these are what come to mind. Sure I’m talking about tracks that are potentially 20 years old if not older, but we’ve never got these officially released before in good quality. Even “Life Is A Dice Game” has only seen a Vinyl release, and that could have just been added as an extra. Then on “Queensbridge Politics” he’s talking about Prodigy’s passing so it’s pretty clear these tracks aren’t “Lost” by any means. These are recent recordings. So if you are buying this expecting some unreleased crack you’re going to be disappointed. It’s just a Nas album full of songs in the last 5-6 years that were never officially released. That being said there are some dope songs here, “The Art Of It” is my favorite right now from my first listen, but I gotta give it some time to grow on me. Overall though I am a bit disappointed.
Aaron, the reviewer you suck sir! This album is complete fire man! Are you crazy? March to google and read the blogs. Album complete fire!
Fuck HipHopx and Vladtv You cocksuckers always against Nas!
Nas GOAT
Where on Royalty did Nas preach abstinence to women? I must’ve missed that part. Sounds like this guy didn’t really listen to the album.
Aaron Mackrel said: “why even release these previously hidden records to begin with”?
Not enough trap beats Aaron?
Dude that wrote this review is must be a pop fan and forgot what real Hip Hop
Fire the reviewer
Queens Wolf is probably my least favorite track. But it’s good to hear Nas just zone out over a beat. To me this album sound like a collection of freestyles. Its like Book of Rhymes the album. Thats why it’s tight. Its just Nas going off over good production. Its exactly what I been expecting. Maybe its something only a true fan can appreciate.
Who in the hell reviews a NAS album in under 2 days? Quit while you’re ahead. You failed the moment you attempted to compare his records to one another. His music needs to marinate with the listener. The project is not meant to match the original, and does not rely on sequencing for flow. It’s a collection.
Fastest review on this site ever, why such a rush to trash nas?
This album is ? people just don’t know real music anymore I rate it at a 20 compare to some of this garbage out now
This album is great compare to some of this music out now people just don’t know real rap music anymore I give the album a100
This site gives good albums bad reviews as a way of provoking disbelief and comments. It’s click bait, and while I’ve taken the bait, I’ll stop checking this site because it’s subintellectual. Peace
You have said it all
How on earth can someone rate this album 3.1?And u rate MIGOS 4/5?No way!!!
If the reviewer was born in the MIGOS era,we appreciate their rating.Otherwise NO NO NO!!!!
Super Solid Album….
Somewhere between a 3.75 and a 4.
But for the love of god, for the thousandth time, get rid of this bum-ass writer, Aaron McKrell. He ruins every god damn article he touches. This album certainly has its flaws, but McKrell completely misses the mark, and most of his criticisms make zero sense. He says Nas rhymes by “free association” on this album, but not long after says Nas is rapping by “tired topic after exhausted topic.” So which is it? Is he rapping by free association or by topic? These are not even close to the same thing. McKrell, do you even know what these words mean? In regards to the specific claim that the topics are tired… did you miss the fact that these were unreleased tracks from old albums? Of course much of the subject matter may seem tired or irrelevant. You’re judging it by what you think a new Nas album should be, not what a compilation of old Nas tracks should be. This is a totally unfair critique. The same thing can be said of most of your critiques of the album: this is a collection of old, unreleased tracks, dumbass, not a highly polished album. It was never meant to be a highly polished album with selectively curated tracks. That’s the fucking point. The original Lost Tapes was an amazing compilation that could have held up to most of Nas’s best albums, but it was stupid to expect that again.
For what it is–a compilation of old, unreleased tracks that didn’t make the cut for their original albums–this album is pretty good. Is it Nas’s best? Of course not. But it is probably worth a few repeat listens. I doubt many rappers could have done better with their throwaway tracks.
Rediculous reviewer!!!
Nas is so gd n lyrical dat sites had 2 rate his albums poorly 4 others 2 look gd???♂️Just sad???♂️??♂️
Looks like my review disappeared. This article is a joke. For the 1000th time, fire Aaron McKrell! He ruins everything he touches. His critiques make no sense. Is Nas rapping by free association or tired topic after exhausted topic? These words don’t mean anything close to the same thing–they’re literally opposites! McKrell also seems to be judging this as a polished. Curated album and not as a compilation of old tracks that were cut from other albums. This is really good for what it is, a compilation. Better than what most rappers could put together from old unreleased music.
