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

A.T.I. · 12-07-2006, 06:19 PM

Nas
Hip-Hop Is Dead
Columbia/Def Jam Recordings
****1/2

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 lyricists of our era.

P.S. well some people have agreed with me and some have thought it was mediocre, but im not judging this against his whole career, this is 2006, and Nas is still easily one of the best out........also posted in chat, but other people will prolly just talk about it in this section

Doc Glokk · 12-07-2006, 06:40 PM

ye its real dope. he is bringin hiphop back, imma buy this for sure.

Rebel INS {CF} · 12-07-2006, 06:42 PM

yeah i liked it alot, but ive got a feeling that a few months down the line it will get repetive fast, dunno just yet but id give it a 3.5/5 or maybe a 4/5 for the time being

1.2.3 · 12-07-2006, 06:49 PM

4.5 for me. take away the snoop track and its much better.

Rebel INS {CF} · 12-07-2006, 06:51 PM

^ yeah, snoop ruins everything as usual

A.T.I. · 12-07-2006, 06:55 PM

bwahaha....the snoop hate is on

sidenote: 1.2.3. actually agreed with me, and he is one hard ass critic

Just_Blaze · 12-07-2006, 08:16 PM

Considering you and I usually have the same opinion on shit like this, it looks like I'm going to enjoy this album. I still just don't get why people feel the need to work with Snoop. lmao.

P.S.. Your reviews are some of the best I've ever read. lol.

A.T.I. · 12-07-2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hip-Hop = Life

Considering you and I usually have the same opinion on shit like this, it looks like I'm going to enjoy this album. I still just don't get why people feel the need to work with Snoop. lmao.

P.S.. Your reviews are some of the best I've ever read. lol.

.....

sidenote: congrats to the roots and lupe for their grammy noms

Just_Blaze · 12-07-2006, 10:15 PM

^word, I heard Lupe got 3 nominations. I didn't see the full list of the nominations so I don't know how many The Roots got. Congrats

A.T.I. · 12-07-2006, 10:27 PM

3 for lupe....2 for the roots!

and 1 for young joc

Deep South Kid · 12-07-2006, 10:33 PM

buahahahah
Did Young Joke really got one? SMH Back in the day only top artists got Grammys.

Nokster · 12-07-2006, 10:46 PM

thank you ATI... you are giving me hope that this is indeed a dope album, after kizz' thread. i'm 30% done.... I can't wait to play this shit..

kizzdogg in stereo · 12-07-2006, 10:49 PM

nas should never sample the steve miller band again. steve miller band >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> nas' life. i think thats what i was most upset with.

D-TEK1 · 12-08-2006, 06:10 AM

yea good review man
album is dope .

but wtf is up wit dat 6 track

TaL1b_KweL1 · 12-08-2006, 12:56 PM

So im the only one that likes the track with snoop?

haha

*hides*

A.T.I. · 12-08-2006, 03:21 PM

^^haha

*stones TaL1b_KweL1

nah, but for real its not THAT bad, but it just seems that way compared to the rest of the album

12-07-2006, 06:19 PM	#1
A.T.I. Agitating the Ignorant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 7,594 Repped: 1,371 Repped 2,037 Times in 716 Posts Neg Reps: 155 Neg Repped at 162 Times in 129 Posts	ATI's Official Review>>Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead ATI's Official Review>>Nas: Hip-Hop Is Dead Nas Hip-Hop Is Dead Columbia/Def Jam Recordings ****1/2 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 lyricists of our era. P.S. well some people have agreed with me and some have thought it was mediocre, but im not judging this against his whole career, this is 2006, and Nas is still easily one of the best out........also posted in chat, but other people will prolly just talk about it in this section __________________ “At a snail's pace, I won this race that y'all trail"

12-07-2006, 06:42 PM	#3
Rebel INS {CF} - iLLuminati ~ Rapsody - Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 11,453 Repped: 151 Repped 644 Times in 301 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 77 Times in 69 Posts	yeah i liked it alot, but ive got a feeling that a few months down the line it will get repetive fast, dunno just yet but id give it a 3.5/5 or maybe a 4/5 for the time being __________________ "Fighting Ignorance every day is gettin weary" [name pending] --- The Gateway Drug --- Sometime Soon --- myspace.com/namepending08

