We still have a few days to wait until Nas’ new album arrives in stores, stripped of its controversial intended title. There’s a very good chance you’ve already heard Untitled, though, thanks to last week’s widespread online leaks. Don’t worry — Nas has suggested he doesn’t even mind if we download it. (Why would he, after what happened to Lil Wayne’s heavily bootlegged album last month?) In fact, he called the experience of being leaked "so f—ing exciting." I couldn’t agree more, so I hereby call a formal end to the heated pre-release phase of the debate surrounding Untitled. Let the equally heated post-release phase begin! (It’s also streaming now at last.fm, if you’re holding out for a legal listen.)
Nas put himself in a pretty fix at the very start of his career,dropping one of the bar-none greatest albums of all time in 1994. It’s proved an impossible standard to live up to, for Nas or (almost) anyone else. So is his new one another Illmatic? Ofcourse not. But it’s saying something that that’s even a real question being posed in the Web’s more fevered corners. Reason number one for that has to be Untitled’s production. Nas’ biggest post-Illmatic pitfall has been his inconsistent beat selection, and he fights that demon off forgood here. From the avant minimalism of Jay Electronica’s "Queens Get theMoney" to the widescreen strings of DJ Toomp’s "N.I.*.*.E.R. (The Slaveand the Master)" to the sparkling synths of Polow da Don’s "Hero," there’s not a clunker in thebunch.
Nas’ rhymes themselves, meanwhile, have virtually always been superlative over the years — but he’s been plagued by an occasional lack of focus. That’s not an issue on Untitled, a passionate, in-depth exploration of his political conscience. "Sly Fox" moves from dissing Bill O’Reilly and Rupert Murdoch into an on-point critique of today’s mass media; "America" rails against the death penalty and institutional misogyny. I can’t remember the last time I heard an established commercial figure take on topics like that for an entire album. Turns out that provocative title wasn’t a tease or a stunt at all: He really follows through on those uncomfortable questions, more than I think even many of his fans quite expected.
So who else has been bumping Untitled? Nas may have believed that Hip Hop is Dead a couple years ago, but I’m finding it hard to imagine more resounding proof that it’s alive and kicking than this CD. In fact, I think Nas might have just put an early lock on my personal album of the year race. How about you?
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Simon, I’m glad you made this post & since I am known to viciously attack your usual hip-hop posts I’m going to tocuh on a subject you actually mention in your blog item. I logged onto CBS.COM on Tuesday to check out the new cast of Big Brother10 & was SHOCKED to see the LAST FM link for the new Nas album, since I knew what the cover looked like (his back with the slave whipping marks)! I was like, OK, I know he wants this album heard, whivch is why he changed the title, but seriously as a well-rounded consumer of ALL music I was like HERE?! I can’t see a very large margin of Big Brother fans being into the album & regardless of the glowing reviews, I have to concede NOTHING on the album stood out to me. I listened all the way through. Even the single, “Hero” with hook singer of the moment, Keri Hilson & production from Polow Da Don, I was like BLAH. I’m going to listen again this weekend & I’ll listen more closely to the lyrical content, but I wish Nas well, but I think its gonna fail
I have been a fan for years and I totally agree with your assesments of his lack of beats and focus on some of his albums. But this one is a banger and I know the streets are eagerly awaiting the reclaiming of their fave “street king”.
Best Nas album since Stillmatic! The Lyrics and Production sound great!Can’t wait to cop it! Great Review… I totally agree…ALBUM OF THE YEAR.
Phil, Phil, Phil…you’re totally wrong. You must not have been listening to the right album. Perk your ears up, listen to the man speak, and stop being afraid of the truth. Haven’t you heard? NAS CAN’T FALL. Watch and see…the real always rise buddy.
I own every Nas cd that has been released, and of course this album can’t live up to the greatest album of all time, Illmatic… then again no album ever could, but I thought this was Nas doing what he does best. Rappin about somethin, and frontin about nothin. Like he said… he’s the last real n**** alive
I listened to the disc AGAIN, a bit more closely, and yes Nas does touch on a miriad of topics, but I still ultimately believe that the disc will open big, and then drop off the top of the charts, esp. with Miley Cyrus’s new disc dropping the following week, which yea, she & Nas don’t have the same fan base, but Nas isn’t going to sell as much as Lil Wayne & though this album is definitely intelligent, its going to fall on many deaf ears. Expect the hype for a week or so, then most hip-hop heads will turn their attention to the next Def Jam release, “The Recession” from Young Jeezy.
