OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 21: Nas performs during EMBA Fest 2020 at Oakland Arena on February 21, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
The new Nas album’ “King’s Disease II”, the new album from the New York rapper released earlier this month on August 6. In the latest in a string of huge career triumphs for the rap legend, King’s Disease II debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart. According to Billboard, the album has sold over 56,000 total album-equivalent units in its first week.
Nas’ scores his highest charting album in nine years!
The sales of King’s Disease II surpass those of its predecessor, which sold over 47,000 copies and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. It’s Nas’ highest-charting album since Life Is Good, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2012 and sold roughly 149,000 copies. King’s Disease II marks Nas’ fifteenth Top Ten debut, 25 years after his first. Back in 1996, It Was Written, his sophomore album, opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the first of six chart-topping albums for him.
Since the release of “King’s Disease” last year, Nas has marked the 25th anniversary of his classic album “It Was Written” by providing a deluxe edition of the album with unreleased material, as well as collaborating with Jay-Z for the first time since 2008 on DJ Khaled’s new single “Sorry Not Sorry”. With appearances by Eminem and EPMD, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and YG, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Charlie Wilson, Blxst, and co-executive producer Hit-Boy, King’s Disease II has earned widespread critical acclaim, with many saying that the album tops the original.
Nas won his first Grammy with King Disease nearly 30 years into his career. Instead of writing a long “thank you” letter, he made a statement by delivering a masterpiece. This is a beautiful time to be a Nas fan. pic.twitter.com/uzzYJPbbbB
Nas employs Hit-Boy as executive producer for album.
Nas Is Back
There was a point in time when it was almost expected for an artist to “age out” of hip-hop. If an artist has a run for couple of years, they’d be considered a success. If the artist continues to produce for about a decade, they’d be considered an all-time great. However, what about the MCs who have been doing it almost 30 years?
No, we’re not talking about some random rapper from years past that pops up and performs novelty hits either. We’re talking about rappers who have consistently put out respectable bodies of work that gets people talking. Nas has been doing this for27 Summers, and further he’s still as sharp as the Bevel Blade that crafts his signature fade. (That’s a bar!)
God’s Son
On Nas’s 13th album King’s Disease, the 46-year old provides God-like insight on every track, covering a multitude of subject matters. Whether he’s reminiscing on his hustling past on the Charlie Wilson-assisted ‘Car #85’ to praising Black excellence on the lead single Ultra Black,Nas’s versatility is undeniable.
Most importantly, Hit-Boy‘s production complement’s Nas’s effortless flow on King’s Disease. On 10 Pointsand Blue Benz, Nas certainly delivers two story-driven songs that will rival any in the MC’s legendary discography. So consequently, working with Hit-Boy on this project seems to light a fire under QB Finest.
Subsequently, that honor is reserved for all-time great, AZ on ‘Full Circle‘. Super group, The Firm reunited for the track and they certainly did not disappoint! All managed to float on the track but Sosa absolutely stole the show reminiscent of Life’s A Bitch, in the same vein. In addition, Foxy Brown and Cormega both did their thing and even Dr. Dre made an appearance towards the end of the song to speak a few words. That is to say, this could lead to something bigger. Can this be the precursor to another album from The Firm?! (Fingers crossed.)
