Nas - King’s Disease (Discussion Thread)
- Thread starter Stick Up Kid
- Start date
i wish Nas made a vid for Spicy
I wouldn't be surprised if people start freestyling to the beat. sounds like something other rappers would jump on. I can see it... Spicy Remix Feat. .....
Slim Charles
All Star
interview with DJ Semtex just out
Jungle and East
He would’ve gave you that nardwuar treatmentI was on a flight with Nas 2 years ago flying out of Newark. He was in first class surrounded by his security. I saw him while walking to my seat and almost had a heart attack. Wanted to scream out "fukk Jay Z" just to confirm it was him
Yes...no debatin
ISO
Pass me the rock nikka
Lack of clarity and enunciation?
Grand Conde
Superstar
I kind of lost interest in Nas around Street's Disciple but this is solid. Who is making music as good or better than this who came out in the early 90's? The Roots maybe?
Rapmastermind
Superstar
Rapmastermind's "King's Disease" Review
Disclaimer: This is a first listen review after a day of listening to the album.
King’s Disease 5/5
Blue Benz 5/5
Car #85 5/5
Ultra Black 4/5
27 Summers 5/5
Replace Me 3.5/5
Till the War is Won 4/5
All Bad 4.5/5
Definition 3.5/5
Full Circle 5/5
10 Points 4.5/5
The Cure 5/5
Spicy 4/5
Mic Average: 4.5 MICS
Well guys it’s finally here. The 13th Studio LP (12th Solo but Yes Distant Relatives counts) “King’s Disease”. My Download arrived about 1:40 AM, I was already pretty nice bumping old NaS records. Anyways, so I finally get the album and roll up a huge one. Sparked it up and pushed play. No I did not skip to “Full Circle”, I always listen to an LP straight through. It’s like watching a movie. I want to experience the body of work in its entirety. But yes in the back of mind, I was waiting for Track 10 so it was my most anticipated song.
I thought the overall theme of the album was strong. About being on the top and the dangers of excess. Also dealing with grown man issues like relationships. I was correct that NaS tied the title to “Gout” or the Disease of Kings. As for Coronavirus. I've seen the double entrandre theories (Crown/Corona Virus/Disease) even though NaS said he came up with it before the crisis popped off. Sure it could have multiple meanings but the whole excess seems to be the main theme.
First things first, the title track King’s Disease was crazy. I thought it was dope like the “Stillmatic” and “Message to the Feds” intros. Loved it. Wish it were longer but since it’s an intro I understand the length. “Blue Benz” was fire period. Once the beat dropped it had me at hello. I knew I would love “Car #85”. I grew up on the Gap Band, I will never get tired of Charlie’s voice. NaS gets into storytelling mode on the track too. Had a smooth vibe like “Project Windows” with Ron Isley. I liked “Ultra Black” but I like it even more when listening to it as it flows with the album.
“27 Summers” was too hard man. That beat was too good to be that short. It’s almost like an interlude but I loved it. Like he said, “27 Summers wasn’t even the goal”, think about that? How life can take you even further than you could imagine. Now going in I talked about NaS giving the Youngins a shot. Overall they surprised me. I’m happy NaS gave those young brothers a chance. Sadly, the Big Sean record was my least favorite, it wasn’t bad but wasn’t really for me.
I like the Ella Mai song but wasn’t feeling this particular interpolation of the hook. Don voice wasn't the issue, maybe a little too on the noise. Ironically I did like when NaS and Mobb redid Brandy and Monica’s “Boy is Mine” for “It’s Mine” hook. Now that was hard flip of an R&B hook. This wasn’t the best flip for me. Honestly, I did like “Big Chain” better than this. I get it, it’s more of a track for the ladies but for me it didn’t do it basically just average. Beat was straight through. Now the Lil Durk record surprised me, I did enjoy that.
As for Anderson, he did the damn thing. I fully understand what Dr. Dre and his camp saw in him. That worked as a relationship record. So the middle of the LP was mostly for the Ladies and youth. Because those first 5 just set things off. Then the next 3 slowed it down….got things chill and mellow. Now the “Definition” was cool but only a decent track. Nice throwback giving Brucie B the shoutout. Bars was straight on it though.
