Peruvian Connect
All Star
If "Nasir" is the worst I cant respect your opinion. "Nasir" is a great piece of work. Only song I skip is "Cops Shot The Kid". Everything else go.
Nas - Magic 2 (Discussion thread)
- Thread starter Dylmatic
- Start date
yesiambowling
Pro
There's a noticeable jump in the quality of his writing and delivery after KDII. I'd say this is his best performance in sheer rapping out of all 5, but not the best overall work.You were worried about him on KD2?
I don't know if this lines up or not, but Nas caught COVID between KD1 and KD2. I don't know if that affected him or his process, but maybe it didn't because he referenced things that had happened in 2021, about a few months before the album came out. I don't think it takes Nas and Hit-Boy that long to make these albums, which is why they're releasing them every year.
With Magic, I feel like that was completely spontaneous because they were riding the high from KD2. After that album came out, they barely took time to breathe before working on the next one. That's why Nas' confidence was out of this world on Magic. That album was full of shyt talking, like he was getting annoyed that he had to continue letting people know how great he is. The production reflected that.
KD3 took considerably longer because the expectations were higher this time. It was the only album in this run that we knew we were getting, and Nas was back to touring while also having his hand in other projects so they had more time to think about what they were doing. I'm assuming there were multiple tracks they recorded that we're never going to hear because they weren't good enough. Then there was the "no features" concept, which probably took some time to decide. By this point, Nas was fully secure in his relationship with Hit-Boy and they pushed themselves to somehow top everything they had done for a third time.
I feel like every album sounds the way it does because it's a reflection of where Nas and Hit-Boy were at that specific time. KD1 was them feeling each other out, since Nas only came to Hit-Boy for a beat, then it became an EP, then an album, and then they lost time due to COVID and Hit-Boy pushed Nas to finish the album when he wasn't feeling good. They knew they would do a sequel and they were getting to know each other better, so every album after KD1 was them building on their relationship, seeing the reactions they were getting, and becoming more confident with each release.
Never liked that one as a whole.I AM ranked below HHID???
Matter of fact I'm not fond of any of the 4 Nas album released between 1997 and 2000.
Nas’ Magic 2 is a testament to his longevity in the rap game, showcasing his ability to deliver quality music even late into his career. The album marks the fifth collaboration with producer Hit-Boy in the 2020s, following Magic and the King’s Disease series, and their partnership remains successful.
While we sometimes feel Hit-Boy’s beats are too polished and soft, the production on Magic 2 is pretty dope, with Hit-Boy displaying his range as a producer. The beats vary from banging to laidback, with Nas seamlessly adapting his flow to each track. Although the album may be considered too short to be a full-length release at just over 30 minutes, it still presents a cohesive project that flows well from start to finish.
Opening with an intriguing intro track, Magic 2 captivates listeners from the start. “Abracadabra” stands out with its powerful bass, while “Black Magic” maintains a similar production style but with a more subtle bass that complements the sample. Throughout the album, Nas’ lyricism remains sharp and witty, showcasing classic boasting on standout tracks like “Abracadabra”, “What This All Really Means”, “Bokeem Woodbine”, “Slow It Down”, and “Earvin Magic Johnson.”
While Magic 2 may not have exceeded the expectations set by King’s Disease 3, it still solidifies Nas’ position in the Hip Hop scene even more. Despite its brevity (we didn’t include the first Magic in our best of 2021 list because it runs for less than 30 minutes and therefore is an EP in our book), the album impresses with its dope tracks and Nas’ excellent delivery and flow. The few features on the album are OK too, and the chemistry between Nas and Hit-Boy continues to reach new heights.
Overall, Magic 2 is another great addition to Nas’ catalog, showcasing the enduring power of his partnership with Hit-Boy. The strong production and Nas’ impeccable delivery make Magic 2 another solid project in his illustrious career.
Release date: July 21, 2023.
hiphopgoldenage.com
While we sometimes feel Hit-Boy’s beats are too polished and soft, the production on Magic 2 is pretty dope, with Hit-Boy displaying his range as a producer. The beats vary from banging to laidback, with Nas seamlessly adapting his flow to each track. Although the album may be considered too short to be a full-length release at just over 30 minutes, it still presents a cohesive project that flows well from start to finish.
Opening with an intriguing intro track, Magic 2 captivates listeners from the start. “Abracadabra” stands out with its powerful bass, while “Black Magic” maintains a similar production style but with a more subtle bass that complements the sample. Throughout the album, Nas’ lyricism remains sharp and witty, showcasing classic boasting on standout tracks like “Abracadabra”, “What This All Really Means”, “Bokeem Woodbine”, “Slow It Down”, and “Earvin Magic Johnson.”
While Magic 2 may not have exceeded the expectations set by King’s Disease 3, it still solidifies Nas’ position in the Hip Hop scene even more. Despite its brevity (we didn’t include the first Magic in our best of 2021 list because it runs for less than 30 minutes and therefore is an EP in our book), the album impresses with its dope tracks and Nas’ excellent delivery and flow. The few features on the album are OK too, and the chemistry between Nas and Hit-Boy continues to reach new heights.
