Nas

Nas
Hip-Hop is Dead
(Def Jam)
Timing has never been the forte of Nas—his first album was released in the debut shadows of Puff Daddy and the Notorious BIG. Even with the anticipation surrounding Nas’ latest, he is again behind another pair of hotly anticipated discs, Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg. But if you hear Hip-Hop is Dead, you’ll hear the best disc the genre has produced in recent memory. From lead single to “Black Republicans” to “Where are They Now?” Nas showcases his ability to transcend both commercial and underground boundaries. By taking his street poet tales to the masses, Nas should assume the throne left vacant by Tupac Shakur. Albums like this prove hip-hop is far from dead.
—Trevor Savory