Classic Album. Fire this reviewer as he does not know shit about real hip hop music. Stick to reviewing Migos, French Montana and shit like that which is not hip hop. Worst review for an album as you can see from all the other comments. Fxxk outta here.
?
Aaron lets keep it a thousand, you’re hating hard. This is nowhere near as bad as you’re making it. 4/5
Solid album tho
Can’t say it’s better than Nasir cuz they both have different concepts on their own
This a thousand times better than nasir bruh. Nasir was way too short to even compete with this joint
I usually don’t comment on articles. But this is out of hand. I read this review and bumped the album at the same time. I couldn’t help wondering what in the purple heavens you’re talking about. This is a really, REALLY good album. Not just a good Nas album…but a good album by any standard that matters. The music is great, the rhymes are potent, poetic and even cinematic sometimes (Tanasia comes to mind). Nas sounds as nimble as ever (Vernon Family and, yes, Jareau of Rap). Seems to me the only problem you really have with this album is that Nas isn’t saying things you want to hear. I see you complaining about him not going into gun violence, like he’s running for office. I don’t understand that. It’s supposed to be a review of the music and rhymes…not the politics. You also claim some of his topics are tired and exhausted…which is quite a ridiculous thing to say in art. Is the topic of love tired and exhausted in the R&B genre as well? I’ll let you answer that. It’s not about the topic. You should know better. It’s about the execution. There are no new topics. It’s about finding new ways to discuss the old things. That’s all there is to art. And I think Nas accomplished that well with songs like Royalty. This is hands down the worst review I’ve ever read. I advice any newcomer to not only check the site’s ratings (a ridiculous 3.5), but compare it to the public ratings (4+/5). Even the google stats clearly state that 96% liked the album. Yes, that’s 96% of people who came for the music, not the political alliances, propaganda and all kinds of axes to grind.
Wow, you trimmed it nicely
Thats because these fucking idiots listen to trap and drill and morons like future and 69. These young tards that run this site now and fucking clueless and embarrassing to the culture.
the writer of this review, aaron mckrell, must be smoking BIG rocks! like sir, what album are you listening to?! because as a certified hip hop head, this record is nothing short of a masterpiece. tanasia alone is worth the 17 year wait since the last lost tapes. and that says nothing of the greatness of “lost freestyle”, “royalty”, “the art of it” and so on and on. the record is full of classic nas — vivid, cinematic lyrics, flows, insight, even the beats are on par. hip hop dx is out here taking MAJOR L’s with trash ass, incorrect reviews like this one. this writer knows NOTHING about hip hop, period — this review is the proof of that.
You guys are getting way out of hand. What’s being said and what the Album actually sounds like to completely two different things. Exactly how is this whole process carried out? You guys are the reason Hip Hop on Support, what type of misleading review is this???
Who wrote this? I used to live the reviews but just look at the difference between the community and the staff ratings and you know someone needs to get sacked
This review is the worst i have seen, Aaron doesn’t even go into all the tracks, such critics are not helpful to ‘this thing of ours’. He is disconnected to the culture and doesn’t know good hiphop even if it was in his face. Maybe he must just stick with his mumble stuff. We don’t need such negativity to the culture. Hiphopdx please get people who are passionate about this Hiphop to review and add to the culture and not someone who wants to just get paid for the review and tick his boxes.
Wow! Nas must of pissed this guy off? This album was Hip-Hop! Tired subject matter? You mean like Cardi B talking about her pussy every other bar? Get this reviewer the fuck out here.
Your critique skills are tired instead. You gave us soup…how about solid stats ???
Fuck A-Aron
I’m so glad that people called this moron out for this bogus article. My younger brother who is 29 said this album is dope and I must agree at 42 I am a true Nas supporter. I have been waiting for a album like this for a minute. We know why they didn’t put out the record. because he would have shut the shit down with this album. The album is great with the exception of you mean the world and a few songs I heard before and I still love those songs! I have to agree you are a hater of Mr Jones. You should be banned for writing about him in such a disrespectful manner!!
