God's Son
by Nas
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Dec 17, 2002
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    100
    Here, Nas is so fierce, so plainspoken, so lean with words, that he demolishes not just the oeuvre of our ruling rappers (yes, including Eminem's) and recalls the music's lyrical champs like Rakim, he even brings to mind hip-hop progenitors like Muhammad Ali in the "Rumble in the Jungle" era.
  2. PopMatters
    90
    While this album isn't quite as good as the now legendary Stillmatic, it is one of the best hip-hop discs to drop in some time.
  3. Billboard
    90
    Thought-provoking and masterful, God's Son finds Nas finally realizing his full potential as an MC.
  5. Dot Music
    90
    It's not all brilliant, but there's enough of brilliance here to convince.
  6. Pitchfork
    86
    In many ways, God's Son is lyrically superior to Illmatic. Nas has created an album that is at once mournful and resilient, street-savvy and academic.
  7. Stylus Magazine
    84
    The nice thing about God’s Son, although it isn’t fantastic or at the level of Stillmatic, is that it honestly doesn’t feel rushed. Nas is responsible for the lyrical content of the album, and it, like his previous releases, is nearly flawless.
  8. Blender
    80
    Nas, it seems, wants his crown back. [#13, p.95]
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  9. Vibe
    80
    The risks he takes with the production are a big part of the allure of God's Son. [Feb 2003, p.135]
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  10. Q Magazine
    80
    Jigga may have the edge right now, but on this evidence Nas looks the better bet in the long run. [Mar 2003, p.112]
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  11. AllMusic
    80
    God's Son isn't quite the masterpiece is could be -- mostly because Nas is so self-involved, sometimes seemingly intoxicated by his kingliness -- but it's surely one of the most remarkable albums of the Queensbridge rapper's highlight-filled career, just a notch or so below Illmatic and Stillmatic.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Mostly this is Nas going back to his former role as a keen street observer, ready to dispense wisdom to up-and-coming youngbloods.
  13. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    As with all thug poetry, the ego and malice are blinding, but moments of self-deprecation and social responsibility out-flash the gun bursts.
  14. Uncut
    70
    This is mostly a sombre affair. [Mar 2003, p.106]
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  15. Launch.com
    70
    After years of puzzling releases, Nas has finally delivered a collection worthy of his landmark 1994 debut.
  16. The A.V. Club
    70
    God's Son is a worthy follow-up to Stillmatic.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Best Album of 2002
30
#30 Most Discussed Album of 2002
20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 150 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 135 out of 150
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 150
  3. Negative: 13 out of 150
  1. emceefan
    Aug 2, 2012
    10
    And Nasty Nas strikes again with another platinum WORTHY album, which many artists never are WORTHY but go platinum anyway. Nas tells littleAnd Nasty Nas strikes again with another platinum WORTHY album, which many artists never are WORTHY but go platinum anyway. Nas tells little ghetto children to follow their dreams, dedicated songs to his mother who recently died, and had a song with Pac. Pac who died six years before, beefed with Nas and Mobb Deep, and Nas forgives and forgets it all, to feature 2Pac & J. Phoenix in Thugz Mansion N.Y. And all of this in the midst of the Nas - Jigga feud that Nas won and Jigga the fake ass n**** had to hope for forgiveness for sucking ****. Nas followed Stillmatic with his 4th instant classic album that won the feud. At this point, Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones should be a household name everywhere.… Full Review »
  2. user0857
    Aug 4, 2023
    0
    a totaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessss
  3. Hovdagoat
    Aug 2, 2023
    0
    pure shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, most overrated mc of aaaaaaaaaalll tiiiiiimeeeeee
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