King's Disease III
Nas · 2022
51 min · 17 tracks · alternative hip-hop
A reflective journey through life, layered with intricate wordplay and soulful production that showcases Nas's lyrical mastery.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Ghetto Reporter Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
-
→
Thun — This track serves as a powerful showcase of Nas’s lyrical prowess, featuring sharp verses that reflect on his legacy and the state of hip-hop today.
-
→
Michael & Quincy — In this track, Nas draws parallels between himself and iconic duos in music history, illustrating his artistry while paying homage to those who came before him.
-
→
Don't Shoot — Addressing pressing social issues, this track stands out for its poignant commentary on gun violence and systemic inequality, showcasing Nas’s commitment to political activism through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical composition and polished production but has slight pacing inconsistencies.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of soulful samples and live instrumentation, creating a rich backdrop for Nas's verses.
- Several tracks incorporate interludes that provide thematic transitions, enhancing the narrative flow of the album.
- The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady tempo while others shift to more reflective, slower beats.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
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 flow with thoughtful lyrics
- reflective moments for deep thinking
- short tracks for quick engagement
- consistent themes of resilience
- soulful production with sharp insights
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues to showcase Nas' lyrical depth and relevance in contemporary hip-hop.
- Themes
- systemic injustice· hip-hop legacy· soulful reflection
- Moods
- Introspective
- Career context
- Released on November 11, 2022, King's Disease III marks the third installment in Nas's critically acclaimed series, following the success of King's Disease II. At this point in his career, Nas has solidified his status as a veteran in hip-hop while embracing modern production techniques, further demonstrating his ability to evolve with the genre. This album arrives after his collaboration with Hit-Boy, signaling a fruitful partnership that revitalized his sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jay-Z· Rakim· The Notorious B.I.G.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Don't Shoot
The narrative shifts to a first-person perspective recounting a harrowing experience with police violence.
This perspective change deepens the emotional weight of the track and emphasizes personal connection to broader social issues.
Tracklist
- 1 Ghetto Reporter Start here 2:36
- 2 Legit 3:22
- 3 Thun 3:26
- 4 Michael & Quincy 2:47
- 5 30 2:18
- 6 Hood2hood 3:00
- 7 Recession Proof 3:03
- 8 Reminisce 3:33
- 9 Serious (interlude) 2:58
- 10 I'm on Fire 2:29
- 11 Wtf Smh 3:48
- 12 Once a Man, Twice a Child 3:59
- 13 Get Light 2:52
- 14 First Time 2:44
- 15 Beef 3:05
- 16 Don't Shoot 2:32
- 17 Til My Last Breath 3:10
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.