• Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 24, 2002
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

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  1. Mar 15, 2019
    10
    Those twelve songs that were supposed to be in "I Am..." and "Stillmatic" didn't make the final cut, and were never saw the light of day, until now. Back in 2002 a year after his comeback album "Stillmatic" Nas's compilation album The Lost Tapes is a very nostalgic project from Nas that could have been on those two album. I absolutely loved all the songs, the beats are dope, and theThose twelve songs that were supposed to be in "I Am..." and "Stillmatic" didn't make the final cut, and were never saw the light of day, until now. Back in 2002 a year after his comeback album "Stillmatic" Nas's compilation album The Lost Tapes is a very nostalgic project from Nas that could have been on those two album. I absolutely loved all the songs, the beats are dope, and the production is great. If you want more Nas's music, than your gonna love The Lost Tapes. I highly recommend it. Expand
  2. Mar 22, 2015
    8
    8.3/10................................................................................................................................................
  3. 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.
  4. 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 one of the greatest writers in music history.
  5. 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.
  6. Feb 20, 2020
    7
    This album lacks some of the key elements of Nas' discography, but still is a powerful display of his writing and especially his flow. Nas continues to lyrically impress and while it does not have the same sound that many Nas fans are used to, it is a nice departure from his typical Queensbridge sound. I would certainly place it in his upper echelon of albums, but if you are looking to getThis album lacks some of the key elements of Nas' discography, but still is a powerful display of his writing and especially his flow. Nas continues to lyrically impress and while it does not have the same sound that many Nas fans are used to, it is a nice departure from his typical Queensbridge sound. I would certainly place it in his upper echelon of albums, but if you are looking to get into Nas then Illmatic, It Was Written, and Stillmatic still certainly are the albums to go to. The beats are more relaxed and are closer to It Was Written than either Illmatic or Stillmatic, but have a more unique bells sound. A great album for calm car rides on Sunday morning.
    Favorite Track: Poppa Was a Playa
    Least Favorite Track: No Idea's Original - Edit
    Expand
  7. Jul 21, 2018
    9
    Songs which were discarded from "I Am..." and "Stillmatic" ended up forming an amazing compilation album. "The Lost Tapes" sees Nas removing his thug persona, thus providing us with more autobiographical and nostalgic songs. It is fair to say, that this is one of Nas' best albums, and it might be fair to say, that it's only second to "Illmatic".

    Favorite tracks: Doo Rags My Way U
    Songs which were discarded from "I Am..." and "Stillmatic" ended up forming an amazing compilation album. "The Lost Tapes" sees Nas removing his thug persona, thus providing us with more autobiographical and nostalgic songs. It is fair to say, that this is one of Nas' best albums, and it might be fair to say, that it's only second to "Illmatic".

    Favorite tracks:

    Doo Rags
    My Way
    U Gotta Love It
    Nothing Lasts Forever
    No Idea's Original
    Everybody's Crazy
    Purple
    Drunk by Myself
    Black Zombie
    Poppa Was a Playa

    Least favorite track:

    Blaze a 50
    Expand
  8. Nov 24, 2020
    8
    I thought this album despite being essentially a collection of throwaways, was a pretty strong record. For a Nas album the production was consistent. I can’t believe tracks like Doo Rags and Purple haven’t made it into traditional albums from Nas, both of those tracks in my opinion are better than anything off of “ I Am” except for “Nas is Like”. Nas was in his lyrical bag throughout thisI thought this album despite being essentially a collection of throwaways, was a pretty strong record. For a Nas album the production was consistent. I can’t believe tracks like Doo Rags and Purple haven’t made it into traditional albums from Nas, both of those tracks in my opinion are better than anything off of “ I Am” except for “Nas is Like”. Nas was in his lyrical bag throughout this project and the length of the record was pretty good. Some of the hooks I didn’t like but that wasn’t a consistent problem. Expand
  9. 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 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
  10. DanyelleH
    Feb 4, 2005
    8
    This c-d is all dat i listen to it all the time. I know the words to all the songs. And Nas is like my idol. He's definately better than Jay-Z i don't care what nobody say. I'm 13 years old and i wish i was him but i'm a girl i would live to meet him. That's my wish
  11. rubenf
    Apr 5, 2005
    8
    notquit a master piece put close to it. Nas gives it his best. his grtty rhymes and witty remarks make up fpr his not so good chorus's. Nas gives you a piece of himself. allowing listeners to go deeper into his own life and turmoils. In my book Nas is truly king of new york.
  12. TripC
    Oct 17, 2003
    10
    In essence a Hip Hop Classic
  13. dominica
    Jan 14, 2004
    10
    this is just exceptional.
  14. 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
  15. 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 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
  16. 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
  17. 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 lean Nastradamus. Stillmatic and The Lost Tapes is classic albums.
  18. Apr 13, 2017
    10
    This is probably my second favourite album from Nas next to Illmatic. While Illmatic was a narrative packed with dense street lyrics and that classic Nas finesse - The Lost Tapes is less so and takes the listener on a journey through the introspective musings of Nas' where he constructs smaller stories tying into an overarching narrative of his life (Fetus or Purple). This album then isThis is probably my second favourite album from Nas next to Illmatic. While Illmatic was a narrative packed with dense street lyrics and that classic Nas finesse - The Lost Tapes is less so and takes the listener on a journey through the introspective musings of Nas' where he constructs smaller stories tying into an overarching narrative of his life (Fetus or Purple). This album then is really personal but just as thought provoking and hard hitting as Illmatic or It Was Written - and God to I love this album. 10/10 Expand
  19. VictorM
    Jul 6, 2009
    10
    This album is perfect!
  20. 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.
  21. 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
  22. Jan 3, 2017
    10
    Nas est né légende, cet album ne fait que consolider son statut. Un diamant pur, des phases inoubliables... Apres Illmatic c'est mon préféré. Incontestablement un classic
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. A filler-free tour de force.
  2. Showcases Nas' incredible talent as a lyricist and social commentator.
  3. 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.