Hip Hop Is Dead
by Nas
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Dec 19, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 175 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 154 out of 175
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 175
  3. Negative: 12 out of 175

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  1. user0857
    Aug 4, 2023
    0
    such a mess of a album. after illmatic this man was finisheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed
  2. itsaboutdrive
    Dec 6, 2022
    0
    Bad album, period. There's nothing interesting and I still don't figure out how Nas stayed relevant after Illmatic since almost all his albums after that one are ass.
  3. todaywasagooday
    Dec 1, 2022
    0
    You just need to be humbled. This is just a decent record. Nothing more. When will you understand that these albums are just mediocre and can't be compared to real hip-hop masterpieces.
  4. bobbysolo
    Nov 29, 2022
    0
    would say something about this one but sales and streamings speak for themselves.
  5. gotosleepbtch
    Nov 25, 2022
    0
    Title should be "Nas is dead" since he failed putting out a decent album for years, this one proves it.
  6. Connorcox1997
    Mar 15, 2019
    10
    Nas's eight album Hip Hop is Dead makes a strong statement in the music industry back in 2006 and even in todays music. In Hip Hop is Dead, Nas tells how the genre he grew up listening to was dying at the time and he wanted make the album to understand that Hip Hop is still alive. I absolutely loved all the songs on the album, the beats are different from his previous albums but thereNas's eight album Hip Hop is Dead makes a strong statement in the music industry back in 2006 and even in todays music. In Hip Hop is Dead, Nas tells how the genre he grew up listening to was dying at the time and he wanted make the album to understand that Hip Hop is still alive. I absolutely loved all the songs on the album, the beats are different from his previous albums but there still are dope, and the production is great. Hip Hop is Dead is definitely my 5th favorite Nas Album. This Album is defiantly worth a listen. I highly recommend it.… Expand
  7. Rix397
    Jul 21, 2018
    9
    At the time of its release, Nas' "Hip Hop is Dead" was clear proof, that hip hop was alive and well. With great themes, production, features & lyricism, Nas managed to top his other amazing albums ("It Was Written" and "God's Son) and released one of the best hip hop albums of the 2000s.

    Favorite tracks: Money Over **** You Can't Kill Me Carry on Tradition Hip Hop Is Dead Black    At the time of its release, Nas' "Hip Hop is Dead" was clear proof, that hip hop was alive and well. With great themes, production, features & lyricism, Nas managed to top his other amazing albums ("It Was Written" and "God's Son) and released one of the best hip hop albums of the 2000s.

    Favorite tracks:

    Money Over ****
    You Can't Kill Me
    Carry on Tradition
    Hip Hop Is Dead
    Black Republican
    Not Going Back
    Still Dreaming
    Hold Down the Block
    Let There Be Light
    Play on Playa
    Can't Forget About You
    Hustlers
    Hope

    Least favorite track:

