Album: Nas - Hip-Hop Is Dead

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Nas was always going to incite discussion when he decided to name his album Hip-Hop Is Dead. Not surprisingly, quite a few MCs from the south took offence to the title and assumed he was referring to them. What people don't understand is that it was supposed to be an attention seeking name to prove a point, and this album sees Nas reminiscing about some of the hip-hop pioneers that have paved the way for many artists.

Hip-Hop is Dead works as a concept album with quite a few tracks. Carry On Tradition talks about the legacy that old-school rappers had back in the day and Nas wants that to influence commercial hip-hop. That track follows on with Where Are They Now which he name checks everyone from Melle Mel to EMPD to Young MC, again talking about the good old days and how nothing in the scene these days compares. Hip-Hop is Dead was a great choice of single because it has a driving rock beat and it's something that is reasonably radio friendly for Nas.

He teams up with Jay-Z on the track Black Republican which is one of the standout songs on the album. Whether this means Jay and Nas are still beefing, or they've resolved their differences, I have no idea, but this track is dope. Nas shows a lot of diversity with his lyrical content on this album. A track like Hold Down The Block talks about the harsh reality of ghetto life in New York, whereas Let There Be Light is a positive uplifting song that discourages violence and features a gospel vibe thanks to the vocals of Tre Williams. Tha Game gives one of his best verses I've heard in ages, and Marsha Ambroshus lends her amazing vocals to another standout cut, Hustlers. Hope is an accapella track which is a breath of fresh air to the rest of the album.

It's rare for Nas to have so many features artists here. Guests include Will.I.Am, Snoop Dogg, Marsha Ambroshus, Kanye West, Kelis, Chrisette Michelle, Tre Williams and Jay-Z. I guess that was one of the compromises he had to make singing with Def Jam, but it's worked in his favour. Nas going to Def Jam may have been a questionable move, but he has certainly pulled it off with this album.

Available Through Def Jam