Nas has always said he wasnt a studio rat. He just works different. Pulls inspiration from different things. He would retire if he wasnt all in.
Exactly.
The most “prolific” Nas has been was during the I Am recording sessions and that was because it was supposed to be a double album. Other than that Nas usually goes into the studio when he’s specifically focused. Thats why when certain people were calling HHID and the ****** album gimmicks, those of us who have really been following Nas understood what he was doing was attempting to focus himself on a singular concept in order to stay grounded.
If you look at EVERY Nas album except for Nastradamus and Nasir they follow a specific theme or focus
Illmatic- Debut album. Grand entrance into the world of Hip Hop. Telling his story and reintroducing the world to Queensbride
It Was Written- Proving himself commercially viable while simultaneously artistically pristine
I am- Merging the street poetics of Nasty Nas with the Don-ism of Escobar while proving haters and doubters wrong.
Stillmatic- Proving that he’s still Nasty Nas at his core while settling scores with his musical nemesis’s.
God Son- Channeling the pain of a lost loved one into a tapestry of nostalgic memory and prestigious art.
Streets Disciple- Exploring his many different personalities and personas on the eve of a life changing decision (Marriage to Kelis)
Hip Hop Is Dead- Speaking on the b*stardization of the art form while simultaneously providing a guiding light to its redemption
****** (Untitled)- Exploring and speaking on the realities of black existence within a racist country.
Distant Relatives- Expanding the exploration of black existence across the diaspora and celebrating black culture as a living, breathing, entity unto itself.
Life Is Good- Reflections of love lost, love re-found, and love everlasting. Life Is Good is not only a snapshot of Nas’s feelings for Kelis, but also his evolving viewpoint on Hip Hop itself and what it means to be a legendary MC
