July 15th, 2008

Album Review: Nas- Untitled(On Sale Now)

Nas
Untitled
Def Jam Recordings/Columbia
4/5

Written By: Samir Siddiqui

‘”The game needs him,
plus the people need someone to believe in,
So in God’s Son we trust, cause they know I’ma give ‘em what they want
They lookin’ for a hero, I guess that makes me a hero”

It may have been the recent onslaught of super-hero movies that inspired the lead-single of Nas’ latest LP, but “Hero” is a good representation of Nas’ current position in hip-hop today. Nas is like a disgruntled super-hero who has been unsettled by recent conditions; disheartened by the state of the game, Nasir Jones incited applause and fury with his 2006 album Hip-Hop Is Dead. But after deciding to name his follow-up after the N-word (a title which was later scratched), Nas left heads wondering whether his provocations were just attempts at garnering attention, rather than sincere, bold statements. Now, with his controversial title removed, Nas presents arguably his boldest album to date with Untitled, an unwavering artistic statement that follows through with its ambitious intentions.

At the heart of Nas’ latest project is the aforementioned “Hero,” and it’s by far his best “pop” achievement to date- surrounded by impressive synths, courtesy of Polow Da Don, Nas weaves in an out of the grand production with rhymes worthy of the song’s title: “Nas’ the only true rebel since the beginning, still in musical prison/ still in jail for the flow, try tellin’ Bob Dylan, Bruce, or Billy Joe they can’t sing what’s in their soul!” On the opposite site of the sonic spectrum, DJ Toomp provides the lush strings-backing for “N.I.*.*.E.R.,” an inspiring track that chronicles the under-appreciation of African-Americans achievements under slave society.

Unlike on Hip-Hop Is Dead, where Nas would drift in and out of relevant subject matter, most of Untitled sees Nas’ lyrics focused and potent. Nas holds nothing back on the wordplay-heavy “Sly Fox,” a seething attack on Fox News, with lines such as, “What’s a fox characteristic? Slick shit, censored, misinformation, pimp the station, over stimulation/ reception, deception, Comcast, digital satan, the fox has a bushy tail, and Bush tells lies and fox trots, so I don’t know what’s real.” Likewise, the closing “Black President” is well-written and engaging, as Nas presents his honest inclination towards accepting Barack Obama’s calls for change and equality.

And although some off-topic, generic verses creep in through the cracks, the high-level of lyrical quality holds up for much of the album, as Nas challenges the practice of the principles that founded “America,” and later, cleverly compares the appeal of “Fried Chicken” to that of a no-good vixen (the horns provided on the latter song is a stroke of production mastery by Mark Ronson). While Untitled is an LP chalk-full of winning moments, the album isn’t void of slip-ups. “Make the World Go Round” is a flat pop tune full of empty synths and out-of-place Chris Brown vocals, and an otherwise solid track, “We’re Not Alone” is needlessly dragged into boredom due to its excess length. The album also could have benefitted from an extra punch in the form of the would be single “Be A Ni**er Too,” among other scratched tracks.

Still, Untitled features an invigorated Nasir Jones, and showcases one of hip-hop’s greatest emcees as still one of the most prolific acts in the game today. Lyrically, Nas challenges himself to be better, taking on serious subject matter and taking the time to tackle it with dense, well thought-out raps that do the music justice. Aided by a production line-up that is highlighted by lesser-known beat-makers such as stic.man of Dead Prez, DJ Green Lantern, and Jay Electronica, Untitled is another great achievement to add to Nas’ already stellar catalogue.

 

Tags:



129 Responses to “Album Review: Nas- Untitled(On Sale Now)”

  1. Confused, confused Says:

    You are very wrong for calling “We’re Not Alone” borings, it’s one of the most personal songs I’ve heard from Nas. PLus the beat is ultracool..

  2. BLINGEST Says:

    1steeeeeeee bitches any ways this shit iz good for hip hop righttt

  3. T2 Says:

    The game does need nas he is a true legend he brought us the greatest hip hop album of all time with Illmatic he has had alot of flaws but every so often he comes up with classic material that nobody can match. With this album he has finally got some dope beats and nas over a good beat will murder any song he never ruins a good beat but this album is a classic the beats, his flow and lyrics are dope he is back in that Esco mode again.

  4. Pounce Says:

    Good review, its a 4/5. Nas caught me on some positive shit lately so this album is perfect timing actually. I really think its a concept album after listening to it though.

  5. FLAHOMIE Says:

    LISTENND 2 THE ALBUM LAS NITE, ITS SOLID. PRODUCTON N LYRICS ON POINT.

  6. thatdude Says:

    Samir where are you from?

  7. 187!! Says:

    Review is on point

  8. Livin-Loso Says:

    Wait… My version or copy has a bonus with Esco Lets Go, Be a N too, Association.. are these songs not on the official album???

  9. just bcuz i say nigga doesnt make me dumb bitch! Says:

    ”The game needs him,
    plus the people need someone to believe in,
    So in God’s Son we trust, cause they know I’ma give ‘em what they want
    They lookin’ for a hero, I guess that makes me a hero”

    ^^^ if this is all he got then this shit is TRASH!!!

    American Gangster>>NIGGER PERIOD!!!

  10. Jay Says:

    if it was base on lyricism i would give the album 5/5
    but there was a few flaws i agree with the review the lyricism on the this album was dope Nas word play was crazy on this

  11. The Monolith Says:

    If you didn’t know that Nas was a lyrically beast, now you know. The album is bonkers. The lyrically delivery and content is unmatched in game today. There’s not one wack track on this album. Nas is the caped crusader on the mission to save Hip-Hop from the plight of wack Emcees

  12. Max Says:

    I woulda gave it a 3.5/5

    but thats cool

  13. TRUTH Says:

    more like 2.5/5
    shit was boring and eh

  14. Ms. Pam Says:

    4.5

  15. bushwick pure Says:

    oh course itll get a 4 otta 5 its not 50 cent so theyll hype it up but u know the shits gonna be boring theres nothing there thats gonna mke u wanna hear wtf he has to say point blank juss like hiphop was dead boring boring boring this is what nas has become but ya juss holding on to what ya think is the last bit of real hiphop go head hold on

  16. IDK!!!! Says:

    the people who are calling it boring..are the ones who isnt listening to the lyrics they ones who think if aint a hot beat the song is trash….

