The Lost Tapes
by Nas
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 24, 2002
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    60
    From a few listens, it's clear most of these weren't bumped because they were low-quality; "Doo Rags," "No Idea's Original," and "Black Zombie" stand up to anything Nas has recorded since the original Illmatic.
  2. Billboard
    80
    Showcases Nas' incredible talent as a lyricist and social commentator.
  3. CDNow
    80
    Nas has compiled an imaginative State of the Union address to the streets.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    His gritty, yet hopeful, reflections make Lost Tapes a real find.
  6. Mixer
    70
    Intelligent, rugged and moving, Lost Tapes is everything Stillmatic should have been. [Dec 2002, p.76]
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  7. Pitchfork
    69
    Despite its flaws, though, The Lost Tapes is nice. Not a return to form, per se, but possibly as close as we're likely to get.
  8. PopMatters
    80
    From start to finish, Nas sets aside the rhetorical frills, contrived interludes, and mediocre guest appearances that have plagued much of his work since the classic Illmatic and concentrates on delivering classic material.
  9. Rolling Stone
    80
    Over subdued soul loops and improbably mellow piano work, The Lost Tapes displays Nas' gifts for tightly stitched narrative and stunningly precise detail.
  10. Spin
    80
    The closet thing to Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes hip-hop has ever produced: a collection of songs from, and largely about, the past that bode well for the future and sound damn good today. [Dec 2002, p.140]
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  11. Stylus Magazine
    75
    Separate, the songs all sound great, but together, they don’t make a real album.
  12. The A.V. Club
    90
    A filler-free tour de force.
  13. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    83
    two about his parents are juicier than the mother love gushing from God's Son. The Afrocentric pep song is so much deeper than the mawkish, misinformed new "I Can" that you believe he might yet get politics.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Album of 2002
36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2002
52
#52 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 111 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 111
  3. Negative: 16 out of 111
  1. Sergio2008
    Jan 6, 2016
    10
    A classic compilation of unreleased Nas material. The album is a testament of Nas' forte as a writer. The Lost Tapes is proof that Nas is oneA classic compilation of unreleased Nas material. The album is a testament of Nas' forte as a writer. The Lost Tapes is proof that Nas is one of the greatest writers in music history.… Full Review »
  2. MP1000
    Jul 31, 2014
    10
    Everything know, the best Nas album is Illmatic, but after Illmatic, The Lost Tapes is the best Nas album. After the wack, weak and leanEverything know, the best Nas album is Illmatic, but after Illmatic, The Lost Tapes is the best Nas album. After the wack, weak and lean Nastradamus. Stillmatic and The Lost Tapes is classic albums.… Full Review »
  3. syfax925
    Apr 11, 2013
    10
    one of the greatest rap album by one of the greatest rapper what more can i say.
    ah yes this album is a compilation with unreleased songs of    one of the greatest rap album by one of the greatest rapper what more can i say.
    ah yes this album is a compilation with unreleased songs of iam and nastradamus and it sounds together like perfection 10     … Full Review »
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