Opinions on "Life Is Good" new Nas Album

[ScottTickle888]

Hello Everyone,

Anyone who has opened this thread I am going to (assume) you are a fan of hip hop/rap music lol.

I was curious if anyone has opinion(s) on the new Nas album that has just dropped (at least on itunes). Its an interesting environment in hip hop right now... and for an ole G like Nas to take his stab at the new rap environment of 2012 has already sparked numerous discussions on hip hop blogs all over the internet.

I personally have not listened to the album yet, and have mixed feelings about this. I love Nas and play Illmatic and It Was Written on a regular basis..... however, in 2012 it is a different game.

Any thoughts by this are appreciated! Lets see this discussion get going!

 

[myth77]

I have only listened to a few tracks from the album, but I think it's pretty solid. He chose beats that sounded fairly classic, which isn't easy to do, given the types of awful beats producers are making in mainstream now. His rhymes are as good as ever too. The new generation needs to hear Nas, and the success of this album will help put the spotlight back on his old works. I wish it would make people long for the classic sound of hip-hop from the Golden Age, but we are fortunate to at least be getting a little bit of that good hip hop from artists like Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, etc.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

In 2012 it's a different game and thats exactly why we need this Nas album. I haven't listened to it yet but plan to check it out soon. We have to enjoy the elder statesmen of rap while we can.

 

[myth77]

^Agreed. We've lost quite a few hip-hop masters in recent years. Those that are still around need to continue to put out more quality albums so the true sound of hip-hop doesn't get lost to the weak music of today.

 

[ScottTickle888]

I have had a chance to listen to it at this point as well, and myth77 I could not agree more with you that the new generation needs to hear Nas.

I think it is a very well done album. The one thing that critics need to remember... Nas has evolved as a person and as an artist just like any other human being. Illmatic is and always will be one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) hip hop albums of all time. But Nas was a 20 something year old guy when he recorded that masterpiece. In 2012 he has matured, and his content and sound are going to follow with the growth he's made.

With that being said, I think this was a fantastic album. The large professor feature on locomotive gives the ol school heads what they crave. And tracks such as Summer on Smash and Cherry Wine are good modern day songs with some credible appearances.

I hope the younger generation of hip hoppers can appreciate this is as I do.