Nas - Magic 2 (Discussion thread)

[FloodedJesus]

I'm curious for those around at the time (i was around 10 then). What was the presence of Nas' name and music from 1997 to pre Stillmatic. I find it a fascinating era about Nas and somewhat defined where he went as an artist after.

I know he was all over the Clue tapes and had work with the Firm and NORE, loads of features and then of course two albums in 1999 which sold well. But this may be a Def Jam centric thing, but on lot of podcasts and the conversations about that era focus naturally on Jay, DMX and Ja. when people talk that era Nas doesn't come up in conversations as being an era defining artist for that late 90's period (and arguably he wasn't when compared to DMX, Jay and Ja)

As someone who wasn't there, it feels like A) not being part of Dej Jam machine didn't help in that way b) Firm not taking off how it should meant, while Roc had a crew of rappers, Nas went back to being dolo

During that 1997-2000 period Nas had:

The Firm (#1 Billboard + Gold)
I am (#1 Billboard + platinum)
Nastradamous (#7 Billboard + platinum)

He also featured on 5 songs that were Billboard hits.

So he was definitely part of the cultural conversation but during that period he was definitely overshadowed by the monster success of DMX etc

 

[We Ready]

The GOAT going to break the internet if a certain feature takes place.

On top of "break the internet" being the corniest term of the last decade, a Jay and Nas collab isn't making a ripple on the internet in 2023.



Maybe if it ws the first collab since Takeover/Ether, but come on now. You're gonna have to get your shyt together.

 

[Ziggiy]

Oh damn.....Nas really took 50 on the Nastradamus tour? Didnt know they were cool like that back then.......

On "once a man, twice a child" Nas does state" Before Many Men was out we went on tour and took 50....."......i wonder if that was the Nastradamus tour?

50 and Tony Yayo have spoken on this before

It was the Nastradamus tour. 50 says Nas was the first person in the industry to do something for him without expecting anything in return. 50 and Yayo both have said they were surprised by how calm and laid back Nas was and that he was always reading books while they and Jungle would be out wildin.

Nas has said that 50 was real soldier back then and was one of the few that was ready to go to war when the shyt popped off with Jay-Z.

 

[Ziggiy]

How the fukk does Nas have the time to make all these albums. Been on tour loads and it seems all the music is made in the studio with Hit. Work ethic is crazy.

And what’s crazy is nothing average to bad really. There’s the odd song that’s just OK to me (mostly some of the collab songs) but generally quality been incredible for 50+ joints

I know for the Wu tour last year Nas was flying Hit Boy out on tour with him. KD3 was finished up while Nas was on tour. WTF SMH was recorded while on tour

 

[Slim Charles]

Dumb q. Don’t have Apple Music anymore (wasn’t using it enough). Would rather cop Magic 2 on iTunes than subscribe again. It likely to be out for purchase exact same time as Apple Music drops it for streaming?

 

[I'm Blackman]

Now its official like i said earlier


The band is officially BACK together. Nas/Hit/David

Nice

 

[Ziggiy]

Dumb q. Don’t have Apple Music anymore (wasn’t using it enough). Would rather cop Magic 2 on iTunes than subscribe again. It likely to be out for purchase exact same time as Apple Music drops it for streaming?

Yes

Albums drop simultaneously across online stores and streaming services give or take a few minutes

 

[HNIC973]

Thinking people don't like an artist's new music because it doesn't sound like the old stuff is an oversimplification. There's a lot more to it. Criticisms have been explained in detail multiple times but if you're gonna default to "you just want Illmatic" than we're not going to get anywhere.

nikkaz in thread have said that not me. I'm not willing to debate this with any of ya’ll. Do I think all Nas/HB shyt is all time classic no. Why is it so hard for you nikkaz to understand people like these Nas/HB projects?

 

[Ensi]

Man I’m excited as fukk. It’s amazing how sharp he is. Still a mastermind at his craft. I ain’t comparing shyt. Just blessed the god is dropping the way he is. I can’t wait. Let go.

 

[Stick Up Kid]

not gonna lie, a Game feature would be dope... they got classics.

 

[Stick Up Kid]

What distinguishes Magic from KD 1-3? There is nothing thematically or musically separating them

you just wanted to use the word thematically..

 

[Slim Charles]

To me Magic was distinct compared to KD series. If you take individual tracks from either, some could fit in either series (Thun could easily be on Magic and Hollywood Gangsta could be on KD3). But on the whole beats were darker with more 90s sound influences. And I’ve said it on here multiple times. But Nas lyrically was different on Magic. Was rapping with more pace (The Truth and 40-16 Building prime examples) almost like the old 90s Nas where he’s trying to pack as much into a bar as possible. His delivery on KD1 and KD2 way slower and more conceptual tracks. While Magic on lot of joints more freestyle rapping and showcasing his MC skills.

I think the different titles and style of album covers plays a role in how you view each series. But 100% to me they’re different

 

[ADP]

will it be Gilmore or Crowes ?

nah, i used to be a fan before the amusment parks, hope he can deliver a strong verse like back in the day

-57h 19m

 

[Soymuscle Mike]

50 and Tony Yayo have spoken on this before

It was the Nastradamus tour. 50 says Nas was the first person in the industry to do something for him without expecting anything in return. 50 and Yayo both have said they were surprised by how calm and laid back Nas was and that he was always reading books while they and Jungle would be out wildin.

Nas has said that 50 was real soldier back then and was one of the few that was ready to go to war when the shyt popped off with Jay-Z.

That's where 50 picked up on "wanksta", Bravehearts taught him that shyt. Didn't he also say that Bravehearts were the wildest dudes he ever hung out with or sth.

 

[HHID]

the more they continue to drop together, the more they will likeky drop a disapointing project. but I already thought they wouldn't make it for kd3 since that's the first one that was anticipated and with the most pressure, but they managed to pulled it off. If Magic 2 is better than the previous one which is my favorite joint of the all run, I will not know what to say

I'm so exited I'm already changing my day off from thursday to friday so I can listen to the joint all day without being bothered. Since in Europe it will drop at 6 am I will be able to stay in bed and enjoy it with you guys. I will see the nolan movie thursday night then magic 2 and mission impossible 7 friday. What a week my friend

Yo, last year I tuned in for Mike & Coop's live show at 6 AM, that morning was incredible, listening to it at the same time with everybody in the comments wilding the fukk out track after track, what a insane moment. And then I played it again by myself 4 or 5 times, reading y'all over here. That feeling....