Nas - Magic 2 (Discussion thread)

[HHID]

fwiw other than JPEG Mafia/Danny Brown joint and the Billy Woods joint he’s been pretty down on rap releases this year. Gave Killer Mike a 5 and didn’t like the Larry June at all

But he’s been pretty positive and given good scores to the other Nas/Hit Boy records (high 7’s, strong 8s and highly rated KD 2 and 3)
He has said he looks at the Magic albums as just appetizers even though he rated the first higher

Killer Mike a 5 WTF??

 

[prophecypro]

i think the feedback on this album both critics and fans is in line with what a lot on here are saying, KD3 KD2 and Magic were almost unanimously praised, this isn’t as good as those and I think the worries a lot of us had before of overdoing the amount of albums with one producer aren’t unfounded, need some new inspiration and maybe to mix it up a bit for the next release.

I think Nas and Hit just by themselves can still make a better album and get back in line with the other albums

But now it’s a perception thing. By releasing a low stakes album so quickly after your peak release it’s allowed people to say things about the paring that aren’t true and invite fatigue


Even if it’s an album with another producer, I would strongly advise Nas and the team to take a break and not release anything this year.

Especially when Mass Appeal are just gonna put these out with no build or awareness

 

[Slim Charles]

i think the feedback on this album both critics and fans is in line with what a lot on here are saying, KD3 KD2 and Magic were almost unanimously praised, this isn’t as good as those and I think the worries a lot of us had before of overdoing the amount of albums with one producer aren’t unfounded, need some new inspiration and maybe to mix it up a bit for the next release.

I like Magic 2 but there’s also to me an element of over saturation. Big Nas fans will happily hear him release albums every year or every 9 months. But I think for lot of people it can run risk of overkill. And the music really gotta hit if you’re releasing that frequently . I think if Magic 2 came out after KD2 it would get more praise. But after Magic and KD3 expectations were sky high.

Will be interesting what their next move is if they are feeling the slight increase in negativity (it’s still mostly positive though). Do you aim to come back asap with something better to slap back the critics or you take your time next go round.

 

[prophecypro]

Killer Mike a 5 WTF??

Actually correction I saw the video now and it’s a 6. Pitchfork also gave it a similar rating to Magic 2 (both 6.5)

He hasn’t given a lot of rap projects 7s or 8s or above this year. Goes back to how the year has been especially compared 2022 and 2023

 

[Ziggiy]

Killer Mike a 5 WTF??

Yea Mike was P I S S E D

 

[pez]

I like Magic 2 but there’s also to me an element of over saturation. Big Nas fans will happily hear him release albums every year or every 9 months. But I think for lot of people it can run risk of overkill. And the music really gotta hit if you’re releasing that frequently . I think if Magic 2 came out after KD2 it would get more praise. But after Magic and KD3 expectations were sky high.

Will be interesting what their next move is if they are feeling the slight increase in negativity (it’s still mostly positive though). Do you aim to come back asap with something better to slap back the critics or you take your time next go round.

I think it's still all good because if you think about it: Magic was 29 minutes, Magic 2 is 32 minutes. It's nice and short tracks. I don't feel overwhelmed. It's over before I know it. Unlike some albums that are slog to get through (looking at you, Donda, Drillmatic).

 

[yesiambowling]

Fantano seems to really prefer KD series to the Magic series in general. His ratings:

KD 7
KDII 8
Magic 7
KDIII 8
Magic 2 6

 

[Grand_Verbalizer]

Who thinks "Slow It Down" is probably the best track on this ?

 

[prophecypro]

Who thinks "Slow It Down" is probably the best track on this ?

I’m leaning to it

 

[prophecypro]

Fantano seems to really prefer KD series to the Magic series in general. His ratings:

KD 7
KDII 8
Magic 7
KDIII 8
Magic 2 6

Yeah he sees the Magic albums as warm ups

There might be a Lost Tapes comparison to them in that the first one were way better than the they should have been cause of the sessions they were part of and the second ones were more realistic to what the concept were

 

[T.he I.nformant]

My nikka hold up… Got Urself is a classic Nas single

The Flyest is some fly shyt

I’m with you on some of them other songs

Got Yourself A Gun ain’t wack but it ain’t no Made You Look or Nas Is Like

The Flyest has always been disappointing/underwhelming to me given the magic that I’ve seen when Nas and AZ get together…also during that timeframe AZ ended up with the better song on Aziatic with The Essence

 

[Prolific_1011]

I like Magic 2 but there’s also to me an element of over saturation. Big Nas fans will happily hear him release albums every year or every 9 months. But I think for lot of people it can run risk of overkill. And the music really gotta hit if you’re releasing that frequently . I think if Magic 2 came out after KD2 it would get more praise. But after Magic and KD3 expectations were sky high.

Will be interesting what their next move is if they are feeling the slight increase in negativity (it’s still mostly positive though). Do you aim to come back asap with something better to slap back the critics or you take your time next go round.

One of the benefits of dropping these albums with no promo and on short notice, is that it will always be a pleasant surprise when they announce it. Nas and Hit aren't making the press rounds repeating the same answers to the same questions. So it really doesn't come across as overaturation if they're not being played on the radio or doing a bunch of media appearances. They announce the projects and each person can decide to listen, or not.

Anyways, this is Nas... NAS! I say keep dropping them because whenever dude officially retires, then...

 

[Mike Wins]

Who thinks "Slow It Down" is probably the best track on this ?

Think it has the best verses. Favorite overall track is Pistols. Last three tracks to close it out before the bonus are really good

 

[Ziggiy]

Interview?

 

[Ziggiy]

Who thinks "Slow It Down" is probably the best track on this ?

Motion