The Lost Tapes - Nas
  • Band Name: Nas
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 24, 2002
User Score
9.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. DonovanC
    May 20, 2004
    9
    This album is probably one of Nas's top 3 albums of 8. The beats have a nice flow to it and his lyrics are just sick. I play this album every night while im sleep. There are many songs where hes rapping non-stop for a minute plus such as "No ideas original", "U gotta luv it", and "Everybody's crazy." This is an instant classic. Hes very truthful and gives good advice on life like in songs, "nothing lasts forever" and "doo rags." Who is the greatest rapper alive and 2nd all time? NAS!!!!… Expand
  2. TripC
    Oct 17, 2003
    10
    In essence a Hip Hop Classic
  3. FelonyShine
    Feb 23, 2003
    10
    This album is an example of an artist that does what he has established as "his style." No matter how many try to copy, no one can master art better than the creater.
  4. rob
    Mar 28, 2003
    10
    Classic sh!t.......One of those CD's I will playing 10 years from now
  5. dominica
    Jan 14, 2004
    10
    this is just exceptional.
  6. alexc
    Mar 9, 2005
    10
    this to me is one of nas;s best albums since ill matic its a for sure classic and even though its not radio freindly the album can hold its weight up against any body out there i think
  7. VictorM
    Jul 6, 2009
    10
    This album is perfect!
  8. [Anonymous]
    Oct 18, 2002
    10
    I love you NAS!!!!!!!!!
  9. CipherUnborn
    Dec 25, 2002
    9
    Only a 9 because Illmatic holds the Dime Spot and you know ILLMATIC is the standard by which ALL hip-hop is judged. But if Illmatic didn't exist, The Lost Tapes would hold the top spot. This album is running a humbled second in Nas's list of hot albums just in front of Stillmatic and God's Son. Cuts like Doo Rags, Purple, Black Zombie, and Poppa was a Playa definitely reinforce Nas's ability to circumvent, metaphorically, the norm in rap rhetoric and bring to the forefront, once and for all, WHO THE GREATEST LYRICIST ON THE PLANET REALLY IS... NASIR JONES!… Expand
  10. ScottP
    Nov 6, 2003
    10
    simply amazing. it all starts out wth what else but a poetic light nas hip hop like track of doo rags which made me know i was going to like the cd the minute i put it in. two weak tracks follow with my way and u gotta love and the only reason i gave it a 9. nothing lasts forever, one of my personal all time favs starts the long finale of great tracks. from the crazy blaze a 50 to the great end of poppa was a playa the cd caps off as one of my favs. yes illmatic was great and personally i like stillmatic even better but lost tapes definetly is up there with those albums… Expand
  11. MohammedU
    Mar 22, 2007
    10
    This is no doubt a certified modern classic. It's my for Nas Yes I think, it's better than one of his other classics Illmatic. Evey song on the album is flawless. I never felt obligated to skip a track. In my opinion one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all-time.
  12. Biggestfan
    Nov 21, 2003
    10
    The guy is a genius, one of the best story tellers of all time. Definetly one of the best albums i ever listened to by Nas. Keep doing your thing man, im counting on you, your the last one left
  13. sosa
    Nov 27, 2010
    10
    It could stand as an studio album all by itself. A great compilation that doesn't have the feel of your average compilation. Great lyrics over complementary production and guest free which allows Nas to showcase his best.
  14. lovemusic
    May 8, 2011
    9
    yes this what im talking about i love this album so much. every song was almost perfect. i love this guy if i wanted to learn how to rap i would listen to nas 2pac and rakim. they all are great lyricist. but this album is better than average.
  15. 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 iam and nastradamus and it sounds together like perfection 10

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The A.V. Club
    90
    A filler-free tour de force.
    Read full review
  2. Billboard
    80
    Showcases Nas' incredible talent as a lyricist and social commentator.
    Read full review
  3. All Music Guide
    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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »