Top 10 Best Nas Albums
When it comes to Nas, few artists can rival his impact on hip-hop, and even fewer have delivered so many albums that make you think, inspire you, and keep you hitting replay. Nas has always been about pushing the boundaries of storytelling and lyricism, whether he's chronicling life on the streets of New York, reflecting on fame, or tackling complex social issues. His career is a journey through the evolution of hip-hop itself, and each album brings its own unique vibe and insight into his world.Picking the best Nas albums isn't easy because his discography is packed with hits and classics that have resonated with fans of all ages.
Top 3 couldn't be any more accurate. Illmatic is the greatest hip hop album ever, even though there are only 10 tracks. Stillmatic and It Was Written are also brilliant. Nas is one of the greatest.
To me, this is the greatest rap album ever made. There are many amazing albums, but I consider Illmatic the best one. There's nothing like it. There's Illmatic, and there's everything else.
Greatest hip hop album ever made. When I tell people about it, they think differently and say if it's the best, why haven't they heard of it while they're listening to Yung Money. Hip hop is definitely dead.
This album is better than Illmatic, in my opinion. No hate on Illmatic, I absolutely love the album, but It Was Written has more songs, and The Message is one of my personal favorites by Nas.
This is a great album with songs like "The Message" and "If I Ruled the World." Perhaps it shouldn't be ahead of Stillmatic, but it is still a great album.
In my honest opinion, this is Nas' best album. Every song is flawless. I think from a lyrical standpoint, Nas is at his best here.
Best diss track (Ether), top five ever Nas song (One Mic), two great political hip hop tracks (What Goes Around, Rule), most underrated Nas song (Got Yourself a Gun), and arguably his best production to date. A textbook Nas album.
Stillmatic is a great album. This was when he was beefing with Jay-Z, and he destroyed Jay-Z with his track "Ether." The real standout song was "One Mic." "One Mic" is one of the best songs I have ever heard.
The most underrated album of all time. It has some top songs and has sold a lot of records. It is just as good as Illmatic!
Absolutely stellar album! Behind Illmatic, this album ties for second place with The 18th Letter/Book of Life. Nasty but classy, this album has everything you need.
It has its share of everything good in hip hop: hardcore, classy, nostalgia (lots of it), love and breakup, dealing with issues, and the party jam (sorta breaks the flow of the album, although I liked it, some people hate it). All that makes the pot of Life Is Good with a flavor of Nas and a touch of soul.
Eighteen classics, each with their own spirit and meaning. Competing with The Lost Tapes, I'd say this album has the best production/beats (even though no DJ Premier). Although we have four years left, I'd say album of the decade, barely edging out Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. Deluxe edition is an absolute must.
Top tracks include (in no order): Loco-Motive, Accident Murderers, Daughters, You Wouldn't Understand, Back When, The Don, Stay, Cherry Wine (R.I.P Amy Winehouse), Bye Baby, Nasty, and Roses (Best Track).
I can see Illmatic and It Was Written up there, but Stillmatic is overrated, and I'd move God's Son up. Also, you guys are sleeping on Street's Disciple (I know it's not top 5, but it's better than Untitled, Hip Hop Is Dead, and Distant Relatives).
This album is great from track 1 to the end. Nas proves that he is God's Son. This is not as good as Illmatic or Stillmatic but is still a must-buy.
Top tracks:
1. Made You Look
2. Thugz Mansion
3. I Can
4. Mastermind
This album is so underrated. So many emotions, with his mother passing away. The song Dance is definitely one of the most emotional Nas songs you will ever hear.
I think this is the most underrated album by Nas. Some of the tracks on it show that he has more talent than most rappers, and I think it was this album that made me recognize him as truly one of the greatest rappers of all time.
It's not my favorite, but I already agree with the top 3. Then I had to think about whether to vote for this or for God's Son, and I chose this because there is just no way that I Am is better!
My favorite Nas album. Lyrically, he is off the chain and the beats are perfect. Just perfect.
This is a really chill album. Love it.
I Am... is a mad album and should be more praised in the legendary albums of all time! Nas is, without a doubt, the greatest rapper of all time. It is a masterpiece in hip hop.
I Am... is really good, and the song "Nas Is Like" really improves this album. This is not the best rap album of 1999, but "Nas Is Like" is the best rap song of 1999.
The second finest Nas album because of Illmatic. This is a great album to listen to in the car because of the lyrical and beat-driven songs.
Still Dreaming is the highlight on this album, which overall is just underrated in general. People think he took a commercial approach with this, but not at all. It's all a part of his evolution in sound.
Probably Nas' most underrated album. This is brilliant. Not really a bad song, and it's probably top 5 for me. Not outstanding, but deserves more praise.
It was definitely jam-packed, so it was frowned upon, but it still had a few good tracks like Playa to Playa and also the great hit Hip Hop Is Dead.
This album is one of the few by Nas that can be enjoyed by people who don't even like rap. Not saying his other albums are bad, but I wouldn't feel weird playing this around my friends who hate rap music.
It's arguable whether Illmatic is the best or not, but I do think that Distant Relatives should be up there. Very underrated album.
Love this album! It just preaches such an amazing message. It's literally like philosophy! Seriously underrated!
The Newcomers
His latest album is so underrated. Hero is a mad song and should be played on the radio! Some great appearances by other pop artists as well!
A great album, way ahead of its time, and should be cherished as one of Nas' finest works!
Nas' most political album. It gets a little more hate than it deserves.
I have enjoyed listening to NASIR, a new but similar kind of Nas with a mellow mood. All seven tracks are well written, and the two standouts for me were "Adam and Eve" ft. The-Dream and "Cops Shot the Kid" ft. Kanye West (who produced the album). This album shows that after a wait of six years since Life Is Good, Nas has still got it.
"Escobar season begins."
Kanye West produced the whole album. The beats are hot, and Nas was still potent as ever here. It just got overlooked and underrated. Given a few years, I'm sure this project will rightfully be reappraised.
Street's Disciple is Nas' most slept-on album and his best since Illmatic. Like his debut, it features a cohesive and uncompromising artistic vision, which he started on God's Son. The elements carried over from God's Son are refined, and he expresses far greater maturity on it.
Has gotten less media attention than his other albums. Therefore, Street's Disciple is often overlooked/forgotten. It definitely deserves to be number 5.
Lost Freestyle and Beautiful Life are lit. The whole production tied with the album is fire.
Nas' evolution from a gifted MC to a visionary poet began with the "I Am..." album and was fully realized on "Nastradamus." With that said, this album is unequivocally Nas' most underrated and underappreciated work.
I could easily place this album in Nas' top 5, as well as being one of the greatest albums ever created.