NaS - Untitled - Review

Released July 2008
Purchased in Stores
Summary: NaS' 2nd album on Def Jam
Rating: 5.0 Stars
Comment: NaS continues to embrance musical experimentation (and therefore the risk of having beats that people hate) with this release. NaS has always talked of evolving, of not trying to retread what he has done (or, with Stillmatic, explicitly and intentionally retreading to make a point), but early in his career, he often "experimented" by following musical trends and doing collabos with existing artists. Beginning with the "God's Son" album and then especially the "Street's Disciple" and "Hip Hop Is Dead" albums, NaS got serious about having his albums creatively stand out in both in music AND lyrics.
NaS also challenged himself thematically, as he did with his last album, in naming it (originally titled "Nigger", then changed to nothing, which I am told should be interpreted as "Untitled"). This time around, he really came through, successfully discussing and exploring the racial and political themes the original title suggests, throughout the album.
Looking at the album song by song, there are number great songs (N.I.G.G.E.R., Hero, Sly Fox , Black President), more than either of his last two albums. After that, there is a drop off to a small set of very good songs ('You Can't Stop Us Now','Breathe' & 'Fried Chicken', the last of which grew on me) and then a large chunk of solid album cuts, some of which I particularly enjoyed despite their flaws ('Testify', 'Queens Get The Money', 'Y'all My Niggas').
In my opinion, there is only one dud track: 'Project Roach'. Weak beat that the concept/lyrics don't overcome. 'Make The World Go Round', 'America', 'We're Not Alone' and 'Untitled' are decent album cuts, but I just didn't really dig them.
Comment Update (10/06/08): I think this is Nas' best album since Illmatic. I'd put it ahead of Stillmatic. What he accomplishes with beats and rhymes is impressive. He makes an album unlike anything I've every listened to.

Queens Get The Money: C+
You Can't Stop Us Now: B+
Breathe: B+
Make The World Go Round: C+
Hero: A-
America: C
Sly Fox: A-
Testify: C+
N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master): A
Untitled: C-
Fried Chicken feat. Busta Rhymes: B
Project Roach: D
Y'All My Niggas: C+
We're Not Alone: C
Black President: B+

Bonus Tracks
Be A Nigger Too (Left Off Album Due To Sample Clearance Issue): B+
Like Me (iTunes Exclusive): ? (Never Heard It)

Grades Updated 9-14-2010
Grades Given 8-29-2008