Album of the Year #13: Nas - King's Disease - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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Album of the Year #13: Nas - King's Disease - HipHop

Album of the Year #13: Nas - King's Disease - HipHop


Album of the Year #13: Nas - King's Disease

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 07:13 AM PST

Artist: Nas

Album: King's Disease

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Background by /u/t-why

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones is a rap singer most known for his international club anthem "Oochie Wally" and starring in blockbusters with Steven Seagal. In 2018, he teamed up with Kanye West to disappoint the Hip Hop masses with their collaboration Nasir. Nas has been criticized for his production choices for much of his post-Illmatic career, and a full album of Kanye beats was supposed to rectify this issue. But instead of receiving a magnum opus from one of Hip Hop's true GOATs, the reaction to Nasir mostly focused on hotep anti-vax bars and heated debate over who was the bigger blame for the album's mediocrity; Nas or Ye?

Nas followed up that album with 2019's The Lost Tapes 2, which unfortunately did not include many of the lost tapes that Nas stans have been waiting decades for (how long must I wait for a full version of "Serious"?). But it did include a song called "Royalty". This song was produced by Hit-Boy and would be the first (officially released, peep "Another Black Girl Lost") collabo between Nas and Hit-Boy.

Hit-Boy came into prominence with a huge impact in 2010, and ruled the charts for the next four years producing many mainstream bangers for Kanye and Jay-Z. It looked like he was going to be the next genre defining super-producer but things kinda cooled down for him over the next five years as he focused on producing for himself, his own artists, and dealt with label issues. But in 2020, Hit-Boy came back in a huge way, producing the bulk of Big Sean's Detroit 2, the entirety of Benny The Butcher's Burden of Proof, and of course Nas' King's Disease. But how would a full length collabo between a high octane bangers producer and a 46 year old MC more concerned about his venture capitalist tech stock portfolio than being the old street's disciple end up? I mean, if Kanye couldn't get Nas to give a shit, what chance did Hit-Boy have?

Review by /u/t-why

Apparently, a better chance than Ye. But maybe we shouldn't have been counting the Queensbridge OG out. His last true album was Life Is Good, the blueprint old man rap album. Nas had already shown that he could make his own 4:44 five years before Jay did. Hit-Boy gets the soul dripping on the fantastic opener title track that has HB showing up his old label boss one track into this. If you were wondering which Nas would show up here, Nasty or Escobar, "Blue Benz" answers that with rhymes about silk linens, Dom Perignon, Italian leathers, and of course blue benz-es. Like Life Is Good, Nas is toasting to the good life. He's been rich longer than he's been poor, and isn't starring out his project window anymore. But if you accept that Nasty isn't going to show up, but Escobar has some life experience and well wishes to pass on, then this album is something you'll be able to smoke and ride too, like Nas does on the smooth nostalgic reminiscing "Car #85".

Hit-Boy gets the retro keys rolling on a smooth pro-black hook heavy "Ultra Black". Of course the big talk of this song is the Doja Cat line. I don't know shit about Doja Cat so I'll let you guys debate that. This is a Hit-Boy produced album after all, so some bangers and commercial reaching cuts are expected. Now, Nas is pretty hit or miss when he goes in this direction. For every radio street anthem like "Hate Me Now", there's a clunky club "anthem" like "You Owe Me". For every "Made You Look" there's whatever the fuck "Summer on Smash" was. But Nas gets a proper banger going on "27 Summers", only wish it was about a minute longer (this whole album is a little short, even a vet like Nas is hopping on the short song bandwagon). Nas shows some love to the new school with this album. Don Tolliver croons the hook on "Replace Me" while Big Sean corns it up.

Lil Durk opens up on "Til The War Is Won". Nas goes on the defensive here. A couple years back, Nas' ex wife came out with some frightening claims about Nas. Of course, Nas denied the claims. He reiterates his innocence here and decides to celebrate the women in his life. As for what you should believe, well that's up to the listener. Next up, Anderson Paak makes his mandatory mainstream Hip Hop album appearance (where's Gunna at?) on "All Bad". The song is actually kinda smooth and soulful. But this is a Nas album so we knew Nas was going to go current events eventually. Thankfully, Nas would rather recommend you fix your uric acid levels and get some wheatgrass on "The Definition", than baselessly and weirdly claim that Fox News was started by a black dude like he did on Nasir.

