Customer Reviews

Hip Hop Is Dead

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

It is with Nas as it is with most of our favourite rappers (Common, Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg etc.), every time they release an album everyone has their fingers crossed that the beats will be on point. Unlike some of our other favourite entertainers (Jay-Z, The Game etc.) who seem to be magnets for hot beats, Nas seems to repel them at times. However, with production credits including Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Will I.Am (man of the moment) & Scott Storch Nas (or Def Jam) weren't taking any chances this time around. Moreover as if the idea that they would be competing for album space with such heavy weights lit some fire up they as*@$, Salaam Remi and L.E.S. really step their game up. In fact its L.E.S. who ends up with the best beat on the album on "Black Republicans"

Another thing that has had fans losing their breathe from anxiety attacks is the first single(s) which are never a good indication of what to expect from the album, "Thief's Theme" was grimy but Street's Disciple was more mellow and moody. "If I Ruled The World" and "I Owe You" had a more pop appeal but the respective albums had a street edge to them. On occasion he's been able to release a single that embodies the feel of the whole album e.g. "I Made You Look", "Nas Is Like", "Hate Me Now" and "Hip-Hop Is Dead." Although not the best track on the album but if you like it, you'll like the rest of the album.

Loyalty to his crew has also tended to drag Nas down in the past as he tended to give too much shine to his QB brethren who are, to put it mildly, less talented than he is. This time around he surrounds himself with the cream of the hip-hop crop i.e. The Game, Jay-Z & Snoop Dogg who all had hot selling albums out around the same time as his release , Not to mention Kanye West & Will I.Am who are always news worthy. For the most part they all add to, rather than take away from the overall album. More especially Jay-Z and The Game. Jay-Z plays the audience like a piano by teasing us with what seems like endless chatter before finally breaking into verse. All the while building up the hype to what is (for us hip-hop lovers) history in the making. The Game on the other hand jumps on the Nostalgic theme of the album by tastefully reworking an old verse for the first few bars before slaughtering the Dre beat on "Hustlers"

OK, let's recap... so we can relax about the beats cause Nas has enlisted some of the more consistent beatsmiths of the this century (Chris Webber excluded). The single although not a chart burner makes the point clear, "Hip-Hop Is Dead." The guests are all A-list material and most importantly they show up. So what about the man?

Nas always brings it lyrically and what makes this outing special is that he's got something to say. He's got a lot to explain after declaring that Hip-Hop was dead. The album starts off with tales of a street soldier getting ready for war, plotting who's getting it and how they gon' get it.
Each one of you guys that claim Hip-Hop is still alive
Like y'all ain't in agreement wit Nas...
On the next track Nas is a NY kingpin that is betrayed by one of his soldiers whose jealous of his name. Whether these two tracks have anything to do with the album title is up to debate. Maybe Nas is plotting the death of hip-hop in the first track and HE is a betrayed hip-hop getting ready for the attack, perhaps on the 1st track he's simply going to war with his detractors, either way both tracks demo Nas' superior story telling skills and his keen sense of observation.

From the 3rd track however, the stories (and metaphors) are put aside and Nas truly begins testimony.
Hip-Hop been dead, we the reason it died
Wasn't Sylvia's fault or because MC's skills are lost
It's because we can't see ourselves as the boss
Deep-rooted through slavery, self-hatred
The Jewish stick together, friends in high places
We on some low level s@#t
We don't want ni%$%z to ever win
See, everybody got a label
Everybody's a rapper but few flow fatal...

Young Jeezy must have heard the second verse to get pissed at Nas' cause it's aimed at the new cats
Wit their fingers intertwined in some gang-sign madness
I got an exam, let's see if y'all pass it
Let's see who can quote a Daddy Kane line the fastest
...
Do anythin' to get in the game, mixtapes, you spit hate
Against bosses; hungry f**ks are moraless
You should be tossed in a pit full of unfortunate vocalists
ni%$%z, I coulda wrote your s@#t...
Then on the next track Nas honours his predecessors as if to say what's wrong with rap today is the fact that we all forgot where it came from. As he runs through the names I realise that he has a point as some of the names I had not only forgotten but had dismissed as not even being Hip-Hop (shame on me).

By the time Jay-Z joins Nas on the over the top collabo "Black Republican" Nas has made his point and it is left to you to make up your mind. The middle of the album Nas addresses everything from his own relationship with the hood ("Not Going Back", "Hold Down The Block") to free loaders ("Still Dreamin') to writer's block ("Play On Playa") & "fallen" heroes ("Blunt Ashes"). To end off Nas returns to his favourite topic, the music to round out a satisfying musical ride that has something for all hip-hop lovers to groove to.

