Many fans in hip hop have awaited this album since media outlets spoke about it months ago. Rumored collaborations, song titles, and even album names circulated the internet. Once people started hearing the direction of the album with a couple of singles, people became ecstatic. Many were feeling that Nas was going to be in rare form: hot lyrics over sound beds worthy of his words. After his album “Life Is Good” hit stores, I had to purchase my own copy. I had to see if he did anything worthwhile or did he fumble with subpar production.

 

 

A few dozen thorough listens in the past, Life Is Good is an album that exudes sheer excellence all around.

 

 

Nas is not only nostalgic; he is also willing to make his maturity tangible to the audience. When the album gets nostalgic, Nas brought us songs like the subway influenced “Locomotive” with Large Professor in tow. The Mary J. Blige inclusion on “Reach Out” makes one feel like its 1993 when Mary J. was still wearing hockey jerseys, skirts, and sneakers. Yet, the maturity of “Daughters”, “World’s An Addiction”, and the highly impressive “Stay” shows the soul of a man. Covering the subjects of fatherhood, life’s issues, and holding onto those he shouldn’t bring about a complexity not always seen on albums. Thus, Nas really takes time to expose himself while retrospectively reminiscing of his early beginnings.

 

 

The production on the album, notably, is nothing short than lush and all encompassing. Tracks like “The Don”, “Locomotive”, and “Reach Out” scream NY concrete and aesthetics. Yet, other tracks like “Back When”, “Stay”, and “World’s An Addiction” are so well orchestrated that the instrumentals alone would resonate and manipulate one’s mood. If anyone is worried about the production, they need not to. This time around, Nas picked some superior production that stands out on its own.

 

 

Whether you feel this album is a classic or not, Life Is Good is worth the money. Being close to 40 years old, Nas sounds better than ever. He can kick verses for the NY heads. Yet, he can also bring subject matter and ideas that demonstrate his growth. Nas noted that he wanted to show his maturity on this album. Consequently, if you don’t like this album you just don’t like Nas as an emcee. This album, just like life, is good.