Next came the moment…it was finally here. The Firm Reunion. Over Two Decades later. I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to expect. As each song went by, the back of my mind was like Song 10 is coming. But WOW, I was floored. The beat had that throwback 80’s feel just like the Firm album. Robin Thicke was hitting it with those vocals (Check out his song with NaS called “Deep” if you haven’t’). Loved how NaS set it off with the 1st verse. Of course AZ had to kill it lyrically as usual. He just gets in his pocket when he works with his Brother. I loved how Mega came in and picked right up. He fit perfectly in the group again.
I liked Foxy’s verse. She was going hard too, reminded me of “Bang Bang” a little. That was how she was during the Firm. Yo…when Dre’s voice came in, I lost it. WHY DRE, 4 BARS? REALLY. He sounded like he was feeling the beat too. Man Dr. Dre has one of the best voices and deliveries man. Yes he doesn’t write but when the Dr. raps, I get hype man. I wanted a full verse Dre. He still sounds great. When he said, “Firm Biz”, that was it for me.
People did hate on the Firm Album, it wasn’t perfect sure. But Historically it was an important LP for Dr. Dre.. He needed that LP to keep his Aftermath Label afloat after leaving Death Row. His “Aftermath” compilation was considered average at that time. As for criticisms of the “Flashy” sound of the Trackmasters. It was 1997, Puffy and Bad Boy ruled the market with flashy 70’s and 80’s samples. The Firm album fits right into that sound. If Bad Boy did “Firm Biz” with that same sample nobody would have batted an eye (Plus people sleep on the Remix with Half a Mil, it was fire). “Phone Tap” was fire too it didn’t light up the charts but it was hard body.
It’s just 1997 was 3 years after “Illmatic” and NaS was already so different from that point. So yeah it wasn’t critically acclaimed, but I still enjoyed the album. It went Platinum and #1 on the charts. It was NaS’s 2nd #1 album, Foxy and AZ’s 1st. NaS was coming off “It Was Written”, Foxy was coming off “Ill Na Na” and AZ was coming off “Do or Die”. 3 Amazing LP’s. But I don’t know why people were acting like the Firm should of went 5x Platinum.
Foxy and NaS just became Platinum artist for the 1st time a year previously. AZ wasn’t even Gold and only had a rap hit at that point. Coremga and Nature were both not moving units and were unknown in the mainstream. It was a Supergroup experiment. I think the sales were just about right for that time and who they were. At most it should of went Double Plat. The Post Firm albums right after weren’t bad either. NaS went 2x Platinum with “I Am” and #1 for the 3rd time in a row. And Foxy would go #1 again on the Charts and Plat with “Chyna Doll”. AZ’s “Pieces of a Man” went Gold basically and Top 5 on the R&B and Rap Charts. Nature’s “For all Seasons” didn’t get certified but they were still good albums.
I was so upset it ended abruptly. I wanted Firm to be a Series of albums man. Hopefully, we can get an reunion album. I saw Nature’s interview wishing everyone well on the reunion. But I loved the record, great having them all back together and brought me back to 96/97. “10 Points” was sick, we need more positive tracks gear at Black men. This is Grown Man Hip Hop right here. If you in your Mid 30’s to 40’s, this is the type of stuff you need to rap about. We got families now, wives, baby moms etc bills, responsibilities. Grown Man Hip Hop speaks to those issues.
Lastly “The Cure” took me some place else. That beat switch was simply perfect. NaS’s flow on this was wild. I loved both beats, but that 2nd beat was it for me. As for “Spicy”, I liked it, actually might work as a single to me. Clearly the commercial record. Ferg and Fivio kinda went in. I like how they were shouting out "Esco" and "Nastradamus", lol. Overall it’s a very solid project. Again I know earlier in the thread I said Hit-Boy had quote unquote “Modern” style of production. That just means Contemporary or Current and or Present sounding. That really shouldn’t be used a slight to I guess we would call them legacy Producers (Or Legends).
