Nas Album: “Hip Hop Is Dead [PA]”

Nasir Jones once again makes his case for best rapper alive on his ninth LP and first for Def Jam Records, "Hip Hop Is Dead." This is an album unlike any he has ever done before, an extremely focused yet diverse record that covers a lot of topics and shines in many areas. This could be referred to as a concept album, because most of the disc has Nas commenting on the current state of hip hop and looking back to the past while striving to move forward as well. The album art depicts a somber funeral. Lyrically, Nas is just himself, showing his amazing vocabulary, metaphors, wordplay, emotion, and intelligence constantly. A few songs, such as "Where Are They Now" and "Who Killed It" are genius concept songs the likes of "Rewind," and others show a Nas that we haven't seen in recent years, one who makes effective, accessible rap songs like "Play on Playa" and "Hustlers." Musically, "Hip Hop Is Dead" is also very impressive. Nas enlists his tried and true producers L.E.S. and Salaam Remi for a few tracks but also gets beats from Scott Storch, Kanye West, Will.i.am, and Dr. Dre, creating an all-star cast of producers. "Hip Hop Is Dead" is a very interesting and enjoyable album, one that will not be remembered among Nas's definitive albums but certainly a highlight to a long career of consistently excellent rap records. I highly recommend "Hip Hop Is Dead" and consider it one of the top rap albums of 2006.

The album begins with the hard-hitting "Money Over Bulls...," a gritty sounding track where Nas angrily drops some raw philosophy, a promising start. "You Can't Kill Me" tells a story as only Nas can. I really like "Carry On Tradition," a Scott Storch-produced anthem where he pledges to stay true to the founders of hip hop. The next track is one that I enjoyed a ton. Nas accurately notes that "hip hop is a ghost town" and name-drops countless forgotten rappers from the 80s and 90s. A lot of these references are probably lost on many listeners, but it sounded like he was rattling off my entire rap collection, shouting out guys like King Tee, K-Solo, Group Home, and Tim Dog. This song was really fun for me, and the beat samples the recently departed James Brown (RIP). At first I was confused by "Hip Hop Is Dead" because it uses the same sample and a lot of the musical elements from "Thief's Theme" only two years ago. Supposedly will.i.am never knew Nas used the "Inna-Godda-Da-Vida" sample (earth to somebody!) but this production is nice nonetheless. Nas tells metaphorical stories and comments on where hip hop is today and where he wants it to be. This is a great single that represents the album well. "Who Killed It?" is a great concept track. Using different voices, he tells a sort of mobster movie story and traces back the roots of hip hop to slave chants and looks ahead. This is one of those songs that I know I will be continuing to decipher years from now, and that is something I have always loved about Nas. The epic collaboration with Jay-Z, "Black Republican," is a song rap fans have been eagerly anticipating, myself included, and it doesn't disappoint. Over a majestic horn fanfare, the two legends rap with an inspired sound. "Not Going Back" chronicles Nas's life in a way, and his wife Kelis sings the hook. The nostalgic Kanye West production "Still Dreaming" is a definite highlight, using a great sample and it's lyrically gripping. "Hold Down the Block" is vintage Nas material, excellent all around. Philadelphia 76ers power forward Chris Webber produced "Blunt Ashes," an emotional look at music and life. Anthony Hamilton sound-alike Tre Williams steals the show on the musically beautiful "Let There Be Light," and the two make a very inspired and deep song. Snoop Dogg collaboration "Play on Playa" and The Game collaboration "Hustlers" are two mainstream friendly songs that are nonetheless lyrically impressive, showing great chemistry and verses from all involved. I like "Can't Forget About You," and the album ends with a very interesting spoken word "Hope" which answered a lot of questions.

"Hip Hop Is Dead" is a very impressive and entertaining album that provides a lot of different kinds of tracks and showcases Nas's talent and genius to his full potential. He has a lot to say and goes about it in a very admirable manner. Musically and lyrically, this album is consistently wonderful and I suggest all hip hop fans give it a listen. It's also one that I'm sure I will be listening to years from now and finding new lines and concepts that I never fully comprehended before, just as I have on all of his albums. It's just entire works like this that are the reason Nasir has been my favorite rapper for so many years. "Hip Hop Is Dead" does justice to all of Nas's past work and is a great listen in itself.