    Who Killed It?    … Expand
  8. isaacb263
    Jan 12, 2018
    9
    This is one of my favorite Nas albums of the 2000s. Amazing substance, and I like the hooks and production a lot more than the production on God's Son, Stillmatic, Streets Disciple, other good Nas 2000s albums. You can just vibe to this album, a classic in my eyes.
  9. BIGMAN22
    Jan 7, 2016
    10
    a true masterpiece. great lyricism, dope production. Nas does it again. another album worth listening to again and again. this album is up there with his past works of pure rawness.
  10. Urbanlistener
    May 8, 2015
    9
    Nas fully delivers on this album with great lyrics on a consistant basis, an awesome panel of guests and an A+ production. The album is poetic, well thought and intelligent, as you would expect from an artist in the top 5 of the best rappers of all-time. Nas assures a good cohesion through the album and really says what is actually wrong with hip-hop and it is even more powerful to hear itNas fully delivers on this album with great lyrics on a consistant basis, an awesome panel of guests and an A+ production. The album is poetic, well thought and intelligent, as you would expect from an artist in the top 5 of the best rappers of all-time. Nas assures a good cohesion through the album and really says what is actually wrong with hip-hop and it is even more powerful to hear it from a rap icon like him.… Expand
  11. keve16
    Mar 22, 2015
    8
    7.8/10................................................................................................................................................
  12. 1hrdrthanuthink
    Jun 2, 2013
    10
    Nas gets hard lyrically and has a new sort of drive on this album that makes it a raw classic. And a different type of rawness is when he defies the typical rap persona by saying he's not going back to the hood. I saw something that said someone was pronounced dead, and came back to life 28 minutes later. Well that's pretty much the same case here after the song "Hip-Hop Is Dead," he killsNas gets hard lyrically and has a new sort of drive on this album that makes it a raw classic. And a different type of rawness is when he defies the typical rap persona by saying he's not going back to the hood. I saw something that said someone was pronounced dead, and came back to life 28 minutes later. Well that's pretty much the same case here after the song "Hip-Hop Is Dead," he kills it (or in this case saves it) on this album.… Expand
  13. lovemusic
    May 8, 2011
    8
    good solid record had a few good songs on here. i liked it. it was descent. i respect this guy when he puts out a record he puts his heart and soul into his songs.
  14. sosa
    Nov 27, 2010
    10
    Nas does well tackling the subject of Hip Hops death in modern days. A wonderful follow-up to his massive Street's Disciple album. Production has greatly improved for Nas on this album
  15. groundfisher
    Aug 27, 2007
    8
    This would get a 9 from me if the production was better. "Hip-hop is Dead" is a celebration of hip-hop. It is a strong album from Nas and the album's title and concept is not really something new, but it signifies a change in content from Nas with less 'gangsta rap' and more good, old fashioned hip-hip. Gangsta rap IS commercialised hip-hop and one of the things that has This would get a 9 from me if the production was better. "Hip-hop is Dead" is a celebration of hip-hop. It is a strong album from Nas and the album's title and concept is not really something new, but it signifies a change in content from Nas with less 'gangsta rap' and more good, old fashioned hip-hip. Gangsta rap IS commercialised hip-hop and one of the things that has killed true hip-hop; Nas has got rich off gangsta rap and now laments that hip-hop is dead. That irony is not lost on Nas. In fact, there is humour in this album that isn't evident in many previous albums, with Nas attacking the album's concept from many different viewpoints, even those viewpoints which gently mock his own. I don't really want to go into depth but just to mention something that I feel Nas didn't address. Remembering times past can lapse into pure nostalgia and whilst it's fine to remember past hip-hop artists and recall Main Source's "Breaking Atoms", for example, you also have to remember the bad things. We didn't have ridiculous, commericalised gangasta rap clones 15+ years ago on the charts. Instead we had a complete and utter corporate construct called Vanilla Ice at the top of the charts. MC Hammer was there too. This was during the golden age of hip-hop. The golden age is well and truly over and whilst hip-hop isn't dead, it has just about hit rock bottom. Hopefully Nas isn't the only one who changes direction...… Expand
  16. BrannonM
    Apr 2, 2007
    9
    Classic
  17. RicardoO
    Mar 8, 2007
    10
    in a world full of emptyness, finally someone that can inspire us to improve
  18. VaheK
    Mar 7, 2007
    8
    Good Album. one great song, the rest of album is ok
  19. JoshT
    Mar 5, 2007
    8
    If any One gave this album less than a 7 or an 8 don't know sh@t, and i read some of y'all comits. Like Jamal S(It lacks a single killer BEAT) People like this just listen to hip-hop because of the beats, they don't read between the lines. I beat this N@g@a this dip-set is hot(they don't be talking bout sh@t) Hip-Hop Is Dead is not a classic but it better than Streets If any One gave this album less than a 7 or an 8 don't know sh@t, and i read some of y'all comits. Like Jamal S(It lacks a single killer BEAT) People like this just listen to hip-hop because of the beats, they don't read between the lines. I beat this N@g@a this dip-set is hot(they don't be talking bout sh@t) Hip-Hop Is Dead is not a classic but it better than Streets Disiple, Nastrudams, I Am, and I think it better then it was written. Nas may not have the best ear for beats; but pound for pound lyrically there is only one person in the history of the game that even come close to nas and that is the greatest MC of all time Pac. Not Jigga, Not Big, not anyone has the lyrical tale as Nas or Pac. Holla… Expand
