Nas - Magic (Discussion Thread)

[Budda]

Its not even a review. These publications REALLY don’t want to a Nas album up there with similar acclaim to Illmatic now that Nas is independent. If he would have dropped the album in Def Jam they’d be falling all over themselves to anoint this the way they did Life Is Good.

Exactly I’ve peeped this too.

 

[Life is Good]

Sadly shes apart of his legacy. Same reason why Jay constantly gets brought up on here and in reviews.

No she is not apart of his legacy and neither is Jay. Nas legacy is built of of his own talent and longevity. Haters only try to use these two to slight Nas. No one with good sense would label them as a part of his legacy. Nas legacy is built from his own God given merit/talent.

 

[RAW_SPK]

No she is not apart of his legacy.

Legacy probably not the right word but shes apart of his history and at the very least some inspiration behind of one of his best projects. I get why nikkas upset cuz they shouldnt be bringing her up in a review about his project especially since it was damn near a decade+ old but thats been my argument in here forever that we shouldnt have to mention or bring up anyone else when discussing an artist or their project unless its just that significant to the project.

 

[Life is Good]

Its not even a review. These publications REALLY don’t want to put a Nas album up there with similar acclaim to Illmatic now that Nas is independent. If he would have dropped the album on Def Jam they’d be falling all over themselves to anoint this the way they did Life Is Good.

I don’t think it has anything to do with him being independent.

 

[Life is Good]

Legacy probably not the right word but shes apart of his history and at the very least some inspiration behind of one of his best projects. I get why nikkas upset cuz they shouldnt be bringing her up in a review about his project especially since it was damn near a decade+ old but thats been my argument in here forever that we shouldnt have to mention or bring up anyone else when discussing an artist or their project unless its just that significant to the project.

Kelis hasn’t been apart of Nas life in over 12 yrs. She has no significance in his life period.

 

[Ziggiy]

Legacy probably not the right word but shes apart of his history and at the very least some inspiration behind of one of his best projects. I get why nikkas upset cuz they shouldnt be bringing her up in a review about his project especially since it was damn near a decade+ old but thats been my argument in here forever that we shouldnt have to mention or bring up anyone else when discussing an artist or their project unless its just that significant to the project.

Its not even a damn review there’s no rating.


Rolling Stone didn’t review KD2 nor have they Magic as of this posting.


This is simply a write up. And given that the article is mostly focused on his MUSICAL legacy, bringing up Kelis is in poor taste. They didn’t mention any of his business triumphs or the philanthropy work he’s doing in Queensbridge. The article was STRICTLY about his discography UNTIL Kelis was mentioned

 

[Ziggiy]

I don’t think it has anything to do with him being independent.

Every Nas album released on a major label has been reviewed by Rolling Stone, even The Lost Tapes 1 & 2. I don’t believe it’s coincidental that KD2 and Magic (as of this posting) haven’t been reviewed. They KNOW the music is excellent, and so they skirt AROUND it by putting out articles and press releases talking about Nas’s legacy & album sales, WITHOUT actually reviewing the damn albums. Hip Hop DX is on that bullshyt too and its becoming disgustingly obvious.

 

[Life is Good]

Its not even a damn review there’s no rating.


Rolling Stone didn’t review KD2 nor have they Magic as of this posting.


This is simply a write up. And given that the article is mostly focused on his MUSICAL legacy, bringing up Kelis is in poor taste. They didn’t mention any of his business triumphs or the philanthropy work he’s doing in Queensbridge. The article was STRICTLY about his discography UNTIL Kelis was mentioned

Facts! She was only brought up to slight him bc they know musically Nas is killing shyt. She is being used to knock him just like that used Jay’s business accolades for yrs. They no longer can use Jay business accolades against Nas bc Nas is truly dominating in that field. They can’t use he picks “bad beats” bc he truly is dominating in that field too. So using an unproven accusation and he doesn’t have the radio hits to do a verse with Jay is the new narrative.

 

[Piff Perkins]

Mixture of him being independent and the Kelis stuff, that’s simply reality. It is what it is, I wouldn’t expect good reviews from the major pubs. So the fact that he got some here is nice.

Bigger problem to me is that actual hip hop pubs have largely ignored it. I don’t expect Pitchfork to care, I get it. Same with RS. But where’s HHDX and XXL?

 

[Alvin]

This shyt is perfect, this is what I thought KD1 & 2 should've sounded like, not that vibe/lounge music he was going for. This is like a modern progression of Nas with him still keeping the sound he is known for.

Magic > KD1 >KD2

 

[spliz]

Every Nas album released on a major label has been reviewed by Rolling Stone, even The Lost Tapes 1 & 2. I don’t believe it’s coincidental that KD2 and Magic (as of this posting) haven’t been reviewed. They KNOW the music is excellent, and so they skirt AROUND it by putting out articles and press releases talking about Nas’s legacy & album sales, WITHOUT actually reviewing the damn albums. Hip Hop DX is on that bullshyt too and its becoming disgustingly obvious.

It ain’t about him being independent and more about wanting to try to keep him a down a peg imo. They DO NOT want all these excellent reviews next to Nas’ name as of 2022.

 

[Life is Good]

Every Nas album released on a major label has been reviewed by Rolling Stone, even The Lost Tapes 1 & 2. I don’t believe it’s coincidental that KD2 and Magic (as of this posting) haven’t been reviewed. They KNOW the music is excellent, and so they skirt AROUND it by putting out articles and press releases talking about Nas’s legacy & album sales, WITHOUT actually reviewing the damn albums. Hip Hop DX is on that bullshyt too and its becoming disgustingly obvious.

Honestly the hell with their rating. Nas ratings come from his true fans. Y’all are the reason he continues to put out content. Nas does this for the love of it and to show his appreciation to hip hop and the fans that changed his life.

 

[H.S.]

Mixture of him being independent and the Kelis stuff, that’s simply reality. It is what it is, I wouldn’t expect good reviews from the major pubs. So the fact that he got some here is nice.

Bigger problem to me is that actual hip hop pubs have largely ignored it. I don’t expect Pitchfork to care, I get it. Same with RS. But where’s HHDX and XXL?

How many HipHop publications are there really? I just checked XXL and it looks like the last album they reviewed was Future's Hendrix album.

HHDX always seemed like it was running on fumes imo. I'm surprised that site is still around.

 

[Ziggiy]

How many HipHop publications are there really? I just checked XXL and it looks like the last album they reviewed was Future's Hendrix album.

HHDX always seemed like it was running on fumes imo. I'm surprised that site is still around.

There’s still Rap Reviews. They recently named KD2 their album of the year.


Hip Hop DX has become mediocre but their reviews still count towards metacritic which is the only reason their still somewhat relevant.

 

[H.S.]

There’s still Rap Reviews. They recently named KD2 their album of the year.


Hip Hop DX has become mediocre but their reviews still count towards metacritic which is the only reason their still somewhat relevant.

Okay, maybe I overlooked the recent reviews. Did they actually give KD2 a score with the XXL system though?