The Unstoppable Five-Album Marathon of Nas & Hit-Boy

In three short years, we're looking at an era of unending inspiration from Nas and Hit-Boy.

Many artists with lengthy careers, like Nas, face a constant clamor from fans who yearn to return to the melodies and rhymes that initially spurred their affection like the glory days. Yet, new creations can hardly fulfill this yearning for past times. The brilliance in Nas’ more contemporary compositions lies in his capacity to mine his life experiences, recalling vivid memories that echo the spirit of the past rather than replicating its sounds. Nas integrates luminous recollections, complicated flows that defined his generation as an MC, and an appreciation for life lessons and lingering questions. This approach redefines nostalgia, channeling the past not through exact sounds but through a nuanced remembrance of its essence.

In the background of this ingenious approach stands Hit-Boy, a producer known for his multifaceted style that amplifies his varied collaborators. The partnership between Nas and Hit-Boy is unique; instead of imposing a signature style, Hit-Boy furnishes Nas with expansive, deliberate, soulful beats impeccably suited to Nas’ lyrical content. These beats provide an apt backdrop to the memories Nas narrates, allowing his voice to flourish. The partnership is one of mutual enhancement, each artist amplifying the strengths of the other, resulting in music that not only recalls a past era but evolves it.

This partnership began to materialize in 2020, and the following year, their collaboration King’s Disease, won Nas his first Grammy for Rap Album of the Year. The productive momentum they established has stayed strong; four more albums followed, echoing the brisk production tactics that keep new artists relevant. This frequent release of new work keeps Nas in the limelight, his voice a constant fixture amidst a rapidly changing industry.

Each subsequent album, intriguingly, surpasses its predecessor in terms of quality and depth. With the second outing to King’s Disease II, the duo improved from the first one showcasing their chemistry tighter than ever. Nas dismissed Magic as a promotional project, yet it turned out to be a high point in 2021’s releases. King’s Disease III, released in November 2022, is arguably the pinnacle of the trilogy. Now, with the release of Magic 2, which may not reach the heights of the first one, it is still great and sounds drastically different than any other albums they've done. These albums reflect Nas' ability to remain relevant and evolve, seamlessly blending memories of past eras with an innovative, contemporary sound.

Nas’ career has been characterized by his exceptional lyricism, a talent that led him to dominate the '90s and 2000s. Now, he stands not just as a rapper who ruled an era but as an artist who continues to evolve and remain impactful. His continued collaboration with Hit-Boy has produced a profound synthesis of the old and new, affirming Nas’ place as a significant artist in retrospect and the present. This journey paints Nas as an artist capable of reinvention and adaptability, preserving his legacy while ceaselessly moving forward.

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King’s Disease (2020)

The 2020 album King's Disease launched the exceptional partnership of Nas and Hit-Boy. Crafting an album where Nas’ lyricism could fully unfold, Hit-Boy offered beats with ample space, infusing the album with a distinctive aura of reflection and introspection. Not confined by nostalgia, the album harnessed Nas’ past not as a blueprint but as a wellspring of experiences and memories to be reimagined.

Hit-Boy’s meticulous production aided this process, threading these diverse elements into a harmonious sonic whole. With a simultaneously novel and familiar atmosphere, King’s Disease showcased the compelling potential of this partnership, setting a high bar for the albums to come.

King’s Disease II (2021)

In contrast, King’s Disease II, released in 2021, evolved this framework into an even more refined entity. Nas’ lyrics painted vivid scenes, echoed by Hit-Boy’s impeccably arranged beats, each element precisely calibrated to the other. The album exuded a different aura from its predecessor; it felt like a progression, a further exploration into the depth of this partnership.

A sense of wisdom was woven into the tracks, the tangible growth of two artists pushing each other toward excellence. This second installment did not rest on the awards and recognitions of the first; instead, it took the groundwork laid and expanded upon it, reaching new heights of cohesion and artistic depth.

Magic (2021)

Nas’ Magic returns to peak form, arguably eclipsing his previous LPs, King’s Disease, and its sequel. Produced by Hit-Boy, the album maintains a lean yet energetic essence evoking Queensbridge’s storied blocks. Nas' verbal dexterity proves sharp, with self-aware references to past disputes and critiques. The inclusion of a DJ Premier collaboration in “Wave Gods” nods to longtime devotees, leading some to brand Nas and Hit-Boy successors to Gang Starr’s legacy.

The record exhibits versatility in modernizing classic styles, evidenced in the A$AP Rocky-assisted track. Nas concedes absorbing critiques, using them as fuel to refine his craft—a sentiment reflected in his spirited yet disciplined performances here. Hit-Boy has helped unlock a reinvigorated Nas, demonstrating greater self-awareness—their chemistry births something special, documenting Nas’ artistic rebirth. Rather than vying for mass appeal, Magic rewards the rapper's enduring fans, staying true to his essence.

King’s Disease III (2022)

Nas & Hit-Boy unleashes King’s Disease III, crafting arguably their finest collaboration within the series thus far. The project exhibits Nas’ regal stature in hip-hop and his ongoing exploration of storied icons. While disputes cloud Nas’s narrative, King’s Disease III affirms his verbal brilliance and emotive resonance with listeners. Hit-Boy’s refined production imbues warmth through its versatility and early-aughts aesthetic.

Nas contemplates maturity and evolution, reflecting on triumphs and tribulations while asserting his hip-hop royalty. He boldly invokes names and embraces his kingship amidst the culture. Hit-Boy conjures sublime soundscapes, delivering excellence despite minor blemishes. Frequent beat-switching unfolds organically, addressing critiques of Nas’ production choices.

Magic 2 (2023)

Nas’ latest body of work, Magic 2, cements his status as an elder statesman of hip-hop while exhibiting his continued lyrical dexterity. Collaborating once more with producer Hit-Boy, Nas draws on his renowned verbal flair over nostalgia and novel beats. “Abacadabra” exude vintage West Coast flair as Nas administers his signature flow with precision. Cuts such as the hard-hitting “Office Hours” see Nas sparring with 50 Cent (even if it’s only eight bars) over an explosive Hit-Boy production, blending the spirit of Nas’ early work with a charged modern energy.

While revering his past glories, Nas also incorporates fresh styles, as displayed in the dancehall-tinged “Bokeem Woodbine,” indicating his desire to expand beyond throwback tropes. “Slow It Down” and “Pistols On Your Album Cover” exemplify Nas’ technical sharpness, proving his advanced skills remain unmatched by his contemporary counterparts. The project concludes with a bonus track, “One Mic, One Gun,” which passes the torch to 21 Savage as Nas cements connections between hip-hop bloodlines. With polished wordplay and elite production, Magic 2 augments Nas' late-career vitality and amplifies his signature voice to meaningful effect.