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. 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
  2. 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
  3. ryanh
    Jan 11, 2007
    10
    Nas is the illist mc alive
  4. RM
    Jan 3, 2007
    8
    There are moments when you wonder why some of Nas's lyrics aren't looked at in school as literature because they are, at times, amazing. Sure he is a hip hop artist but he's far better than a lot of modern poets out there too (I actually think it comes down to a racial thing but I won't go there). But I do not think this album is ALL as strong as other reviews make There are moments when you wonder why some of Nas's lyrics aren't looked at in school as literature because they are, at times, amazing. Sure he is a hip hop artist but he's far better than a lot of modern poets out there too (I actually think it comes down to a racial thing but I won't go there). But I do not think this album is ALL as strong as other reviews make out. Disappointed to see Snoop Dog make a guest appearance; Nas is contradicting himself there. Didn't that talentless *** make a guest appearance for Pussycat Dolls as well?… Expand
  5. TheKing
    Jan 9, 2007
    8
    +Great lyricism +Good subjects. +Jay Z collabo -A lot of mediocre beats and hooks
  6. ChrisS
    Feb 7, 2007
    10
    Sweet ass Cd
  7. RobL
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    A rap classic. Better than the overhyped Hell Hath No Fury and Donuts. Nas will have a hard time following this up.
  8. BaleyD
    Dec 20, 2006
    8
    I enjoyed most of the beats, except for blunt ashes, really. the lyrical performance was strong, and if you realize that its just a very good themed album rather than the end-all-be-all of hip-hop in 2006, i think it'll be a little easier to swallow, with the organic production and what not.
  9. MattF
    Jan 12, 2007
    9
    Nas's new album is one of his best, he really is the one of the only true hip hop artists left. No one has his lyrical integrity.
  10. CalumL
    Jan 1, 2007
    10
    One of the best hip hop albums of all time. Lyrically he is brilliant and his delivery is second to none. Standout tracks are Black Republican, Dreaming and Hold Down the Block
  11. MikeC
    Jan 4, 2007
    10
    Nas is hip hop, and he proves it here, this is the best hip hop album of the year, even though it will not claim much success on the charts, nas lyrical word play, and message is still at the top of his game.
  12. CoolJonesD.
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    I absolutely love this album. You all should get it.
  13. VaheK
    Mar 7, 2007
    8
    Good Album. one great song, the rest of album is ok
  14. BrannonM
    Apr 2, 2007
    9
    Classic
  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. NelsonP
    Dec 19, 2006
    10
    The 'Black Republican' track is reason enough to buy this album, which is laced w/ great beats and sharp lyrics. The only thing is that it's unfortunate that they censored a bit of the album (most notably the hook on 'HIp Hop is Dead'). Great CD! Go Buy It NOW!!!
  17. ChrisW
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    Finally... A Hip-Hop CD that is a classic revival to Rap's history, with an updated sound that is nothing like anything heard in the past year. Let's hope the Dirty South's reign on hip-hop is done. So many hip-hop artists do not have the staying power as Nas does. I celebrate Hip-Hop and congratualte Nas on being only one of 5 REAL Hip-Hop artists out there.
  18. Amen
    Dec 20, 2006
    9
    A strong album; more consistent conceptually and musically than most of his albums; feels a lot like Streets Disciple except with more polished, dramatic beats. Actually each album, however inconsistent just seems to reinforce how good of a rapper Nas is, especially lyrically.
  19. J
    Dec 20, 2006
    9
    Arguably the best Hip Hop album this year. Damn that, it is the best Hip Hop album this year.
  20. AJHenriques
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    A post-millennial hip-hop masterpiece!
  21. LD
    Dec 24, 2006
    10
    Lyrically, best album of the current decade.
  22. AntonN
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    A Masterpiece! As long as nas exists in music hip hop is not dead!
  23. MasT
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    He is truly back in the game. This is classic hiphop album that reminded us what hiphop is supposed to sound like.
  24. Adrian
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    Album of the year! Really.
  25. NeegG
    Dec 28, 2006
    10
    Definitely the best album Nas has had in years, production is a little spotty but Nas is still spot-on with his lyrics and doesn't let the guests overshadow him.
  26. VassilyL
    Dec 28, 2006
    9
    Never really liked East Cost rap, but cant deny it IS the best 2006 hip-hip album, even Snoop cant compare to this one. No bling, no ho's, no pimps. Songs are simly like the best hip-hop classics, save for 'Blunt Ashes', and weak Jay-Z/ Kelis/ Kany collaborations.
  27. vico
    Dec 29, 2006
    9
    This is a very solid album, you can feel nas's confidence in every song-only two songs that may not have made the cut-'blunt ashes' and 'who killed it'-the rest of the album is excellent, there are to many good songs-my favourite songs in order-1. let there be light 2 hold down the block 3 still dreamin 4. carry on tradition 5 cant 4get about u 6.not going back 7. This is a very solid album, you can feel nas's confidence in every song-only two songs that may not have made the cut-'blunt ashes' and 'who killed it'-the rest of the album is excellent, there are to many good songs-my favourite songs in order-1. let there be light 2 hold down the block 3 still dreamin 4. carry on tradition 5 cant 4get about u 6.not going back 7. play on playa 8. hustlers… Expand
  28. PatrickI
    Dec 30, 2006
    10
    this is probably the closest to illmatic that we will ever get, not to compare the 2, the are both examples of nas doing what he does best when he and the hip hop world really needs it. This album will become a must have for rap fans every where. Its sends out a message that only nas or jay could get away with, but it is presented in a way that only nas could do, and do it he does. All this is probably the closest to illmatic that we will ever get, not to compare the 2, the are both examples of nas doing what he does best when he and the hip hop world really needs it. This album will become a must have for rap fans every where. Its sends out a message that only nas or jay could get away with, but it is presented in a way that only nas could do, and do it he does. All most every track could be a hit in its own right, and nas produces lyrics that reminds me of why I should listen to more then intrumentals and o capela poetry. If you are spark by his message that rap is dead then maybe you helped kill it and feel a little guilty, i could go all day but get the album and you'll see… Expand
  29. jamesb
    Jan 16, 2007
    10
    the greatest mc to ever walk the earth jst showed us why he is the best
  30. 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.
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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
See all critic reviews »