  17. LEA Says:

    THIS IS REAL FUCKIN HIP HOP, IT GETS 5/5 from me. American Gangnster can’t fuck with this.. NAS is teh GREATEST RAPPER ALIVE…..

  18. Kingpin Says:

    AN ALBUM WITHOUT

    LIL WAYNE OR JAYZ

    AND EVERY SONG IS HOTT

  19. WHITE BOY Says:

    #17 Lea’…”American Gangster can’t fuck with this” Bitch please nas is not the greatest rapper alive fuck what you heard. Don’t get me wrong Nas is cool and the album is decent. And i am listening to the lyric but dude is just boring me. I mean this album is hiphop like a mothafucka but it seem like the same old shit. And at the same time it still not the Nas from back then lyrically. And im not saying that it should be but if you rapping about the same old shit. Then that mean you ain’t got shit to say and from that Nas might as well go back to his old rap. I mean rapping about slavery is cool and all that political shit. But iv heard song like that he should rap about other real shit that go’s on in this World today. I mean i would love for him to rap about genocide or rap about slavery or even racist that go’s on today. But to rap about shit that iv already heard about shit that happen years ago it like the same old recycled topic.

  20. HOLLYWOODC Says:

    THE ALBUM IS INCREDIBLE..5/5..CLASSIC

  21. BigYouth007 Says:

    ^^^
    shut the fck up

  22. BigYouth007 Says:

    ^^^
    to #19
    shut the fck up
    eat 1000 dicks and die a 1000 deaths *bus a bus%

  23. BigYouth007 Says:

    ‘”The game needs him,
    plus the people need someone to believe in,
    So in God’s Son we trust, cause they know I’ma give ‘em what they want
    They lookin’ for a hero, I guess that makes me a hero”

    “Nas’ the only true rebel since the beginning, still in musical prison/ still in jail for the flow, try tellin’ Bob Dylan, Bruce, or Billy Joe they can’t sing what’s in their soul!”

    Damn man ain’t that some real shyt

    #19 shut the fck up
    go eat 1000 dicks and die a 1000 deaths

  24. Yedigggg Says:

    Fuck that, this album is hardbody. Better than Hip Hop Is Dead, and close up there with Hov’s American Gangster. This nigga Nas’ lyrical content is rediculous, how the fuck does he think of some of the shit he says?

  25. Ms. Pam Says:

    @19 you said this album is hip hop like a mothafucka but because it adresses a real issue ( racism and slavery ) it’s boring! you are one of the reasons why people dumb down music with beats!smh

  26. ocram Says:

    Nas you definitely didnt dumb it down. Thank-you for dropping another classic. The lyrics are the best since American Gangsta. I would have loved to hear a Black girl lost 2008 w/Alicia Keys. This is what mc’s need to take note to (structure your projects around topics and stick to them). To everyone saying that he’s talking about the same ol stuff (nigga-please)he’s able to touch on so many topics and creatively put it together lyrically. GENIUS!!!!!! 4.5/5

  27. ?uestion Says:

    This album has…

    Nas’ best content ever in an album
    The most cohesive album he’s put out (usually its all over the place)

    Best rhymes and flow since probably it was written.
    Mediocre beats. Better than anything he’s rapped on since God Son though.

    The beats (and some of the hooks) keep this from being a classic.

    Favourites
    Hero
    Testify
    Fried Chicken

    Leave off
    America
    Make the World go Round

    4.5/5

  28. Pounce Says:

    Some of the white boys on here stick out more when albums like this go over their heads…

  29. whoa Says:

    ^^^^^right

    but even if u dont like nas, if u listen to rap u gotta listen to his album. he bring sumthin new to the game with every album, he always got a song on his shits that got a different format from shit thats already been done. he top 5 dead or alive, u gotta give all his albums a listen, even if they wack overall. havent heard this album yet, but i heard its ill. i’ll cop

  30. gr3um5 Says:

    probably day after day…
    A MASTERPIECE !

  31. Robin Says:

    Best album in hiphop ever, no doubt. Very mature. A lot of rappers need to go back to the lab and try to be mc’s.
    If you don’t think this is a classic, you cannot be taken serious.
    6 mics.

  32. Ahijah Says:

    I aint heard all the tracks yet because after to many songs leaked I decided to wait but from the reviews this album is getting this album is the best album of the year so far. @ 19 u would thing is boring because it don’t relate to you, so u wouldn’t get where Nas is coming from why is it people have to dumb down lyrics just for the masses to understand them ?

    @ 26 haha co-sign they can’t relate to this album

  33. 187!! Says:

    Project Roach the best Song on the Album, niggas listen to that joint again. the flow is sicker than ever in that

  34. WHITE BOY........ Says:

    Ms Pam’ Pounce’ Ahijah’… LOL to all of you fool cuz it seem like ya’ll don’t understand what im tryin to say. Im not tryin to dumb down lyric i know what he talking about. But what i was basically tryin to say is that just because fans think that most fans are not a nas fans that doesn’t mean that we don’t listen to the lyric or understand it. I respect the album for it realness and it talking about some real life situations which is hiphop to me. But it get to a certain point where constantly rapping about the same old shit get boring.

    Nas in my opinion is one of the greatest lyrist and he can get on different topic so why rap about the same old shit. Why can he rap about some other real life shit that go’s on in this world dealing with other issue being that they do exsist. Now don’t get me wrong i know what the fuck he rapping about and i could relate to this i think anybody could relate to this. And yes i did say that Nas album is hiphop like a mothafucker but i never put it as racism and slavery that are real life issue were boring. I just get boring when you rap about it multiple time knowing good and while that there other real life issue that go’s on in this world. I mean i think it pretty easy to rap about slavery and politic it just the type form that Nas created this about made it real issue was powerful. But there just something about it that just make it same old shit like something that i heard before. Kinda like the blogs yesterday on a Nas post who said that if he wasn’t to listen to politic he would watch CNN and that true.

    Now im not saying that Nas’s album is bad but there other issue like i said that he should of mention. And im not tryin to bring Nas down and i never said that this album was wack. But i know Nas and i know he can hit us with different topic opose to just rapping about slavery and politic. And like i said im not tryin to say that he shouldn’t rap about slavery but reaching out to different topic would of made this album much better. But then again i might go cop it just to keep hiphop alive since it a hiphop album and not some soulja boy album.

