Nas - Magic (Discussion Thread)
There's a clip I just saw on twitter with Hit-Boy doing a interview with Sirius Xm and he said something interesting. Basically that they got a lot of Love for KD2 but that in so many words the few criticism that he got was that some stuff just wasn't right for Nas. So basically he said with Magic he wanted to give Nas stuff that's more typical for him and it's been received the best. Also said he was reluctant to go full bare like that on the 1st 2 KDs because he didn't want to make it so obvious.. They must've got feedback from people they really respect for them to feel that way because the fans loved KD2.
I can’t think of anything on KD2 that was egregiously “not right” for Nas. KD2 is my personal favorite of the Hit-Boy era so far and I feel its almost flawless. Nas SNAPPED on that album lyrically and Hit-boy laced him with some awesome production. Even the modern “trap” sounding songs like YKTV and 40 Side sounded natural and unforced.
I can't lie I didn't like Yktv or 40 Side but I understand it because Nas likes different sounds and song types on his albums. Yktv was another Spicy attempt but for me personally it fell short.. I love the Spicy record. So that's 13 out of 15 songs I like on KD2.. Great album to me lol
Rap Reviews gave Magic a 9/10
“I was initially dubious of the hyperbole surrounding “Magic” but weeks later, the dust has settled and it’s clear Nas and Hit-Boy have developed into something special. Nas and Hit-Boy is a thing that has blossomed and there’s now an identity to the duo. It’s remarkable how these beats all have their own feel yet still work as a cohesive whole. The well-worn joke in hip-hop circles that Nas picks bad beats is effectively wiped. Nas is, in his own words, reincarnated, but with an additional self-awareness that is more grounded than his last few performances. There’s no cryptocurrency chatter or verses shoehorned into trap instrumentals. There are no skips, this is simply good ol’ Nas distilled.
And he’s right, it’s magic.
NAS :: MAGIC
9 Overall Score
Nas :: Magic – RapReviews
This is incredible considering they gave KD2 an 8 and cited it as their Album
Of The Year.
Magic is now at an 82 on Metacritic. It is his second highest critically acclaimed album behind KD2. He would have been in the 90’s if it wasn’t for punk ass Pitchfork
“I was initially dubious of the hyperbole surrounding “Magic” but weeks later, the dust has settled and it’s clear Nas and Hit-Boy have developed into something special. Nas and Hit-Boy is a thing that has blossomed and there’s now an identity to the duo. It’s remarkable how these beats all have their own feel yet still work as a cohesive whole. The well-worn joke in hip-hop circles that Nas picks bad beats is effectively wiped. Nas is, in his own words, reincarnated, but with an additional self-awareness that is more grounded than his last few performances. There’s no cryptocurrency chatter or verses shoehorned into trap instrumentals. There are no skips, this is simply good ol’ Nas distilled.
And he’s right, it’s magic.
NAS :: MAGIC
9 Overall Score
Nas :: Magic – RapReviews
This is incredible considering they gave KD2 an 8 and cited it as their Album
Of The Year.
Magic is now at an 82 on Metacritic. It is his second highest critically acclaimed album behind KD2. He would have been in the 90’s if it wasn’t for punk ass Pitchfork
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I got nothing against Trap beats but that one felt generic. Also even tho Nas can do it well not crazy about the double time flow. Like on Rare my favorite part of the song is the 2nd beat switch with that classic Nas flow to it.YOU DIDN’T LIKE 40 SIDE?!!?
Piff Perkins
Veteran
I took that comment from Hit Boy to moreso be about what Nas sounds best over. No one would say he sounds best over trap drums for instance. 40 Side is cool, but that's not really a home game for Nas. Same with YKTV which could have been on anyone's album. Most of KD2 sounds like it's in Nas' lane (Moments, Rare, The Pressure, etc) but I think Magic is the most Nas sounding album they've done. It's darker, grittier, harder drums etc.
The most left stuff on Magic are the drum-less loops, and Nas still rips Ugly and does solid on Wu Is For The Children. And they sound eerie enough to be "Nas shyt" despite the lack of drums.
Speaking of home games...40-16 is some straight of Hov shyt. When I hear horns and hard drums like that I automatically think of Jay. And Nas killed that shyt.
The most left stuff on Magic are the drum-less loops, and Nas still rips Ugly and does solid on Wu Is For The Children. And they sound eerie enough to be "Nas shyt" despite the lack of drums.
Speaking of home games...40-16 is some straight of Hov shyt. When I hear horns and hard drums like that I automatically think of Jay. And Nas killed that shyt.
Looks like they got a podcast now. These dudes used to dope AF! iLLogic one of the most slept on MC
I took the hard way in this shyt man it's the route for me 
i just think some fans that don’t evolve with nas wouldn’t like songs like the sound of no phony love or no brunch on Sunday’s. Even his flow on rare. What makes nas to me that dude is cuz he can make songs for everyone and even the songs that normally wouldn’t be my cup of tea he finds a way to put his crazy ass style and make it “nas” and makes me love the songs after a couple more listens. Son really can do it all. Some critics just stay stuck on one thing. He wouldn’t have been this successful had he stuck to one niche. That’s why I bug out when I see ya post some of ya favorite songs compared to some of mine or others. But at the same time, this is why I also know he’s targeting all of us in his own way.