Album Information
| Artist | Nas |
|---|---|
| Album Type | Studio Album |
| Released | August 6, 2021 |
| Recorded | 2021 |
| Label | Mass Appeal / The Orchard |
| Genre | Hip-Hop, East Coast Hip-Hop, Conscious Hip-Hop |
| Producer(s) | Hit-Boy, B. Carr, Corbett, Eminem, Ezreaux, Jansport J, Rogét and others |
| Length | 51 minutes, 25 seconds |
King's Disease II is the thirteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. Released on August 6, 2021, the album serves as the sequel to King's Disease and continues Nas's acclaimed creative partnership with producer Hit-Boy. The project received widespread critical praise and is frequently viewed as one of the strongest releases of Nas's later career.
Background
Following the commercial and critical success of King's Disease, which earned Nas his first Grammy Award, expectations were high for a follow-up. Rather than simply repeating the formula of its predecessor, Nas and Hit-Boy expanded the scope of the sequel with a broader range of production styles, guest appearances, and lyrical themes.
The album was announced in July 2021 and released only a few weeks later. Its guest list included Eminem, EPMD, Lauryn Hill, Charlie Wilson, Blxst, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, YG, and Hit-Boy himself.
The project became another important milestone in the late-career resurgence that began with King's Disease and would continue through multiple subsequent releases.
Music and Themes
Throughout the album, Nas reflects on longevity, wealth, family, business success, street history, and personal growth. Unlike many artists who focus heavily on nostalgia later in their careers, Nas balances reflection with confidence, presenting himself as both a veteran and an active competitor.
Recurring themes include:
- Legacy and longevity
- Business success and entrepreneurship
- Street history and personal memory
- Maturity and self-improvement
- Family and community
- Black excellence and cultural pride
Hit-Boy's production combines soul samples, contemporary drums, orchestral elements, and polished arrangements, creating one of the most cohesive sonic experiences in Nas's catalog. Critics frequently praised the chemistry between rapper and producer.
Track Listing
- The Pressure
- Death Row East
- 40 Side
- EPMD 2 (feat. Eminem & EPMD)
- Rare
- YKTV (feat. A Boogie wit da Hoodie & YG)
- Store Run
- Moments
- Nobody (feat. Ms. Lauryn Hill)
- No Phony Love (feat. Charlie Wilson)
- Brunch on Sundays (feat. Blxst)
- Count Me In
- Composure (feat. Hit-Boy)
- My Bible
- Nas Is Good
The album features fifteen tracks and several notable guest appearances while maintaining a strong focus on Nas's storytelling and perspective.
Notable Songs
Rare
Released as the album's lead single, "Rare" celebrates Nas's longevity and continued relevance. The song became one of the signature tracks of the project and received an accompanying music video.
Nobody
Featuring Lauryn Hill, "Nobody" became one of the album's most acclaimed songs. The collaboration marked a rare studio appearance from Hill and was widely praised by critics and fans.
EPMD 2
This track brings together Nas, Eminem, and EPMD. The collaboration represented a long-awaited meeting of several major figures in hip-hop and became one of the album's most discussed songs.
Death Row East
A reflective song examining East Coast–West Coast tensions and historical rivalries, "Death Row East" demonstrates Nas's talent for combining personal memory with broader hip-hop history.
Nas Is Good
Serving as the album's closing track, "Nas Is Good" offers a confident summary of Nas's achievements while highlighting his continued hunger as an artist.
Reception
Upon release, King's Disease II received widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers praised Nas's writing, Hit-Boy's production, and the album's balance between maturity and competitive energy. Many critics considered it superior to its predecessor.
Commercially, the album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and became one of Nas's highest-charting projects in many years.
Fan reaction was similarly strong. Online discussions frequently highlighted the consistency of the album and viewed it as further evidence of Nas's creative resurgence.
Legacy
King's Disease II is widely regarded as one of the defining releases of Nas's later career. It demonstrated that he could remain artistically relevant decades after his debut while continuing to evolve as a writer and performer.
The album strengthened the highly successful Nas–Hit-Boy partnership and paved the way for subsequent projects including Magic and King's Disease III.
Today, many fans rank King's Disease II among the strongest albums of Nas's post-2000 output and one of the highlights of his remarkable late-career renaissance.