  35. Ti Says:

    I respect your opinion white boy but i dont think slavery and poliics are easy topics to touch on, specially slavery. Americans can never accept a discussion about slavery mainly because it’s a touchy subject for both blacks and whites. Black can get over slavery and the reason why is because the U.S. government cannot swallow their pride and accept the fact that the history of this country aided in the slavery era.

    I know people ask what’s the point in aplogizing now, what’s that going to do. It does alot. It shows that the government acknowledges they were wrong. It’s similar to a story I heard about this kid who was shot days before his graduation and on his graduation, his school awarded him (via his family) a high school diploma. U may say whats the point, he’s dead. That may not have been a big deal to anybody else but it was a big deal to his family. He was supposed to be the first in his family to graduate from high school but was gunned down days before his graduation. How that relates is that to other races, the government acknowledging they were wrong may not be a big deal but to black people, it means alot. Once we get over that, we can have a mature discussion about slavery.

  36. WHITE BOY........ Says:

    co sign #33 Ti’….I feel u on that until most blogs. LOL

  37. WHITE BOY........ Says:

    co sign #33 Ti’…I feel u on that unlike most blogs. LOL

  38. Mrgoose Says:

    I’ve listened to the album about 4 times so far. And i must say that lyrically i think nas is at his peak right now. He seems to be getting better at picking beats also. For years nas had a tin ear. But lyrically he is light years above these other rappers. There were a few songs that had me in complete awe of his flow, cadence, word play. Shits crazy right now. Best album of the year so far to me.

  39. BlackIce Says:

    I’ve surfed a few boards and noticed most of the complaining regarding this album comes from whites.

    Further proof that you all aren’t genuinely into hiphop for the culture aspect but more for the “entertainment value”. Part of the reason why hiphop is in such disarray is because the industry and the media make artists cater to the whims of white consumers and women in general. Two demographics who have PROVEN to be consistently fickle in the face of real black music.

    If real hiphop bores you it’s because you can’t relate to it.

    I love how on “TESTIFY” Nas tells you all as much straight to your faces:

    “I know these devils are mad / little rap fans that stay out in safe suburbia / would you stand with me a United States murderer? / would you testify? buy my songs..but would you ride with me? you understand my struggle. that’s what you claim right?/ then get yo game right and get yo aim right /
    don’t buy my songs, y’all don’t roll wit it / coming to concerts singing hooooo and shit / fuq y’all little lil hoe bitches / i don’t need y’all, i’ll go gold wit it”

  40. Montgomery Mika Says:

    I love NAS but has anyone not told him that people don’t like NO IT ALL’S he has to play his position… What I mean by that is U can feel a certain way in your heart but you have to wait until the right moment in time to let it out. I am worried that he will lose his fans some how. But they say it’s better to lose the world & gain your soul. But this is hip-hop… Now what if Jay would have been screaming over Big saying he the king to early…He probably felt that way but he played his part.

  41. WHITE BOY........ Says:

    #39 blackIce’…Define and explain what the fuck real hiphop is? “Notice most of the complaining regarding this album come from whites” and your point is?

  42. Hobes22 Says:

    #39 cmon, besides one person in here whose name is WHITEBOY ther is noo proof of wat ur sayin, thats weak to make that assumption man. and OBVIOUSLY a white person could never appreciate the culture aspect of hiphop like a black kid could, how culd they? nas is one of the best ever, PERIOD and we all nas fans, so we all look for nas to do wat we personal think he should do for us and for hiphop. nas is my fave rapper of alltime, but i admit some of his shit lately hasnt been the most exciting. it cant be a sin to wana hear the best rapper alive to put out some shit thats banginnnn, u kno

  43. BlackIce Says:

    @ # 42

    I’ve observed this trend for years!

    If you have them (whites) dissect a song/artist it’s never about the content as it relates to our struggle or condition. It’s always the soundscape, the cadence, the wit, the flow, the production, etc. What’s worse is that black folks have adopted this mode of thought in approach to our own music. Their impact as purveyors of our culture have driven the industry and the public to make their ideals the rule of thumb.

    I dare say that most of the purchasing urban community figures peak at about 500k traditionally for rap. Anything beyond that is a reflection of mainstream (pop) consumerism. Hence THEIR (white) audience.

    So now we require our rap artists EXCITE us every time they champion the mic. If they don’t make radio or the club circuit they must all of a sudden be “lame” or “boring”.

    I maintain that a car full of men rolling around with “Lolipop” at audible maximum is evidence of the decline I speak of. Should our music as a culture center around swagger and club themes? As a man should your musical repertoire consist of music centered around nightclub anthems? Is this the sound scape you seek even when you don’t frequent such establishments?

    I think not. Music shouldn’t just entertain, it should feed the spirit something substantial. It should in turn reflect that spirit. If popular hiphop as it exists today is indeed a representation of our community, than we are in a bad way!

    Especially if we all agree that HIPHOP isn’t just music but a culture.

  44. WHITE BOY.............. Says:

    #42 Hobes22….I don’t agree with your comment about white people not appreciating the culture of hiphop. I personally can’t give you a white person point of view or about there thought on the culture of hiphop. I also disagree with you about white people not appreicating hiphop like black people. I mean that sound a lil racist and im sure that why white people don’t appreciate it. For me i respect and appreciate the culture aspect of hiphop. And i would hate for a person to get my word twisted. Nas is not my fav rapper but he is one of the greatest rappers of all time. And he can put out what ever he wan’t and im not gonna knock a Nas fan for there own opinion. But the way people are making it seem is like this album is for straight up black folk and not in general. And dew to that i expected more from Nas and if this album is the type of direction he heading to then i don’t know what to say. But it cool tho #42 i kinda understand where your coming from and at the same time. I hope you undestand where im coming from and stop lookin at it as a black thing cuz it not.

  45. Livin Loso Says:

    lol White Boy you if you truly white you dug your-self a hole… Good Luck climbing out of it.. Most Retrogressive Whites don’t like being reminded of some inconvenient truths about their ancestors and this countries past.. I could go into details but I would rather not.. Just remember that the Europeans all but made Native Americans instinct in their own country and have almost erased their history.. As a matter of Europeans erased their history and created a holiday in honor of a Massacre (Thanksgiving)..

