Nas, King’s Disease | Album Review 💿

After falling short in 2018 with the brief Nasir, iconic rapper Nas atones with King’s Disease, his best work in years.

In 2018, Nas received the ‘mini Kanye West-helmed album treatment’ with Nasir. Despite being among the most respected rappers in the game, critics were mixed at best regarding the album. Simply put, it just wasn’t the album people wanted from the legend. King’s Disease, which arrived in late August, may not return the rapper to his most lucrative days, but it’s a much more memorable, stronger album overall.  There’s plenty to like about King’s Disease all said and done.

“King’s Disease” 

✓ “King’s Disease” commences King’s Disease with a sense of classicism, period.  “King’s Disease” is short but quite potent.  Furthermore, this is record that the minute you hear it, it sounds characteristic of Nas.  The production is old-school and soulful to the nth degree, very idiomatic of the East coast rap sound.  Comprised of merely one verse, the rapper drops some strong, conscious bars.

“This for my project n***as and blue Benzes / Mercedes emblems with they bitch with ‘em.” Those are the bars that conclude ✓ “Blue Benz,” another short yet totally sweet number. “Blue Benz” definitely maintains the momentum of King’s Disease. Again, the production is lit, and Nas is on autopilot, exhibiting a tight flow with rhymes that pack a mean punch.  There’s no hook, unsurprisingly, but it’s not necessary.  Over two verses, we get everything we need and it’s fire. 

✓ “Car #85” gives Nas a three-peat where hits are concerned.  Assisted by the ever-soulful godsend that is Charlie Wilson, the rapper reminisces on utilizing only one specific car.  As usual, there’s a colorful narrative imparted, with those golden pipes of Wilson only sweetening the deal.  For the first time on King’s Disease, we actually get a chorus, with features the services of both artists.

“Ultra Black”

✓ “Ultra Black”, featuring Hit-Boy, finds Nas exuberant in celebrating blackness. Backed by more old-school production, the man not known for hooks drops another one! The chorus isn’t the catchiest thing you’ll ever hear, mind you but it’s moderately catchy. To reiterate, celebrating blackness is the big takeaway as he cites specific notable blacks and things associated with ‘the culture’ One truly clever lyric comes near the end of the second verse: “Hall & Oates, I can’t go for that / Motown Museum, Detroit, I’m ultra black.” Essentially, the rapper doesn’t want the ‘culturally appropriated’/whitewashed version – no disrespect intended – he wants the legit, black and proud version. 

“27 Summers” marks another instance of brevity on King’s Disease.  Even though it doesn’t even reach two minutes in duration, it continues to find a rejuvenated Nas.  For the criticism the rapper received for the undercooked Nasir, King’s Disease seems to atone.  The production, another fine production by Hit-Boy and Rogét Chahayed, is modern yet still manages to suit the vintage vibes we associate with the rapper.  Furthermore, we get another chorus, one that definitely latches.

“Replace Me”

“Replace Me” gives King’s Disease a lush, love-oriented joint.  Don Toliver drops smooth vocals on the chorus that set the tone.  On the first verse, Nas plays up the romantic vibes, referencing his own past hit single in the process: “Kama Sutra, Mr. Oochie Wally / She hit the woah, I’m in control, I’m in her soul.” Big Sean also ends up being an asset on the second verse; he excels with these sorts of records.  Lil Durk continues his come up in 2020, joining the icon on “Til the War is Won.” It definitely represents two totally different generations, which is intriguing.  At the same time, melodic trap isn’t the sound what we normally associate with Nas, even if he himself isn’t engaging in that approach. 

✓ “All Bad” is more of a natural fit, period. The record features dusty, rhythmic drums and the distinct, soulful pipes of Grammy-winner Anderson .Paak.  Anderson nails the memorable chorus, in addition to a noteworthy second verse and a refrain (bridge) that precedes the third and final verse by Nas.  The rapper is on-point on another relationship-driven number, AP definitely steals the show, with Hit-Boy continuing to put in work behind the boards.

“The Definition” 

King’s Disease continues to be a victory lap for Nas all in all. “The Definition,” featuring Brucie B., is another ‘short but sweet’ number.  It’s comprised of just one verse but it’s a good one.  Brucie merely provides the intro and outro. Otherwise, he gets out of the rapper’s way to do his thing.  Look at the supporting cast on ✓ “Full Circle” and you just know that it’s a surefire banger. Man, oh man, do things truly come full circle! Here, royalty is joined by royalty: The Firm, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega. Oh – and that doesn’t even include an uncredited outro courtesy of the doctor himself, Dr. Dre.  Each participant gets their own verse and it is both glorious and nostalgic. 

✓ “10 Points” – more like 💯 points, right? “10 Points” is another gem, continuing to find Nas at his best, or at least, the best he’s been in some time.  The backdrop is among my favorites of the album, adding some extra oomph, not that ‘Mr. Oochie Wally’ needed it.  Here, he continues to confirm why he’s one of the best to do it, using clever wordplay, making pop cultural references, and being intentionally ‘black’ – ultra-black? One of the key words is King, which is used multiple times on the high-flying chorus.

“The Cure”

Had ✓ “The Cure” been the closing cut on King’s Disease, it would’ve been a perfect cap.  It’s no less effective as the penultimate cut, of course – it’s EPIC.  One of the reasons “The Cure” is a cure for a lack of music sustenance is a beat-switch, which is always unexpected and quite compelling.  Hit-Boy continues to impress, and of course, when Nas is really on, well, he’s ON.

King’s Disease actually concludes with a bonus cut, “Spicy.” “The Cure” is the better song, but this spicy banger is definitely flavorful.  We get another hook, done by Nas himself.  Also, he’s joined by Fivio Foreign (second verse) and my man, A$AP Ferg (third verse).  Satisfying ending to a satisfying album.

Final Thoughts

Nasir was a disappointment, but King’s Disease is honestly a triumph for Nas.  Here, the rapper has plenty to say.  Generally, he surrounds himself with engaging collaborators, with the most important one being Hit-Boy obviously.  At 38 minutes, this album feels just the right length and there is no atrocious ‘weak link’ within the track list.  No, King’s Disease isn’t the second coming, but it does find a rejuvenated Nas by my estimations.

✓ Gems: “King’s Disease,” “Blue Benz,” “Car #85,” “Ultra Black,” “All Bad,” “Full Circle,” “10 Points” & “The Cure”  

Nas • King’s Disease • Mass Appeal • Release: 8.24.20

Photo Credit: Mass Appeal