ATI's Review>>Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead

A.T.I. · 12-08-2006, 01:33 AM

Nas
Hip-Hop Is Dead
Columbia/Def Jam Recordings

When hip-hop legend Nasir Jones announced that his upcoming album would be entitled Hip-Hop Is Dead, the proclamation caused an uproar within the hip-hop community. Many of his peers took his statement to heart, and several members of the hip-hop community have since spoke out against the Queensbridge native. The thing about Nas is-he has never taken the opinion of his nay-sayers to heart, and has impressively maintained his mainstream success for over a decade. Since the release of his classic debut Illmatic, all of Nas' following albums have been unfairly scrutinized, but on Hip-Hop Is Dead, Nas goes on the offensive, putting hip-hop on blast.

Hip-Hop Is Dead is the return of a rejuvenated Nasir Jones, as his Def Jam debut is a well-put together compilation of street tales and conscious narratives, matching Nas' consistently sharp rhyming skills with equally effective production from some of the game's best beat-makers. Sonically and vocally, Hip-Hop Is Dead is an intriguing piece of work, and Nas displays a sense of urgency early on through "Carry On Tradition," where Nas puts attention-seeking rappers on blast. The album's first single "Hip-Hop Is Dead" is a reworked version of Street's Disciple’s "Thief’s Theme," but is still manages to work as an effective title track. "Black Republican," the long-awaited collabo between Nas and Jay-Z, shows off the influence of the two best rappers of our time, and long-time Nas producer L.E.S. does an incredible job providing the backing for the historic joint. NBA Superstar Chris Webber puts mainstream producers to shame with his creative work on "Blunt Ashes," as he laces a horn-heavy backing for Nas' story of the street's hardships. Kanye West puts haters in their place on "Let There Be Light," as Ye adds another classic record to his resume, with Nas and Tre Williams collaborating for one of the best rap/r&b collabos of 2006. Nas even gets The Game and Dr. Dre together for the speaker-splitting "Hustlers," just another one of the solid tracks from an album full of them.

Hip-Hop Is Dead is an excellent album from front to back, with Snoop's assisted "Play On Playa" being the only forgettable song on what is easily one of the best albums of year. Nas is irony at its best, because let's face it- Hip-Hop Is Dead concludes the awakening of hip-hop with a standout effort from arguably the most consistent lyricist of our era.

toinedog · 12-08-2006, 04:21 AM

this is a solid release by nas.. great lyrics with great beats..he just proved what hip-hop is truly all about.. 4/5..

common sense · 12-08-2006, 01:22 PM

really nice album and that being said from somebody who dissliked nas 1 year ago

DJ Whoo Kid · 12-13-2006, 04:25 AM

Lyrically is was good. Beat wise, it was decent. Definitly not one of his best, I expected alot more.

RE: DEFinition · 02-25-2007, 09:34 PM

bumpp....

number 2 on my 2006 list

esco XL · 02-26-2007, 10:38 AM

propz jefferson iz a punk ass bitch

Shyne · 04-04-2007, 10:29 AM

solid enough album, I would say a 3.5/5

home boi · 04-04-2007, 05:14 PM

Yeah, I like that album, man, I wish there are more rappers like Nas in mainstream Hip Hop

propz on the review
4/5

G-unitCripLocc · 04-09-2007, 03:53 PM

Was beyond Gay!

Wu-Tang Forever · 04-18-2007, 12:16 PM

4/5

The Production... weak a big let down

Lyrics... Makes Me Forget The Production

A_T_I · 05-26-2007, 06:17 PM

dope album...

