King's Disease II
| Nas
King's Disease II
King's Disease II is the 14th studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on August 6, 2021, through Mass Appeal Records and marketed by The Orchard. Serving as a sequel to his 2020 album King's Disease, it features guest appearances from Eminem, EPMD, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, YG, Lauryn Hill, Charlie Wilson, Blxst, and Hit-Boy. As with the previous record, it was executive produced by Nas and Hit-Boy. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Pitchfork
The Queensbridge rapper’s sequel mythologizes his business acumen and doubles down on the formula of its predecessor to mixed effect.
-
The Edge
Nas delivers one of his best records to date.
-
NME
This dizzying victory lap boasts effervescent moments from Eminem and Lauryn Hill, but even they're overshadowed by the main man's emotional candour.
-
The Line of Best Fit
King’s Disease II is a victorious and impenetrable testament to Nas’ power.
-
RapReviews
this is easily Nas’ best record since 2012’s “Life is Good” and let’s be honest, a pleasant surprise. It’s been fifteen years since Nas controversially declared hip hop dead yet here we are. We have lost a number of greats in recent months: MF Doom, DMX, Gift of Gab et al. A really good Nas album is a welcome reminder to everyone not to take the greats for granted. Nas is still AT it. He’s STILLmatic.
-
Consequence Sound
With King’s Disease II, Nas’ Second Reign Is Better Than His First.
-
Beats Per Minute
Intriguingly, in a game where we’re consistently told that remaining hungry is a necessity, the most enjoyable moments of King’s Disease II come when Nas is simply stating his satisfaction. If there was any time to ‘retire’, this might be it – but you just know that isn’t an option.
-
Albumism
Nas is an indisputable decorated lyrical veteran, who has scars from his glory days, but has survived to become one of the genre’s most impressive success stories. Fortunately for us, he has linked with one of the most talented beatmakers in the game to help him craft beautiful canvasses to depict his great war stories.
-
Clash Magazine
Ending with the double-shot of ‘My Bible’ – “I walk through the valley…” – and the braggadocio of ‘Nas Is Good’, the Queens rapper seems to acknowledge some of the contradictions within his work, and the album itself. The answers aren’t as easily obtained as on its Grammy-winning forebear, but ‘King’s Disease II’ dares to ask questions of its maker, and its audience.
-
Hot New HipHop
Nas and Hit-Boy's "King's Disease II" is a nostalgic and masterfully painted portrait of rap royalty.
-
Magnetic Magazine
King’s Disease II feels more refined and at its best with the classic rappers alongside Nas. Hit-Boy’s beats work effortlessly with Nas and if there are more of these albums, the pathway should only be up.
-
Ratings Game Music
I think that King’s Disease II is better than King’s Disease. While I think both albums are fantastic, Nas sounds like he’s in a slightly more legendary pocket in the former. Whatever the case may be, enjoy both albums, as at 47, Nas sounds as good as he’s ever sounded.
-
The Independent
Class is in session with yet another testament to the famed rapper’s legacy.
-
Mic Cheque
At this stage of his career, Nas has mastered the nuance of blending the new age of hip hop with his vintage, reflective touch. Hit-Boy treats production duties like an exam, passing with flying colours. With a project that surpasses half of Nas’ catalogue, the album’s final track name can be interpreted in more than one way.
-
AllMusic
Nas sounds sharp and inspired throughout, giving performances that recall the uncanny brilliance that made his earliest work essential, but also showing he's still capable of taking his art to new places.
-
Sputnik Music
An album like this has been sorely needed, and King’s Disease II shows that Nas has evolved as an artist even 25 years after his “peak”. This is based and a fact.
-
Gritty Vibes
Kings Disease II is a Must Listen.
-
The Musical Hype
Nas exceeds expectations on his 13th studio album, King’s Disease II, the stellar follow-up to the Grammy-winning King’s Disease.
-
Cypher Sessions
This project feels like somehow, someway, Nas has reached the top of his game. Just like Vegas and sports sites, however, the evergreening question of what will follow this project will undoubtedly arise sooner than later.
-
The Needle Drop
King's Disease II capitalizes on all the potential of its predecessor.
-
The Q
Nas has taken a big step forward on King’s Disease II and hopefully, he’ll continue to build on the energy he has created.
-
Underground HipHop Blog
I was a bit worried about this going into it because sequel albums usually don’t live up to the hype of the predecessor, but that is NOT the case for King’s Disease II. Hit-Boy shows his versatility as a producer, Nas sounds more sharper lyrically & it doesn’t seem like a bunch of leftovers from previous sessions.
-
Soul in Stereo
The album closer “Nas is Good” is the perfect victory lap: “Raised by a queen, that’s the only reason I made it/King’s Disease the reoccurrence, that s*** reinstated.” Time and again, from his humble beginnings in 1994, to his affirmation of power in 2001, to stepping into maturity in 2012 and his introduction to a new generation in 2020, Nas continually has been forced to prove himself worthy of rap’s throne.
-
Medium
Legend Nas releases latest in King’s Disease series and celebrates Hip Hop history, proving that there’s still an audience for real rap.
-
Lazy Music Guru
Nas was able to come back with a solid project that is up there with his debut, Illmatic. I also must say this is a step up from the previous project, King's Disease.
-
Defiant Legends
Even the songs I didn’t enjoy as much are really high quality and Nas sounds good on them. The only small thing I didn’t like about this album was the feature from A Boogie wit da Hoodie, as he doesn’t seem to keep up with Nas and YG on “YKTV.” But other than that, it’s a great album!
-
In Review Online
While better than the first King’s Disease album, Nas’s follow-up isn’t much more than an exercise in oldhead legacy maintenance.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments