Life Is Good (Nas album)

Last updated

Life Is Good
Nas - Life is Good.jpg
Studio album by
Nas
ReleasedJuly 13, 2012 (2012-07-13)
Studio
Genre Hip hop
Length58:12
Label Def Jam
Producer
Nas chronology
Distant Relatives
(2010)
Life Is Good
(2012)
Nasir
(2018)
Singles from Life Is Good
  1. "Nasty"
    Released: August 9, 2011
  2. "The Don"
    Released: April 3, 2012
  3. "Daughters"
    Released: July 17, 2012
  4. "Cherry Wine"
    Released: September 19, 2012

Life Is Good is the tenth studio album by American rapper Nas, released on July 13, 2012, by Def Jam Recordings. [nb 1] The album was recorded at various studios in New York and California, with guest appearances from rappers Large Professor and Rick Ross, and singers Mary J. Blige, Miguel, and, posthumously, Amy Winehouse, among others.

Contents

Producers No I.D. and Salaam Remi incorporated orchestral elements and musical references to both contemporary and golden age hip hop, including boom bap beats and old school samples. Nas wanted to draw on 1980s hip hop influences in order to complement the nostalgic tone of his lyrics, which he used to vent personal feelings and address moments in his life and rapping career, lending it themes of nostalgia and adulthood. Life Is Good was written after his divorce from singer Kelis, whose original green wedding dress was featured in the cover photo, and Nas has compared the album to Marvin Gaye's 1978 divorce-inspired album Here, My Dear .

Life Is Good received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, reaching 354,000 copies sold by 2013. It also reached the top 10 of record charts in Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Three singles were released in its promotion – "Nasty", "The Don", and "Daughters" – along with five music videos, while Nas toured in further support of the album from June to December 2012. In 2020, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded Life Is Good a Gold certification.

Background

Nas' divorce from singer Kelis (photographed in 2010) inspired much of the album. Kelis 1.jpg
Nas' divorce from singer Kelis (photographed in 2010) inspired much of the album.

In 2010, Nas released his studio album Distant Relatives , a collaboration with Damian Marley that reinvigorated the rapper creatively. [3] He soon became distracted by tax problems and an expensive, highly publicized divorce from his wife Kelis months before their son's birth, events that influenced his direction for Life Is Good. [4] [5] His songwriting on the album was also influenced by adjusting back to life as a single man. [6] Nas also wanted to write more original subject matter rather than another album "about how you came up in the hood and how you had to make it out of the hood". [6] Although he did not find his album "quite so much about the marriage or the divorce", Nas likened Life Is Good to Marvin Gaye's 1978 album Here, My Dear , [4] which was written by Gaye in response to his own deteriorating marriage and released as a financial settlement. [7] For Life Is Good's album cover, a photo was taken of Nas in a polished white suit, sitting in a night club's VIP lounge, appearing forlorn, and holding over his knee Kelis' actual green wedding dress, [4] which he said was the only item she left him. [7]

When writing the album, Nas also reflected on aging and maturation, fatherhood, and his 20-year experience in hip hop music. [4] Nas discussed the album's personal subject matter in an interview for Billboard :

When I started working on the record, I tried to avoid it. The timing was just calling for me to not avoid all the shit that was going on out there. It was like a 10,000-ton gorilla in the room watching me. This is the way I got it off of my chest. This album talks about life, love and money. It talks about the fact that marriage is expensive. Life Is Good represents the most beautiful, dramatic and heavy moments in my life. [7]

Recording and production

Recording sessions for the album took place at the following recording studios—4220 Studios, Conway Recording Studios, and EastWest Studios in Hollywood, Instrument Zoo Studios in Miami, Jungle City Studios and Oven Studios in New York City, Record One in Sherman Oaks, and Westlake Studios in Los Angeles. [8] Nas worked with several musicians, including Amy Winehouse, Mary J. Blige, James Poyser, Anthony Hamilton, Miguel, Large Professor, and Hal Ritson, among others. [9] For the album, Nas wanted the production to complement his lyrics' nostalgic themes with 1980s hip hop influences. [4] He primarily worked with hip hop producers No I.D. and Salaam Remi, a frequent collaborator of Nas. [3] Remi said that he wanted his production "to be something that a mumble-mouth rapper can't rap on. You better have something to say and be speaking up." [3] Along with producer Swizz Beatz, No I.D. and Nas related to the latter's lyrics concerning divorce during the recording sessions. [7]

During the sessions, Nas recorded the song "No Such Thing as White Jesus" with singer Frank Ocean and producer Hit-Boy, who misplaced the track while sorting through music he had produced for Jay-Z and Kanye West's album Watch the Throne (2011). Although he later recovered it, the song was not included on Life Is Good. [10]

Music and lyrics

Life Is Good leaves Nas in his comfort zone, where the vital music of his youth proves a rousing platform for commenting on matters of middle age.