  46. BlackIce Says:

    What’s more is that EVERY other genre of music consists of artists who’re renowned for compositions that express the struggles of the human condition. Rock, country, etc…almost all of them.

    The only two genres where media and the public insist an artist can’t be in heavy rotation when illustrating something revolutionary or thought provoking are rap and r&b.

    Just think about that!

  47. WHITE BOY.............. Says:

    #44 living loso…Again who ever said i was white dumb ass Eorupean Native American. I mean does it look like i care where the fuck your from. And just for your info who ever said that i was afriad off being reminded about slavery. Get your fact straight and don’t mention shit that you don’t know about and that you can’t prove bitch.

  48. Livin Loso Says:

    Whoa, you sound mad.. its not that serious but look I’m going to press play on my wayne Georgia Bush and get back to doing what I do.. That song is crazy by the way you should check it out

  49. PERPLEX Says:

    this shits dope

    4.5/5

    for me…

    i cant believe he said ”were not alone” is boring..shits dope to me

    but yo..dude said leave america off?????

    thats America song goes hardddddddd!

    shits a dope cd

    chill out and light an L

  50. BLACK BOY............. Says:

    When I watch CBS, I see BS
    so true

  51. searchforthelight Says:

    First and foremost…stop comparing American Gangster to this album…why people always gotta compare shit when this is a review for NIGGER… this album is classic for nowadays… holla!!!

  52. cfranco Says:

    I’m very excited to listen. I appreciate that Nas is willing to tackle racism in America. Def Jam should have let him keep the album name, though.
    http://www.hiptics.com

  53. Scolla Says:

    man, take this review off….how can you review it without the album out…when the Source used to review it they had access to the final album

    this samir character probably didnt incorporate the bonus disc which has 3 tracks….or let the album sit

    on top of that…who knows what samples get cleared and what makes it or not

  54. Ahijah Says:

    @ Whiteboy Nas wanted to go in a new direction and speaks on issuses which other rappes don’t touch on because their scared of losing their white fans. People throught the album name was a gimmick but you’re kidding yourself if you really throught he could just drop that album with the name. Jena 6 last year, Don Imus, Sean Bell in 06 & the cops getting off this year, Bill O Reily attacking Hiphop constantly proabaly abit more aswell. Anyways with Obama running for presidency you could say it was perfect timing to speak on these issuses which get ignorned by the media, like how Al Sharpton only shows up with the Jena 6 & Seasn Bell cases when their are TV crews. You may find Nas topics is boring but I’d rather he speak on these issuses that guns,drugs,money like alot of rappers speak on because it relates more to me. Alot of rappers are scared to speak on the real issuses so they speak on what most rappers do they love copying the next man which is where Hiphop is going wrong their are following somebody isn’t bein true to themself.

    “Anytime we mention our condition, our history, or existence they calling it reverse racism”. – Nas

  55. Ms. Pam Says:

    you already posted the review!

  56. Livin Loso Says:

    #53 i agree completely agree.. The so called Final tracklist still hasn’t been made official..

    Esco Lets Go is on the album
    Association with Stic Man ????
    Nigger hatred intro, Queens get the money is not the intro

    This review should be taken down until the 15th

  57. krewsho Says:

    NAS is the true king of hip hop .THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE GODSON

  58. Ms. Pam Says:

    Nas is definitely worth every dollar! I can’ wait 7/15!

  59. WHITE BOY Says:

    ^^^^^^^Ahijah… I haven’t listen to the whole album but if it true that Nas is speakin about multiple issues that you mention. Opose to just talk about slavery then i respect and appreciate that. But if he just rapping about slavery and that the main thing he targeting. Then there know reason for me to waist my time listening to the same shit but in a different formate. And it not gonna change my opinion on Nas cuz dude is still one of the greatest. But if the album is targeting on one issue that iv heard before then there reason for me to look at his album as something new different and special period. I mean there certain opinion of ya’ll that i understand and i know that the point that ya’ll are tryin to prove is that Nas is moving to a different direction. But if that direction ain’t targeting multiple issue but just one then i ain’t buying it simple as that.

  60. jay-Ace Says:

    this shit i hot … i listen to this album everyday .. and umm the lyrics is hot and i like everytrack besidez were not alone make the world go round and there not even all that bad .. this goin is hot 4.5/5

  61. JUNY ::bka:: skeevDaRikan (click my name y'all) Says:

    @53, scolla….how do YOU know about a 3 bonus song disc??? there IS no such thing…… people are taking the album, adding those three songs and posting it up on piratebay and demonoid… the ACTUAL album only has 2 bonus songs, one of which is in the middle of the album…..those two songs are “Proclamation” & “Who Are You”….NOBODY has heard those tracks yet….”Be A Nigger Too”, “Nigger Hatred”, “War Is Necessary”, & “I’m On” are not on the official album….OH, AND TO CLEAR IT FOR THOSE WHO DONT KNOW….Be A Nigger Too aint on the album, due to the fact that the sample could NOT be cleared for the album, and the hook, which is a take on the old Dr. Pepper commercials…(I’m A Pepper, He’s A Pepper…), has been criticized by the soda company and they been fighting to keep this song from being officially released……

    The album however….CRACK…..dope as shit…5/5, classic for real. what mc these days do u know is tackling this racist issue head on, and do it so superbly?? These kids need to hear it, these “chil’en” need to know whats goin on, and support change, yimean???

  62. for real?? Says:

    @ #39 BlackIce… i don’t understand..”Two demographics who have PROVEN to be consistently fickle in the face of real black music.” How have WHITES and WOMEN been proven to degrade the face of “real black music”.. that some ignorant ish. If your trying to say you can’t go hardbody with a track for the women think of Meth & Mary’s “You’re All I Need” As far as the White ppl.. Some of them appreciate real issue b/c they read. I like 15th century European History but I live in the 21st century US. Expand your mind and you can move across demographics.

    @ #59 White Boy.. You confuse me as well. You admittedly state that you haven’t listened to the album. I refuse to as well, I have the mixtape but i wanna wait to listen to the official. Even if it is an entire album about slavery you haven’t heard NaS’s take on the topic so to say it something you heard before is not true. That’s like reading one chapter of a book and playing like you understand the whole thing.

    Imo, people need to keep putting out cohesive albums… it’s a way to step your game up… American Gangster and now Untitled both challenged Jay and Nas to step up their lyrical game. Every emcee can write a single, not everyone can write an album.