Music, and rap music in particular has been the canvas, brushes and paint used by artists (youth mainly) to relay their thoughts, state of mind etc. But at some point the brush, paint & canvas became more important than the picture they are used to draw. Nas addresses this phenomenon with his album and shows his disgust but in the end vows to continue painting.

People will dissect this album comparing it to everything else that's out and everything he's done but in the end, Nas had something to say and he said with this album. If more artist would take more time to think about what it is they wanna say before rushing to the booth, then all debates about Hip-Hop would come to an end

Nasir Jones once again makes his case for best rapper alive on his ninth LP and first for Def Jam Records, "Hip Hop Is Dead." This is an album unlike any he has ever done before, an extremely focused yet diverse record that covers a lot of topics and shines in many areas. This could be referred to as a concept album, because most of the disc has Nas commenting on the current state of hip hop and looking back to the past while striving to move forward as well. The album art depicts a somber funeral. Lyrically, Nas is just himself, showing his amazing vocabulary, metaphors, wordplay, emotion, and intelligence constantly. A few songs, such as "Where Are They Now" and "Who Killed It" are genius concept songs the likes of "Rewind," and others show a Nas that we haven't seen in recent years, one who makes effective, accessible rap songs like "Play on Playa" and "Hustlers." Musically, "Hip Hop Is Dead" is also very impressive. Nas enlists his tried and true producers L.E.S. and Salaam Remi for a few tracks but also gets beats from Scott Storch, Kanye West, Will.i.am, and Dr. Dre, creating an all-star cast of producers. "Hip Hop Is Dead" is a very interesting and enjoyable album, one that will not be remembered among Nas's definitive albums but certainly a highlight to a long career of consistently excellent rap records. I highly recommend "Hip Hop Is Dead" and consider it one of the top rap albums of 2006.

The album begins with the hard-hitting "Money Over Bulls...," a gritty sounding track where Nas angrily drops some raw philosophy, a promising start. "You Can't Kill Me" tells a story as only Nas can. I really like "Carry On Tradition," a Scott Storch-produced anthem where he pledges to stay true to the founders of hip hop. The next track is one that I enjoyed a ton. Nas accurately notes that "hip hop is a ghost town" and name-drops countless forgotten rappers from the 80s and 90s. A lot of these references are probably lost on many listeners, but it sounded like he was rattling off my entire rap collection, shouting out guys like King Tee, K-Solo, Group Home, and Tim Dog. This song was really fun for me, and the beat samples the recently departed James Brown (RIP). At first I was confused by "Hip Hop Is Dead" because it uses the same sample and a lot of the musical elements from "Thief's Theme" only two years ago. Supposedly will.i.am never knew Nas used the "Inna-Godda-Da-Vida" sample (earth to somebody!) but this production is nice nonetheless. Nas tells metaphorical stories and comments on where hip hop is today and where he wants it to be. This is a great single that represents the album well. "Who Killed It?" is a great concept track. Using different voices, he tells a sort of mobster movie story and traces back the roots of hip hop to slave chants and looks ahead. This is one of those songs that I know I will be continuing to decipher years from now, and that is something I have always loved about Nas. The epic collaboration with Jay-Z, "Black Republican," is a song rap fans have been eagerly anticipating, myself included, and it doesn't disappoint. Over a majestic horn fanfare, the two legends rap with an inspired sound. "Not Going Back" chronicles Nas's life in a way, and his wife Kelis sings the hook. The nostalgic Kanye West production "Still Dreaming" is a definite highlight, using a great sample and it's lyrically gripping. "Hold Down the Block" is vintage Nas material, excellent all around. Philadelphia 76ers power forward Chris Webber produced "Blunt Ashes," an emotional look at music and life. Anthony Hamilton sound-alike Tre Williams steals the show on the musically beautiful "Let There Be Light," and the two make a very inspired and deep song. Snoop Dogg collaboration "Play on Playa" and The Game collaboration "Hustlers" are two mainstream friendly songs that are nonetheless lyrically impressive, showing great chemistry and verses from all involved. I like "Can't Forget About You," and the album ends with a very interesting spoken word "Hope" which answered a lot of questions.