Havent listened to it yet. But that doesnt matter coz Nas will alwayz be Nas. The guy is simply Hip Hop. I think it will do well especially to Hip Hop lovers like me. “Do it Nas.”
I heard the album and it is great. I don’t think it has the clubbangers, but it has messages. It is what hip-hop should be also. Hip-hop can be about the party but it also can make you think about the world around us. Nas is showing it is not all about rims and money. I love Stillmatic but this is up there with it. Great album.
Garbage. Nas popularity post Illmatic always intrigues me. His hottest song since 1994 is the “Made You Look” remix and that is thanks to Luda and Jadakiss. Everyone of these new songs are ripe with inflated ego and outdated discussions. Still feel like you are discriminated against Nas? Check your savings account balance. Want to compare your music’s soul to Bob Dylan? He influenced a generation, you influence a percent of a genre of music. This “Sly Fox” line kills me, “What about Cheney and Haliburton?” what about it, Nas? Couldn’t finish reading the whole Wikipedia post? Fox News is skewed? Was that rhyme crafted in 2001? Tell me why I should be angry. The whole album is a poorly crafted outline (except for Fried Chicken, a song comparing poultry to chicks… retarded.) Thanks for Illmatic though.
I’m buying this early tomorrow!
I’ve been listening to Nas since “Live at the BBQ”, have all his albums and I think this his 3rd best album behind Illmatic & It Was Written, (close 4th is Stillmatic & 5th God’s Son). I agree with Phil, Nas will open big, but will not sell as much as Lil’ Wayne. “Untitled” is just to intelligent for this new generation, dumbed down Hip-(Dance)-Hop followers, it will fall on many deaf ears, such as “realist” or should I say “Realist the Hater” below. My wife is not much of a Hip Hop fan (she does love the club bangin Hip Hop “Lollipop” & “Amilli”) and she commented to me that the songs on “Untitled” sound different, so advance, so smart to what is on rotation, on the radio now. She just picked on it while I’ve been pumping “Untitled” at home or whenever we in the car. “Untitled” is not for the club, it is for your car, your home and your mobile MP3 player, it is for the sober mind. I wouldn’t want to hear this knowledge, Nas is kicking while I’m getting my drink on at the club. One!!!
Realist, if you don’t know why you should be angry, you haven’t been paying attention. This country still has a long way to go with regards to race.
Critics are killing me when they review this albumW I think this album, if any, clearly exemplifies Nas’ issue with picking mediocre beats for his album–most certainly doesn’t “fight that demon off for good”. The album’s radio friendly selections and overall lightweight beats sound too experimental and not as powerful as the lyrics he spits over them.
This is a good album, but Hip Hop is Dead was better. I’m only on my 3rd listen, but so far Untitled is a grade B at best, better than Street’s Disciple but a far cry from Stillmatic, HHID, or IWW.
i just got the album..i heard it over 50 times already on the net and i loved it soooo much i had to cop not only one but two, i would’ve coped more but im poor sorry lol anyways where do i start…this album is any word that describes the word perfect and or classic.. i literally got chills from every song on this album and thats mad crazy cause i haven’t heard an album that has had such a powerful impact on me in the illest minute yo word.. by the way you can tell how much he has matured over the years as a man and a eMCee and i got mad respect for that..but mad heads are saying this is wack compared to illmatic but i don’t think you can compare them cause they each have a completely different topic, one’s speaking about life in Queens Bridge this that and the third and the other is more of a political type album you get what im saying?(to everybody reading this) illmatic gets 5 mics, classic cause its mad ill in all forms, lyrically, wordplay, and dope beats in its own topic
and to me this album deserves it cause the same reason:ill lyrics, ill wordplay, and dope beats that can’t fit the topic any better you know what i mean?… but anyways i just want to thank him for this album and all the rest of them of course… he has been a major impact on my life as a hip hop head and a man word up and just to say it one more time this album deserves a 5/5, 4/4, 10/10, A+, whatevers perfect depending on the rating scheme.. all im saying is this album is classic and for the real hip hop heads who really love H.E.R. please support this album cause it deserves it, not just cause its Nas but because its real hip hop and there’s very little left, for now at least but thats all i have to say iight.. ONE LOVE
