Album Title: King’s Disease 

Artist : Nasir “Nas” Jones 

Label : Mass Appeal Records

Release Date: August 21, 2020

We’ve read the reviews from every major publication, heard what the blogs have said, and even what the haters had to say. We’ve seen it all but now, set that aside because it’s time to hear from the most important critics, those that really matter...you! The fans!

August 21st marked the release of King’s Disease by the God Son himself, Nas. The album, executive produced by Hit-Boy, is a follow up to the 2018 Kanye West produced Nasir. While the seven track production produced hits such as “Adam and Eve” and “Cops Shot the Kid”, fans around the globe knew the legend from Queensbridge had so much more to give and he delivered on King’s Disease. The album has that classic replay value that not many albums these days seem to possess.

Hit-Boy and Nas seem to have captured the times we are in just like Nas did on Illmatic and it’s a fitting way to start off  this new chapter of Nas being solely on Mass Appeal Records, a label which he in part owns. One thing that’s clearthroughout King’s Disease is that Nas never lost that spark that has made him one of the kings of New York and a hip hop legend. 

Track 1-  King’s Disease 

It’s ironic that the first track on King’s Disease has a similar feel to that of Stillmatic’s intro. The parallels must be drawn that whenever there is a question of just who Nas is as an artist, he comes out the gate swinging with his reply. 

Track 2 – Blue Benz

Blue Benz gives that nostalgia feeling that those who are pure hip hip enthusiasts can’t help but love. It has that 90s meets the new school vibe with that classic story telling that very few outside of  Nas and Slick Rick seemed to have mastered throughout the course of hip hop.  

Track 3 – Car #85 ft Charlie Wilson 

Again, we see Nas in classic storytelling mode that has kids who’ve never experienced that type of car ride both curiousand intrigued. This song is for the day one Nas fans, making one thing certain, he still caters to his fan base. Charlie Wilson’s melodic voice echoing throughout the track is perfectly paired with tires screeching in the background, earning yet another shout out to Hit-Boy for capturing the feel of car # 85 for today’s generations. Nas paints such a vivid picture in your mind that even if you’ve never experienced anything like Car #85, you feel as though you are along for the whole ride! 

Track 4 – Ultra Black

The first single from the project is a celebration of black excellence and who better to bring it to forefront than Nas? His stance on black culture has always been clear. While the world has been in racial turmoil, Nas came in with an anthem to remind us all that black is beautiful!

Track 5 – 27 Summers

Arguably the most loved song of the production, we see Nas skating over the beat as he reflects on his career and his longevity. This song is a must hear track!!!

Track 6 Replace me ft. Big Sean and Don Toliver

This track has that classic Oochy Wally feel but Nas also puts his stamp of class on it, along with his collaborators. If you are a big Sean fan, you know that when he is featured on a song he tends to make it his own, but not this time around. Nas, in legendary fashion, steps out with his lyrics seemingly letting his conquest know he’s one of a kind. By the time his verse ends, little room was left for Big Sean to outshine Nas, as he had already left his mark on the song. To the credit of Sean, he was not totally overpowered and along with the melodic tone of Don Toliver bred all over the track, added nicely to this future classic. If there was ever a song that should be sent to radio, Replace Me would be that song. 

Track 7 Til the War is Won ft. Lil Durk

If you would have told us that in 2020 we would be writing about how good Lil Durk sounds on a track with Nas, most fans would not have agreed. However, on a song that touches on a wide range of subjects, we see that the laid back Queensbridge legend is just as aware of all that’s happening in the celebrity world as he is aware of what’s happening in world news. Durk, an artist with just a little over a decade under his belt, warrants the title as one of the best coming out of Chicago right now and proves to be the perfect pairing! 

Track 8 – All Bad ft. Anderson Paak 

Many speculate Nas is talking about a past relationship in this song and although no confirmation has been made, one thing is clear. Nas leaves us wanting more of this story. 

Track 9 The Definition 

This is the only track that felt like it could have been done without the featured artist. If an artist had to be chosen, it’s understandable why Brucie B was the right choice. However, Nas is so over powering that a featured artist doesn’t really add anything to the track. Still, the track was a cool way of letting the world know the meaning of King’s Disease. 

Track 10 Full Circle ( ft. AZ,  Cormega , Foxy Brown)

If there was every a track in history that brought you back in time it’s Full Circle. This song showcases a 2020 Firm reunion with Cormega, something no one could predict was coming. AZ proves he’s never lost a beat and he’s arguably the only artist on the face of the earth that can outshine Nas on a track.  Cormega comes in with those cool lyrics you never knew you were missing and Foxy was a breath a fresh air. However, the biggest surprise on the track is the involvement of Dr Dre as he cements the Firm Reunion while letting us know Hit-Boy is a new guard of producing and one of his favorites.  The track can only be described in one word: Nostalgia! 

Track 11 – 10 points 

Only Nas can make you research if Micheal Jordan actually gives back and have you signing the flyest after listening to 10 points. This song touches on so much that we can write a review about the song within this review. From the top when he touches on how the world views a black man that earns more than average down to when he says the streets is a lie don’t believe these dudes jail or death is all you get. They tell you never move but they get money they split that was felt in every black community and serves as an every day life lesson for us. 

Track 12 The Cure 

Never has an artist released a song that can be critiqued twice, not just for faults but shared creativity, yet leave it up to Nas to prove that he’s doesn’t fit any mold that others set. When you hear Nas say ”roll the credits” you get chills similar to the ones you often only get from movies. This is then followed by a beat change from Hit-Boy, who gets much love for stamping his class as a producer with this move; one that many are unable to pull off, leading us into a Nas flow that very few artists, past and present, are able to find. This leaving none who listen to the album questioning his greatness. 

Track 13 Spicy ft Asap Ferg and Fivo Foreign 

“Spicy”, which features Asap Ferg and Fivio Foreign, is a new school hip hop meets old school hip hop master class that generationally speaking, only Nas could do. This track shows Nas embracing the new generation of New York rappers. The song is a high energy track in which Nas proves he can run with the best of the new school acts despite him being from the old school. 

King’s Disease is the rebirth of the king. Nas proves why he is one of hip hops finest sons as he delivers an album that is culturally relevant and fitting of the times; a true force to be reckoned with at any stage of his career. If King’sDisease is any indication of his mind frame, his next album should be more than a treat for serious hip hop fans. Untilthen, Nas has given us an album with a classic feel and constant replay value. The album is rated a solid 9.5 out of 10.