Nas: Worst to Best (Discography Ranking)
Updated: Oct 2, 2022
Today's discography ranking comes from one of the greatest to ever do it in Nas. Nas is criticised for an inconsistent discography, but do I agree with that? To a degree comparing highs to his other albums, but he doesn't have many bad albums or any at that, just a few OK-ish ones, so no - it's a fairly strong discography.
18. Nas & Ill Will Records Presents: Queensbridge the Album
All the major Queensbridge rappers, lead by Nas, come together for this huge QB album. I think I'll start with the positives - there's good songs. There's even a few decent ones to match, especially near the beginning and because the lows aren't 'bad' the album isn't exactly horrific. But oh my God is it boring at times - there's so many songs that all the sound the same production wise and even lyrically everyone talks about the rough streets of Queensbridge in the exact same way. On 'We Break Bread' we get 4 different rappers who are all painfully uninteresting on the song, in fact on this whole album the only rapper who performed to a high level everytime was Prodigy - even Nas was disappointing. When the beat was interesting the song was usually bearable, but for a large portion of this tracklist that wasn't the case. This album does well painting an image of QB in your head - but I couldn't pay attention to it all there's just so many boring, boring songs. I recommend some songs, but not the whole project (especially in one sitting).
17. Street's Disciple
FAV TRACKS: Nazareth Savage, Reason, Street’s Disciple, Bridging the Gap, War, Me & You (Dedicated to Destiny)
LEAST FAV TRACK: Virgo
16. NASIR
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15. The Lost Tapes 2
Nas' original 'The Lost Tapes' is one of my favourite hip hop albums of all time, and the sequel really doesn't live up to it - but it is a decent effort. There's absolutely no cohesiveness to it since it's just random songs recorded from 2006-2012, and you can see this in the production which is pretty strong all throughout as he links up with legends from Pete Rock to The Alchemist to even Kanye West - but there are some lacklustre beats like on 'Tanasia' which just isn't interesting to me. Nas himself is as lyrical as ever, using complexity to his words and metaphors to get his point across, yet at times his flow feels awkward or straight up annoying like on 'Jarreau of Rap (Skatt Attack)' which is one of Nas' worst songs - beyond this though his flow fluctuates between good and just OK. The feature's on here are pretty good, especially with the hooks because this can also be an area Nas falters in with some great verses ruined by a below average hook. Content wise it's all over the place as you'd expect, talking on failing relationships to his home of Queensbridge, and then trying these conscious songs where he fails to make it clear what his actual point is like on 'War Against Love'. Overall, it has a slow start but it's a fairly consistent second half, there's a few mediocre moments and a couple horrible songs, but the highs on here are worth it. It's definitely overhated but doesn't really escape the bottom half on Nas' discography.
14. Nastradamus
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13. Hip Hop Is Dead
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12. Untitled
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11. I Am...
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10. The Firm
I nearly gave this an 8, and after checking this means I actually like this album more than anyone else on this site. Firstly, the production by Dr. Dre adn Trackmasters for the most part is amazing, the classic bouncy drum patterns and catchy melodies make these tracks stand out how they do. The feature's on here are also pretty good for the most part, I wouldn't say they stand out but they definitely don't feel out of place on these tracks as Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown and Nature come with these dope flows, mass amounts of energy and intricate rhyme schemes making the flows play on the ear better, which also goes for the hooks which throughout are a real strong point of this album. Lyrically, I think they showcase some nice lyricism for the most part in terms of what they say is slick and not basic, but I'd be lying if I said there was any standout bars or just simply any I can remember throughout this, though on the more concept tracks like 'Five Minutes to Flush' and 'Phone Tap' the storytelling abilities are there. I personally don't get where the mafia rap comes from, people say they were trying that but to me it just sounds like they're talking on the luxury of being rap stars for the most part and living in dangerous streets - not being a part of the mafia, which isn't the most unique or engaging content but it'll do. Overall, it's a great album, I don't get the hate - it might not be a lyrical masterpiece but it just sounds good with some entertaining skits which keep things moving, although it did need more standout tracks to be of a higher rating.
9. Stillmatic
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8. Distant Relatives
Two icons in their respective industries collided on 'Distant Relatives', reggae star Damian Marley and hip hop icon Nas. Firstly, both Damian and his brother Stephen Marley handled this groovy, reggae influenced production and it's so settling on the ears for Nas and Damian to rap over them with immense chemistry. The content and lyrical substance focuses a lot on Africa, looking at the current state of poverty and tribal wars compared to a time they ruled the ancient world. Both artists make it clear the Western world is keeping Africa from their full potential, which they can still reach if they overcome the oppression as their roots suggest. It's very anti-racism, anti-western world views and upholds the idea we're all distant relatives from Africa, but it doesn't come off too preachy. Musically, despite a few blips or moments not as good as the highlights, it has some catchy and smooth hooks, overall it's a really great collab album, mixed with insightful content and great sounding music.
7. King's Disease II
Cold take, this is a great album. Hot take - the prequel is better. That being said, it's still amazing and not far off the original 'King's Disease', I just think it has less highs and less replay value than the first. Hit-Boy is back on production with these lush, jazzy beats - and they suit Nas perfectly, I still think the beats on the original had more of a punch but it's still top quality production on display. Nas' lyricism is so sharp and slick on here, his braggadocio defines luxury from generic brags and he sounds as hungry as ever with a smooth flow tailor-made for these beats. Nas spends the album looking back down memory lane to his youth, seeing what made him what he is today as he also sits back and enjoys the success he's made for himself. The features on this are all good, even A Boogie wit da Hoodie and YG in which I thought we'd see a train crash of a song. Overall, it's a very good release. It's consistent, there isn't a weak song in sight - but - as I said I think the original has more highlights and replay value. The hooks on this aren't as good as the original, but he makes up for it with the verses - however, you'll notice the songs with the better hooks tend to land themselves on my favourite list.
6. God's Son
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5. Life Is Good
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4. King's Disease
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3. The Lost Tapes
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2. It Was Written
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1. Illmatic
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