Damn…. Nas hive is active
For the record this album is average. I give it a 3.5 just due to the latter half of the album. I can see why these were lost. A lot of the hooks are uninspired or just lazy, i.e “Bad Energy” or “the Art of It.” Unlike Lost Tapes 1 where those were actual complete songs but they were left off the albums because of bootlegging, but they were still complete songs. Its funny that the Nasir album gets panned but at least it felt more complete. But after all that I’ll still take this album over about 95% of whats out there. An average Nas album is better than any Maxo Kream, Migos, or Meg the Stallion album
Remember y’all, this is the same person who gave Drogas Wave a 3.9 (that clearly was wrong) as well as rated B.o.B.’s latest project higher than DW AND Lost Tapes 2. He really must be getting the bag (or lack thereof from certain artists) because I dont know how to explain how out of touch he is with Hip Hop. I cant even respect his opinion but hey, the people have spoken AGAIN. That said, 4.4, not a classic but DEF not no 3.1.
Yall really missed the mark on this one. How you not got mention “War Against Love”? Was is THEE GOAT. And he proved it with throwaway material.
Pretty good album, I would easily keep this on repeat with the exception of maybe 3-4 tracks at most.
Terrible review… wondering why my comment got deleted? Album is a definite 4.5-5 mic album easily. Thank you Nas!
This is a ridiculous and unrealistic review. The album is dope from beginning to end. It has great subject matter and production. It flows cohesively. Nas lyrics are flawless and focused. He is rapping at his very best on every single track. His story telling is engaging. This review is very misleading
Such a rush to sh*t on Nas. What happened. Ya wasn’t invited to the listening party or something? Reviewer has to be salty to write that about this album.
This guy definitely missed the mark on this review.
#1 the original Lost Tapes weren’t truly tracks LEFT off an album. They were ACTUAL album cuts from the original version if I AM. That is the reason the original Lost Tapes was such a cohesive piece of work. So, it is a misstep to review LT2 in the same context because they were crafted in a different context.
#2 If the songs are coming from different eras of work. You should expect rehashed themes and sounds and lesser versions of album cuts. That’s the whole concept behind the release!
#3 There are plenty of gems, new themes and creativity to delve into. Queens Wolf, War Against Love, Adult Film, Who Are You
Lastly, if you continue to expect artists to be former versions of themselves thanyoutr doing yourself and fans a in-service. Artists are going grow as people, meaning their content and sound is also going to change. 45 year old Nas is not going to be 36, 26 or 18 year old Nas
This site is wack as fuck, call this a Hip Hop site lol fucking joke.
Aaron your a fool
You are an idiot. The album was more than solid. It’s always the ones who will never create anything in there lifetime that are the harshes critics.
Whoever wrote this review knows nothing about good hip hop music. The album is a Classic!
obviously, there is an infra-meta-war against Nas…
album is a solid 4 stars.
QueesnBridge politics, Tanasia… solid poetry, impeccable painting…
But as usual, Nas doesn’t help himself by putting Jarreau of rap, too experimental for a first single.
What?! FOH… jerreau of rap is fire my guy,who can flow on a beat like that with such cadence? ***crickets***
This is a wack review 0.0 out of 5….go to writing school. Your rhetoric is trash…Take it to the dump and throw it away.
Largely disagree with this review. Yeah the album is about 3-4 songs too long, and yeah it’s not sequenced very well, but there is a lot of material on here that’s prime Nas (QB Politics, War Against Love, Art of It, No Bad Energy, It Never Ends, You mean the world, etc).
forgot to rate.
Worst review I’ve ever read!! 5/5!!!
Whosoever wrote this is dumb……the fella is used to traps and craps….The delivery was flawless….good production and flow
If you think this album is less than good then you are the reason hip hop been takin L’s in the past seasons.
Album 4.1/5
This review 1/5
WORST REVIEW OF ALL TIMES
THIS SHIT IS A CLASSIC FROM THE G.O.A.T
I don’t trust anyone that van review an album in less than 7 days.. Let alone a Nas album
This is a piss poor review. Nas has had some bad beats in his day, but he has had a bunch more bangers than wack songs and beats. this is lost tapes, which is NOT an album, is just that, songs that he didn’t previously release. the beats were good on this album, nas was dropping gems all over it. the reviewer is trying to compare it to other projects rather than letting it stand alone and appreciate it for what it is. This project is far better than NASIR. As far as the lack of focus, IDK WTF you are talking about, do you even listen bro? Y’ALL Site owes nas better than this. I swear cats want nas to make illmatic everytime. He went and got ALCHEMIST, PETE ROCK, DJ DAHI, SWIZZ BEATZ, RZA, KANYE WEST, NO ID, PHARELL, and ya’ll still complaining?
Dope!