"Hip Hop Is Dead" is a very impressive and entertaining album that provides a lot of different kinds of tracks and showcases Nas's talent and genius to his full potential. He has a lot to say and goes about it in a very admirable manner. Musically and lyrically, this album is consistently wonderful and I suggest all hip hop fans give it a listen. It's also one that I'm sure I will be listening to years from now and finding new lines and concepts that I never fully comprehended before, just as I have on all of his albums. It's just entire works like this that are the reason Nasir has been my favorite rapper for so many years. "Hip Hop Is Dead" does justice to all of Nas's past work and is a great listen in itself.

I am speechless. Absolutely phenomenal. The new crop of KRAPPERS (Korny Rappers) need to sit down and take a lesson from a REAL MC. Today's HIP HOP is not only DEAD, but trash, garbage, and smelly like dirty underthings. Today's Hip Hop is an insult and an affront to every Hip Hopper dead or alive. It is a disgraceful perversion of hip hop culture. being a Ny Born Hip Hop head who was there for the days of THE ROXY and THE FUN HOUSE and the LQ, today's HIP HOP is something I don't listen to, buy, or understand. It is a sick deluded view of street life. This album, on the other hand, reflects the true soul of HIP HOP. In fact, PUBLIC ENEMY'S new album REBIRTH is just as good, but because BLACK RADIO plays who they are paid to play, P.E.'s new album while brilliant as NAS' WORK has been ignored. Hopefully the day will come when the OLD SCHOOL returns to claim their position. Hoepfully, with the shock waves from NAS' work and the NEW P.E. joint, the days of mummbly mouthed, violent, jerky, dope laced, women bashing, money aggrandizing, anti-humanistic "Hip Slop" and "Krappers" will disappear from the face of the earth. I am sick of gold, weed, blunts, death and naked women. FIGHT THE POWER!

Nas has always and will always be an ICON is the Rap Industry, because he brings what so many mainstream rappers, like Jay Z, don't bring and that is "Conscious" rap. The social, political, educational, economical, and spiritual challenges facing the most feared and most disrespected population in America, is always addressed in Nas's albums and this one is nooo different!!

Call it what you want, but since Tupac's early physical departure, there hasn't been a rapper who has brought the "real" to Rap like Nas has!!...I can't hear you haters!!!

Will the "Real Rappers" Please Stand Up!!! There is a population who is begging for your direction!!!

Thanks Nas for doing what you do! The Struggle Continues...

Nasty Nas Escobar helped close out the '06 hip hop year with his first album on Def Jam Records(yeah, I never thought I saw the day either). When you look at Nas' discography, the majority of his records were on point. So what makes this one so special? Nas saw that the Hip Hop culture was in trouble, and needed to make a stand on the way it was heading. Trust me, he and a lot of hip hop heads in this world were realizing that it's culture was heading in deep trouble.

Basically, Nas took this CD back to it's roots. On the song "Where Are They Now" I was suprised he named all of those rappers and asked why did the majority vanish without a trace. I ask that same question sometimes about a lot of those rappers back in the 80's and early 90's. Most of these songs revolve around the album's title, like the previous song, as well as the lead single "Hip Hop Is Dead" and "Who Killed It?".

Guest appearances are great as well. I think the big appearance through this album would be formal rival Jay-Z on "Black Republican" (I never thought I would see the day). If you're familiar with politics, you would understand what that song means, as both arists seemed to have metamorphically achieved that status. A new singer that I haven't heard of named Christette Michele appears with Kanye West on the song "Still Dreaming" and on the song "Can't Forget About You". Her vocals on the latter song, sounds like the song was made in the 60's. Snoop Dogg makes a fabolous appearances on the song "Play On Playa", as he still holds up his lyrical content. Other appearances are The Game, Marsha from Floetry, Tre Williams, and Kelis.

Production is great as well. will.i.am, Kanye West, and Dr. Dre handles some of the production as well as others. Truthfully, on this album, production isn't imprortant because his lyrics take the cake throughout this album.

There are a few minor rough spots here. "Blunt Ashes" is the only track I consider under skip material. Nas raps slowly to stay on beat, and I just didn't feel that in my opinon. Other than that, this album is excellent if you ask me.

I believe it took a lot to speak about an issue of a culture that people were raised on (as heard on the ending song "Hope"). Nas saw that Hip Hop was in a state of emergency when he made this album, and reinvented himself when he made this album here. Having overcoming obsticales and being signed to Def Jam is a major accomplishment. Anyone still controversal enough comparing Nas to Jay-Z needs to let it go. It's over. I believed that he helped end Hip Hop 2006 on a very good note with this album. If you want to hear a fresh sounding Nasir Jones, do not hesitate to listen to this album.

