King's Disease
by Nas
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Consequence
    Aug 26, 2020
    83
    From start to finish, this album ceases to stray from its main concept, and Nas doesn’t have to sacrifice the quality of his music to do so. Primarily produced by Hit-Boy, King’s Disease delivers a feel appropriate for the times and hits the mark as being one of the better rap albums of the year.
  2. HipHopDX
    Aug 31, 2020
    82
    The creative process seems more organized and thought out, allowing Nas to do all the things he’s good at, without embellishing any of them.
  3. Clash Music
    Aug 26, 2020
    80
    ‘The King’s Disease’ finds Nas grappling with a raft of contradictions, contrasting the opulence of his lifestyle with the need for vitality in his message. It’s not perfect, but it’s less an end product, and more the search for creative process – by the end, you become convinced the Queens rapper has found his throne.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 26, 2020
    80
    The album is stuffed with this kind of lyrical proficiency, which demands high levels of dissection. ‘King’s Disease’ is an acutely perceptive and culturally relevant body of work that finds its author willing to try out new ideas. There’s a genuine conversation to be had about whether it’s the best rap album of the year so far.
  6. AllMusic
    Sep 18, 2020
    70
    Nas is more ruminative and measured, like he's found his stride again, even as he flagrantly contradicts himself and waylays men and women with relationship advice that rings hollow. Going strictly by the conviction and feeling in each line, King's Disease is the MC's best work since 2008.
  7. Exclaim
    Aug 31, 2020
    70
    King's Disease is a record that's occasionally swollen with too many ideas, backed up by lazy rhymes and unsavoury politics. Thankfully, with impeccable production overseen by executive producer Hit-Boy and bolstered by a slew of excellent guest features, Nas overcomes these pain points to pull together his most satisfying project in close to a decade.
  8. RapReviews.com
    Aug 26, 2020
    65
    The biggest missed opportunity lies in Nas’ inability to reach beyond the ambitious presentation found in everything surrounding the lyrics. He’s entertaining in spurts, but much like his “godly” contemporary Jay-Z, one has to wonder if what he says ever really matters on “King’s Disease” any more.
  9. Pitchfork
    Aug 27, 2020
    63
    The new album marks a retreat into a nostalgia-act comfort zone—one which suits Nas, even as it yields diminishing returns.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Aug 27, 2020
    50
    At its best, King’s Disease is a slick Illmatic redux, a fresh portrait of Nas’ now-mythical hustler years that expands his Queensbridge universe with new characters and anecdotes and finds him in vintage form as a rapper and storyteller. At its worst, it is a misguided attempt to paper over abuse allegations and a stark showcase of his increasingly questionable politics when it comes to women. 26 years after Illmatic, Nas still has room to grow.

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 79
  3. Negative: 12 out of 79
  1. mheckmann345
    Aug 30, 2020
    9
    Very good album by Nas. 27 years in the game and still going strong. Although there are a couple of questionable features from Big Sean andVery good album by Nas. 27 years in the game and still going strong. Although there are a couple of questionable features from Big Sean and Fivio Foreign, the album is still pleasing overall with many good features. Hit Boy came through with production that has a broad musical appeal, from old school to new school, from soul to trap.… Full Review »
  2. RoseNamajunas
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    Sonically it's Nas' best sounding album start to finish. Hitboy did an impeccable job with the production, cohesive and tight all the waySonically it's Nas' best sounding album start to finish. Hitboy did an impeccable job with the production, cohesive and tight all the way through, Hitboy's sound complements Nas' masterful lyricism,

    The album is on the shorter side with 13 songs clocking in just under 40 minutes but Hitboy's amazing ear and the concise assuredness of Nas ensures there is no wasted motion by either producer or rapper. Their visions are fully realized.

    I have to give special praise to 'The Cure', that song is a miracle. During my first listen through, hearing it within the context of the entire album, it brought tears to my eyes.

    Thank you Nas and Hitboy for this masterpiece.    … Full Review »
  3. Min3x
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Beautifully crafted. Lyrical and production works at its best. Shout out to Nas and Hit-Boy.
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