I think its obvious that this child is hopelessly underqualified to review pieces of traditional hip hop art. You guys have no set standards if metrics, and your credibility has suffered greatly. Tread carefully
5.0
When I first heard the album I knew it was a solid 4 or 4.5. A few songs left out would have made it a classic. Amazing rhymes, flows, beats and storytelling. Nas shows everyone why he is top 5 of all time. Poetry in motion. The review is bullshit.
Let me guess he probably would’ve gave Illmatic a 4 stars. Foh
What?! FOH!
Why u throwing shade at that album judge it on the current events of hip hop and u would say that the alb is a breath of fresh air in a rather stale industry hip hop needed this album and here u are hating on it
This is the worst review of all time. This is one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of the last decade period. I forgot why I liked Hip Hop and this album reminds me.
Albums good but one of the best album of the last decade? You’re crazy.
It is one of the best albums of the last decade
He said one of the best not the best. And he’s right. It is “one” of the best albums of the decade.
horrible review one of the better albums released all year, you don’t know shit about real hiphop
Thanx God, ppl will make their own opinions about the album. Reviews are overrated. The album is solid for me and it feels good to hear new shit.
Reviews aren’t overrated in my opinion, especially if they aren’t bias. You may not care for them, but they’re very important. Or else we’d have to hear it from stans that most of what their favorite artist drops, is considered as “classics” lol.
Dope album.Fuck your review.
This is a 5. Do you live on this planet?
Wow. You are aware that it’s leftovers and wasn’t to have a theme or come off as an album right? And did you even listen to it? Man, this is up there among one of the most terrible reviews I’ve seen on this site. Aaron. No disrespect. But if you could let a real hip hop head in the office do reviews on albums with substance, it would be appreciated on my end. Until then, enjoy the Hot Girl/Boy Summer joints that I bet are pretty much down your lane.
Ohhh you took my comment down.
How pathetic.Let me be politically correct, this time.This is a Nas masterpiece and reviews I have read elsewhere speak to that fact.
Your reviewer seemed bent on finding fault.
How about you set up a review panel to read through these pathetically subjective reviews before they are posted.
Aside from a few Tracks I wasnt really feeling everything on the album was either Okay or Amazing.
Imagine if Nas had Madlib beats…
Pretty terrible review. Albums is pretty decent. Some really dope songs. This is much better than anything on Nasir.
Agreed!
WHO did this review??!?!?!? Horrible assessment of this album….this at first seemed regular but it gets better and better with each listen. This is a masterpiece and should be associated as such. The reviewer obviously went into this with a biases opinion and didn’t fully cusp the importance of this collecting of songs. A wide variety of musical influences is blended into this and the results are stellar. While dated due to age, that very essence is what makes this a must listen for every Nas fan alive. Please revisit this album in a year…..
U hit the nail on the head
This album fire ???bad review and I ain’t even played it in the whip yet
The album as a whole is great. Nas catered to everyone. I know a lot of people liked Adult Film and Who are you, but I can do without either of those two.
This guy sounded mad right out the gate though. He had a few good points, but the rest of it was just ridiculous.
Yall gonna review the new KRIT or keep ignoring it for this old man’s throwaways
Foh we’ll keep the throwaways and why come to a nas review to say that
I’m surprised at the comments. Everyone is so mad at the author, Mr. Mkrell when they should be sympathetic. This guy went to college to become a journalist and is drowning in student debt because of it. He had dreams of becoming a writer for Time Magazine of The Wall Street Journal but just couldn’t cut it. Out of desperation he took a job here where he gets paid in nickels for the number of clicks and comments for his little “review”. So of course he writes a provocative review in order to feed himself. And you silly commenters, instead of understanding, you hate. Shame on you!
Bias review ?
?????shit fire
5mics5
I guess you guys wrote a bad review intentionally to get people talking and have more pageviews on your site. This is a really good album by all standards.
The Art Of It… Nas ??????? This entire tape is ? non hip hop fans love Cardi B and Drake!
Nasty Nas…
Nas is the Greatest Rapper of All Time!
Drogas was fire
Everyone booo this man!
This review is Fucking Garbage! You hear me! Fucking garbage! This album is complete fucking fire…Nas is the Greatest of all time in this rap shit! Get the F out of here! One track can kill
Any rapper’s new album.. The Art of It is a fucking master piece… Go listen to a 2Chain album… Give a Drake on his album that any one remembers right now! Point proven! No one remembers their shit!!! Nas we will remember his shit forever! Lost Tapes 2 is Fire!!!
Fuck this article!