But it cuts both ways. There are fans who don’t really love the “Trap” drums aesthetic as much. You can call them purist, but they feel it gets to repetitive at times and I can agree with that criticism. I get it. I don't have a problem with NaS doing his traditional sound but at the same time, he should be able to experiment with other sounds. Doesn't mean it will work but he shouldn't be boxed in. But for me knowing NaS sounds different every album. This worked for me with him working with new producers all around. It’s funny Hit-Boy song on “Royalty" from "LT2” wasn’t one of my favs though I did like the beat (For the record both Pete Rock and Rza’s beats were better).
I also didn’t think “Black Girl Lost 2” beat was the best though the lyrics were straight (Especially with Part 1 being so amazing). So going in I just kept an open mind from his other work. But he knocked it out the damn park here especially overseeing the whole LP. I’m Happy NaS is still evolving musically. I loved the lyrics on the album of course. I’m still digesting and breaking stuff down. Loved the bar about “Clue Tapes” and people needing to move on from trying to box him into a style of production or style of track. Like Jay’s “Buy my old albums” bar. But yes I believe this should get critical acclaim.
People love to hate on NaS for every little reason, well it’s time to give props where props is do. He did a contemporary and modern sounding LP and was still himself. It didn’t feel like he was chasing trends as much as adapting to Hit-Boy’s style who also in turn adapted to NaS’s style. This can still reach back to us OG’s while attracting some new listeners. Like he said with his Pops, Bridging the Gap. Yes it was better than “NaSir” for sure but that wasn’t a high bar with only 7 songs (Basically an EP) making it the shortest NaS album of All Time. I don’t really compare it to “LT2” because that was a compilation. But I still enjoyed both of those LP’s as well.
This was one of NaS’s shortest LP’s of his career. Yes “King’s Disease” is shorter than “Illmatic”. It’s not always about long songs but how an album flows. I think I mentioned this during "Nasir" as well. Isaac Hayes Legendary Album “Hot Buttered Soul” is 4 Classic Songs that’s 45 Minutes long. Most NaS album average about 60 minutes. I don’t get into short or long songs. A song is a song. I heard Classic short songs, and I heard Classic long songs. Of course I want 3 NaS verses every single time but I know I won’t get that all the time. NaS GOAT STATUS is cemented at this point. People can try to pick a part every album or beat, it doesn’t matter. NaS is a true artist of Hip Hop History. He has nothing else to prove. Several #1 LP's, Several Critical Acclaimed LP's, 9 Platinum LP's. His whole career is Legendary. In The Historic Scroll of Hip Hop….Esco has his own Chapter.
Shortest NaS Albums of All Time:
Nasir – 26 Minutes
King’s Disease – 38 Minutes
Illmatic – 39 Minutes
Blue Benz 5/5
Car #85 5/5
Ultra Black 4/5
27 Summers 5/5
Replace Me 3.5/5
Till the War is Won 4/5
All Bad 4.5/5
Definition 3.5/5
Full Circle 5/5
10 Points 4.5/5
The Cure 5/5
Spicy 4/5
Mic Average: 4.5 MICS
Well guys it’s finally here. The 13th Studio LP (12th Solo but Yes Distant Relatives counts) “King’s Disease”. My Download arrived about 1:40 AM, I was already pretty nice bumping old NaS records. Anyways, so I finally get the album and roll up a huge one. Sparked it up and pushed play. No I did not skip to “Full Circle”, I always listen to an LP straight through. It’s like watching a movie. I want to experience the body of work in its entirety. But yes in the back of mind, I was waiting for Track 10 so it was my most anticipated song.
I thought the overall theme of the album was strong. About being on the top and the dangers of excess. Also dealing with grown man issues like relationships. I was correct that NaS tied the title to “Gout” or the Disease of Kings. As for Coronavirus. I've seen the double entrandre theories (Crown/Corona Virus/Disease) even though NaS said he came up with it before the crisis popped off. Sure it could have multiple meanings but the whole excess seems to be the main theme.
First things first, the title track King’s Disease was crazy. I thought it was dope like the “Stillmatic” and “Message to the Feds” intros. Loved it. Wish it were longer but since it’s an intro I understand the length. “Blue Benz” was fire period. Once the beat dropped it had me at hello. I knew I would love “Car #85”. I grew up on the Gap Band, I will never get tired of Charlie’s voice. NaS gets into storytelling mode on the track too. Had a smooth vibe like “Project Windows” with Ron Isley. I liked “Ultra Black” but I like it even more when listening to it as it flows with the album.
