Review by Faizah Haider

King’s Disease is an album from a different perspective, Nas as a grown successful businessman and entrepreneur as opposed to the young creator of Illmatic finding his way in the streets, “they said they want the old Nas back, played the Clue Tapes for old verses”. Exceeding the enormous expectations put on him after almost 30 years in the rap game, Nas unexpectedly dropped his 13th studio album, King’s Disease just as seamlessly as his verses flow. At a time when the world was shut down by COVID19, this album calls us to use this time for reflection and deep introspection over what’s really important, “we need knowledge over sneakers”. Working on this album pre-pandemic seems to have given Nas the headspace he needed to breathe again and channel his focus, as he originally went to Hit-Boy for a beat but ended up with a whole album. This album is not as metaphorically deep or reference heavy of historical figures as his previous albums are, but instead a more reflective journal of life lessons told directly which means the thought process is not lost. Each track is meaningful, and its most definitely not an album of fillers, or experimental beats. Hit-Boy does a fantastic job on production, these beats seems to fit Nas and his sentiments perfectly. 12 tracks featuring Lil Durk, Anderson Paak, Fivio Foreign, Big Sean, and ASAP Ferg, AZ, Foxy Brown, Cormega, Charlie Wilson, and more. The mix of OG’s and newer artists reinforces Nas’ longevity.   

There a higher sense of prowess throughout with various forms of empowerment. Ultra Black which was the first single released embraces being black and black culture, it comes at a time of heightened racial tensions and focus on the Black Lives Matter movement. In passing, Nas mentions, “We goin’ ultra-black, unapologetically black, the opposite of Doja Cat”. Insinuating Doja Cat’s self-hate of being black. In the broader sense this track is about acceptance of being yourself and proud of your ethnicity whatever that may be as Nas ends with, “no matter your race, we all are black”. Nas remains inclusive as ever, which is one of the reasons you’ll see the most diverse crowd at a Nas show, he speaks for everyone and has the ability to breakdown experiences in such a relatable way that we connect with him on a deeper level.

A soulful, softly spoken introduction, King’s Disease is where we once again hear Nas asking for permission to be allowed to live from his many admirers and haters, displaying his humility as a man of his achievements doesn’t owe us anything. King’s Disease is a reference to Gout, otherwise known as the ‘disease of kings’ as it results from a lavish lifestyle of overindulgence in rich foods, but it’s also an overview of the negativity attracted by his legacy, giving advice to the kings coming next. Life is Good was an album celebrating the good life whereas this album is one analysing the darker side of success, the darkness which without there is no growth. As the album cover imagery is of a child reaching for the crown, suggests many want to be kings but are not ready for what comes with that title and that you can hurt yourself and the need to be self-aware.

Blue Benz begins with contemplation, “What’s the value is it, is it really worth it”, as revisits Nas’ his wilder days as he vividly depicts scenes from his memories of entering the Tunnel club wanting to start trouble “wish you would have walked by and bumped me harder”, the aggressiveness is juxtaposed with the smooth description of his attire, ‘silk linen chiffon’. Making a refence to a story in Kingston Jamaica, Nas gives a shout to the late Louie Rankin with whom he starred in Belly with. The track then progress to his evolution from a thug into a businessman, claiming that, “the IRS are the biggest gangsters” and “people I haven’t even met taking out of my cheque”. There is something joyful in celebrating his success with his peers at this level, “nothing feels better than doing deals with my brothers”.

Car #85 feat. Charlie Wilson is another soulful tract which had a lot of people reminiscing on the days before Uber as Nas describes growing up, “figuring out who to be” in the streets of 90’s New York.

27 Summers is a short track but it goes hard with a more modern beat leaving us longing for it to be longer. Nas names famous actors such as Robert Di Nero and Al Pachino, as he mentions his company Mass Appeal, it’s time to level up, “we need more black CEO’s”, giving a shout out to those in his camp – G-Code, Jonny Nunez, Dave East, all self-made showing it is possible.

Replace Me feat. Big Sean & Don Toliver is a softer track discussing past relationships where women have moved on, touching on his appeal to women, “you know my anatomy, you know my body is voodoo probably, Kama Sutra Mr. Oochie Wally”.  There is nice wordplay on, “Larenz and Nia Long, Love Jones”, referencing the movie she featured in but also his name Nasir Jones – Love Jones. “The only thing worse than being alone is wishing you were” being with someone that you wish you were not with. Big Sean features on the track, “I spend a lot of time reading you like 10,000 hours”, referencing his track with Jhene Aiko she has a song called 10,000 hours.

