Nas keeps the rap tricks coming with “Magic 2.”
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TOP 5
Honorable Mention. Earvin Magic Johnson
If Nas is on his Earvin Magic Johnson, he’s about to turn the Commanders into a winning team.
If you had told Magic Johnson back in 1991 that he would eventually have the last laugh, he probably would’ve slapped you in the face for being disrespectful. Just yesterday, he became one of the only black owners in the NFL, adding to his list of several other achievements. In “Earvin Magic Johnson,” Nas pays a perfect homage to the Lakers’ GOAT. In the song, which is appropriately powered by this celebratory beat, he talks about his come-up with his chest out. Nas also talks about making impressive assists to his team and winning several chips in the streets.
This song has a hook that will get you excited. It also features what I think are boss-like bars that should inspire you to be great.
5. What This All Really Means
Is hip-hop supposed to make you feel all good inside like this? (That’s a rhetorical question; the answer is clearly no—Nas is just different.)
The production we get on “What This All Really Means” is Kanye, Graduation-Esque. As for the raps we get from Nas, they are Nas-Esque (I’m such a great writer). He plows through the song, hitting us with raps that highlight his next-level thought process, the impressive moves he made in the past, and how comfortable he is in the streets.
I just wish I f**ed with this song’s hook a little more…
4. One Mic, One Gun
A couple of months ago, 21 Savage went on Clubhouse and stated that Nas wasn’t “relevant.” 21’s comments sparked an uproar among the hip-hop community, eventually leading him to reclarify his stance. For those who anticipated potential issues between Nas and 21, the good news is that they collaborated on “One Mic One Gun” instead.
“One Mic One Gun” is all about growth. In the song, 21 Savage and Nas rap about being kings, disregarding gossip, making investments, and achieving greatness. While the former employs a sly, laidback style of rapping over the celebratory Hit-Boy-produced beat, the latter adopts an upbeat and energetic approach. If I were to guess, in the studio, Nas had 21 in a friendly headlock while he was laying down his raps.
I admire it when rappers take a mature approach to resolving tension.
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3. Motion
I want to do drive-bys with the version of Nas that we get in “Motion.”
Easily, Nas’s most impressive rap performance is on “Motion.” Fueled by this sly, dark beat, the NYC rapper talks his s**t early and often. Not only does he mention the big checks he’s getting, but he also brags about his impressive cars and demoralizing his opps.
I love how competitive Nas sounds throughout this song. Yes, the flows he toys with are impressive, but it’s his militant tone for me.
2. Office Hours (Ft. 50 Cent)
I almost cried grown-man tears listening to “Office Hours.” This s**t really features Hit-Boy, 50 Cent, and Nas!
I won’t lie; I think I like the mere existence of this song more than its actual sound. If you’ve followed hip-hop as long as I have, you know Nas and 50 Cent had beef for a long time. Due to this, we never got a collaboration between the two artists when they were in their 20s and 30s. Well, better late than never, right? In “Office Hours,” at 48 and 49 (Respectively), Nas and 50 finally decided to unite, and they didn’t disappoint at all.
In this song, which is powered by a beat that straddles the line between soulful and action-packed, Nas and 50 bring up their baby Mac 10s, the passes they gave rappers, the headshots they’ve given out, and how Queens runs s**t. While I adore the focused tone of Nas and the assertiveness of 50, I won’t lie; the playful trash-talking they both do at the end puts the biggest smile on my face.
Holy s**t, 50 Cent is about to be 50 (OK, I will be content with the world ending once that happens)!
1. Black Magic
“Black Magic” > Magic Mike 3
Aside from the intro, “Black Magic” stands as the shortest track on this album and undoubtedly the best. Nas’s ‘YAS, B*TCH, YAS’ energy, coupled with his super steady flows, truly captivates me. Furthermore, I admire how his lyrics delve into the hexes people place upon others, often driven by jealousy. If you’re Nigerian, you’ve likely been warned about such occurrences (in fact, I’m convinced someone put a hex on me the other day; I can’t stop having smelly s**ts, dawg).
Let’s not overlook the mesmerizing beat Hit-Boy provides for Nas in “Black Magic.” It exudes a mystifying, peculiar, and gentle allure all at once – similar to Brittany Spears, in a way.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
1. Intro (N/A)
2. Abracadabra (4.5/5)
3. Office Hours (Ft. 50 Cent) (4.5/5)
4. Black Magic (5/5)
5. Motion (4.5/5)
6. Bokeem Woodbine (4/5)
7. Earvin Magic Johnson (4.5/5)
8. What This All Really Means (4.5/5)
9. Slow It Down (4/5)
10. Pistols On Your Album Cover (4/5)
11. One Mic, One Gun (4.5/5)
RGM RATING
(B+) (88%)
Who the f**k said that father time is undefeated? Was it you? If it was, bring your ass over here so I can throw you out the window!
I’m prepared to say what all of you guys are afraid to say: Nas and Hit-Boy might be hip-hop’s greatest rap and producer combo. I get it; Eminem and Dre, Snoop and Dre, Kanye and Jay, and Soulja Boy and ColliPark have all made their mark; however, Nas and Hit-Boy clear them all. Not only do they have the Grammy nominations to back it up, but I genuinely believe their chemistry these past couple of years has been historic. Nas and Hit-Boy have been so good together that I even consider Magic 2, one of their worst collaborative projects, still very f**king good. These brothers are firing on all cylinders.
Let me get this out of the way immediately: The beats Hit-Boy provides Nas on this album are f**king amazing. They sound timeless, multi-faceted, and, most importantly, straddle the line between soulful and hard-hitting almost miraculously. These beats tell their own stories without even needing words. On some real s**t, with Nas, Hit-Boy has delivered nothing but A performances.
I just love Nas’ approach to his last couple of projects. He understands that he’s the OG in the game now, and his words will do wonders for those on the come-up. His words will also bring joy to those who have gone through what he has gone through. Aside from his content, which practically promotes growth, wise street moves, loyalty, and strong support systems, I also believe his arsenal of flows and subtle punchlines will strike a chord with you.
Nas is really boosting his stock at damn there 50. That needs to be me and all my friends.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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