So NAS got 4 classics

[Artfull Dodger]

classic is something that can only occur over time. masterpiece is a piece of work that is great unto itself. something doesn't have to be a masterpiece to be a classic.

nas has 5 masterpieces = illmatic, it was written, stillmatic, lost tapes, life is good (6 if you count DR)

nas has 7 classics = illmatic, iww, i am, stillmatic, gods son, lost tapes, untitled (8 if you count DR)

too early to call LIG a classic, but it is a masterpiece.

:shake:

 

[Champion]

It Was Written, Illmatic, Stillmatic.
with all these other albums being listed.

 

[Artfull Dodger]

Illmatic - 5mics / XXL
Stillmatic - 5mics
Lost Tapes - XXL
Life is Good - XXL [5mics rating coming Aug 5]

Thats as far as critics go...

Distant Relatives - Classic collabo album

Then...

It was written - Brilliant/A fan favorite and most mentioned by mcees
God's Son - Great album/Not classic
Untitled - Great album/Not classic
Hiphopisdead - Great album
I Am... - Great album

It Was Written and Reasonable doubt were originally graded the same by TheSource in 1996.

If any other artist put out an album like God's Son/It written it would be branded a classic but since its Nas his albums are measured against his own even though those ranked #5 or so are better than yo fav rapper's albums.