—Evan Rytlewski ( The A.V. Club , 2012) [11]

The album incorporates musical references to both older and contemporary hip hop. [12] Its production features live instrumentation, [13] orchestral music, R&B, and boom bap elements. [14] Music journalist Evan Rytlewski denotes "boom-bap drums, lush keyboards, smooth saxophones, and the occasional Run-D.M.C. and MC Shan sample" to be "tasteful accents" from golden age hip hop. [11] Ryan Hamm of Under the Radar views that Remi and No I.D.'s production "lean[s] toward opulent and epic", [15] while Pitchfork 's Jayson Greene writes that the latter's produced songs "exude the warm TV-fireplace crackle of ... throwback production." [16] Anupa Mistry of Now writes that "boom bap classicists Salaam Remi and No I.D. weave a raw, funky, orchestral lattice customized for Nas's age-appropriate raps". [17]

Life Is Good features nostalgic and adult themes, [14] including aging and maturity. [14] Nas' rapping is characterized by internal rhymes, a relaxed, plainspoken flow, [11] and transparent lyrics addressing moments in his life, including his youth and the personal events leading up to the album. [12] Erika Ramirez of Billboard observes "stories of internal and external battles, some of which he won and some he lost." [12] David Dennis of The Village Voice writes that his lyrics address hip hop's "golden era" and "the trials and tribulations of adult relationships". [18] Brandon Soderberg from Spin asserts that his lyrics "constantly remind nostalgics that the good ol' days were often chaotic and desperate". [14]

Nas' comparison of this album to Gaye's Here, My Dear is appropriate, according to Slant Magazine 's Manan Desai: "Like Nas, Gaye was pushing 40 when he recorded his album", Desai wrote. "He'd cemented his position as one of R&B's greatest, and yet, he never sounded more anguished about where all that fame was leading him. There's something similar going on throughout Life Is Good; the more we hear Nas repeat that titular refrain, the less convincing he sounds." [5] AllMusic's David Jeffries said the lyrics about his divorce were "unfiltered carpet bombing of love and marriage"; [19] both Jeffries and Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic characterize the content as "venomous". [19] [20] Conversely, Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone views that Nas "cuts his rhymes with midlife realism and daring empathy". [21] Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe writes that the songs "mix anger, nostalgia, and insight." [13]

Songs

On the opening track "No Introduction", Nas reflects on his impoverished upbringing and maturation into a "graphic, classic song composer". [26] The song's subject matter ranges from lifestyle boats to revolutionary ideals: "Hood forever, I just act like I’m civilized / Really what’s in my mind is organizing a billion Black muthafuckas / To take over JP and Morgan Goldman and Sachs / And teach the world facts and give Saudi they oil back". [22] "Loco-Motive" has an underground vibe and keyboards similar to Nas' 1994 song "N.Y. State of Mind". [27] "A Queens Story" has boom bap and classical elements in its production, including classical piano, [26] orchestral strings and funky drums. [5] Its lyrics pay homage to Nas' native Queens and his creative influences. [5] "Accident Murderers" incorporates pipe organ in its production, [26] and its lyrics addresses senseless violence with a rags to riches narrative by Rick Ross. [12] [21]

On "Daughters", Nas is bewildered at the responsibilities of fatherhood, as he addresses his daughter's social networking activity and worries about his past undermining his parental authority. [11] [16] Killian Fox of The Observer writes that Nas' observations on his ex-wife's "hefty childcare payments" and his 18-year-old daughter "dating unsuitable men" are resonated by his "recollections of his early years as a Queensbridge hustler – just the kind of unsuitable young man he's warning his daughter about these days". [28] "Reach Out" features Mary J. Blige and incorporates the piano loop from Isaac Hayes' 1970 song "Ike's Mood". [12] Its lyrics address Nas' feeling displaced "when you're too hood to be in the Hollywood circles, you're too rich to be in the hood that birthed you". [6] "You Wouldn't Understand" addresses life struggles and features a mellow production and neo soul influences. [12] "Back When" has flickering production and mytholigizing lyrics by Nas: "check out the oracle bred by city housing". [16]