    I’m looking forward to 7/15 but i’m co-signing #53, how you gonna put out a review for an album that ain’t even out yet?

  63. MEE Says:

    The Album is GREAT stop with the comparison bull DAMN. And We’re Not Alone is one of the best tracks on the album even though I don’t know if I believe in UFO’s, Aliens and so on.And Fried chicken is fyah love that track. Anyways I’m buying it, I’ll always support artist who are great at there craft.

  64. GuiltyAsSin Says:

    (To The White Boy)
    That sounds racist, but that’s what you answering to,; how the hell you act like you listened to the album, and understand what Nas is talkin about, but then you say you need to go listen to it cause you aint heard it. Plus, I can tell you don’t listen to Nas or haven’t heard the classic material Nas has released, because he talks about alot more than slavery, which I feel he barely talks about until recently. He just constantly speaks on world issues, rather than fall in with the catchy trends, which can sometimes be looked at as out of touch with times, or seem like he is being redundant. But his message is clear, his lyrics are unmatched, and he speaks on things that matter, not things such as “Lolipops”, all the time. Nas stays relevant because he never holds his tongue on the important issues,anybody can talk about a gun and what they can do to somebody, or how much money they got, or how many bitches they fucked or how good it was, feel me? My best friend is white, his favorite rapper is Nas, he goes to work with a button up every day, makes close to 50thou /yr, and he appreciates Nas’s intelligence even more than me! I like Jay-Z slightly better cause I feel he bridges – being conscience & being gangsta wit his raps – but we agree that hip hop started from rappers being political, and trying to send a message through their music, but all types of music is accepted! I just feel its ignorant to say its boring for somebody to talk about what’s really going on in the world, thats being blind to the facts! Music is powerful, it can control your mindstate, so don’t just listen to music for good beats(its important), it’s not everything!

  65. backlash Says:

    I Haven’t Heard it Yet But From Reading All The Comments And The Album Review it Sounds Like it’s Fire.. This Is Definitely a Copp For Me.

  66. GuiltyAsSin Says:

    The album is tight, the tightest album I’ve heard from Nas scince, God Son! I like this album better than GodSon though, I think! If you combine some of the songs from the mixtape, this is a classic album, no doubt about it! Definitely some of Nasir’s best work! I was in awe at some of his lyrics and cadences, damn, just amazing. If you an MC you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I don’t even like DJ Khalid, but check that track that he produced for Nas “I’m On”, Nas lit up! I think it’s just on the Nigger Tape, not the album!

  67. WHITE BOY Says:

    #62 be real’ and #64 guilty assin’…For both of your info i said i haven’t listen to the whole album. Iv heard more then less so far and now that iv head the whole album im now giving my opinion period. And how in the hell is that racist then you said. “I can tell that you don’t listen to Nas or haven’t heard the classic materials Nas has release”. How do you know what i have heard and haven’t heard again don’t mention shit that you can’t prove.

  68. for real?? Says:

    White Boy

    I’ma take it that you lumped me and 64 together for ease but i don’t know who you talking to. you still got me confused. you shoulda just directed your comments to 64… i said you ain’t heard NaS on THIS album about THIS topic.. i never said you ain’t never listened to Nas. so that is directed elsewhere.. i ain’t call you racist either.. so that’s directed elsewhere.. BUT

    “For both of your info i said i haven’t listen to the whole album. Iv heard more then less so far and now that iv head the whole album im now giving my opinion period.”

    WELL.. What is it? you still ain’t said nothing.

  69. we stone Says:

    ignorant people can’t appreciate this type of music, and as of now more than half of the US is willfully ignorant cuz they’re too fat and happy for their own goods.

  70. GuiltyAsSin Says:

    “Whiteboy” = I said that sounds racist!
    I did not want to adress u as that, but you answer, so, well, hmm…. anyway,
    U said u aint heard all the album, but u givin your opinion? Man u confused, I’m not gone get mad typin on this internet, cause I can’t strangle yo ass over the internet, but know what the fuck you talkin about before u speak on it little boy! I’m hip hop to the fullest degree, and for the record I will smack fire from yo face, I know that and you know that inside i think, that’s why you get on the net and try to curse at people and call people names when their smarter than you, you sound ignorant when you speak(your words & grammar) so I can tell you young, or either you just stupid, so process of elimination, I give you the benefit of the doubt and just say you young and don’t know nothin about hip hop, it’s easily revealed! Everything you are saying sounds like you are misinformed, and u don’t know what you are talking about! You said ” i don’t want to hear this album if all its gone talk about slavery, it gets boring, and then you say he is one of the greatest lyricist ever, then you say you listen to some of it but not all of it, but if he is talking about all the topics that other dude mentioned you might listen to it, LMAO! You all over the place. I don’t have to speak on what I don’t know, you tellin on ya damn self with yo’ lame ass comments, we can tell you don’t know what you are talkin about, ya digg! Your a hip hop imposter and your the only one that doesn’t know it. Nas always talks about different world issues, examle: Presidents, racism, politics, drugs, violence, poverty, and slips in some lines about the bitches& money if that’s what you like, stop jumpin in on conversations and getting half the information. Yes, Nas sometimes can use sub-par beats, and yes his flow can sound the same sometimes, but you were trying to say his lyrics get boring, “WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU, YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE”!!!

  71. GuiltyAsSin Says:

    In the words of my favorite rapper, and your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper: “Do you fools listen to music or do u just skim through it”? You see “white boy” hip hop culture was started so that we could have our own way of communicating with each other, without you fake muthafukas knowing whats goin on. That’s where u get graffi and breakin and DJing and rappin, therefore jewels such as the one quoted from Hov, mean something, he is not just saying it to make it rhyme or to complete his song, but because he wants you to understand from his perspective what the fuck is going on!
    Niggas is still hatin
    Talking that “nas done fell off with rhyming, he rather floss with diamonds”
    They pray “please God, let him spit that ozzie and the army linin”
    “that shorty doowop rollin oo-whops in the park reclinin”
    Take 27 emcees, put them in a line and they out of alignment
    My assignments since he said retirement
    Hiding behind 8 mile and The Chronic
    Get’s rich but dies rhymin, this is high science
    Now add 23 more for queens to be more, I’m over they heads
    Like a bulimic on a sea-saw
    Now that’s 50 porch monkeys ate up at the same time
    Nasty nas that
    Yall gonna bow holmes, this is dow jones
    80 cal. chrome, needed time alone to zone
    The mack left his iPhone and his nine at home
    My queen used her milkshake to bring ya’ll to my slaughterhouses
    I do this for the group home kids and boarding houses
    This that nigga shit that’s on the album
    For them niggas inside the calk linin, 40 houses
    Bring back Arsenio,
    Hip hop was aborted, so Nas breaths life back into the embryo
    Let us make man in our image, spit it,
    I’m Huey P. and Louie V. at the eulogy throwing malatas for Emmitt
    You ain’t as hot as I is
    All of these false prophets is not messiahs
    You don’t know how high the sky is
    The square mileage of earth or what pie is
    I’m the shaky hand that touched George Foreman in Zaire
    The same hand that punched down devils that brought down the towers