I didn’t hear Full Circle until today I never heard Nas, AZ, Foxy, or Dre verse I just heard Hit-Boy production and I felt it. The song is a beautiful moment in an ugly time and I’m appreciative to have been apart of it. #kingsdisease
Nas gives us a rundown on his illustrious career leaving us with a possible verse of the year. For instance, the third verse goes:
“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
Kings honor kings, straight from my pops to my son’s s**t
Steak tartare bloody, mercury levels from raw fish
Sushi for lunch, waiter at the table, the cork twist
I’m studied like a book by many
They give me looks of envy, I took the Bentley
White chick like Liz Taylor might get the Bentayga
On my Rick James behavior
Life is school for the soul and I’m in life seven already
Life’s simple but heavy, incomprehensible s**t
Everything from sexy to deadly, I done been through that s**t
Still goin’ deeper like I grew a new inch on my d**k
We looked at robbin’ as a way of resolving our problems
My moms cooked food, but some of my n****s was starving
And whatever they was down to do, I was with ’em regardless
Turns out I was hungry and was hittin’ the hardest
The scissor was sharper, my predictions was on it
No fortune teller, just going off regular signs
N****s often tell ya they moves
Without a word, just reading they mind
Wasn’t needin’ no nine
Corner executive born in ghetto hell
Where metal yell especially over necklaces
Life lessons is karma
Whatever you dish out come back as blessings or to haunt ya
Could miss your kids and hit your grandkids for your dishonor
That’s generational curses, they said they want the old Nas back
Play the Clue tapes for old verses
Messin’ my homies’ lives up, sayin’ Nas will rise ’em up
Like they wasn’t live enough, many lives I’ve touched
Can I get a witness?
Can I get a witness?
I need a witness, drinkin’ three at night on some Bridge s**t
Wearin’ shorts and Timbs, summer night on some Bridge s**t
Party with gangsters, gettin’ right on some Bridge s**t (Yeah)
Like MC Shan and Marley, I be on some Bridge s**t”
One Mic
There are dope MCs, but then there’s Nas. Not many rappers, lyricists, MCs – whatever you want to call them, not many of them can touch Esco. Above all, when he gets in this bag only maybe 5 people to ever hold a microphone are able to be in the same room with him. In other words, he’s in rare company and in rare form.
In conclusion, this is vintage Nas. Verbal Intercourse Nas. One Mic Nas. King’s Disease certainly surpasses 2018’s NASIR in virtually every aspect and is Nas’s best effort since at least Life Is Good. To clarify, this is the best Nas has been in years. Hit-Boy laced the project with some dope instrumentals that therefore allowed Nas to effortlessly breeze through this timeless opus. In other words, salute to Nas! He did this for the culture. 8.9 out of 10
Nas recently debuted a single called “Ultra Black”in preparation for his next album entitled, “King’s Disease”. “King’s Disease” is set to be released Friday August, 21 2020. This will be his 11th solo project.
King’s Disease Cover ArtUltra Black Cover ArtKing’s Disease Tracklist Courtesy of The Source
Unapologetic
The Illmatic MC made headlines when he name-dropped South African rapper, Doja Cat with the line:
“We goin’ Ultra Black, unapologetically Black. Opposite of Doja Cat.”
A few weeks ago, the “Say So”star came under fire when it was leaked that she made some questionable statements about Black people in a group chat with friends. In 2015 she also released “Dindu Nuffin“ and some people interpreted as her mocking Black people’s dealings with police brutality.
“Dindu nuffin” is a stylized version of “didn’t do nothing” popularized by the alt-right and is used to antagonize Black people who speak out against police brutality. The 24-year-old has since apologized for both mishaps. She also responded to God’s Son via Tik Tok:
Minor controversy aside, “Ultra Black” has received positive feedback and high praise on social media. Fans are excited for Nas and his new project featuring Hit-Boy.
Ultra Black
The criticism the legendary MC has received throughout his career is largely based around his beat selection. Working with Hit-Boy will no doubt silence the loud minority. Hit-Boy’s production will sure add some fire to the already sharp lyricism of the all-time great.
True Nas fans don’t seem to care, and can’t wait for the album to drop. Here’s what they are staying on social media:
This is the best Nas has sounded in a minute. Hit Boy put the battery in the old man's back. Ultra Black is going to be my new wake up music. Got damn….!
I can't believe Nas has gotten flack over Ultra Black with Hit-Boy. He crushed it. He kept it topical. The production is phenomenal with sprinkles of soul. What else do you want from this man?!
This will be QB Finest first release since 2018’s Nasir. “King’s Disease” will also be Nas’s second time working with exclusively one producer. Nasir was produced entirely by Kanye West.
Escobar season is well under way and hip-hop fans everywhere couldn’t be any more excited! We’re all looking forward to rocking with one of the GREATEST EVER. Peace to the God, Nas. Life is good!