Album is fire
This album is far better than I thought it’d be. Each article you’ve posted about it since the release date was announced has been like, “look at all these producers” but didn’t mention RZA once until Friday. He has 2 of the best songs on the whole project! The Ye song is fire too. This album is far better than most anything that came out his year. Also, the NASIR album from last year you panned is frickin great. Adam and Eve slaps the ish out of anything you’ve ‘written’ since, like, 2007. Do you even know why or what you write about anymore? But hey that new Rick Drake is the fuego right? Eff outta here.
Horrible review that doesn’t reflect the brilliance of the album. The album is a classic.
Dope quality album. Much better than nasir which was too short.
I remember Aaron Mckrell, he is the one that gave Lupe’s Drogas Wave a bad review. I’m sorry, but based on that alone, he is not credible to do such reviews and I will pass on reading the above altogether.
The writer of this article is either a Jayz fanboy or not a real rap fan because this album is damn near classic!! 5/5
How were the topics tired tho, especially compared to current pill popping rap. Most of the project speaks on growth his ours as a people musically etc. If you don’t like this joint the lane of rap not for you
Really good album, especially in today’s climate of mumble rap and drill. Awful review.
How does this guy have a job reviewing hiphop albums when he can’t recognise a good one when he hears it.
I’m upset!!
This album deserves 5/5
Hater…go suck a dick!
This is masterpiece each track is movie.
Please i am confused which album is the reviewer talk about, cos the is FIRE!!
The reviewer needs to be fired. I’ve never seen him give an album higher than a 3.9 even on an album he called “great”. Don’t see how he is still on staff, but I definitely won’t be returning for reviews, especially ones done by “Aaron McKrell” ????
Hiphopdz need to get a petition from hiphop fans to review this album again . Bumshit
5/5
he did not listen the album… solid 4.5 with replay value.
Lmao this reviewer is getting roasted the street has spoken. The streets are letting people really know what kind of album this really is.
classic album by the goat
Take down this bullsh*t review
smh… ill never understand what these reviewers are fuckin talkin about. Album fire. 4.5/5
this isn’t an album, its a compilation of ‘throwaways’. which are doper than most music today. Nas pen is still insane. The site needs to put the writer on a write up or a final lol c’mon A A Ron!
I think he is mad that *Who are you*i dedicated to him or maybe he thinks he is reviewing for pop music
I usually don’t care to much for the reviews but this is a wild take. I’ll be keeping an eye out going forward for consistency.
Imagine writing this review and thinking you’re right.
There needs to be another article written to explain how and why this reviewer totally dropped the ball. Majority rules and the majority of everyone commenting here is said this dude is waaaaaay off. I wholeheartedly agree that he’s definitely off. A retraction of this rating needs to be done…not by this clown tho, he’s totally unqualified
Get a real reviewer…its stuff like this why people dont take this site seriously anymore. Pathetic, bring someone whos knows nas and his art and actully knows hip hop
yo boo the fuck out this man. what was going through your mind when you wrote this review? this album is better than 90 percent of the bullshit you guys review and claim to be fire or good. Nas’ worst verse on this album is better than most new school rappers entire album and i’m not saying this is Nas’ best but better than most. this is solid 4 or 4 .25.
I wonder how it feels to be the reviewer now? I’d ask the editor to remove my shit
I’m 40 been a Nas fan since “Illmatic” had the cassette in the walkman on the back of the bus going to school Nas fan…”PURCHASED” every album to read the credits and view pictures in the cover Nas Fan and I can tell you that this should have never been released it is a utter disappointment and that’s saying it lightly…it had no direction and was lack luster on all levels!
You may have purchased but you do not know what an album is…idiot! This shit is fire!
No it’s not and you know it I bet you haven’t played that album 1 time this week….
Dude I can tell by that comment your young…it’s 1 thing to listen to music and it’s another to understand music you just listen but don’t understand!
Of course it had no direction. It’s leftover tracks from the vault that didn’t make it to previous albums.
At least Nas is back with something which is more than a decent album, and can pretend to be a true great album.
There is no bad instrumental in the pack, no weird choices this time, even the Kanye’s one fits well.
Pete Rock and RZA are helping to consolidate the heart of the album, each of them contributing with 2 instrumentals.
And last but not least, the album ends with the very nice outro track Beautiful Life by NoID.
We have been waiting so long for such an elegant album… Well done Nas!
