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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ryanh
    Jan 11, 2007
    10
    Nas is the illist mc alive
  2. ChrisS
    Feb 7, 2007
    10
    Sweet ass Cd
  3. RobL
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    A rap classic. Better than the overhyped Hell Hath No Fury and Donuts. Nas will have a hard time following this up.
  4. CalumL
    Jan 1, 2007
    10
    One of the best hip hop albums of all time. Lyrically he is brilliant and his delivery is second to none. Standout tracks are Black Republican, Dreaming and Hold Down the Block
  5. MikeC
    Jan 4, 2007
    10
    Nas is hip hop, and he proves it here, this is the best hip hop album of the year, even though it will not claim much success on the charts, nas lyrical word play, and message is still at the top of his game.
  6. CoolJonesD.
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    I absolutely love this album. You all should get it.
  7. NelsonP
    Dec 19, 2006
    10
    The 'Black Republican' track is reason enough to buy this album, which is laced w/ great beats and sharp lyrics. The only thing is that it's unfortunate that they censored a bit of the album (most notably the hook on 'HIp Hop is Dead'). Great CD! Go Buy It NOW!!!
  8. ChrisW
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    Finally... A Hip-Hop CD that is a classic revival to Rap's history, with an updated sound that is nothing like anything heard in the past year. Let's hope the Dirty South's reign on hip-hop is done. So many hip-hop artists do not have the staying power as Nas does. I celebrate Hip-Hop and congratualte Nas on being only one of 5 REAL Hip-Hop artists out there.
  9. AJHenriques
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    A post-millennial hip-hop masterpiece!
  10. LD
    Dec 24, 2006
    10
    Lyrically, best album of the current decade.
  11. AntonN
    Dec 20, 2006
    10
    A Masterpiece! As long as nas exists in music hip hop is not dead!
  12. MasT
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    He is truly back in the game. This is classic hiphop album that reminded us what hiphop is supposed to sound like.
  13. Adrian
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    Album of the year! Really.
  14. NeegG
    Dec 28, 2006
    10
    Definitely the best album Nas has had in years, production is a little spotty but Nas is still spot-on with his lyrics and doesn't let the guests overshadow him.
  15. PatrickI
    Dec 30, 2006
    10
    this is probably the closest to illmatic that we will ever get, not to compare the 2, the are both examples of nas doing what he does best when he and the hip hop world really needs it. This album will become a must have for rap fans every where. Its sends out a message that only nas or jay could get away with, but it is presented in a way that only nas could do, and do it he does. All this is probably the closest to illmatic that we will ever get, not to compare the 2, the are both examples of nas doing what he does best when he and the hip hop world really needs it. This album will become a must have for rap fans every where. Its sends out a message that only nas or jay could get away with, but it is presented in a way that only nas could do, and do it he does. All most every track could be a hit in its own right, and nas produces lyrics that reminds me of why I should listen to more then intrumentals and o capela poetry. If you are spark by his message that rap is dead then maybe you helped kill it and feel a little guilty, i could go all day but get the album and you'll see… Expand
  16. jamesb
    Jan 16, 2007
    10
    the greatest mc to ever walk the earth jst showed us why he is the best
  17. UdakR
    Jan 4, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums Ive heard this year. Some of the songs were a bit disapointing toward the middle of the disc(with dull hooks, lame rapper shout outs etc), but the last half is unmatched. A lot of the shit he says still goes over peoples heads, and he's right 'hip-hop is dead'. At least as far as the hip hop we used to know and love. Luckily Nas is still alive to remind us.
  18. MahmoudR
    Feb 24, 2007
    10
    Supreme Lyricism. Dope beats. What more could you ask for?
  19. RicardoO
    Mar 8, 2007
    10
    in a world full of emptyness, finally someone that can inspire us to improve
  20. B'rundeJ
    Dec 19, 2006
    10
    Greatest album Ever. Production, Lyrics, Sex Appeal, Nice Teeth...all make this album of 2006 and beyond. This is a must have!
  21. K-Not
    Dec 19, 2006
    10
    Perfect album. Any negative reviewer of this album is wrong and doesn't know hip hop. The beats bang and Nas proves why he is the G.O.A.T. Every track is fire and has a message. There is no filler on this track, no whack beat, the guests all lay excellent verses and vocals. This is the Definition of HIP HOP in it's absolute PUREST. Cop the album, even if you downloaded it Perfect album. Any negative reviewer of this album is wrong and doesn't know hip hop. The beats bang and Nas proves why he is the G.O.A.T. Every track is fire and has a message. There is no filler on this track, no whack beat, the guests all lay excellent verses and vocals. This is the Definition of HIP HOP in it's absolute PUREST. Cop the album, even if you downloaded it already. Tell everyone about this album, Nas has resurrected hip hop.… Expand
  22. LamontH.
    Dec 19, 2006
    10
    This album is awesome. Definitely one of hip-hop's best in years.
  23. MusicFan
    Dec 21, 2006
    10
    Best rap album of the year. Overall in Nas's category, this is about his 4th or 5th best album, behind Illmatic, It Was Written, Stillmatic. Money Over Bullshit is brutal. Check this out real hip-hop fans, it'll make up for Jay-Zs Kingdom Come which was horrible.
  24. BrannonM
    Dec 24, 2006
    10
    Classic
  25. ZooBar
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    Great LP
  26. HipFan
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    I have to argue that as Jay-z and Nas have both released albums this year, the perrenial favorite Jay has fallen...and Nas comes back with his best EQUAL in quality to Illmatic... I agree with all he's spitting.....Hip hop is dead with the great irony that it became alive with the arrival of this album. Thanks Nasir
  27. BuckShot
    Dec 26, 2006
    10
    Best Hip Hop album of 2006. A breath of fresh air.
  28. RobS
    Dec 28, 2006
    10
    One of, if not, the best Hip-Hop album of the year. Nas still hasn't and probably never will top Illmatic, but this is his closest yet.
  29. piggybank
    Dec 31, 2006
    10
    you must be fucking crazy
  30. AlexH
    Jan 12, 2007
    10
    This album proves that Hip Hop is NOT DEAD. Nuff said
prev
Page:

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.
    Read full review
  2. The New York Times
    80
    Here’s the thing about Nas’s old-fashioned approach to hip-hop: It still works.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »