Nas capped off his amazing 2021 with “Magic.”
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TOP 3
Honorable Mention. 40-16 Building
Nas spits Godly bars in “40-16 Building.”
Doesn’t “40-16 Building” sound mean as s**t? Not only is the song powered by a beat that knocks harder than a Jehovah’s Witness, but it also features Nas’ grittiest deliveries, paired with lyrics that bosses will keep saying Amen to. All in all, “40-16 Building” feels like that one Nas track that truly solidifies his greatness.
3. Meet Joe Black
Nas talks his s**t in “Meet Joe Black.”
I like it when my favorite rappers are humble, but I like it even more when they pop off. In “Meet Joe Black,” Nas confidently declares himself the number one rapper in the game, talks about his chain inspiring others, and even raps about robbing folks. Overall, the song hits harder than trying to beat Mario Bros without a mushroom.
After this year, Nas might be in my top 10.
2. The Truth
“The Truth” sounds like it time-traveled from 1994 straight into the present via Marty McFly’s DeLorean.
I honestly don’t know what’s more impressive: the hard-hitting, tough-ass beat that powers this song or Nas’ vintage raps. Either way, when you combine the two, you get a masterpiece that could be nominated for rap song of the year in any year.
One thing you really need to pay attention to is the wisdom Nas spits on this track. He drops game on a bunch of topics that I think younger listeners can really learn from. So, if you’ve got a notepad nearby, grab it and take notes while you vibe to this joint.
1. Wave Gods
Do you know what “Wave Gods” reminds me of? “Coming Of Age” and “Coming Of Age (Da Sequel)” with Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek.
Before y’all come for me for comparing A$AP Rocky to Memphis Bleek, just remember that Bleek used to drop fire-ass verses in his prime. That said, the chemistry between Nas and A$AP Rocky on “Wave Gods” is phenomenal. They match each other’s energy and go hard in the paint like Giannis when it comes to their tones and deliveries. This is certainly the most notable track on this album.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
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RGM GRADE
(B+) (89%)
Nas is 2/2 this year—Magic is just as good as King’s Disease II, and it’s not even a deluxe project.
Right now, Nas is like Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl at 43, LeBron James being an MVP candidate at 37, and your dad who can still run the grill like a pro at 65. The perfection that Nas still raps with at 48 is impressive. What makes Magic special is that it features a Nas who is as competitive as ever. He talks his talk, yes, but he also delivers aggressive verses and assertive lyrics. It feels like he’s been living with a family member who’s been calling him overrated every single day—and he’s been using that as fuel.
As great as Nas is on this album, we’ve got to give Hit-Boy his props, too. The beats on Magic are mean and raw, undeniably hip-hop, and you can hear that Hit-Boy knows exactly how to craft the perfect sound to get Nas at his best.
When you’re hot, you’ve got to keep shooting, right? And right now, Nas is on a roll, and I’m glad he’s making the most of it.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
This Post Has 5 Comments
Nas has been a Top ten MC of all time since Illmatic. He is actually the ?..
Yea, he’s definitely been in my top 10 for a few years now. He’s rising up the power rankings with his last three albums, too.
Nas is the GOAT. Period! after 25 plus years in the game and put out 3 dope projects back to back, there’s no denying this.
Love that he’s getting his flowers. He’s definitely a legend for sure.
Nas is the greatest MC of all time. A focused Nas is untouchable as we’ve seen in the past couple of years.