5/5 so shut the fuck up
Didn’t give the review too much influence into my opinion. I know why Nas makes this series and who I’ts for…all that commentary is for this website to be inclusive in the convo thats bubbling because he released a project….But if they were smart-, they’d call it what it is. Tracks that didnt make albums he releases for fans. End of commentary
THANK YOU
Royalty does NOT preach abstinence to women, it speaks partly about comportment & carriage and in my opinion addresses girls, not women. “Young queen, cross your legs” is the line.
This reviewer needs some weed…This is a Great Album, Nas always delivers on Lyrics. Take a Listen, Realize Life is Good
Another boring ass Nas album. Beats are awful as usual which gives this album zero replay value. If you stans would go to Nas and say we are done supporting your albums that have half ass beats, just maybe he will up his production. Is it to much to ask for an Illmatic as far as production? To any artist including Em there is zero excuse to have weak production with all the dope producers out. SMH
Beats are boring? You seem like a stripper ho that wanna hear twerking beats to get your twerk on..Wrong rapper bruh. Nas definitely ain’t for you..
I thought that whoever does the reviews was going on the rigth way after a good review on Freddie Gibbs but i was wrong.The good thing is that your reviews doesn’t affect me and i think Nas doesn’t give a F to, this is a collection of tracks left over from other albuns and curated by the best producers in the game. Hip hop is not dead, just your trash reviews
Another garbage nas album. Nas flow way outdated. No one cares about them wack stories. Im not from 90s queensbridge so i couldnt care less. Production always suspect. A lot of stans on here. 2 bops and thats it.
Man, shut the F up! Nas and Hov are goats!
U a stan..this sht is nowhere near a 5. Nobody wanna hear them wack outdated 90a stories no more..lol a 5…u get a 5 in stannin
Ppl actually do. You just don’t want to hear it so don’t listen
Ain’t trash just ain’t you simple as that you look like a damn fool responding to everybody cause of your opinion u don’t like it you don’t like it but it is hip hop unlike this so-called fiend hiphop shit lol
SO WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR IN 2019, CLOWN? KOD? LMAOOOO GARBAGE. NASIR THE GOAT
The dumbest shit is to call people “Stan” if they like something you don’t like. It’s as if you believe everyone should agree with you on everything. I mean, same can be said of those who like this album but they’re not out here calling people Stans. That’s just foolish talk.
But isnt that what yall doing to the reviewer. He gave a review that is the right review but stans tryna get at him. All yall that giving this album 4s and 5s simply dont know good music..its 2019 j cole collab definitely makes this sound like garbage. Not tryna hear 2010 songs in 2019. Shit even jim jones album sound better than this trash. Hypocrites. Its 2019 ppl this version of nas is wack.
You certainly do not have any credibility to dismiss Nas as an artist. I want to hear the stories, it’s called history and it’s going to live forever because Nas rapped about it. We need historical references especially from POC communities, that’s how we empower ourselves and fight erasure. It’s fascinating that you describe the reviewer’s review as right, I wonder who made you the authority on right or wrong. LMAO!
This review misses the mark on a multitude of levels. This album is not a classic but is far better than NASIR, a mediocre offering from one of hip-hop’s elite. You mentioned Tanasia was “shrug inducing”….if you feel that way you have no cognizance of how far RZA had to reach back to even make a beat like this and the impeccable flow Nas gave on the track. Maaaan, fuck outta here yo. I give it a solid 4.
Legends cant break 3.5 on this stupid ass site, but garbage rappers get high 4s. Your rating system is TERRIBLE.
This review is tripping for real..
This is classic Nas
It pisses me off that he brings up Vernon Family only to say Queen’s Story is “far superior.” It isn’t a masterpiece like some are saying on here, but it’s a solid album. I think the consensus is that Nas’ b-sides are better than most rapper’s hits. The beats are surprisingly good, and Nas’ multisyllabic game is crazy. My favourite songs are No Bad Energy, Vernon Family, Lost Freestyle, Who Are You, and Beautiful Life.