In general, Nas is relaxed. This is pretty much easy listening rap. The vivid ghetto imagery of Illmatic is nowhere to be found here, but maybe it was a fool's errand to even be looking for that on a 2020 Nas album. Those craving the rich grimy details of "NY State of Mind" might not take much from this album and that's fine. But for the stuck in the 90s Loco-Motive cats, we have "Full Circle". And damn its good to hear AZ on a Nas album again, and Mega shows that he's still sharp. Its so nice and nostalgic that we can forgive Nas for not sending Foxy a text explaining what the topic of the song was (her verse killed anyways). "10 Points" gets the tempo going again while Nas takes credit for popularizing the saying "peace king" (do New York kids actually say this often? I dunno, you tell me). The album unofficially ends with maybe its most interesting beat(s) "The Cure", with its celebratory horns morphing into something more reflective, where Nas can reflect today's situation against his past experiences.

The album officially ends with the "bonus" track (even though it was released as a single) "Spicy" which ends things on, dare I say, a spicy slapper of a track. Its another proper banger from Hit-Boy where Nas gets to floss alongside a different generation of New York rappers. While not reflective like "The Cure" maybe it's the proper ending for this kind of Nas album; a contemporary heater where Nas actually sounds comfortable next to the generation that he inspired rather than lost trying to find a sound he doesn't understand. Somehow, Hit-Boy and Nas found a middleground that worked for both of them. This isn't groundbreaking stuff, but it isn't embarrassing either. Nas found a way to connect with the new generation without alienating the old bloodsucking vampires that choose the Grammy nominations. And maybe Nas finally gets that elusive Grammy that he's wanted (but would never admit) his whole career. That kind of publicity can only help Nas' stock portfolio.

Key Lyrics

"I used to be at the Tunnel, 20 deep in a huddle/Razors on us that'll make skin bubble, Moet, we guzzle/Chris Lighty let me in a few times with nines." – "Blue Benz"

"Dialogue superb, flyest cars on the curb, word / When I evolved, a higher God emerged reserved" – AZ, "Full Circle"

"Cuban link QB chain belong in the MOMA / So boomerang, you salute my twenty-seven summers / Rolls-Royce Brigade just 'cause it go with the moment / Pac saw the chain, got his medallion, I won't Insinuate imitation 'cause I copied his stomach" – "The Cure"

Discussion Questions

Were Nas and Hit-Boy a good match? Would you like to see them team up again?

Was this album too contemporary? Too commercial? Or did you like hearing Nas with new school cats?

Was the Doja Cat line a low blow? A fair shot? Or just kind of weird?

Did you hear this track that was removed from the album literally at the last minute (allowing it to be leaked accidently by Google Music)? Should it have been included on the album or was it weird hearing Nas get his LL on?

Are you now watching your uric acid levels? Did you get yourself some wheatgrass and cherries?

submitted by /u/t-why
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DOOM currently has 4 albums in the Top 10 Rap/Hip Hop Charts

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 07:53 PM PST

See here

#2: Madvillainy

#3: MM...Food

#6: Operation: Doomsday (Complete)

#9: Operation Doomsday (Remastered)

On top of this, Madvillainy is currently #6 in the iTunes Top 10 Album Charts (across all genres).

RIP DOOM

submitted by /u/maloboosie
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[SHOTS FIRED] Benzino asks Royce on Twitter 'did you make your massa breakfast this morning slave boy??' - Royce responds telling Benzino to hug his daughter more.

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 02:08 PM PST

Tweet

Benzino:

@royceda59 did u make your massa breakfast this morning slave boy??

Royce:

I'm gon take your daughter to the park and let her ride the swings if you don't quit spending your whole day being a twitter goon. She pussy popping on a handstand on IG. Now go hug her and tell her she's beautiful before Drake or Trey Songz does

Screenshot

submitted by /u/NerdGasem
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Crazy story developing as Yasin, biggest rapper in Sweden is arrested on suspected involvement in kidnapping of other big artist

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 05:12 AM PST

Earlier this year, Einar, one of the biggest rappers in Sweden was kidnapped and humiliating photos of him chained up and bloody were spread on social media. He was freed shortly after and dropped a successful album where he rapped about the incident, and police investigation has been underway since.