  72. for real?? Says:

    white boy… let me break #64’s use of the word racist for you… (ya know sometimes we gotta dumb it down)..

    GuiltyAsSin feels that referring to you as “White Boy” sounds racist.

  73. GuiltyAsSin Says:

    Ignorance is the condition of being uninformed or uneducated, lacking knowledge or information on a certain subject.

    To Whiteboy: That defines you today, you say you have not listened to the whole album but you claim its boring, that’s speakin on something your not fully informed on. I know a little about medicine, that does not mean I can get up on a medical site and talk about a medication when I have not tried the fuckin medication! Your only partially informed, therefore you ignorant on the subject because you have not listened to the whole fuckin album! And you say Nas only talks about slavery, so that’s how we know you have’nt truly listened to Nas!

  74. GuiltyAsSin Says:

    This universal apartheid
    I’m hog-tied, the corporate side
    Blocking y’all from going to stores and buying it
    First L.A. and Doug Morris was riding wit it
    But Newsweek article startled big wigs
    They said, Nas, why is he trying it?
    My lawyers only see the Billboard charts as winning
    Forgetting – Nas the only true rebel since the beginning
    Still in musical prison, in jail for the flow
    Try telling Bob Dylan, Bruce, or Billy Joel
    They can’t sing what’s in their soul
    So untitled it is
    I never change nothin’
    But people remember this
    If Nas can’t say it, think about these talented kids
    With new ideas being told what they can and can’t spit
    I can’t sit and watch it
    So, sh!t, I’ma drop it
    Like it or not
    You ain’t gotta cop it
    I’m a hustler in the studio
    Cups of Don Julio
    No matter what the CD called
    I’m unbeatable, y’all
    WHOA!!!!!!

  75. Luc Says:

    “fuck all yall little little ho bitches, I don’t need yall ill go gold with it”- NaS

    the opposite of sellout, something yall youngins can’t identify with. You wouldn’t testify

  76. Luc Says:

    PS Im white

  77. GuiltyAsSin Says:

    not that it matters, but I’m half white, Mom’s is from England…. i feel ya though Luc!

  78. Nyce Jonez Says:

    This is a Nas classic. Rappers are going to change their content after this. Nas changed the game again. Th only people who won’t feel it are ones who have no clue f any of the names/ books that are being mentioned. I bet most people have no clue who Willia lynch is or are aware of the willy lynch letters on slavery. we all have a computer so do your research and listen to the album you will be amazed.

    Peace

    Nyce Jonez

  79. Livin Loso Says:

    ^^ Real Talk ^^ He just dropped a blueprint.. (No Pun on Krs one or Jay) for the game… You already see Lil Wayne and Rich boy following in his footsteps (Wayne Misunderstood) (Rich Boy bigger than the mayor mixtape) stepping up their lyrical content on song but look at Killer Mike who was a mainstream MC who went independent and is dropping FIRE… I can’t stop bumpin Untiled or the Nigg*r tape

    One of the best albums this decade
    Stillmatic
    Get Rich Or Die Trying
    Be
    The Carter
    The Blueprint
    College Dropout
    Food & Liquor
    The Chronic 2001
    UNTITLED

  80. Slim Says:

    Too all you Nas hatters, you will never be able to comprehend what he’s saying cause you all only concern with materialism and not what the message is. In these times and what’s going on today in the world and the rap game some folks don’t wanna hear “i got money”. Every body don’t have money, its a hot song but i wanna hear shit that me think, make me play it again and again to LISTEN to what that person talking about, shit that challenge my way of thinking, make me research on names homie mentions in his music, make me aware of whats really going on. One love to everybody…

  81. Cashmoney86 Says:

    My bad again

    1. Illmatic
    2. God Son
    3. Untitled
    4. Stillmatic
    5. Lost tapes
    6. I am
    7. It was written
    8. Hip Hop is dead
    9. Streets Disciple
    10. Nastradomus

  82. Getmoney Says:

    Cashmoney you smokin or somethin?? Why is It Was Written all the way at number 7 on your list?? That shit was classic.. 2nd to Illmatic boy..you crazy??? The list go like this:

    1.Illmatic
    2.IWW
    3.Lost Tapes
    4.Untitled
    5.Stillmatic
    6.Nastradamus
    Then you got the rest in no order.

  83. datdude Says:

    10/10 I’d say factoring in the subject matter this album may trump illmatic, needs like 45 more listens before I even start thinking that, but still, amazing album!

  84. Getmoney Says:

    I aint even read the hater comments.. I know there are some, but Nas already has reached legendary status, so that speaks for itself. Plus everyone has haters, so its natural. NAS is the true best rapper alive I dont give a fuck what anyone says.. Nobody is seeing him

  85. Slim Says:

    You damn right getmoney, there’s no one on big homie’s level.
    One love to everybody..

  86. depps Says:

    This album touched my soul on a whole other level. It definetly restored my blackness. If u no a nigga that lyricaly gets in like this dude, let me know. Listen to the last verse on were not alone. ” My pimp strut was invented when they whipped us “

  87. brickz88 Says:

    iight i heard this whole entire album yestaday and today non stop and to tell you the truth its not good at all its a fucking classic in all aspects lyrics, wordplay, and beats..i dont give a fuck what anybody says im coppin two of these one off itunes and one in fye and i already reserved them both so its a fact.. this shit deserves a 5/5, 10/10, 4/4, and 5 mics evything.. one of the illest albums from nas period..100

    Bx zulus all day evy day

  88. Unkle Dall Says:

    5000 mics, Nas is on a level way above todays so called greatest rapper(s). The only reason this album would be boring is cause a NIGGA is not educated enough to appreciate the truth being spit. These xombified so called hip hop cats dont know real music from nursery rhymes. Nas for Vice president, Barak 08.