and to me this album deserves it cause the same reason:ill lyrics, ill wordplay, and dope beats that can’t fit the topic any better you know what i mean?… but anyways i just want to thank him for this album and all the rest of them of course… he has been a major impact on my life as a hip hop head and a man word up and just to say it one more time this album deserves a 5/5, 4/4, 10/10, A+, whatevers perfect depending on the rating scheme.. all im saying is this album is classic and for the real hip hop heads who really love H.E.R. please support this album cause it deserves it, not just cause its Nas but because its real hip hop and there’s very little left, for now at least but thats all i have to say iight.. ONE LOVE
listen people understand some things..first nas is 17 years deep in a game that has people fall off after 1 album….and all of releases always debut in the top 5 on da charts that shows a strong following….This man gave people diff perspectives on every album since illmatic. and has platinum status on every release. SOme people dont really feel Nasty thats fine…but if u a tru Hip-Hop head than you are able to respect an artists ability and talent regardless of your bias…i dont really care for Weezy cus hismusic has no substance but he is lyricist bar none. Now back to Nasty…he puts out wat he wants to put out…and its easy for us to say that this album is weak here or weak there but truth is its a Classic BECAUSE you will never hear it again and never heard it before n if you do…it wont be as good. Sometimes i think Nas has to be killed like BIG AND PAC (GOD forbid) to get his respect as a top 4 Emcee. Remember that NAS has had beef wit Pac Who called him the ringleader on Makaveli, BIG who made kick in the door for him, and Jay whom many see as the Best all time…..and NONE have hampered or killed his career. 9 albums deep and u have less commercial appeal than Pac BIG AND HOVA????….come on people dis da first dude with 2 5-mic albums in da source….da dude who’s lyrical catalogue and depth outmatches BIG’s..sorry to say it.. But da sad part it when NAs aint around no more we gonna do to Untitled what we did to Marvin Gayes Whats Going On..a concious concept album wit no love songs….w gonna call it a Classic….peace love and Blessings of God to errbody
What is there left to say about Nas? He’s been critically acclaimed, criticized, and hated on by many. Realist said check his bank acount… it don’t matter how much money a mans got if he can speak to people through his music, share his views, and influence tons of people, all in a smooth flow. This album comes in the number two spot in my Nas list right behind Illmatic. Easily album of the year. People of course are gonna have different views of this album, but same goes for everything, but I think this should sell more than Lil Wayne, ans shouldn’t be shadowed by Jeezys upcoming album, this should be heard by many and for a long time. A true classic that some people have a hard time hearing, maybe cause Illmatic was so good that people look down on his newest tracks cause it can’t live up to it… but that’s my view, you can have your own… peace
In response to the “realist”
1. His hottest song since 1994 is the “Made You Look” remix and that is thanks to Luda and Jadakiss.
_Made You Look” remix – thats his hottest song since 1994 ? are you on crack or are you a soulja boy fan??
2. you are discriminated against Nas? Check your savings account balance
hes made great music and has been paid but black people are still discriminated against in society u hve to be a redneck to deny that.
3.Want to compare your music’s soul to Bob Dylan?
- WTF he talking about covert racism in the music industry NOT saying “my music has more soul than bob dylan” u fool look up the lyrics
4. This “Sly Fox” line kills me, “What about Cheney and Haliburton?” what about it, Nas?
= sorry but he makes music not books – hes just feedin ppl links (e.g i lookd up haliburton after i heard the song and learned somthing
And finaly fried chicken is not about women nas said that its about black food stereotypes but he used metaphors
First of all speaking to realist… what? You aint a realist, check his bank account? This is about rating his music not to take a fake cheap shot at the man(even though he has money). Stay away from the music you can’t relate to…stick to your soulja boys music. You don’t even deserve to listen to Nas, keep trying to act tough realist, cause even you know you couldn’t be as real as Nas. People are entitled their opinions rightfully, but when you don’t know what your sayin… just keep them to yourself. The rap industry is flooded with crap. If the music sounds good with no content… platinum easy. What passes for rap music nowadays is embarrassing. The standards are below zero, soulja boy could never have made it 20 years ago. We need to raise the standards in music. Rap is looked down upon by others, and that takes away from people like nas cause of what rap is today.
im so excited to Nas’ new album arrives in stores. surely it will hit! so good luck! and keep the good work.
–altheya-
i hope i can hear his album? too! but base on their comment about his album! it was great! i wonder if i have his album as soon as possible!
-altheya-
It’s good! rolex watch?
luxury watch?