Firsr off… Eat a DICK to ANYBODY who’s downplaying this long over due jazzy updated soulful music artpeice sequel. From the production storytelling and content. NaS shows fans and doubters that je can still deliver cohesive and coherent well put together music. From stories of his project’s, to sex ode stories of “Tanasia”, to playing truibute to his once upon a time collegue and Fallen Legend Bandana P (Prodigy) to his relationship and situation heartfelt song of his baby mother, he shows how he’s GROWN and Matured not only in his pen game but as a MAN. Critics and the Community just alwaysss want to Compare Illmatic young neive hard gritty 20 year old Kid NaS to every album he released after that, like He’s not supposed to grow and evolve. Well put together album… May not be a Classic like Part 1 but damn its good quality Music. 4/5
Good post. I got a buddy who says Nas is a hypocrite because he talked about “snuffin’ Jesus” on Illmatic and now has a tattoo that says “God’s Son”. I mean, if you’re the same person at 21 that you are at 31 then you’re not doing life the right way. Anyway, opinions are opinions but I always check out the popular new acts after an old school head releases something new and they just don’t compare. I just don’t know how a Migos joint can get a 4/5 and a Nas joint gets 3.1/5. On which f$&@ing planet?!
This is a solid Nasir Jones album. I don´t understand that all that wack mumble rap shit has 4 and this legendary MC get´s only 3.1???? You crazy??? Dope beats, dope rhymes, whut mo´ do ya want?
Naz is a Legend, let’s be clear first of all, In my top 2 MCs out of 5 all time.. These tracks on this projects are just unreasoned joints from years ago, and a lot of people commenting like this is a studio album. Just enjoy the music. Some joints stand out more than others, but if u a OG fan anytime the GOD drop something u should be happy.
Word my brother… Just left overs that didn’t make it.. No concept album it was bound to have no direction I feel u.. We feel the artists work PERIODT
This album review is lame
Did Jay Z pay for this review?
This album covers all of the elements of Nas as a artist. I didn’t expect this whole album to be fire and it isn’t but I appreciate it. I rather listen to this then a lot of the new wave of rap. The review is off base in certain aspects but has some truth to it.
This is shit is straight GARBAGE!!!
Of-course it is “Kelis” Lmaooooo gtfoh
solid project
Who do I have to talk to about submitting album reviews? I am a hip hop head and feel I could do 20x better with reviews.
Thanks
This Album authentically NAS!
Lies. Just lies.
This site changed for the worst.
i give this album a solid 8.5/10
This review is HORRIBLE. 7.5/10
7.5/10 is 3.75/5 so you’re actually close to what he reviewed it
This album was awesome. Review for this is way off.
The reviews as a whole have been on point lately until you wrote this one…
fucking fire, wack ass review.. same guy who gave “Drogas Wave” a 3.6 too smh. open your ears!
4/5
Most reviews these days are focused on what the artist didn’t say or didn’t address. Or a criticism on the artist as a individual. That is simply whack. The focus shouldn’t be on the fact that he didn’t address gun violence. Or he didn’t talk about about his ex wife. A review is suppose to be about the material the artist presents to us. This album has great beats and top level poetry. All this is is just weird. Nas ain’t your friend, he doesn’t owe you anything. Review the piece of art and not the artist.
Facts bruh .Seems like they want nas to make a album personally made for them.
A 3.1 rating was generous on your part. Why would Nas put out such a shitty project in the middle of a major tour ? What is going on with Nas ? Is he holding out on his good songs ? It seems like we are never going to get another classic Nas project. I’m tight.
This is your definition of a shitty project?…….WOW!!
Amazing this is the real album we should of got last year. This the true Nasir album. Review score is way off every song on here ????
Some solid song but a near average album.
Ain’t nothing average bout this album bruh. Heavyweight producers and top notch bars doesn’t equal average.
A below-par Nas album is still better than most albums, and it was great to hear the old Nas sound again, but for me the noverly of that wore off after about 3 spins and I have to admit this is not a keeper. It’s still a solid piece of work but I think the 3.1 is totally fair. We all know it is cutting room floor material and therefore it is not supposed to be a cohesive project but as a collection of random tracks it is still very hit & miss, and even the hits aren’t that great. What this did do is make me hungry for a real Nas project but judging by Nasir it seems like he is all out of inspiration.
Album is great. Stop with the unrealistic Nas expectations..
you are a fool for this review. it is fools like you who will give 10/10 to lil pump and other mumble rappers.
this album by nas is 10/10. fuck off
whoever wrote this review needs to drink a cup of bleach
Incredible album. Can’t disagree more with this review ! Straight up.
Yall super crazy, album is bad
Can you quote a bad verse from the album?
Yes! Nas is a great writer bro! But this shit sounds lazy as hell.
Quote these lazy bars?