  89. Ras Marley Says:

    tied with Rising down ,Nigger is the best album of 07 so far

  90. 1st 2 say Says:

    can yall get nas’s nutsack off yall’s forehead for just a sec.?

  91. better Says:

    Is it just me or if Nas would have just titled his album “the N word” it would have been the perfect name insted of Nigger cause it implies both his name and the word

  92. kevin Says:

    @31…u must have not listened to all eyes on me to say it’s the best album ever ..it’s a classic tho i’ll give u that…i’d say it’s the best/biggest hiphop album since get rich or die trying…

  93. Mrgoose Says:

    I went and copped the album today.

  94. HAHA Says:

    GuiltyAsSin wrote on July 7th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    “Whiteboy”

    “…you sound ignorant when you speak(your words & grammar) so I can tell you young, or either you just stupid, so process of elimination, I give you the benefit of the doubt and just say you young and don’t know nothin about hip hop, it’s easily revealed!”

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

  95. The Bronx Says:

    it’s an alright cd it’s the usual crying and complaining from nas at least its a lil better than hhid.

  96. rule rules Says:

    this shit is real knowledge,the rest of the game most feel sorry for themselves lol but aint nobody cant fuck with nas now,lets make him number one in numbers too cause that will be a well deserved title not like that lil wayne and the rest of that just good rappers,me and my brother already bought it

  97. WHITE BOY Says:

    I can tell that blog on this website are some nerdy ass school boy that can’t keep my name out there mouth LOL. It make me wonder if ya’ll are a bunch of nerdy ass cock suckers or something cuz my name is alway in your mouth. And until ya’ll can understand that this is a website and not a school for nerds then ill reply you with an insult. But until then ya’ll can go on and fuck yourself with a kitchenknife cuz i am not one of your nerds..#91 i can tell your one of them.

  98. truth Says:

    cosign #94… nas needs to sell a couple million albums or something to make this type of music the new “cool” so ppl can stop worshipin bullshit music and lameass rappers

  99. truth Says:

    i meant i agree with 93…i defitnitely don’t agree with whiteboy of all ppl ..lol i dnt even bother readin nothin tha idiot writes

  100. 2cents Says:

    I’m fckin wit Black Ice but #88 Unkle Dall said it best!!!

    Copin this manana!

  101. WHITE BOY Says:

    ^^^^^^ Go fuck yourself bitch.

  102. WHITE BOY Says:

    ^^^^^^^ Go fuck yourself bitch…truth

  103. dolo Says:

    best album since i can remember… this album is what hip hop is about..straight mc ing

  104. ReBeL Says:

    Copped mine today!

  105. rule rules Says:

    yeah man good idea lets make a movement and support nas,every motherfucker that like hip hop and nas type of music cop that shit and since that cd its one of the few real hip hop albums that can actually make great numbers lets make it happen and if he do that well in sales it will bring the new era of that kind of rap because everybody nowdays seems to care bout sales and think thats everything,i bet if he do it everybody will think different and that could make a big change for people that play the videos play in the radio and evrything

    lets go esco you are the don

  106. SIVIL Says:

    lol…White Boy…shut the fuck up, eat a dick and die slow..u Cracker!!

    Go buy the album first, listen to it before u come and put up ur silly comments. And, i hope u dont live in the ghetto, coz if u do, u might just not celebrate ur 30th birthday.

    Dont play around black pple with ur bitchass mentality!

    Go listen to Soulja Boy, Cold Play, Britney and some silly ass country music.

    Fuck UUUU, White(Pink) Boy…U a ho

  107. Billion Kid Says:

    the game is everything excepted Nas

  108. B! Says:

    aww man..Nas is the truth duggie period!..please school these buffonery ass lollipop simple minded dancing like bitches clowns what tight lyrics over sick beats is really about 4.5 mics n my book..holla..Obama for ya mama niggaz!

  109. Tha Revolution Says:

    Lynch da Crackers!!!!!!!!!… yo white boii…black americans and latinos are taking over the country…and there’s nuthin that wud please us more than 2 lynch a whitie…n dats real…especially an ignorant 1 like urself…u 1 of them cats that mad becuz we mastered this hip hop shit and makin u honkies sing n dance 2 it…I luv it…

  110. FlyKid. Says:

    Lol, Comments 101&102, White Boy Is Telling To Fuck ‘Himself’. lmao

  111. Benit4real Says:

    YOU GOT TO READ THIS ARTICLE!!! This jsut shows how brilliant Nas is on the new album. How brilliant!!!! Read what this jerk off Greg Kot wrote in the chicago tribune!!!

    http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/turn_it_up/2008/07/nas-fails-to-in.html?cid=122523586#comments

  112. korlai Says:

    White boy eat a dick!! you over here talking like you know what the fuck you’re talking about but you don’t know shit!! In your initial post that started all this: post #19 you claimed Nas rhyming about slavery is old then in your own turn around suggesting what real shit you would love to hear Nas talk about you fucked around and mentioned that you would love to hear him talk about slavery!!!! what the fuck?? and you think you have something real to say………. In case your dumbass doesn’t remember what you said I’m quoting you from post #19; “I mean rapping about slavery is cool and all that political shit. But iv heard song like that he should rap about other real shit that go’s on in this World today. I mean i would love for him to rap about genocide or rap about slavery or even racist that go’s on today. But to rap about shit that iv already heard about shit that happen years ago it like the same old recycled topic.”

  113. WHITE BOY Says:

    @ #106 #109 #110…Im sure all 3 of ya’ll are the nerds that i metion on one of my post. All 3 of ya’ll are some nerdy ass hoe’s that probably be eating each other dick like some fags. And it funny how all 3 of ya’ll fags got at me at the same time. That must mean that all 3 of ya’ll probably know each other and probably be fuckin each other like a bunch of dirty ass hoe’s…”blacks and latino are taking over the country”…Ok what is that suppose to mean you fuckin wetbacks. If that the case then bring your mother to my house so i can fuck her. And just for your info #106 SIVIL i listen to all type of music especially your mom when she be moaning in the bed when we be fuckin.