The Definition feat. Brucie, breaks down what Nas means by King’s Disease, and is more political and conscious track with social commentary, “they don’t treat us equal, I’m talking the law, for me freedom is illegal”. A lot of jewels dropped on this one, “global warming they don’t want to believe”. A short fast paced track which also seems fast paced so Nas can get out his controversial thoughts without the authorities hearing him, “powerful people will silence you, they’ll try to mute you”.

Full Circle feat. AZ, Foxy Brown & Cormega, sees the welcomed reunion of The Firm which has 90’s nostalgia, transporting us back to the days of heavy mafioso imagery, it was pleasantly reminiscent of the Affirmative Action but jazzier. All artists on this track come strong. Cormega and Nas finally reconciled their differences to come together on this track stating their mutual respect and admiration for each other. AZ who is dropping a new album soon, really shines on this track with a strong verse “When I evolved, a higher God emerged reserved”. It would not have been the same without, Foxy Brown who returned sounded slightly different but left her mark as the first lady, “I spits Ether” in reference to Nas’s classic battle track against Jay-Z, who incidentally dropped his new single on the same day as Nas. Dr Dre even dropped a surprise two verses at the end which tops off this track, as Nas originally founded The Firm with Dre in 1996. It felt good to have these heavyweights reunited on this track, still dropping nice rhymes and delivery.

10 Points reminded me of Biggie’s 10 crack commandments but here Nas is giving advice for upcoming entrepreneurs from his experiences rising as a black successful man as opposed to the streets. He hints to doing a lot behind the scenes which isn’t publicly known and mentions, “Michael Jordan gives back but you didn’t know it, like Lebron does but is just seldom to show it”.  Nas has assumed the position to teach, “street dudes” how to handle money and themselves which has never been taught to them including how to deal with haters. Nas touches on the way he has changed the game, “creating jobs, naming my venture fund after where I came from, that’s unheard of, “came from a hood known for murder, now we doing mergers”. He becomes our teacher, with most points directed towards, “King’s” he has one point for the “Queens” – “got to learn to let it go and move forwards” a message possibly to his ex. It full of wise words, “our challenges are holding ourselves back, I hope you felt that”. I did.

Til the War is Won feat. Lil Durk is a serious track about the importance of family and for women’s empowerment, where Nas attempts to dismantle the notion that women need men to be complete, “we nothing without our women”. Nas touches on the deep-rooted trauma in communities, "we became numb like pure cane on the tongue, to the pains from economical strains" and shows love to single mothers, “I’ll give all I have until the war is won”. Nas also indirectly denies the accusation of beating his ex-wife Kelis, “These coward men, that were beating on you (never me)". Interestingly this album was released on Kelis’ birthday.  Lil Durk felt a bit out of place to me here, disturbing the contemplative vibe, but perhaps this was a call out to the younger generation to protect and respect women, let’s hope it’s a plea that’s heard.

That feeling of healthy relationships changing sour is conveyed on, All Bad Feat. Anderson Paak on the vocals over a piano melody. Nas even drops a little reference to Tupac’s track, “wonder why they call you bitch” which I appreciated. It’s clear Nas is talking about women here, but I can’t help but think there is also a second extension to mean Hip Hop, “I even took you to the BBQ” made me think of one of his early features, Live at the BBQ, as if he’s fed up with the BS in the music game and this is his way of switching to other ventures, who knows.

The Cure is grittier than the other tracks but purposely done to reflect its content and Nas sharing his cure to King’s Disease, “Love over the Law”. The cure partially means behind every great man there is a great woman, “what these Kings have in common they have women who solid”.  It switches up. The lyricism on point, as he mentions, “Donuts rotten, the phone tapped, tappin' in with Lord”, a reference to this 1997 track with The Firm – Phone Tap only the real fans will know. He uses this track to shout out the, “Kings live forever”, Kobe and Nip, Kiing Shooter, RIP.

Addressing more money matters of everyone being “pricey”, Nas tells us, “I used to run the block now I’m corporate” on the bonus track, Spicy it’s catchy. Another line referencing the “raspberry butter” eluding to the menu at his international restaurant chain Sweet Chick another one of his successful business ventures.

This album was addressed towards Nas’s male audience of “Kings” in terms of being business minded but also “Queens” discussing the importance of women’s empowerment throughout, balancing out the dynamic. There were some beautiful lines interweaved with grimy ones in true Nas style, almost to say don’t forget where you came from or who you are. A very consistent album, where it’s hard to pick a favourite track as they all evoke different emotions. Classically with Nas’s discography you cannot appreciate his album with just one listen there is just too much to dissect and absorb. 2020 will be a year to remember for all of us for many reasons, but Nas dropping this album will be one of the more positive ones, especially in a time we all need to be on our grind, this can serve as our inspiration to get up and make it happen.