In the realm of hip-hop, Nasir “Nas” Jones stands as an unrivaled lyrical titan, securing his place at the pinnacle of this esteemed pantheon. Bursting onto the scene with the unbridled brilliance of Illmatic, the poetic genius from Queensbridge has consistently demonstrated his capacity to evolve and redefine artistic boundaries.
Nas’ discography is a rich tapestry of rap mastery, marked by diverse sonic explorations and collaborations with legendary producers and artists. His alliance with Hit-Boy, for instance, has yielded acclaimed albums like the King’s Disease series and the recent release, Magic 2, marking a compelling fusion of Nas’s past and present, executed with poetic finesse.
Noteworthy in this odyssey are the polished street poetry of It Was Written, the defiant Stillmatic, and the audacious explorations of Hip Hop Is Dead and Life Is Good. Nas’s albums transcend mere musical records; they stand as cultural artifacts, encapsulating the journey of arguably the greatest rapper of all time.
Now, let’s delve into a comprehensive ranking of every Nas album, spanning from the groundbreaking Illmatic debut in 1994 to the resounding comeback on Stillmatic in 2001 and the recent legendary King’s Disease era.
10. King’s Disease II
Released: August 6, 2021
Label: Mass Appeal, The Orchard
Best Tracks: “Death Row East,” “40 Side,” “EPMD 2,” “Nobody,” “Brunch on Sundays”
Almost a year after the debut of King’s Disease, Nas and Hit-Boy reunited for the sequel. This quick follow-up was a delight for fans accustomed to lengthy waits between Nas releases. King’s Disease II reaffirmed that the initial collaboration was no fluke, showcasing the incredible synergy between Nas and Hit-Boy, resulting in heightened productivity and a more spontaneous studio approach.
9. Magic 3
Released on Nas’ 50th birthday, Magic 3, with Hit-Boy’s cinematic samples and beats, serves as a canvas for Nas to vividly depict reflections, triumphs, and life lessons deeply rooted in hip-hop. Although not a show-stopper, the project exemplifies the duo’s chemistry, proving that Nas, even three decades into his career, continues to bring a fresh perspective. Each track is a testament to an artist who not only remains in the game but evolves, offering fans a blend of classic Nas aura with a contemporary Hit-Boy twist. Magic 3 may not be a grand spectacle but rather a subdued, reflective celebration of a well-traveled journey and an ongoing legacy.
8. The Lost Tapes
Released: September 23, 2002
Label: Columbia, Ill Will
Best Tracks: “Doo Rags,” “No Idea’s Original,” “Drunk by Myself,” “Poppa Was a Playa”
Amidst dropping two classics, Stillmatic and God’s Son, Nas compiled The Lost Tapes, which unexpectedly became one of his most cherished projects. The beauty of The Lost Tapes lies in its simplicity—no hyped ad campaign, no star-studded features, no superstar producers—just Nas with a microphone delivering incredible rhymes over dope beats.
7. Magic
Released: December 24, 2021
Label: Mass Appeal
Best Tracks: “Meet Joe Black,” “Ugly,” “40-16 Building,” “Wu for the Children,” “Wave Gods”
While potential recency bias might play a role, Magic stands out as one of Nas’s best albums. Deliberate or not, everything about the album is a stark reminder of the magic (pun intended) that was Illmatic: the 9-track listing, the solitary guest verse, the DJ Premier connection, and even the sepia-toned album cover—a throwback to Illmatic. Nas’s ability to drop such a remarkable album deep into his career underscores his status as one of the best in the game.
6. King’s Disease III
Released: November 11, 2022
Label: Mass Appeal
Best Tracks: “Legit,” “Thun,” “30,” “Once a Man, Twice a Child”
Once again, the king has delivered. Nearly a year after teasing listeners with Magic, Nas fulfilled his promise with King’s Disease III. In a departure from his recent albums, this one features no guest appearances, presenting the Queensbridge spitter over smooth yet gritty production. Both Nas and Hit-Boy showcase prime form, an astonishing feat given that the rapper debuted 31 years ago with his verse on “Live at the Barbeque.”
5. Stillmatic
Released: December 18, 2001
Label: Columbia, Ill Will
Best Tracks: “Stillmatic (The Intro),” “Ether,” “You’re da Man,” “One Mic,” “2nd Childhood”
Marking the first of Nas’s many comebacks over his 30-year recording career, Stillmatic emerged as a powerful response to Jay-Z’s “Takeover,” a diss that had many in New York believing Nas’s career was finished. Yet, Nas roared back with “Ether” and the accompanying Stillmatic, showcasing not only that his career was alive and thriving but also reclaiming the King of New York crown.
4. God’s Son
Released: December 13, 2002
Label: Columbia, Ill Will
Best Tracks: “Get Down,” “The Cross,” “Made You Look,” “Last Real Ni**a Alive,” “Thugz Mansion (N.Y.),” “Dance”
Revitalized by the commercial and artistic success of Stillmatic, Nas returned a year later with an album that stands at the pinnacle of his catalog. “Get Down” serves as one of Nas’s best intro songs, “Last Real Ni**a Alive” provides an epilogue to his epic beef with Jay-Z, and “Made You Look” stands as arguably the greatest Nas song of all time.
3. Life Is Good
Released: July 13, 2012
Label: Def Jam
Best Tracks: “No Introduction,” “Loco-Motive,” “A Queens Story,” “Back When,” “Stay,” “Cherry Wine”
Twenty years after his verse on “Live at the Barbeque,” Nas joined forces with No I.D. and Salaam Remi for his best album since It Was Written. Combining nostalgia, love themes, and classic Nas boasts, Life Is Good represented a perfect culmination of a rap career, demonstrating an artist who had achieved everything and remained hungry to progress with his craft.
2. It Was Written
Released: July 2, 1996
Label: Columbia
Best Tracks: “The Message,” “Street Dreams,” “I Gave You Power,” “Affirmative Action,” “The Set Up,” “Live Ni**a Rap”
Among all of Nas’s albums, It Was Written has aged the most gracefully. While the shift from his ’94 debut to this album must have been jarring for hip-hop heads in 1996, sufficient time has passed to appreciate it as a distinct project. Aside from a couple of let-down tracks, notably “Nas Is Coming” and “Black Girl Lost,” It Was Written stands as a straight-up rap classic with enduring replay value.
1. Illmatic
Released: April 19, 1994
Label: Columbia
Best Tracks: “N.Y. State of Mind,” “The World Is Yours,” “Memory Lane (Sittin’ in da Park),” “One Love,” “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”
The impact of Illmatic on the hip-hop world is undeniable. Hailed not only as Nas’s magnum opus but also as the quintessential rap album of the ’90s, it set the gold standard for hip-hop debuts and established itself among the greatest albums of all time, transcending genres. With its gritty, authentic portrayal of life in New York City and Nas’s unparalleled storytelling ability, Illmatic gave voice to a generation seeking meaning and identity. The album seamlessly blends jazzy boom-bap production, intricate wordplay, and thought-provoking narratives, creating a timeless masterpiece that resonates with rap fans to this day. In a world where music often feels fleeting, Illmatic’s enduring legacy is a testament to its brilliance and the indelible mark it has left on hip-hop culture.