“27 Summers” was too hard man. That beat was too good to be that short. It’s almost like an interlude but I loved it. Like he said, “27 Summers wasn’t even the goal”, think about that? How life can take you even further than you could imagine. Now going in I talked about NaS giving the Youngins a shot. Overall they surprised me. I’m happy NaS gave those young brothers a chance. Sadly, the Big Sean record was my least favorite, it wasn’t bad but wasn’t really for me.
I like the Ella Mai song but wasn’t feeling this particular interpolation of the hook. Don voice wasn't the issue, maybe a little too on the noise. Ironically I did like when NaS and Mobb redid Brandy and Monica’s “Boy is Mine” for “It’s Mine” hook. Now that was hard flip of an R&B hook. This wasn’t the best flip for me. Honestly, I did like “Big Chain” better than this. I get it, it’s more of a track for the ladies but for me it didn’t do it basically just average. Beat was straight through. Now the Lil Durk record surprised me, I did enjoy that.
As for Anderson, he did the damn thing. I fully understand what Dr. Dre and his camp saw in him. That worked as a relationship record. So the middle of the LP was mostly for the Ladies and youth. Because those first 5 just set things off. Then the next 3 slowed it down….got things chill and mellow. Now the “Definition” was cool but only a decent track. Nice throwback giving Brucie B the shoutout. Bars was straight on it though.
Next came the moment…it was finally here. The Firm Reunion. Over Two Decades later. I was so nervous, I didn’t know what to expect. As each song went by, the back of my mind was like Song 10 is coming. But WOW, I was floored. The beat had that throwback 80’s feel just like the Firm album. Robin Thicke was hitting it with those vocals (Check out his song with NaS called “Deep” if you haven’t’). Loved how NaS set it off with the 1st verse. Of course AZ had to kill it lyrically as usual. He just gets in his pocket when he works with his Brother. I loved how Mega came in and picked right up. He fit perfectly in the group again.
I liked Foxy’s verse. She was going hard too, reminded me of “Bang Bang” a little. That was how she was during the Firm. Yo…when Dre’s voice came in, I lost it. WHY DRE, 4 BARS? REALLY. He sounded like he was feeling the beat too. Man Dr. Dre has one of the best voices and deliveries man. Yes he doesn’t write but when the Dr. raps, I get hype man. I wanted a full verse Dre. He still sounds great. When he said, “Firm Biz”, that was it for me.
People did hate on the Firm Album, it wasn’t perfect sure. But Historically it was an important LP for Dr. Dre.. He needed that LP to keep his Aftermath Label afloat after leaving Death Row. His “Aftermath” compilation was considered average at that time. As for criticisms of the “Flashy” sound of the Trackmasters. It was 1997, Puffy and Bad Boy ruled the market with flashy 70’s and 80’s samples. The Firm album fits right into that sound. If Bad Boy did “Firm Biz” with that same sample nobody would have batted an eye (Plus people sleep on the Remix with Half a Mil, it was fire). “Phone Tap” was fire too it didn’t light up the charts but it was hard body.
It’s just 1997 was 3 years after “Illmatic” and NaS was already so different from that point. So yeah it wasn’t critically acclaimed, but I still enjoyed the album. It went Platinum and #1 on the charts. It was NaS’s 2nd #1 album, Foxy and AZ’s 1st. NaS was coming off “It Was Written”, Foxy was coming off “Ill Na Na” and AZ was coming off “Do or Die”. 3 Amazing LP’s. But I don’t know why people were acting like the Firm should of went 5x Platinum.
Foxy and NaS just became Platinum artist for the 1st time a year previously. AZ wasn’t even Gold and only had a rap hit at that point. Coremga and Nature were both not moving units and were unknown in the mainstream. It was a Supergroup experiment. I think the sales were just about right for that time and who they were. At most it should of went Double Plat. The Post Firm albums right after weren’t bad either. NaS went 2x Platinum with “I Am” and #1 for the 3rd time in a row. And Foxy would go #1 again on the Charts and Plat with “Chyna Doll”. AZ’s “Pieces of a Man” went Gold basically and Top 5 on the R&B and Rap Charts. Nature’s “For all Seasons” didn’t get certified but they were still good albums.
