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Track Listings
| 1. No Introduction |
| 2. Loco - Motive feat. Large Professor |
| 3. A Queens Story |
| 4. Accident Murderers feat. Rick Ross |
| 5. Daughters |
| 6. Reach Out feat. Mary J. Blige |
| 7. World's An Addiction feat. Anthony Hamilton |
| 8. Summer On Smash feat. Miguel & Swizz Beatz |
| 9. You Wouldn't Understand feat. Victoria Monet |
| 10. Back When |
| 11. The Don |
| 12. Stay |
| 13. Cherry Wine feat. Amy Winehouse |
| 14. Bye Baby |
| 15. Nasty |
| 16. The Black Bond |
| 17. Roses |
| 18. Where's The Love feat. Cocaine 80s |
Product Description
Review
This is the knock against Nas: his choices of instrumentals don’t match his impeccable wordplay. If they did, the New York MC would be hip hop’s all-time greatest.
But that the rapper born Nasir Jones remains in the conversation despite his spotty discography speaks highly of his lyrical prowess. For almost 20 years, Nas has been one of hip hop’s most insightful storytellers, whether he’s flipping the tale in reverse or reflecting upon the lifespan of a gun. While the results are reflective, Nas has always looked outward, using his lens to tell imagined stories of pain and perseverance with vivid candour.
On Life is Good, Nas’ 10th solo studio album, he turns the spotlight on himself, detailing everything about his divorce from pop singer Kelis (Bye Baby), his shortcomings as a father (Daughters), and his chequered upbringing (A Queens Story). As with any Nas record, you can see the story unfold as his raspy baritone tumbles from the speakers. But unlike his recent recordings, the music matches his narrative urgency.
On No Introduction, the album’s triumphant opening track, Nas deliberates: “15, I got a gun, 16, I robbed a train / Licked off a shot for fun, what’s got inside my brain.” He’s brutally honest with himself, and he’s equally acerbic with the listening public. World’s an Addiction is a fuming criticism of synthetic compulsions: athletes on steroids, pastors hooked on porn, billionaires with sadistic sexual fantasies.
Nas wags the finger with a volcanic rage that never boils over – but elsewhere, the veteran is downright celebratory. On Back When, he uses filtered drums and choral moans to assess his place in hip hop: “I don’t get the credit I deserve, that’s why I hate doing interviews.”
Surely, Nas has the right to be aloof. His debut album, 1994’s Illmatic, is such a heralded classic that his subsequent work is given short shrift. Yet Nas stays the course, no matter how rough the road.
When Kelis left him, she took everything she owned, except her green wedding dress (which appears on the cover art). But here, he exorcises the turmoil with a focused set of sustained brilliance. So life really is good for Nas. Great, even.
--B007TCCHJ4
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Alize
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
After buying several albums by Nas,and being a huge fan,i thought it was necessery to buy this album,simply because of his amazing capability to tell stories,and phenomenal lyrical skills.
This album has a more mature feel to it-after all,Nas is no longer that young 17 year old boy running around Queensbridge: he is a man now,with children and a life of his own.This album paints that picture vividly:whilst he still speaks about issues that happen in the projects,in songs such as "A Queens Story" and "Accidental Murders",he speaks about his place as a Father, on "Daughters" and about his high position on life on "The Don".
The collaberations are all really good on this,i especially love the Mary J Blige and Amy Winehouse collaberations,and despite not being a fan of Rick Ross he was pretty good on his collaberation here on "Accidental Murders".
Basically,this album is very varied in the material it contains:Nas speaks about a wide range of subjects,and the lyrical skill on all is brilliant.The production is wonderful too,it does not sound like computer produced beats like most things these days,there are actual instruments,which is great,and adds to the atmosphere throughout the album.
The album has a real 90s feel to it,it almost feels like Illmatic but told from a man`s perspective,instead of a boy.The album has a slightly "raw" feel to it,even though Nas has been in the game well over a decade now.
If you love Nas,Hip-Hop,or lyrical story telling in general,buy this album:you will not regret it.
The production,lyrics,and story telling all paint an amazing picture.Nas was at his best in Illmatic:i think he has got it back,and can retain his title as one of the Greatest of all time.
This album has a more mature feel to it-after all,Nas is no longer that young 17 year old boy running around Queensbridge: he is a man now,with children and a life of his own.This album paints that picture vividly:whilst he still speaks about issues that happen in the projects,in songs such as "A Queens Story" and "Accidental Murders",he speaks about his place as a Father, on "Daughters" and about his high position on life on "The Don".
