We break down the top 5 Nas albums.
5. Life Is Good (2012)
“Life Is Good,” at the time, felt like a celebration of Nas’ career.
Many tracks on Life Is Good carry a reflective, celebratory, and nostalgic energy. When it first dropped, I even wondered if it might be Nas’ final album—but thankfully, he’s given us several more since.
On the production side, Life Is Good is packed with old-school, cinematic beats that feel almost like a prequel to Illmatic. If Nas ever released an Unplugged version, this is the album that would hit the hardest.
Favorite Tracks: “Daughters,” “Cherry Wine,” and “The Don.”
4. King’s Disease III (2023)
Nas and Hit-Boy have cemented themselves as one of hip-hop’s greatest duos, crafting a string of classics over just three years.
King’s Disease III stands out as a stellar third installment, highlighting Nas’ unmatched consistency alongside Hit-Boy’s masterful production. The album skillfully blends eras and tones, preserving Nas’ timeless voice while delivering a mix of nostalgia and modern wisdom. Of all the King’s Disease albums, this one feels the rawest, edgiest, and hardest-hitting yet.
Favorite Tracks: “Michael and Quincy,” “Ghetto Reporter,” “Thun.”
3. Stillmatic (2001)
“Stillmatic” has aged very well.
As hip-hop’s newest villain, Nas came through with the often underrated Stillmatic. While fans were craving multiple versions of “Ether,” he instead delivered some of his most iconic tracks, including “Got Urself A Gun” and “One Mic.”
Oddly enough, I love how this album carries that early-2000s vibe. Back then, beefs between rappers were at an all-time high, making each track feel extra dramatic and every bar loaded with sly disses. That raw, 2001 energy fits Nas’ style perfectly.
Favorite Tracks: “Ether,” “One Mic,” “Got Urself A Gun,” and “2nd Childhood.”
2. It Was Written (1996)
Following up a classic album with a pretty damn good album is very hard to do.
It Was Written may not make the history books, and that’s a shame, because it’s a fantastic album. It cemented Nas as a masterful storyteller, one of the grittiest rappers in the game, and someone fully capable of crafting complete records—especially with hooks that stand out. On this project, he doesn’t just sound hungry; he sounds like a hungry rapper who already knows he’s that ninja.
The production is equally impressive, with almost every beat carrying that timeless, classic hip-hop vibe that complements Nas’ lyrical prowess perfectly.
Favorite Tracks: “Affirmative Action,” “Street Dreams,” If I Ruled The World,” and “The Message.”
1. Illmatic (1994)
“Illmatic” is arguably the greatest rap album of all time.
Illmatic is flawless. Every track comes with its own classic beat, unforgettable quotables, tight flows, and masterful samples. Nas raps with such raw hunger that it’s almost like he came to the studio with a tapeworm in his coffee—pure intensity in every bar. You can enjoy Illmatic with or without the instrumentals, or even with a bunch of Imanbek remixes for all I care; every element stands strong on its own. Oh, and the album artwork? Absolutely fire.
If I were to review this album, every single track would get a 5/5—just giving y’all a heads-up.
Favorite Tracks: Every Single Song.
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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This Post Has 3 Comments
I agree with your “top 5 Nas albums list” 100%! Excellent article!
Thanks for reading! It’s a hard one because Nas has so many really good albums!
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