Lyrics: A+
Production: A
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A-
Overal: A

Favorite Tracks: You Can't Kill Me, Carry On Tradition, Where Are They Now, Hip Hop Is Dead, Black Republican, Not Going Back, Hold Down The Block, Play On Playa, Hustlers, Hope

Honorable Mention Tracks: Money Over BS, Still Dreaming

Peace Everyone!!!

Will Nas' fans forever compare everything he does to Illmatic? Will you forever run home and cry and say that he refused to make another one? People, get over it. In Hip Hop is Dead, Nas has crafted an album that is for the listener, for a person that appreciates skilful wordplay and not for the person who appreciates the hottest beats. It's a great album, and a unique mature album from one of hip hop's greats. Y'all should be thankful he made it at all. If y'all still want to hate, go listen to Jeezy or Banks or Fiddy or something. That'll cure you right quick.

Rather than launch into a string of hyperbolic pronouncements declaring Nas' latest LP to be the greatest record ever, let me start off with three of the most likely criticisms that "Hiphop is Dead" will encounter:

1) Weak production -
Many will argue that the production on "Hiphop is Dead" is all over the place and inconsistent. Some will say that they expected more from Dre, Stargate, Kanye, and Will I Am. Others will say Will I Am sucks and he should not be on the record. Others will say who is Mark Batson and why the hell is Cris Weber producing a track? Still others will cry out, "why didn't Kanye bring his A game to the boards?" In my opinion all of these questions miss the point. Listen to the Kanye track, have you ever heard him rhyme better? Why do you think Kanye choose a down tempo melancholic track for his collaboration? Kanye knows what all dedicated Nas fans know - when you listen to Nas you're listening to the lyrics. It's the lyrics that propel and sustain a great Nas song. So Kanye brought his A game to the lyrics and created a song that, in its subdued pulse, would provide the appropriate background to let him and Nas steal the show. As for the production being all over the place? The production is all over the place! Nas is experimenting - songs like "Where are they now?" are just as experimental as "Who Killed It?" In my opinion the production is very strong (I think the Chris Weber track is one of the best on the record) but, if you disagree with me, remember that it's a Nas record. Also remember that Nas, like all great artists, requires that the listener/reader/watcher readjust his ears/brain/and eyes to a new vision.

2) The message -
Many will criticize Nas for living in the past and coming out with a "traditionalist" approach which does not "do" anything to change or improve Hiphop today. However, each song has a point, a focus, and, in the context of the life or death of Hiphop, a message. Taken together, in total, "Hiphop is Dead" is unprecedented - the range, scope and delivery of the project has never been attempted before. Why does Nas start with "Money over B###" and "You Can't Kill Me?" Think about it. Before Nas launches into the concept of the record, he reminds us of who he is and what his contribution has been. "Money over B###" is Nas at his apex - dense rhymes and a minimal vintage Nas beat (the album's best in my opinion) bring us back to Illmatic. "You Can't Kill Me" brings us back to "I Am" and Nas' Slick Rick influenced story telling abilities. Both tracks claim Nas' spot in the "tradition" that he will define on the third track. The next several tracks establish the air of nostalgia that, far from bounding the potential of hiphop, provide the lifeblood that sustains it! Nas' history lesson in "Blunt Ashes" is really a kind of "anxiety of influence" analysis of how art shapes itself. Think about what comes before it and what comes after. Relate the placement of "Let There Be Light" to the artistic theme of Blunt Ashes. Did you do that? So how can anybody say Nas is trapped in the past? Even "Play on Playa" (the most unoriginal and derivative of all the songs and, despite the vintage Snoop, by far my least favorite track - perhaps it's because Snoops kills it! Naa there must be another reason...) takes us back to a style and form of hiphop that is embedded in the genre. In short, the entire record is masterfully designed and executed. I have not even really scratched the surface! Lots of thought went into every aspect of this record. Folks we have a masterpiece on our hands...

