Hip Hop Is Dead
by Nas
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Dec 19, 2006
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 175 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 154 out of 175
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 175
  3. Negative: 12 out of 175

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  1. JamalS.
    Feb 16, 2007
    5
    Thanks, Jay, your condescending tone makes me feel great. Hip Hop is Dead doesn't stun on any level. It lacks a single killer beat, features some bad lyrics sprinkled in with the overall well rapped album (making them stick out worse), and is ousted by a good number of other hip hop CD's this year. As far as rap albums trying to make a statement, I much prefer Cunninlynguists Thanks, Jay, your condescending tone makes me feel great. Hip Hop is Dead doesn't stun on any level. It lacks a single killer beat, features some bad lyrics sprinkled in with the overall well rapped album (making them stick out worse), and is ousted by a good number of other hip hop CD's this year. As far as rap albums trying to make a statement, I much prefer Cunninlynguists "Piece of Strange" or Lupe Fiasco's "Food and Liquor".… Expand
  2. ToneCheeks
    Feb 16, 2007
    6
    As pointless as it may be to wait for another 'Illmatic,' this should have been it: the comeback. "Money Over Bullshit" starts with such promise, Nas' rhymes perfectly matched to the epic beat (one of the few good beats on the album, btw). Then the next half dozen songs or so spend too much time dwelling on the same gangsta cliches Nas ironically wants to avoid, even if he As pointless as it may be to wait for another 'Illmatic,' this should have been it: the comeback. "Money Over Bullshit" starts with such promise, Nas' rhymes perfectly matched to the epic beat (one of the few good beats on the album, btw). Then the next half dozen songs or so spend too much time dwelling on the same gangsta cliches Nas ironically wants to avoid, even if he discusses them with a verbal dexterity most rappers will never have. A few other bright spots (the duet with Game, Let there Be Light) are too little to late. Still, no other MC today could get away with this title/concept, and thats proof enough Nas will get back on track.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best Album of 2006
35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2006
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Hip Hop Is Dead is a lot like Nas himself: impossible not to admire, but hard to love.
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  2. The New York Times
    80
    Here’s the thing about Nas’s old-fashioned approach to hip-hop: It still works.
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  3. Pitchfork
    78
    More than Illmatic, it represents the real Nas-- not the ideal-- the MC with all the skill, all the rhymes, and all the insight who sabotaged himself with bad decisions.
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