  114. Young Jedi Fresh Says:

    man……………what can i say..he did it again. First off a message to all the haters and ignorant n!ggas…Do you listen to music or do you just breeze through it?

    If you breeze through the album i would give it a 2/5…however if you listen and listen close…you would agree with the 4/5 that this album was given.

    Positives-Queens gets the money, You Cant stop us now, Breathe, Hero, America, Testify Sly Fox, N.I.G.G.E.R, Louis Farakhan and everyting else.

    Negatives-Make the world go round and Black President

    This is a solid Nas album as usual and he is the greateste emcee ever!

  115. WHITE BOY Says:

    #106 SIVIL’…I listen to all type of music for your stupid ass info especially when i be fuckn your mother in the bed she be moaning and shit WOW…#109 Tha Revolution’…”black and latino or taking over the country”…Ok whats that suppose to mean you fuckin wetbacks. And if that the case then tell your mother to come to my house so we can fuck…#110 FlyKid’…Your just another follow who probably want attention.

  116. Jay-Ace Says:

    instead of being out of topic and talkin about other peoples mom .. just grow up.. but naah the Cds fresh i cop that shit early in the morning there was a line lol this cd is a must to hear Cd.. and dont skip no tracks listen to it all and then you will see.. about the cd..

  117. Petee Alaye Says:

    White boy you need 2 eat a dick I can tell you are used to listening to some Souljah boys , D4L or Them fransize Boys.First of all go listen to the whole cd before you shit an opinion bout the album.Secondly you saying if you wanna hear about slavery you rather watch cnn….duh….Cnn,Fox,CBS….All are the same shit, only made for dumb-ass people like you ,they know you are ignorant so they can feed you all kind of crap.Go eat a dick stupid.

  118. BoChosen Says:

    Brilliant piece of work. Nas is a visionary, always has been and always will be. He’s a man for the people and a menace to those who attempt to divide one from the soul. He’s about erasing barriers with the concepts of inclusion, creativity, wisdom, evidence, life experience, and spirituality. As indicated, this has NOTHING to do with race, but everything to do with surviving and living. With the New World Order and various agendas in place, unity is the solution. He’s one of many who can overstand the climate of oppression and express the ideas & concepts to expose it. He challenges the people to think, which is the starting blocks for man to prosper. Regain your awarness and take back the power. His genious cannot be rivaled, only added to… He’s truly a Prophet in todays times.

  119. F.B Says:

    This album is a classic no stupid skits..straight ryhming this album was what the game been missing…In for those people who think hiphop is dead album was weak think what it did for hiphop it made your lil wayne david banner to think creative…creativity is what the game is missing…so hiphop is still alive thank NAS…

  120. SIVIL Says:

    @ WHITEBOY!

    Dude/bitch….dd u go to school? I find ur reasoning stupid…if we posted comments at the same time does that mean we knw each other….??? And since u sound obsessed with this homo shit….”tell me how my ass tastes”

    Go to school then university, get ur first degree and start toking to me.

    And by the way my moms passed away! It is totally disrespectful for u to tok abt my mum..Lets keep this between me and u! Fuck U!! U a Ho!

    If u dnt understand real hip hop, man, please get ur dick off this post.

    And do something with ur life…..get a job, if u dont have one…and most importantly go to school, U Cracker!!!

  121. N.I.G.G.E.R. Says:

    Everybody keep saying Nas rapping bout the same ol’ shit or it’s not better than American Gangster. But on some real shit, all Nas albums are different from each other. And American Gangster is just another Jay-Z album released AGAIN with bangin production. But when a nigga touch on real issues, he gets shitted on. I guess he shoulda spoke about bitches, drugs and wheels. That BULLSHIT. Nas hit us with a classic. The only CLASSIS co far this year. Sorry Weezy and G Unit stans.

  122. N.I.G.G.E.R. Says:

    The only CLASSIC co far this year. Sorry Weezy and G Unit stans.

  123. N.I.G.G.E.R. Says:

    PS – All y’all involved in arguing on blogs are faggots. Won’t none of y’all approach nobody face to face. So kill all that tough guy shit.

  124. Lourdes Says:

    Nas has never disappointed! And continues to hail supreme with this album! I’ll always support him with no hmmm-hawwing period. I often find myself second guessing whether or not I should shell out the cash for an Album(Little Wayne included), wIth so much garbage out here it seemed we would never re-coup in Hiphop as a culture. But, thanks to Nas and this thought provoking piece. HE has matured and evolved into a class by himself. No one can touch this, and now the rest can only strive to be like Nas!
    Im so pleased to see that the majority of the blogs Ive read are praising this well-needed masterpiece!!! Hes a revolutionary indeed. Thank you Nasir JOnes!

  125. we stone Says:

    BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR. HIS LYRICS SHITS ON EVERY RAPPER OUT.

  126. Smart'n Up Says:

    Ive been bumpin the album the last couple days and it is legit. Classic status imma hold off on labeling it that tho, the subject matter is dope and its put togther well…but i cant put my finger on it…its sumtin missing…I hate he left “be a nigger to” and “nigger hatred” off the album…i think that would have really completed it. Some of the joints I really like tho are to short. 4/5 for me at this moment, time will tell though. Nas has a flow of his on you can say his shit and you know its dope but its so laid back that you barely want to rewind it and hear it again… nah mean

  127. Krewsho Says:

    NAS did it again another beautiful body of work ,his album is put together well as always he comes thought.And his album is not all over the place like everybody he has one topic that he get to GODSON IS HIP HOP

  128. Besteezy Says:

    for the true hip hop heads out there you can truly appreciate the lyricism! this man is a lyricist to the fullest…nas is it for me. for the folks that call him boring my God whats up with you!?!? what’s wrong is that most people don’t like to think and they don’t like listening to music that makes them think. nas is one of the greatest. people have to realize what hip hop…good hip hop derives from. and he is that. the album…LOVE IT, got the mixtape as well. especially we’re not alone…LOVE that track!!!

  129. tre Says:

    blacks talk about murder and kill kill, what about grind house and kill bill! nas

Leave a Comment

Automatically add your My.Rawkus profile avatar and a link to your profile. Simply use the email address and password of your My.Rawkus account. Not a member? Signup for FREE!





Total Hits: Site Meter
By registering and/or using the www.RealTalkNY.net website you agree to the terms of its Disclaimer