12-08-2006, 01:33 AM	#1
A.T.I. Agitating the Ignorant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 7,595 Repped: 1,372 Repped 2,039 Times in 717 Posts Neg Reps: 155 Neg Repped at 162 Times in 129 Posts	ATI's Review>>Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead ATI's Review>>Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead Nas Hip-Hop Is Dead Columbia/Def Jam Recordings When hip-hop legend Nasir Jones announced that his upcoming album would be entitled Hip-Hop Is Dead, the proclamation caused an uproar within the hip-hop community. Many of his peers took his statement to heart, and several members of the hip-hop community have since spoke out against the Queensbridge native. The thing about Nas is-he has never taken the opinion of his nay-sayers to heart, and has impressively maintained his mainstream success for over a decade. Since the release of his classic debut Illmatic, all of Nas' following albums have been unfairly scrutinized, but on Hip-Hop Is Dead, Nas goes on the offensive, putting hip-hop on blast. Hip-Hop Is Dead is the return of a rejuvenated Nasir Jones, as his Def Jam debut is a well-put together compilation of street tales and conscious narratives, matching Nas' consistently sharp rhyming skills with equally effective production from some of the game's best beat-makers. Sonically and vocally, Hip-Hop Is Dead is an intriguing piece of work, and Nas displays a sense of urgency early on through "Carry On Tradition," where Nas puts attention-seeking rappers on blast. The album's first single "Hip-Hop Is Dead" is a reworked version of Street's Disciple’s "Thief’s Theme," but is still manages to work as an effective title track. "Black Republican," the long-awaited collabo between Nas and Jay-Z, shows off the influence of the two best rappers of our time, and long-time Nas producer L.E.S. does an incredible job providing the backing for the historic joint. NBA Superstar Chris Webber puts mainstream producers to shame with his creative work on "Blunt Ashes," as he laces a horn-heavy backing for Nas' story of the street's hardships. Kanye West puts haters in their place on "Let There Be Light," as Ye adds another classic record to his resume, with Nas and Tre Williams collaborating for one of the best rap/r&b collabos of 2006. Nas even gets The Game and Dr. Dre together for the speaker-splitting "Hustlers," just another one of the solid tracks from an album full of them. Hip-Hop Is Dead is an excellent album from front to back, with Snoop's assisted "Play On Playa" being the only forgettable song on what is easily one of the best albums of year. Nas is irony at its best, because let's face it- Hip-Hop Is Dead concludes the awakening of hip-hop with a standout effort from arguably the most consistent lyricist of our era. __________________ “At a snail's pace, I won this race that y'all trail"

12-13-2006, 04:25 AM	#4
DJ Whoo Kid The Marketing Genius Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Everywhere Posts: 1,662 Repped: 466 Repped 432 Times in 77 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lyrically is was good. Beat wise, it was decent. Definitly not one of his best, I expected alot more. __________________ Catch me LIVE every Saturday from 10AM to 8PM on G-UNIT RADIO on SHADE 45 SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO 1-888-SHADE45

04-04-2007, 05:14 PM	#8
home boi In stores NOW! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Greensburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 3,035 Repped: 1,608 Repped 198 Times in 49 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah, I like that album, man, I wish there are more rappers like Nas in mainstream Hip Hop propz on the review 4/5 __________________ H.N.I.C. 2

04-09-2007, 03:53 PM	#9
G-unitCripLocc crip walk on your face Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WestCoast Posts: 59 Repped: 1 Repped 1 Time in 1 Post Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Was beyond Gay! __________________

04-18-2007, 12:16 PM	#10
Wu-Tang Forever Screw You Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The 36 Chambers Posts: 801 Repped: 18 Repped 78 Times in 32 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 10 Times in 8 Posts	4/5 The Production... weak a big let down Lyrics... Makes Me Forget The Production __________________

12-08-2006, 04:21 AM	#2
toinedog senior member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 740 Repped: 261 Repped 277 Times in 69 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	this is a solid release by nas.. great lyrics with great beats..he just proved what hip-hop is truly all about.. 4/5..

12-08-2006, 01:22 PM	#3
common sense Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sofia,Bulgaria Posts: 1,573 Repped: 44 Repped 6 Times in 3 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	really nice album and that being said from somebody who dissliked nas 1 year ago

02-25-2007, 09:34 PM	#5
RE: DEFinition Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Earth, UNI Posts: 68 Repped: 23 Repped 1 Time in 1 Post Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	bumpp.... number 2 on my 2006 list

02-26-2007, 10:38 AM	#6
esco XL Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 109 Repped: 90 Repped 7 Times in 2 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	propz jefferson iz a punk ass bitch

04-04-2007, 10:29 AM	#7
Shyne Sons Of Liberty Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 5,552 Repped: 3 Repped 2,054 Times in 849 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 151 Times in 95 Posts	solid enough album, I would say a 3.5/5

05-26-2007, 06:17 PM	#11
A_T_I Against_The_Industry Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 198 Repped: 55 Repped 11 Times in 2 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	dope album...

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