Only mediocre song is Royalty. And that’s because it sounds a bit to poppy for my taste. The verses are fire tho. The highs on this project isn’t as high as Illmatic(or some other Nas projects) but every song on this project is solid. “No bad Energy,” all the way thru to “beautiful life” which was more about his first baby mother then Kelis. I don’t understand the comparison between “Bye Baby” and “Beautiful Life.” Both songs is fire but if I had to choose Beautiful life is better then Bye Baby. Also “Royalty “and We’re Not alone have nothing in common so why compare the songs. The production on this album isn’t as good as Nasir but unlike Nasir the production fits Nas so much better here. And the production is still fire. RZA, Pete Rock, Alchemist even Swizz delivered on this album with heat. The concepts talked about were also solid(What tired topics were you listening to) Queens Wolf for example. Now if you’re into catchy hooks and Trap beats then it’s understandable if you don’t like this album. Tho “The Art Of It” is a really catchy hook that sticks in you head. But the hook still has that 90s sound to it. This Compilation album is 4.5 out 5.
Esco wasn’t playing on this joint. He’s at his best when the beat ain’t too complex. Most of these tracks gave us vintage Nas. He should have collaborated more with Pete Rock and RZA( Along with Premo) more throughout his career.
Alchemist and Static produce Golden moments, as well.
Man this review is way too low. 3.1?!!!! Come on man! ??♂️. This album is a 4.0 for SURE. @tonybakercomedy
July 9, 2019 | 1:43 PM
This morning, I awoke to find out that my teenie white penis had grown into a massive Negro schlonger donger hanging between my pasty white legs!!! I had been praying to Allah for months day and night that my itty bitty white pee pee would grow to the length and girth of that of the typical American Negro. Today, at long last, my prayers were answered! Where once there was a tiny pink wee wee, now there is a giant black mamba, a 10 inch boa constrictor hanging out of my boxers, splayed across the floor! I thought my prayers had indeed been answered, my life was finally worth living, all the bitches would want me, and I praised and thanked the Profit Muhammed until tears streamed from my eyes and snot dripped from my nose, but I am now suddenly shocked to find that, although my penis is now Sambo-Sized, all the money that was in my bank account has suddenly vanished, my fridge is full of nothing but two week old fried chicken and malt liquor, I have dozens of illegitimate kids with names like Leroi and Shaquanna, I have four fat, lazy, angry baby mamas on food stamps, I have nothing in my wallet but a maxed out EBT card, I have three outstanding warrants for vagrancy, robbery, and public chicken consumption, I’m unemployed and I live in a filthy trap house! HELP! HEEEELLLLPPPP!!! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEE!!!
Terrible review, with some stupid information in it too (Nas’ most creative era was 98–2001? LOL. That was his dark period–post It Was Written and work w/The Firm, and prior to Ether…the only 3 years when he really fell off). Anyway the album is dope. Tanasia is one of the best tracks on the album, sounds like some It Was Written shit. This reviewer got it all the way twisted. Pay him no mind.
Nas left over tracks is once again better than 90% of what regular mc’s release. Dude been in the game since early ninteties (THATS DAMN NEAR 30 YEARS!!!) and still write fire. Incredible artist. Sidenote, a review is supposed to be a review of what you’re listening too and not just comparing to other work. You say its impossible not to compare, I’m saying step your game up.
Nas rap mix is way better than 99% fruity loops of today’s fake gum-pop!
Does the writer understand the meaning of the word disconnect?
The rating the “writer” gave is a clear reminder of the “war against love” track.
This writer sounds like a dork who never been outside. Who the fuck are you to give this kinda review? Sounds you’re mad at the rapper for something personal. This album hard you wanksta
The Pete rock joint where he flips naughty by nature is crazy. Followed by the Static joint and Alchemist 3rd.
Fuck this review, find another. career path
Yo. Go read the Drake Care Package article on Forbes. They describe unreleased compilation albums to be genius financial moves that every artist can learn from…hm.
you should lose your job with this piece of trash critique.. Who pays you?
SOLID!
Just heard the album this shit is fire. Best release this summer.
It was so-so… 3/5 cuz imma big nasir fan
Album of the year, 5/5, please go listen to this mans words.
Classic album I dont care what no one says!!!
Fucc the reviewer. A 5 from me. NaS = GOAT, amazing he can still rap this good after nearly 30 years in the game. Everyone else is finished by then. I mean, Ice T, Ice Cube, Hov ain’t that good anymore, BDK I mean everyone wow what a one in aa 7 billion type artist. God MC for sho