Following a six-year hiatus, Grammy-nominated rap icon Nas finally returns with his highly-anticipated 11^th studio album, ‘NASIR.’

We’ve been spoiled ladies and gentlemen – absolutely spoiled.  Kanye West ‘cut up’, but man oh man has he delivered some incredible music and production.  The long-awaited return of Nas with the seven-track album NASIR is no different.  Once again, with West executive producing and co-producing each song, it’s safe to say the veteran rapper is working with some of his best beats ever. There are plenty of redeeming qualities about this project, even if it doesn’t reach the highs of DAYTONA (Pusha T), KIDS SEE GHOSTS, or his own classic LPs.

“Not for Radio”

“Not for Radio” kicks off NASIR with a bang proclaiming, “Escobar season begins.”  Beyond his proclamatory line, Puff Daddy ad-libs on the intro and throughout the course of the song. At the end, he even has a dramatic outro which focuses on black issues. Also featured on “Not for Radio” is 070 Shake singing the chorus (“I think they scared of us”). 070 Shake notably appeared on DAYTONA and Ye.

As for Nas, he’s socially and politically charged up.  Among his most ‘eyebrow-raising’ moments include assertions such as “Abe Lincoln did not free the enslaved,” “Edgar Hoover was black,” and “Fox News was started by a black dude, also true” (not true, actually, but he’s making a bigger point with the ‘fake news’).  The production (Kanye West, Mike Dean, Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat) on this highlight is superb – dramatic strings, vocal pad, hard drums, sigh.

The production continues to shine on “Cops Shot the Kid,” which samples Richard Pryor and Slick Rick.  Pryor sets the tone with an intro discussing the cops, while the Slick Rick loop fuels the fire throughout the rest of the song.  Naturally, Nas plays off of this, focusing on black injustice.  Co-producer Kanye West is featured on the second verse, continuing to illustrate racially sensitive issues. Two songs in and NASIR is off to a roaring start.

“White Label”

“You impressed with what they wearin’, I started that.” “White Label” is filled with wordplay by Nas. He fits right in on an energetic sample courtesy of Iranian singer Shahram Shabpareh.  Here, he reflects on his come-up and the success he’s built in the game.  While “Not for Radio” and “Cops Shot the Kid” are more transcendent, the rapper remains fiery. “This is what I call a blessin’, flexin’.” “Bonjour” featuring Tony Williams finds Nas depicting lustful behavior throughout. On the second verse, he’s greedy as well, but it all seems to revolve around lust.

“Eat at selective kitchens / Speak on our next intentions / Over-creamy Polenta, it come chef recommended / Come through the side entrance; I arrive, bitches.”

Tony Williams appears on the choruses, also dropping a brief verse, and outro.  

“everything”

“everything” is the longest song on NASIR, crossing the seven-and-a-half-minute mark.  More than two minutes go by before Nas ever enters, featuring singing from The-Dream and Kanye West.  While that’s a long period of time elapsed before the star appears, it’s beautifully executed, setting up Nas thematically.  He brings the heat upon entering, rapping about the disadvantages faced by blacks. “Listen vultures, I’ve been shackled by Western culture,” he raps on the first verse, continuing, “You convinced most of my people to live off emotion.”

The second verse goes even deeper, as he masterfully depicts the inequality of pain of a baby being immunized compared to a poor upbringing for black babies and youth with more pronounced pain. Keeping “everything” relevant, he manages to squeeze a Starbucks reference into the mix.  On the third verse, Nas remains on autopilot, referencing his come-up despite the disadvantages and racism. Beyond that, West and The-Dream close out this drawn out but stand out record. 

“Adam and Eve” 

The ‘sample game’ continues to be top-notch on “Adam and Eve” which is fueled by Kourosh Yaghmaei. The-Dream reappears for the chorus, referencing the Biblical tale of Adam and Eve: “Adam and Eve / Don’t fall too far from the apple tree.” Naturally, on this spectacular penultimate cut, Nas alludes to Adam and Eve, as well as making numerous Biblical references.  Additionally, he mentions Othello (“The ghetto Othello, the Moor / Oh my God, they speak venomous on the boy”) and The Godfather: Part II (“You broke my heart, Fredo”).  Sin is a key component of the record, much like it is throughout the entirety of NASIR.  Where his granddaddy and granny “passed down wisdom,” Nas “Pray my sins don’t get passed to my children.”

“I’m lookin’ in Longevity’s eyes / I play with infinity’s mind, forever’s my guy.” “Simple Things” is the shortest song on NASIR, clocking in at just two-minutes-and-twenty seconds. The lushness of the production, as well as the harmonic progression stands out.  Nas exhibits a great flow, jam-packed with energy.  He reminisces over his career, evidenced by the aforementioned opening lyrics.  Notably, he throws a punch when he spits, “Never sold a record for the beat, it’s my verses they purchase.”

Final Thoughts

As aforementioned, there are plenty of redeeming qualities regarding NASIR.  First, the production work is awesome.  Secondly, Nas has some great rhymes more often than not.  Is he always at the top of his lyrical game? No, not always, but in most cases, there’s just the desire for a bit more clarity or even more depth.  The truly elite moments are just that.  Others are nothing short of good, if not necessarily great.  In other words, NASIR is a good album with some great moments, though imperfect.  

Gems: “Not for Radio,” “Cops Shot the Kid,” “everything” & “Adam and Eve”

Nas • NASIR • Mass Appeal / Def Jam • Release: 6.15.18

Photo Credits: Mass Appeal / Def Jam