I was so upset it ended abruptly. I wanted Firm to be a Series of albums man. Hopefully, we can get an reunion album. I saw Nature’s interview wishing everyone well on the reunion. But I loved the record, great having them all back together and brought me back to 96/97. “10 Points” was sick, we need more positive tracks gear at Black men. This is Grown Man Hip Hop right here. If you in your Mid 30’s to 40’s, this is the type of stuff you need to rap about. We got families now, wives, baby moms etc bills, responsibilities. Grown Man Hip Hop speaks to those issues.
Lastly “The Cure” took me some place else. That beat switch was simply perfect. NaS’s flow on this was wild. I loved both beats, but that 2nd beat was it for me. As for “Spicy”, I liked it, actually might work as a single to me. Clearly the commercial record. Ferg and Fivio kinda went in. I like how they were shouting out "Esco" and "Nastradamus", lol. Overall it’s a very solid project. Again I know earlier in the thread I said Hit-Boy had quote unquote “Modern” style of production. That just means Contemporary or Current and or Present sounding. That really shouldn’t be used a slight to I guess we would call them legacy Producers (Or Legends).
But it cuts both ways. There are fans who don’t really love the “Trap” drums aesthetic as much. You can call them purist, but they feel it gets to repetitive at times and I can agree with that criticism. I get it. I don't have a problem with NaS doing his traditional sound but at the same time, he should be able to experiment with other sounds. Doesn't mean it will work but he shouldn't be boxed in. But for me knowing NaS sounds different every album. This worked for me with him working with new producers all around. It’s funny Hit-Boy song on “Royalty" from "LT2” wasn’t one of my favs though I did like the beat (For the record both Pete Rock and Rza’s beats were better).
I also didn’t think “Black Girl Lost 2” beat was the best though the lyrics were straight (Especially with Part 1 being so amazing). So going in I just kept an open mind from his other work. But he knocked it out the damn park here especially overseeing the whole LP. I’m Happy NaS is still evolving musically. I loved the lyrics on the album of course. I’m still digesting and breaking stuff down. Loved the bar about “Clue Tapes” and people needing to move on from trying to box him into a style of production or style of track. Like Jay’s “Buy my old albums” bar. But yes I believe this should get critical acclaim.
People love to hate on NaS for every little reason, well it’s time to give props where props is do. He did a contemporary and modern sounding LP and was still himself. It didn’t feel like he was chasing trends as much as adapting to Hit-Boy’s style who also in turn adapted to NaS’s style. This can still reach back to us OG’s while attracting some new listeners. Like he said with his Pops, Bridging the Gap. Yes it was better than “NaSir” for sure but that wasn’t a high bar with only 7 songs (Basically an EP) making it the shortest NaS album of All Time. I don’t really compare it to “LT2” because that was a compilation. But I still enjoyed both of those LP’s as well.
This was one of NaS’s shortest LP’s of his career. Yes “King’s Disease” is shorter than “Illmatic”. It’s not always about long songs but how an album flows. I think I mentioned this during "Nasir" as well. Isaac Hayes Legendary Album “Hot Buttered Soul” is 4 Classic Songs that’s 45 Minutes long. Most NaS album average about 60 minutes. I don’t get into short or long songs. A song is a song. I heard Classic short songs, and I heard Classic long songs. Of course I want 3 NaS verses every single time but I know I won’t get that all the time. NaS GOAT STATUS is cemented at this point. People can try to pick a part every album or beat, it doesn’t matter. NaS is a true artist of Hip Hop History. He has nothing else to prove. Several #1 LP's, Several Critical Acclaimed LP's, 9 Platinum LP's. His whole career is Legendary. In The Historic Scroll of Hip Hop….Esco has his own Chapter.
Shortest NaS Albums of All Time:
Nasir – 26 Minutes
King’s Disease – 38 Minutes
Illmatic – 39 Minutes
Last edited:
where can i buy the physical