Nas has always and will always be an ICON is the Rap Industry, because he brings what so many mainstream rappers, like Jay Z, don't bring and that is "Conscious" rap. The social, political, educational, economical, and spiritual challenges facing the most feared and most disrespected population in America, is always addressed in Nas's albums and this one is nooo different!!

Call it what you want, but since Tupac's early physical departure, there hasn't been a rapper who has brought the "real" to Rap like Nas has!!...I can't hear you haters!!!

Will the "Real Rappers" Please Stand Up!!! There is a population who is begging for your direction!!!

Thanks Nas for doing what you do! The Struggle Continues...

Will Nas' fans forever compare everything he does to Illmatic? Will you forever run home and cry and say that he refused to make another one? People, get over it. In Hip Hop is Dead, Nas has crafted an album that is for the listener, for a person that appreciates skilful wordplay and not for the person who appreciates the hottest beats. It's a great album, and a unique mature album from one of hip hop's greats. Y'all should be thankful he made it at all. If y'all still want to hate, go listen to Jeezy or Banks or Fiddy or something. That'll cure you right quick.

Hip-hop kind of is dead when you think about it. Artists who're in it just for the "dough" or "cake", if you will, are pretty much the artists who rap about pretty much just that...money. So Nas has decided to bring this up to the public and expose such fakes (or whom he probably calls fakes) like 50 Cent, Rick Ross, T.I., Mike Jones, and MIMS, just to name a few.

But this album really succeeds in exposing this sad but true statement of greed and the need to hustle to get money. Nas says it himself when he talks about why an ex-hustler can't get into the game.

This album is really strong in deliverance and has some jaw-dropping baselines. The beats are average, pretty much. But Nas's lyricism compensates for the flaws, which are pretty scarce. It is worth buying but compared to his other albums, it is the worst.

Other featured artists on this album include Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, Kelis, Kanye West, Chrisette Michele, Snoop Dogg and more.

Top Songs:

1.) Let There be Light ft. Tre Williams

2.) Hustlers ft. The Game & Marsha Ambriosous

3.) Hip Hop is Dead ft. Will.I.Am

4.) Blunt Ashes

5.) Carry on Tradition

Haha this guy has so much love for music and life what a stand up guy. Always inspirational and uplifting, the man reinvents himself and expresses his music in many new ways again. He is always willing to take risks and challenge hip-hop. Something every artist should do. Evolve and bring something new to the table. Nas does just that on Hip-Hop is dead. Get this album and play it over three or four times and then come to a conclusion about it.

My favorite tracks in order:

1.)Let there Be Light - Third Verse he kills it ("Can't sound smart cuz yall run away the say I ain't hungry no more...I beg to differ...Only then I'll let you pick my brain.") Perfect couldn't have said it any better.

2.)Can't Forget About You - That's a real anthem. Love the whole entire message. The lyrics are thought-provoking and on point.

3.)Hip-Hop is Dead - 2nd verse kills it the whole way through "most intellectuals will only half listen" well listen to the second verse then.

The whole entire album is a puzzle with tracks that build off eachother. This album is a classic. Jay and Nas together for the first time. They are so much smarter than the rest. Love AZ, Mos, Talib, Gangstarr ect. too.

For those who don't understand "who killed it" real hip-hop heads respect it and might appreciate more than any other song on the cd. Nas is at his best with creativity on this track. I don't understand it all and it's not my favorite track but it's just another example of the genius Nasty Nas posesses. Other examples of nas's creativity are "I Gave You Power," nas tells the story from gun's point of view. "Rewind," nas tells a story backword. "One Mic" Nas builds up his a emotions slowly until exploding genius concept. "Sekou Story and Live Now" Nas pitches up his own voice. "Who Killed It" Is his latest to add to the collection.

Best rapper dead or alive in my opinion. The Golden Child's career is now complete with this album. He lived up to everyone's high expectations. People will figure this out some sooner than later.

Nas albums from best to worst: Illmatic, Stillmatic, Hip-Hop is Dead, It Was Written, Lost Tapes, God Son, Street Disciple, I Am, and Nastradamus.