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For 859 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 62% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 33% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 The Iceberg
Lowest review score: 15 Excuse My French
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 697 out of 859
  2. Mixed: 142 out of 859
  3. Negative: 20 out of 859
859 music reviews
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    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    2093
    Aside from leaning too hard into the baller and misogynistic cliches “2093” is a solid listen.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Everybody Can't Go
    While “Everybody Can’t Go” is mostly good, Benny will need to push some boundaries if he’s ever going to top his classic albums.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Flying High [EP]
    I can say I recommend the entire thing as high quality.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Magic 3
    “Magic 3” continues to strengthen the argument for Nas as the GOAT and his legions of fans who appreciate his output in 2023 will clearly agree with this take.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Scarlet
    She can often sound like the guest rapper on her own songs, which is why she doesn’t really need the collaborations that some emcees rely upon. But there’s no denying the clear star power on display throughout “Scarlet”, an album that is her most direct, and shows that a pissed-off rapper that has something to get off of their chest, often results in their best work.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Integrated Tech Solutions
    “Solid Gold” is Aesop at his most complex, but then tones it down on “Vititus”, a dedication to his late grandmother. With “Black Snow” closing out the album, it ends with “ITS is not a cult” to coincide with the concept.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Voir Dire
    Overall, “Voir Dire” isn’t bad. But to speak the truth, in the spirit of the album, both men have had more superior output. Plus, The Alchemist’s beats are usually better suited for rappers with gangsta motifs, because it sounds more like shared vision then.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Magic 2
    Sure, there are a few things that could be improved (that golden scrotum line for one – not even Roc Marciano could pull that one off), but I can’t imagine many Nas fans are upset with more of the same, when both Nas and Hit-Boy are on such a hot streak.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Utopia
    Nevertheless, while it’s difficult to get past the wording of Travis Scott’s “Astroworld” follow up, the instrumental completeness and overall energy is difficult to forget.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Rocket Power
    The focus of Quavo’s “Rocket Power” is on him — as it should be.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    To What End
    I found “To What End” is an album that grows on the listener. It does have a few tracks that sound like they could have been from older albums and the shorter track lengths I can’t ignore, but there are great tracks here to appease any self-respecting hip-hop fan seeking something more genuine and soulful in their 2023 playlists.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    UGLY
    It hurts me to say different choices in terms of the production would have made it more accessible, because I respect his intent to be inaccessible here. If I have to sum it up and put a bow on it, I think “UGLY” is an album that will probably be appreciated more 25 years from now than it is today.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Continuance
    The only potential pitfall is that the tableau that is a Curren$y record leans too much towards self-care and opulence like some showy Instagram account. ... While “Covert Coup” was more varied musically, the familiarity of the arrangements and orchestration on “Continuance” ensure a certain timelessness.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    King's Disease III
    Nas sounds like he’s regained his confidence as the king once more. He sounds like the king. He’s in that “Ether” mindset once more – not necessarily as vicious, but simply sounding like he’s willing to name names and it feels like he’s genuinely having fun with his writing.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Her Loss
    Well it’s a better Drake album than “Honestly, Nevermind” so that’s a plus. It’s not a better 21 album than “I Am > I Was” or “Issa” though so that’s a minus. If you split the difference you wind up with an average album. There are a few joints I’d care to play more than once.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As Above, So Below
    Sampa the Great may be defined by where she hails from, but she also defines herself by making heartfelt songs with a universal appeal. Although this new album is my first chance to listen to her, I somehow feel like I’ve been listening to her my whole life.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Elephant Man's Bones
    The chemistry is undeniable and “The Elephant Man’s Bones” is the culmination of this partnership. This is an album that gets better with each listen and yet, despite capturing everything great about previous Roc Marciano albums, sounds remarkably fresh and current.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    2000
    “2000” is very much worth celebrating. Much of the production is handled by Statik Selektah, now a veteran with a strong reputation who regularly works with Joey and it’s his sample-flipping in particular that makes this album stand out.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Beautiful Mind
    Individual songs can be seductive but his singing can lull you into a peaceful state over such a long stretch. Yeah it’s not much of a complaint at all is it? Don’t buy this album if you don’t want to chill out too much.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Curtain Call 2
    The “Eminem sound” the first “Curtain Call” could accurately collate and celebrate (given 100% of it was produced by either Dre or Em) has been pushed aside in favor of party trick flows and quick-win hooks from guests. It still seems to be a successful approach, but it’s not as satisfying to revisit.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cheat Codes
    There are those who employ cheat codes just for the hell of it. Lyrically and musically, Black Thought and Danger Mouse used theirs here to get one up on their peers in their respective mediums.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sound Ancestors
    “Sound Ancestors” is a good listen, but if you’re expecting the manic gangster energy of Gibbs or the loquacious lyricism of Dumile, then this isn’t the Madlib project for you. ... I’d definitely call it a Madlib album, but I still don’t know if I’d call it a Four Tet one.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    RZA Presents: Bobby Digital And The Pit Of Snakes
    As much poetry as rap, as much philosophy as sci-fi odyssey, “Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes” is not for the first time but the LONG time RZA listener.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It's Almost Dry
    On “It’s Almost Dry”, Pusha T proves that while he is fixated on selling drugs (almost to an obsessive extent), he is also a truly creative and, yes, original artist.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Tana Talk 4
    You know what you’re getting with Benny the Butcher, which is reliability, authenticity, and tough beats, but it rarely surprises, inspires, or leaves a lasting impression.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
    Through over 70 minutes of Lamar’s latest, every facet of life for the young Compton rapper is held up to the light. Love, pain, hope, despair, triumph, defeat, it’s all there. ... He’s a rapper who understands rapping is more than just a good beat, a good punchline, or a good vocal tone. He’s blessed to have all of that but he takes the platform he got from it and makes art that will last a lifetime.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Twelve Carat Toothache
    “Twelve Carat Toothache” doesn’t reveal a new facet of Austin Post, it just shines an even brighter light on the jewels that he drops.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sick!
    Even when you don’t understand his choices, you can’t argue with them, because you know they are coming from a place of thoughtful artistic creativity.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    God Don't Make Mistakes
    For the most part, the sound palette on “God Don’t Make Mistakes” is painted as dark and grimy which suits Conway’s visceral crime details. Though he isn’t from New York City, he’s got the grit to match it. Many of the tracks show off his penchant for detailed street life depictions with polysyllabic rhymes delivered in a veteran’s flow.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Magic
    It’s remarkable how these beats all have their own feel yet still work as a cohesive whole. The well-worn joke in hip-hop circles that Nas picks bad beats is effectively wiped. Nas is, in his own words, reincarnated, but with an additional self-awareness that is more grounded than his last few performances. There’s no cryptocurrency chatter or verses shoehorned into trap instrumentals. There are no skips, this is simply good ol’ Nas distilled.
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