The collaberations are all really good on this,i especially love the Mary J Blige and Amy Winehouse collaberations,and despite not being a fan of Rick Ross he was pretty good on his collaberation here on "Accidental Murders".
Basically,this album is very varied in the material it contains:Nas speaks about a wide range of subjects,and the lyrical skill on all is brilliant.The production is wonderful too,it does not sound like computer produced beats like most things these days,there are actual instruments,which is great,and adds to the atmosphere throughout the album.
The album has a real 90s feel to it,it almost feels like Illmatic but told from a man`s perspective,instead of a boy.The album has a slightly "raw" feel to it,even though Nas has been in the game well over a decade now.
If you love Nas,Hip-Hop,or lyrical story telling in general,buy this album:you will not regret it.
The production,lyrics,and story telling all paint an amazing picture.Nas was at his best in Illmatic:i think he has got it back,and can retain his title as one of the Greatest of all time.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The phrases 'return to form' and 'his best since Illmatic' have become reviewer cliches, churned out at the release of every new Nas album for at least the last ten years. They invariably lead to disappointment; no Nas albums have been overtly bad, but few have lived up to the golden promises of critics. Mostly they have been decent LPs with a few standout tracks.
Here, we finally get a payoff. A coherent, consistent masterpiece of a record, where Nas' unquestioned talent for lyrics and flow is finally matched by some fantastic beats. Varied beats too, with bombastic orchestral productions on 'No Introduction' and 'Back When' meshing side by side with jazzy instrumentation on 'Stay' and 'Cherry Wine', the latter containing a masterful vocal turn by the late Amy Winehouse. There's also hip hop bangers in the form of 'The Don' and 'Accident Murderers', 90s sounding throwbacks including the Mary J Blige collaboration 'Reach Out'm and a whole lot of stuff in between.
It's hard for an album to contain such variety whilst still moulding together as a whole, but 'Life Is Good' manages that, and its mostly due to Nas himself. He sounds relaxed, contented, not dumbing down the intricacy or lofty nature of his raps but delivering it in a chilled way. It complements the production, and it's such a pleasure to listen to a Nas album and find yourself nodding and smiling along. It's that sort of record; impactful without being too heavy, nostalgic without living in the past and modern sounding while staying timeless. Definitely a return to form. Maybe his best since Illmatic.
Here, we finally get a payoff. A coherent, consistent masterpiece of a record, where Nas' unquestioned talent for lyrics and flow is finally matched by some fantastic beats. Varied beats too, with bombastic orchestral productions on 'No Introduction' and 'Back When' meshing side by side with jazzy instrumentation on 'Stay' and 'Cherry Wine', the latter containing a masterful vocal turn by the late Amy Winehouse. There's also hip hop bangers in the form of 'The Don' and 'Accident Murderers', 90s sounding throwbacks including the Mary J Blige collaboration 'Reach Out'm and a whole lot of stuff in between.
It's hard for an album to contain such variety whilst still moulding together as a whole, but 'Life Is Good' manages that, and its mostly due to Nas himself. He sounds relaxed, contented, not dumbing down the intricacy or lofty nature of his raps but delivering it in a chilled way. It complements the production, and it's such a pleasure to listen to a Nas album and find yourself nodding and smiling along. It's that sort of record; impactful without being too heavy, nostalgic without living in the past and modern sounding while staying timeless. Definitely a return to form. Maybe his best since Illmatic.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A. Banjoko
Format:Audio CD
Lyrical content ridiculously world class, instrumentals just like some of rick ross's instrumental containing a lot more instruments saxos and trumpets and violins, Hip Hop is evolving a lot more classic sounds in which an older generation can appreciate, content is diverse and Nas goes through his range like no other rapper on this planet. Unlike Eminems albums every track is different and the tone and setting is very different. Nas came though on this album and it surpasses his last album and stillmatic.
Infact it sounds like an underground album but because its Nas it can be widely accepted as mainstream. I like how Nas refuses to deviate from his roots and style and knowingly confident that people will still listen as he has that solid fanbase. Ill be blazing this from the car. Im Impressed, Hip Hop was dead for a long time.
Can we say its revived??? I think it can only be truly revived with this genius of a talent in Nasir we trust!