Overall, Magic 2 is another great addition to Nas’ catalog, showcasing the enduring power of his partnership with Hit-Boy. The strong production and Nas’ impeccable delivery make Magic 2 another solid project in his illustrious career.
Release date: July 21, 2023.
The Best Hip Hop Albums Of 2023 - Hip Hop Golden Age
This The Best Hip Hop Albums Of 2023 list is a work in progress. It will be updated at least once a month - so bookmark this page and check it regularly!
hiphopgoldenage.com
qnsfinest
Superstar
Its a good 3.5 mic album. I wanna hear your opinion in which is his “worst”.
It definitely isn’t nastradumus
This is a good example of why music is subjective. The same way you feel about I Am... is what I think when I see how high this board ranks It Was Written. For me I Am... is better and more enjoyable to listen to
Cloutius Maximus
with the aid of the Funk...
edit: wrong thread
magic 2 is dope. 7.5/10
magic 2 is dope. 7.5/10
u mad son?
All Star
Mans are gonna go back and check this album a month later and realise how wack this project actually was
once the new nas project gloss rolls off
70% of KD series was wack trap shyt
once the new nas project gloss rolls off
70% of KD series was wack trap shyt
This is a good example of why music is subjective. The same way you feel about I Am... is what I think when I see how high this board ranks It Was Written. For me I Am... is better and more enjoyable to listen to
It Was Written’s high status in Nas discography isn’t just one of those “Coli Nas Stans” things though. It Was Written is almost universally looked at as a defining Nas album. Everyone from Lupe Fiasco to Rick Ross has publicly spoken on how influential the album is. It Was Written’s praises are definitely not sung in a vacuum
Not saying it is, just using it as an example.
Maybe it was COVID affecting the process. Their chemistry has improved with every release, I even prejudge this project a lil to fast and it’s grown on me since it’s dropped. I just know Nas is back in lyrical shapeYou were worried about him on KD2?
I don't know if this lines up or not, but Nas caught COVID between KD1 and KD2. I don't know if that affected him or his process, but maybe it didn't because he referenced things that had happened in 2021, about a few months before the album came out. I don't think it takes Nas and Hit-Boy that long to make these albums, which is why they're releasing them every year.
With Magic, I feel like that was completely spontaneous because they were riding the high from KD2. After that album came out, they barely took time to breathe before working on the next one. That's why Nas' confidence was out of this world on Magic. That album was full of shyt talking, like he was getting annoyed that he had to continue letting people know how great he is. The production reflected that.
KD3 took considerably longer because the expectations were higher this time. It was the only album in this run that we knew we were getting, and Nas was back to touring while also having his hand in other projects so they had more time to think about what they were doing. I'm assuming there were multiple tracks they recorded that we're never going to hear because they weren't good enough. Then there was the "no features" concept, which probably took some time to decide. By this point, Nas was fully secure in his relationship with Hit-Boy and they pushed themselves to somehow top everything they had done for a third time.
I feel like every album sounds the way it does because it's a reflection of where Nas and Hit-Boy were at that specific time. KD1 was them feeling each other out, since Nas only came to Hit-Boy for a beat, then it became an EP, then an album, and then they lost time due to COVID and Hit-Boy pushed Nas to finish the album when he wasn't feeling good. They knew they would do a sequel and they were getting to know each other better, so every album after KD1 was them building on their relationship, seeing the reactions they were getting, and becoming more confident with each release.
But yeah I was a lil worried after KD2. Nas was flowing really slow & relaxed on a lot of KD2. More relaxed than usual, and he was picking and choosing his spots on the album… which is fine cuz it worked. It’s a real musical album and Nas cruised on it.
Some songs you hear him punching in a lot, the GOAT was kinda sounding old on certain songs… I didn’t take into account he might’ve been sick
Nas is a great songwriter that’s why even if he’s not being his usual master lyrical self, he can still craft great listens. That was basically KD2 to me
Count Me In is my shyt, lyrically it’s not blowing you away by Nas standards. Song is still a 5/5 for me
Brunch on Sundays, love it. That shyt ain’t lyrical. Same with Death Row East, The Pressure, shiiiiet a lot of the album
It wasn’t until most of Magic and really KD3 when I felt Nas really brought it back. On this album here he is in the same zone as KD3, Nas is really rapping at an elite level again
I woulda been lying if said he was rapping at an elite level those first 2 albums (outside a song here or there)
Mike the Executioner
What went on up there? Poppers and weird sex!
Honestly, I noticed the jump immediately with KD2. There were times on the first King's Disease where Nas was more reserved, not putting his foot on the gas like he normally would because Hit-Boy inspired him to change his approach. On KD2, he's more aggressive and willing to attack the beats. Compare the original "EPMD" to "EPMD 2" and you'll hear the difference. His confidence is already higher on KD2 than on KD1.
spliz
SplizThaDon
I think he sound great on EMJ. lol.
spliz
SplizThaDon
I Am better than IWW??? Yikes. LolThis is a good example of why music is subjective. The same way you feel about I Am... is what I think when I see how high this board ranks It Was Written. For me I Am... is better and more enjoyable to listen to