3) The Illmatic Factor -
"Illmatic" will always stand on its own and nothing Nas will ever release can have or should be expected to have the "where did that come from?" factor of "Illmatic." However, this is a more mature, more refined, and, I would argue, more listenable and reflective lyrical collage. All the ingredients of "Hiphop is Dead" can be found on "Illmatic." However, Nas' ambition is much greater on "Hiphop is Dead." In true KRS1 fashion Nas is bringing judgment. Some may think that Nas is pedantic but they are forgetting that Nas' brand of hiphop can be and should be (for it to remain true) pedantic! Ever listen to "Criminal Minded?" How bout "Fear of a Black Planet" or "Paid in Full"???? This record aims higher than "Illmatic" we are no longer listening to the objective ghetto reporter, we are now taking a lesson in artistry. This record forces us to grapple with elevated questions that before now, no hiphop artist has been able to ask with such clarity, precision, and feeling. "Hiphop is Dead" is a classic record and will be remembered as a classic as long as the genre exists.

I hope Nas takes his time with his next record because "Hiphop is Dead" is so good, so comphrensive, and so lyrically precise, concise, and definitive, this record could be the tombstone memorializing his career.

Hip-hop kind of is dead when you think about it. Artists who're in it just for the "dough" or "cake", if you will, are pretty much the artists who rap about pretty much just that...money. So Nas has decided to bring this up to the public and expose such fakes (or whom he probably calls fakes) like 50 Cent, Rick Ross, T.I., Mike Jones, and MIMS, just to name a few.

But this album really succeeds in exposing this sad but true statement of greed and the need to hustle to get money. Nas says it himself when he talks about why an ex-hustler can't get into the game.

This album is really strong in deliverance and has some jaw-dropping baselines. The beats are average, pretty much. But Nas's lyricism compensates for the flaws, which are pretty scarce. It is worth buying but compared to his other albums, it is the worst.

Other featured artists on this album include Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, Kelis, Kanye West, Chrisette Michele, Snoop Dogg and more.

Top Songs:
1.) Let There be Light ft. Tre Williams
2.) Hustlers ft. The Game & Marsha Ambriosous
3.) Hip Hop is Dead ft. Will.I.Am
4.) Blunt Ashes
5.) Carry on Tradition

Nas has a gift not even the ones who have been around as long as him possess. He has a way of writing that puts everyone in his place, ad makes you understand the real mechanics of hip hop and the heart the music has. He's smart, witty and a more talented emcee than almost anyone putting out albums out now. The pure experimental nature of the album, not to mention the great beats make it head and shoulders above anything out on the market now. It's too bad that younger people are listening to "hip-hop" from the likes of Ying Yang Twins and Young Dro instead of the REAL stuff. Maybe you have to be an adult? Who knows, but NAS is the best around. Jay-Z better take notes, b/c Kingdom Come is more like a poor imitation of rap compared to this.

Haha this guy has so much love for music and life what a stand up guy. Always inspirational and uplifting, the man reinvents himself and expresses his music in many new ways again. He is always willing to take risks and challenge hip-hop. Something every artist should do. Evolve and bring something new to the table. Nas does just that on Hip-Hop is dead. Get this album and play it over three or four times and then come to a conclusion about it.

My favorite tracks in order:
1.)Let there Be Light - Third Verse he kills it ("Can't sound smart cuz yall run away the say I ain't hungry no more...I beg to differ...Only then I'll let you pick my brain.") Perfect couldn't have said it any better.
2.)Can't Forget About You - That's a real anthem. Love the whole entire message. The lyrics are thought-provoking and on point.
3.)Hip-Hop is Dead - 2nd verse kills it the whole way through "most intellectuals will only half listen" well listen to the second verse then.
The whole entire album is a puzzle with tracks that build off eachother. This album is a classic. Jay and Nas together for the first time. They are so much smarter than the rest. Love AZ, Mos, Talib, Gangstarr ect. too.

For those who don't understand "who killed it" real hip-hop heads respect it and might appreciate more than any other song on the cd. Nas is at his best with creativity on this track. I don't understand it all and it's not my favorite track but it's just another example of the genius Nasty Nas posesses. Other examples of nas's creativity are "I Gave You Power," nas tells the story from gun's point of view. "Rewind," nas tells a story backword. "One Mic" Nas builds up his a emotions slowly until exploding genius concept. "Sekou Story and Live Now" Nas pitches up his own voice. "Who Killed It" Is his latest to add to the collection.

Best rapper dead or alive in my opinion. The Golden Child's career is now complete with this album. He lived up to everyone's high expectations. People will figure this out some sooner than later.

Nas albums from best to worst: Illmatic, Stillmatic, Hip-Hop is Dead, It Was Written, Lost Tapes, God Son, Street Disciple, I Am, and Nastradamus.