Ps Hip Hop instrumentals these days, people always turn their heads when they hear the new beats being produced these days played out loud. I like the new sounds the jazzed up saxoed beats with bass. Feels like evolution of Hip Hop. More soul more personality, less nonsensical thumping....More humanity on the tracks.......Will a new fanbase emerge with these new beats combined with lyricists like Nas?
Get the Deluxe edition featuring 18 tracks. One of the best songs is not on the album. Its called "Trust" and "World is an addiction" is a great track. "A queens story" amazing...."No introduction" great way to start
Great album go get it! Nas never retire! Legend
Infact it sounds like an underground album but because its Nas it can be widely accepted as mainstream. I like how Nas refuses to deviate from his roots and style and knowingly confident that people will still listen as he has that solid fanbase. Ill be blazing this from the car. Im Impressed, Hip Hop was dead for a long time.
Can we say its revived??? I think it can only be truly revived with this genius of a talent in Nasir we trust!
Ps Hip Hop instrumentals these days, people always turn their heads when they hear the new beats being produced these days played out loud. I like the new sounds the jazzed up saxoed beats with bass. Feels like evolution of Hip Hop. More soul more personality, less nonsensical thumping....More humanity on the tracks.......Will a new fanbase emerge with these new beats combined with lyricists like Nas?
Get the Deluxe edition featuring 18 tracks. One of the best songs is not on the album. Its called "Trust" and "World is an addiction" is a great track. "A queens story" amazing...."No introduction" great way to start
Great album go get it! Nas never retire! Legend
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Moff itch
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Nas best work since illmatic.
For someone who been in the scene for 20 years this album has surprised me, easily the best all round album from nas since his first. There is only one real skip track for me but that is only because I literally cant relate to it at all but it still has solid production.
It is perhaps missing the massive tracks like "made you look" off gods son or "thieves theme" from streets disciple but it is has the consistency that I feel has been missing in 9 of his other albums.
Covers a lot of different subject matter and perhaps due to his age it is far more mature than your normal rap release in the past couple of years.
At this juncture 20 years and 10 solo albums in, no other MC has ever rhymed at such a high level this deep into their career. Not Rakim. Not Kool G Rap. Not Slick Rick. Not Big Daddy Kane. No One.
For someone who been in the scene for 20 years this album has surprised me, easily the best all round album from nas since his first. There is only one real skip track for me but that is only because I literally cant relate to it at all but it still has solid production.
It is perhaps missing the massive tracks like "made you look" off gods son or "thieves theme" from streets disciple but it is has the consistency that I feel has been missing in 9 of his other albums.
Covers a lot of different subject matter and perhaps due to his age it is far more mature than your normal rap release in the past couple of years.
At this juncture 20 years and 10 solo albums in, no other MC has ever rhymed at such a high level this deep into their career. Not Rakim. Not Kool G Rap. Not Slick Rick. Not Big Daddy Kane. No One.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
my other half loves it
Great cd great price and the other half happy!! Even if I have heard the same songs about 100 times. Thanx tho.
Published 7 days ago by Amee
5.0 out of 5 stars
life is good
Happy with my purchase. Delivery was quicker than expected and there are issues with the CD. The album is brilliant so life is good.
Published 13 days ago by lyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top quality item
Pleasing to hear Nas back to his old style of story telling lyrics great item would recommend to the old hip hop listener .
Published 3 months ago by Ko Kane
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nasir
Not as good as his 90's work but some very good tracks on there. Life is good is a great track and so is Daughters.
Published 4 months ago by Unitlad87
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
yet another good album by Nas. If you're a Nas fan then you've got to buy this..I bought this alongside Watch the throne and I certainly got value for money.
Published 6 months ago by Jeromane Vassell
5.0 out of 5 stars
King of hip hop
Another great album from one of raps finest. Love this album it's another Nas classic. A must have for rap music fans.
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Rm Clifford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nas on great form.
Wonderful album, liquid gold tracks, Hip hop in one of it's most pure form. Hip Hop Album of the year ? Quite possibly.
Published 6 months ago by rysebuys
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
Having not really heard much of Nas' work other than Illmatic, and constantly hearing about how he's never matched it, I find Life Is Good to be a truly enjoyable album to listen... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jayy Mannon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life is Good: by NAS
I haven't reviewed music for a long time... however felt compelled to give my 20 cents on this Album. Read more
Published 8 months ago by David Glasgow
5.0 out of 5 stars
worth the money
Get this album if your a nas fan because he ant let us down with this one no one in the game at the moment can do what this guy can. HIP HOP
Published 9 months ago by adi
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