Einar has been controversial in Sweden as a white swedish teenager (dude blew up at like 16) with a well known actress mum achieving huge success through gangsta rap and adopting a lot of slang mostly used by immigrants in the suburbs.

Yasin (fka Yasin Byn, YasinTheDon) is as of right now probably Sweden's biggest rapper, originally blowing up as a young teenager before going away to jail for a while on gun charges. He has also been closely affiliated with Western Stockholm gang Shottaz, who have been involved in one of the country's most deadly and grim gang conflicts in suburb Rinkeby.

Late last year Yasin got out and has this year dropped two hugely successful and lauded albums (both great imo) while claiming to have left his criminal life behind him.

On new years eve however, Yasin was sadly once again arrested on suspicions of having been involved in the aforementioned kidnapping of Einar.

To put into perspective how insane this is in a swedish proportion/context, this is like if Drake was involved in a kidnapping of Travis Scott, or like a swedish version of the Tory/Meg situation, but wilder - absolutely crazy and heartbreaking news in a scene already marred by violence and controversy. Especially crazy considering they both have a lot of shared collaborators musically.

Source (in swedish): https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/just-nu-artisten-yasin-ar-haktad-misstanks-for-stampling-till-manniskorov/


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BROCKHAMPTON Announces New Era

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 07:18 AM PST

Drake’s thoughts on getting booed off stage at Camp Flog Gnaw

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 10:12 AM PST

Westside Gunn - George Bondo (ft. Conway the Machine & Benny The Butcher)

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 03:16 PM PST

DOOMSDAY - A DAY FOR DOOM, OCTOBER 31ST (SIMILAR TO DILLA DAY) FOR CONTENT INSPIRED BY DOOM

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 04:01 AM PST

Fan Animation of Avalanche track. RIP MF DOOM Greatest to ever do it.

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 12:16 PM PST

RIP MF DOOM! Here's a Cover of Accordion I Made a While Back

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 05:20 PM PST

Anderson Cooper on CNN can’t take it... SNOOP GETS HIGH EVERYWHERE

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 09:11 AM PST

Royce da 5'9 - Overcomer (ft. Westside Gunn)

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 01:09 PM PST

Kota the Friend announces "Lyrics To Go Vol. 2" releasing 1/18/21

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 06:40 AM PST

Announcement & Cover Art via Instagram

Tracklist:

  1. CLINTON HILL

  2. LUKE CAGE

  3. 200 Dollars

  4. APOLOGIES

  5. BROKEN

  6. LIVING ROOM

  7. EMOTIONALLY DUMB

  8. SANTA BARBARA

  9. POMEGRANATE

  10. FLOWERS

Lyrics by Kota the Friend

Music by Marriette Music & GC Beats

Mixed by Dakun

submitted by /u/Bobskidat
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MAC MILLER — DON’T MIND IF I DO

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 05:48 PM PST

MF DOOM, Masked Mythmaker

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 01:53 PM PST

Viktor Vaughn - Lickupon

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 04:40 AM PST

[FRESH] Jimmy Wopo - Its Jimmy

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 01:16 PM PST

[FRESH] Bad Bunny - Booker T

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 11:15 AM PST

Action Bronson & The Alchemist ft. Evidence - Bitch I Deserve you

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 09:52 AM PST

[FRESH] Blu - God Is Good

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 04:45 PM PST

MF DOOM Tribute

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 10:35 PM PST

[FRESH VIDEO] "As Above So Below" by ANKHLEJOHN (feat. Wiki)

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 11:48 AM PST

[FRESH VIDEO] Pooh Shiesty - Back In Blood (feat. Lil Durk)

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 09:25 AM PST

Word

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 09:07 PM PST

Which version of El-P is your favorite?

Posted: 02 Jan 2021 08:14 PM PST

Company Flow, Solo/Def Jux, RTJ, Which version of El-P is your favorite? Mine is a toss up of Company Flow and his Def Jux stuff, creatively he was on another level in those eras

submitted by /u/BigJilmQuebec
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