12-07-2006, 06:51 PM	#5
Rebel INS {CF} - iLLuminati ~ Rapsody - Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 11,453 Repped: 151 Repped 644 Times in 301 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 77 Times in 69 Posts	^ yeah, snoop ruins everything as usual __________________ "Fighting Ignorance every day is gettin weary" [name pending] --- The Gateway Drug --- Sometime Soon --- myspace.com/namepending08

12-07-2006, 06:55 PM	#6
A.T.I. Agitating the Ignorant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 7,594 Repped: 1,371 Repped 2,037 Times in 716 Posts Neg Reps: 155 Neg Repped at 162 Times in 129 Posts	bwahaha....the snoop hate is on sidenote: 1.2.3. actually agreed with me, and he is one hard ass critic __________________ “At a snail's pace, I won this race that y'all trail"

12-07-2006, 08:16 PM	#7
Just_Blaze Thread Jacker Numero Uno! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nu Jers.. It's that on top muzik! Posts: 3,641 Repped: 131 Repped 146 Times in 103 Posts Neg Reps: 11 Neg Repped at 4 Times in 4 Posts	Considering you and I usually have the same opinion on shit like this, it looks like I'm going to enjoy this album. I still just don't get why people feel the need to work with Snoop. lmao. P.S.. Your reviews are some of the best I've ever read. lol. __________________ "tell blaze to stop it wit the embarassing posts.....he's making everything die" - Grandmaster G

12-07-2006, 06:40 PM	#2
Doc Glokk Tha Doctor Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,438 Repped: 51 Repped 15 Times in 10 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	ye its real dope. he is bringin hiphop back, imma buy this for sure.

12-07-2006, 06:49 PM	#4
1.2.3 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: new york Posts: 1,388 Repped: 166 Repped 40 Times in 19 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	4.5 for me. take away the snoop track and its much better.

12-07-2006, 10:15 PM	#9
Just_Blaze Thread Jacker Numero Uno! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nu Jers.. It's that on top muzik! Posts: 3,641 Repped: 131 Repped 146 Times in 103 Posts Neg Reps: 11 Neg Repped at 4 Times in 4 Posts	^word, I heard Lupe got 3 nominations. I didn't see the full list of the nominations so I don't know how many The Roots got. Congrats __________________ "tell blaze to stop it wit the embarassing posts.....he's making everything die" - Grandmaster G

12-07-2006, 10:27 PM	#10
A.T.I. Agitating the Ignorant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 7,594 Repped: 1,371 Repped 2,037 Times in 716 Posts Neg Reps: 155 Neg Repped at 162 Times in 129 Posts	3 for lupe....2 for the roots! and 1 for young joc __________________ “At a snail's pace, I won this race that y'all trail"

12-07-2006, 10:33 PM	#11
Deep South Kid UnderGround UnderPressure Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mexico City Posts: 6,176 Repped: 17 Repped 446 Times in 138 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	buahahahah Did Young Joke really got one? SMH Back in the day only top artists got Grammys. __________________ guess whos back up in the building, mind on a million...

12-07-2006, 10:46 PM	#12
Nokster ♫, $, & ♀ = Life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 8,903 Repped: 758 Repped 2,445 Times in 837 Posts Neg Reps: 44 Neg Repped at 104 Times in 85 Posts	thank you ATI... you are giving me hope that this is indeed a dope album, after kizz' thread. i'm 30% done.... I can't wait to play this shit.. __________________ Los Scandalous.

12-07-2006, 10:49 PM	#13
kizzdogg in stereo Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 182 Repped: 15 Repped 30 Times in 13 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	nas should never sample the steve miller band again. steve miller band >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> nas' life. i think thats what i was most upset with.

12-08-2006, 06:10 AM	#14
D-TEK1 1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ny Posts: 4,729 Repped: 147 Repped 182 Times in 94 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	yea good review man album is dope . but wtf is up wit dat 6 track

12-08-2006, 12:56 PM	#15
TaL1b_KweL1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,687 Repped: 0 Repped 7 Times in 2 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	So im the only one that likes the track with snoop? haha hides

12-08-2006, 03:21 PM	#16
A.T.I. Agitating the Ignorant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 7,594 Repped: 1,371 Repped 2,037 Times in 716 Posts Neg Reps: 155 Neg Repped at 162 Times in 129 Posts	^^haha *stones TaL1b_KweL1 nah, but for real its not THAT bad, but it just seems that way compared to the rest of the album __________________ “At a snail's pace, I won this race that y'all trail"

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