Diverse Hip Hop

It has been nearly four years since we’ve gotten a solo Nas album and after all the wait Nas delivers a new album entitled “Life is Good”. This album had a long road to being released from issues with his label to not getting the right singles to go, Nas had a couple of issues but now that it’s finally out we can hear if the Hip-Hop native can still deliver classic songs and a classic album. Check out the track-by-track review for “Life is Good” after the jump.

1. “No Introduction” – Piano keys is the first thing you hear on the beginning of Nas 10th solo album. From clapping to Nas spitting his verse this track is something to not forget. The talk about his life and how he hustled his way through things from selling drugs to robbing things. As the track went by Nas then switched to his better life now, from rags to riches this track is definitely one in the books.

2. “Loco-Motive” feat. Large Professor – Here’s a hardcore Hip-Hop track that brings you back to the 1990′s. From Nas spitting an ill flow with a beat that bangs. The hook is pretty simple, could have been better, but that’s just that Queens sound that we are use to from Nas so I’m not complaining.

3. “A Queen’s Story” – This track didn’t really stand out to me much, I like the story it tells but overall it’s an average track, Nas flow is on point as usual though.

4. “Accident Murders” feat. Rick Ross – Another Rick Ross and Nas collab, these never seem to get old. The hook could have been better but other than that Nas and Rick Ross both kill it.

5. “Daughters” – This track served as a single on the album and for a good reason because it’s actually a good track. The story Nas tells in the track can relate to mainly fathers but even young kids can understand and learn something from it which is dope. I would love to see Eminem on the remix too. Overall a very good track and a good choice for a single.

6. “Reach Out” feat. Mary J. Blige – I hope this track gets to be a single because it is amazing. Mary J. Blige really delivers on this track on the hook, it’s very catchy and the beat fits perfectly with her. Nas always delivers on his verses. Overall a very good track, definitely single material.

7. “World’s an Addiction” feat. Anthony Hamilton – Here’s another track that I feel like should be a single, Anthony Hamilton absolutely delivers on the hook. Nas once again delivers on his verse, the story telling and wordplay with Nas is just amazing throughout this song and the whole album.

8. “Summer on Smash” feat. Miguel & Swizz Beatz – I have a feeling this track will end up being a single since it sounds like single material, from the catchy hook and beat. This track is something different from the album since Nas is talking about something way different unlike on all the tracks he’s telling a story on here he’s just stunting, but nothing is wrong with that as long as you don’t over do it on your album.

9. “You Wouldn’t Understand” feat. Victoria Monet – Although Victoria killed the hook, I didn’t really think much of this track, nonetheless if you like it then listen, if ya don’t skip it.

10. “Back When” – I’m not a fan of the hook at all, but the verses Nas spits on this track are stuff not to forget or disregard. Overall a pretty good track that should have gotten a better hook. “I don’t get the credit I deserve, that’s why I don’t do interviews”.

11. “The Don” – The production on this track is insane, I can’t get enough of it. The sample on it is very dope and Nas completely bodies this track, not just lyrically but his flow is on point as usual.

12. “Stay” feat. The Large Professor – Here’s another track that I didn’t really care much for, The production I’m not feeling and the hook isn’t good either. Just a track on the album that won’t stay on the iPhone for too long.

13. “Cherry Wine” feat. Amy Winehouse – The late and great Amy Winehouse really delivered on the hook, she has an amazing voice and it’s sad that she passed away and couldn’t deliver more great songs with her voice again. Besides that Nas delivers on his verses as usual.

14. “Bye Baby” – I love the sample on this track, I’m feeling Nas verses on this track once again and the story he tells is something different from the album. Hook is on point too.

15. “Nasty” – Now this track is just crazy, from the Nas killing the verses to his flow being on point to the production being dope as hell, this track just doesn’t disappoint at all. Now this is that NASTY NAS that we know and love.

16. “The Black Bond” – I didn’t really like this track that much, production is simple and nothing special, it sounds like it should be on a spy movie or something. Overall not a good track to me.

17. “Roses” – The female on the hook is very dope, I think Nas really let out some feelings on how he felt about his ex wife on this track too. Overall a pretty good track, don’t know why it was only on the deluxe edition, should have landed on the original.

18. “Where’s The Love” feat. Cocaine 80′s – I wasn’t really feeling this track, it’s a decent track but nothing worth replaying ever again. The hook is on point though.

19. “Trust” (iTunes Bonus Track) – Now this track is my favorite track on the whole entire album, from the production to the amazing hook to the amazing verses. Nas really displays his talents on this track, I felt like this should have landed on the actual album instead of being just a “iTunes Bonus”. The verses on this track are just insane and the story he tells is nothing short of amazing. I wish it would have landed on the original so more people can hear it, nonetheless my favorite track on the whole album and I’ve been replaying this track non stop.

- A lot of the production on this album are just too simple, I felt like Nas could have switched it up more but then again I know that more simple beats are Nas type of style so I ain’t mad.

- I felt like “Trust” should have landed on the original album, bad move for Nas because it makes me wonder what other type of tracks he’s holding onto that are as good as “Trust” and if not better.

+ Nas didn’t rely on artists that are buzzing right now to be featured on his album. He just chose the artists that he wanted on his album and that’s a good move. I feel like artists nowadays just do tracks with the “Hot artists” at the moment just so they can gain some attention for they’re albums but Nas didn’t really care for that and I appreciate that.

+ Nas hasn’t lost his touch in making quality music, from his flow to the story telling he does on his tracks, he still hasn’t lost it after dropping 10 albums.

OVERALL SCORE:

9 OUT OF 10