  20. MahmoudR
    Feb 24, 2007
    10
    Supreme Lyricism. Dope beats. What more could you ask for?
  21. CoolJonesD.
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    I absolutely love this album. You all should get it.
  22. ToneCheeks
    Feb 16, 2007
    6
    As pointless as it may be to wait for another 'Illmatic,' this should have been it: the comeback. "Money Over Bullshit" starts with such promise, Nas' rhymes perfectly matched to the epic beat (one of the few good beats on the album, btw). Then the next half dozen songs or so spend too much time dwelling on the same gangsta cliches Nas ironically wants to avoid, even if he As pointless as it may be to wait for another 'Illmatic,' this should have been it: the comeback. "Money Over Bullshit" starts with such promise, Nas' rhymes perfectly matched to the epic beat (one of the few good beats on the album, btw). Then the next half dozen songs or so spend too much time dwelling on the same gangsta cliches Nas ironically wants to avoid, even if he discusses them with a verbal dexterity most rappers will never have. A few other bright spots (the duet with Game, Let there Be Light) are too little to late. Still, no other MC today could get away with this title/concept, and thats proof enough Nas will get back on track.… Expand
  23. JamalS.
    Feb 16, 2007
    5
    Thanks, Jay, your condescending tone makes me feel great. Hip Hop is Dead doesn't stun on any level. It lacks a single killer beat, features some bad lyrics sprinkled in with the overall well rapped album (making them stick out worse), and is ousted by a good number of other hip hop CD's this year. As far as rap albums trying to make a statement, I much prefer Cunninlynguists Thanks, Jay, your condescending tone makes me feel great. Hip Hop is Dead doesn't stun on any level. It lacks a single killer beat, features some bad lyrics sprinkled in with the overall well rapped album (making them stick out worse), and is ousted by a good number of other hip hop CD's this year. As far as rap albums trying to make a statement, I much prefer Cunninlynguists "Piece of Strange" or Lupe Fiasco's "Food and Liquor".… Expand
  24. TheDrash
    Feb 12, 2007
    2
    The only decent track is the title track 'Hip Hop Is Dead'. That being said, the title not only shows Nas' ignorance of hip hop in 2007 but why he hasn't put out a consistently solid album in over ten years. Yes, hip hop has changed from the days when he was a factor in the genre and culture but it isn't as bleak as he would like us to believe. OK, we get it Nas, The only decent track is the title track 'Hip Hop Is Dead'. That being said, the title not only shows Nas' ignorance of hip hop in 2007 but why he hasn't put out a consistently solid album in over ten years. Yes, hip hop has changed from the days when he was a factor in the genre and culture but it isn't as bleak as he would like us to believe. OK, we get it Nas, you've sold out and now you feel bad but there are plenty of young kids out there keeping hip hop not only alive but thriving.… Expand
  25. ChrisS
    Feb 7, 2007
    10
    Sweet ass Cd
  26. JayB
    Jan 31, 2007
    10
    Easily the best hip hop album of 2006. Those who believe otherwise are part of the reason the album was titled "Hip Hop Is Dead". Remember, hip hop culture and rap music are two different things. Sure there were good rap albums, but not had the inclination of the cultre as this masterpiece. We All Needed It!!!
  27. matthewl
    Jan 30, 2007
    8
    probably the most important hip hop album of this millenium solely baed on it's title....great album, favorite tracks: hip hop is dead and blunt ashes
  28. RapstallionX
    Jan 29, 2007
    8
    It was a pretty good album. Not a classic, but one of the top 10 rap albums of the year. Nas' lyrics are on point, like always. His beats on the other hand are average. Best track on the album is Still dreaming.
  29. JasmineI
    Jan 26, 2007
    10
    This is a beatifully created album, in everyone, nas doesn't need slamming beats because he is a lyrical beast, he could put out 16 tracks of o capella and it would probably still go platinum. And to everyone critics and fans alike, stop comparing everything this man does to illmatic, yes that was the greatest album ever. that said even if he made another one, it still wouldn't This is a beatifully created album, in everyone, nas doesn't need slamming beats because he is a lyrical beast, he could put out 16 tracks of o capella and it would probably still go platinum. And to everyone critics and fans alike, stop comparing everything this man does to illmatic, yes that was the greatest album ever. that said even if he made another one, it still wouldn't be illmatic and you would find some way to tear it down. This was the best album to come out this year. so if its getting 50's everyone else should get 0's.… Expand
  30. davidc
    Jan 21, 2007
    10
    brilliant,phat tracks, it sounds alot like illmatic. its the ressurection.
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Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best Album of 2006
35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2006
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Hip Hop Is Dead is a lot like Nas himself: impossible not to admire, but hard to love.
    Read full review
  2. The New York Times
    80
    Here’s the thing about Nas’s old-fashioned approach to hip-hop: It still works.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    78
    More than Illmatic, it represents the real Nas-- not the ideal-- the MC with all the skill, all the rhymes, and all the insight who sabotaged himself with bad decisions.
    Read full review
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