King's Disease II
Nas · 2021
51 min · 15 tracks · alternative hip-hop
A reflective blend of sharp lyricism and smooth production, weaving personal narratives with social commentary.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Pressure Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Death Row East — This track vividly recounts the rivalry between East Coast and West Coast hip-hop scenes through Nas's personal experiences, blending storytelling with historical context.
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Nobody — Featuring a powerful verse from Lauryn Hill, this track addresses themes of self-worth and societal struggles, showcasing Nas's lyrical depth and emotional resonance.
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EPMD 2 — A celebration of hip-hop lineage, this collaboration with Eminem pays homage to the genre's roots while illustrating Nas's continued prowess among rap's elite.
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Composure — This track features a masterful interplay of confidence and reflection, highlighting Nas's ability to blend introspection with bravado seamlessly.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends sharp lyricism with smooth production, creating a cohesive narrative throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of smooth, jazzy instrumentals that complement Nas's reflective lyricism across nearly all tracks.
- The sequencing maintains a steady flow, with the first half focusing on personal narratives and the latter half shifting towards broader social commentary.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- thought-provoking lyrics and themes
- smooth beats for focused listening
- personal struggles laid bare
- engaging storytelling throughout
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer short, standalone songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows Nas's continued relevance and creativity in modern hip-hop.
- Themes
- East Coast rivalry· self-worth struggles· hip-hop lineage
- Career context
- King's Disease II is Nas's thirteenth studio album, released two years after the Grammy-winning King's Disease in 2020. At this point in his career, Nas was enjoying a creative resurgence, collaborating with contemporary producers and artists while solidifying his legacy in hip-hop. The album continues to showcase his evolution as both an artist and a storyteller.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jay-Z· Rakim· The Notorious B.I.G.
Tracklist
- 1 The Pressure Start here 3:07
- 2 Death Row East 3:20
- 3 40 Side 2:40
- 4 EPMD 2 3:34
- 5 Rare 3:26
- 6 YKTV 3:23
- 7 Store Run 3:19
- 8 Moments 4:11
- 9 Nobody 4:42
- 10 No Phony Love 3:05
- 11 Brunch on Sundays 3:51
- 12 Count Me In 3:17
- 13 Composure 3:23
- 14 My Bible 3:48
- 15 Nas Is Good 2:19
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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