NaS: Life Is Good Review

Retail Release in 2012
Summary: 3rd Def Jam release from NaS, after Hip Hop Is Dead and the Untitled/Nigger Album
Overall Rating: Very Good (4.5/5)
Rating Comment: Clearly, a lot of care was taken in making this album. There is a lot of variety in themes and production. Arguably, it's the best produced album of NaS' career since Illmatic, if ever. A stellar album with the weakness of lacking a lot of all time great tracks. "Daughters" is the only one for sure. "The Don" is second best thanks to a unique beat flowed over quite well. However, there are a ton of good songs, and they're good in a variety of ways. After Illmatic, this is probably the most "recommendable" album in NaS' discography.

1. No Introduction: B
3/4/4 - Solid intro track.
2. Loco-Motive: C-
1/3/3 - Not bad. Weak background helped by above-average lyrics.
3. Queen's Story: D
1/3/3 - Sick flow but the song is otherwise unremarkable. Perhaps the worst song backing on the entire album. Doesn't work.
4. Accident Murderers feat. Rick Ross: B+
4/4/4 - Cool concept. Strong guest verse by Rick Ross. I like NaS' first verse more than the second.
5. Daughters: A
3/5/5 - Best track on the album. Personal lyrics overcome a suitable, though not awe-inspiring beat.
6. Reach Out: B-
3/4/3 - Beat includes a well known sample, but NaS flows well over it.
7. World's An Addiction: C+
3/4/3 - Good vocals (by Anthony Hamilton), and good lyrics to support the concept.
8. Summer On Smash: D
2/3/2 - Not a fan of Swiss Beats' production style. And the chorus is poor. Nice verses by NaS though.
9. You Wouldn't Understand: B+
4/4/3 - Smooth beat with a nice interspersed Rakim sample.
10. Back When: B
3/4/3 - N/A
11. The Don: B+
4/4/3 - Grew on me. Different from most NaS beats. Strong verses.
12. Stay: B+
3/5/4 - N/A
13. Cherrywine feat. Amy Winehouse: B-
4/3/2 - Singing and rhyming both sound good, but don't mesh well into one track.
14. Bye Baby: B+
4/3/5 - One of the most interesting and unique song on the album.

BONUS TRACKS

15. Nasty: B+
4/5/3 - Made You Look style track. Wicked flow over a stripped down bangin' beat.
16. The Black Bond: C-
2/3/3 - Interesting concept. Incomplete execution.
17. Roses: D
2/4/2 - I like the musical backdrop, but the song doesn't quite work for me.
18. Where's the Love: C+
3/3/3 - N/A
19. Trust: C
2/3/4 - Solid theme and lyrics. Wish the chorus and beat were better.

Grades Dated Fall 2012

Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday

Retail Release in 2011
Summary: Nicki Minaj's debut studio release
Overall Rating: Good (?/5)
Rating Comment: A consistent album with good production throughout. However, the lack of a real classic track aside from the very polarizing bubblegum track Superbass is unfortunate.

1. I'm The Best: B
Very personal lyrics; Good flow; Solid music
2. Roman's Revenge f/ Eminem: C+
Good verses (I prefer Eminem's); Not a fan of the Busta-Buss-inspired hook; Swizzy B rarely makes a beat I really dig; Backing music is a mixed bag
3. Did It On'em: C
Mediocre beat and hook; Good verses, though
4. Right Thru Me: B-
Cool concept; Smooth chorus; Actual verses are nothing special; Barely a B-
5. Fly f/ Rihanna: B
Great hook work by Rihanna; Good music; Nicki's second verse is much better than the first
6. Save Me: C-
The kind of song you have to take for what it is; Nothing special, but an enjoyable listen
7. Moment 4 Life f/ Drake: B
Drake verse is very good; Nicki's is also good; Good music
8. Check It Out f/ will.i.am: D
Not terrible, I suppose.
9. Blazin' f/ Kanye West: B+
Truly blazing beat with wicked flows by both principles. Murderous Kanye verse.
10. Here I Am: 3 Stars
11. Dear Old Nicki: 4 Stars?
12. Your Love: 4 Stars
13. Last Chance: D
Nice music but mot much else appeals to me.

DELUXE EDITION TRACKS
Super Bass: A-
Dope concept; Solid lyrics
Blow Ya Mind: N/A
Didn't get deluxe edition
Last Chance: N/A
Didn't get deluxe edition

Grades Dated Fall 2012

Jay-Z: The Blueprint 3

Retail Release in 2009
Summary: Jay-Z's 11th Studio Album
Overall Rating: Very Good (?/5)
Rating Comment: N/A

1. What We Talkin' About: C
3/3/3 - Decent intro song.
2. Thank You: D
2/3/3
3. D.O.A. (Death of Autotune): B
3/4/4 - Unique (for Hip Hop) music that fits the song thematically.
4. Run This Town ft. Kanye West and Rihanna: B-
4/3/3 - Strong Kanye verse helps make up for Jay-Z verses I don't really dig.
5. Empire State of Mind ft. Alicia Keys: B+
5/3/3 - Jay's verses have their moments, but they go on a bit too long.
6. Real As It Gets ft/ Young Jeezy: B
3/4/3 - They are kinda sampling Hip Hop Hooray here.
7. On To The Next One: A-
4/4/4 - Mostly liked the music, but it has some weird quirks I didn't like.
8. Off That ft. Drake: C
3/3/3 - Drake is only on the chorus.
9. A Star Is Born ft. J. Cole: B-
3/4/3 - Some of Jay's best verses of the album. J. Cole's verse is forgettable
10. Venus Vs. Mars: C+
1/5/3 - Best flow/verses on the album semi-ruined by weak musical backing and an irritating chorus.
11. Already Home ft. Kid Cudi: C-
3/2/3 - What is this, 22 Alreadys?
12. Hate f. Kanye West: C
2/4/3 - Interesting collabo.
13. Reminder: C-
2/3/3
14. So Ambitious ft. Pharrell: D
2/3/3
15. Young Forever: B
4/3/3 - Don't like Jay-Z's flow here but the lyrics are solid.


Grades Dated Fall 2012