The up-tempo "The Don" samples Super Cat's 1982 song "Dance inna New York" and has a 1990s hip hop sound. [12] [21] Its lyrics extol both Nas' rapping prowess and New York City. [12] [21] According to No Ripcord's James McKenna, "Stay" mixes soul and jazz elements, "bringing to mind Low End Theory era A Tribe Called Quest and Tupac's Me Against the World , and lyrics "questioning the line between love and hate". [29] "Cherry Wine" features vocals by Amy Winehouse and a narrative between ill-fated lovers. [5] The song was titled after Winehouse's guitar, which she called "cherry". [25] Jesal Padania of RapReviews cites it as "quite possibly the best 'ladies number' that Nas has ever delivered, though it is infinitely classier than that label." [25] On "Bye Baby", Nas' lyrics address his ex-wife and recount their marriage in a narrative that follows the wedding, counseling sessions, marriage counseling, and the legal process of their divorce. [5] [12]

Marketing and sales

Nas performing in July 2012 at the release party for Life Is Good Nas Life is Good release party.jpg
Nas performing in July 2012 at the release party for Life Is Good

The album was promoted by Nas' concert performances and television appearances on The Colbert Report , Late Show with David Letterman , Jimmy Kimmel Live! , and 106 & Park . [7] He headlined the Rock the Bells music festival and embarked on a three-week European tour during June and July 2012. [7] With singer Lauryn Hill, the rapper co-headlined the "Life Is Good/Black Rage" tour from October 29 to December 31. [30] The tour finale was an exclusive show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City with Elle Varner as the supporting act. [31]

Three singles were also released in promotion of the album—"Nasty" on August 9, 2011, "The Don" on April 3, 2012, and "Daughters" on July 17. [32] A music video for "Nasty" was filmed by director Jason Goldwatch in Queensbridge, Nas' hometown in New York, [33] and released virally on October 11, 2011. [34] A video for "Daughters" was directed by Chris Robinson and premiered May 27 on MTV Jams. [35] Its storyline chronicles the relationship between Nas and his daughter through her point of view. [35] On April 27, Nas released the Aristotle-directed video for "The Don", which featured lavish images of Nas' lifestyle. [36] A video promoting "Bye Baby" was released on August 20, 2012, featuring scenes of Nas in an empty home, at his divorce proceedings, and in a setting that revisits the cover image of Life Is Good. [37] It also featured singer Aaron Hall of Guy, whose 1988 song "Goodbye Love" is sampled on "Bye Baby". [37] A video for "Cherry Wine" was also released on October 2. [38] The video was dedicated to guest vocalist Amy Winehouse, [39] who is featured as a projection on a wall in the video's scenes. [38] On September 19, "Cherry Wine" was sent to radio in the United Kingdom. [40]

Life Is Good was released by Def Jam Recordings, [41] first on July 13, 2012, in Germany, [1] where it reached number 24 on the Media Control Charts. [1] In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number eight on the Official Albums Chart, [42] the album also debuted at number two in Canada and sold 5,000 copies in its first week there. [43] In the United States, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 149,000 copies in its first week. [44] It was his sixth number-one album in the United States. [44] In its second week on the Billboard 200, the album sold 45,000 copies. [45] By February 10, 2013, the album had sold 354,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. [46] The album charted for 15 weeks on the Billboard 200. [47] On April 21, 2020, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping at least 500,000 units to retailers in the US. [48]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic? 7.8/10 [49]
Metacritic 81/100 [50]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [19]
The A.V. Club A− [11]
Financial Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [51]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [41]
NME 8/10 [52]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [28]
Pitchfork 8.3/10 [16]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [21]
Spin 7/10 [14]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [53]

Life is Good was met with widespread critical acclaim. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 81, based on 30 reviews. [50] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave the album 7.8 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. [49]

Reviewing the album in NME , Kevin EG Perry called it "a grimy, back-to-basics return to form", [52] while Pitchfork's Jayson Greene said Nas had "settled gracefully into strengths". [16] Evan Rytlewski of The A.V. Club deemed Nas' lyrics "beautifully expressed" and the music just "as thoughtful", [11] while Slant Magazine's Manan Desai believed the rapper sounded "inspired" and praised the album's "narrative unity" as "a wide-angle look of the artist as a grown man." [5] Ludovic Hunter-Tilney, arts critic for the Financial Times , said Nas draws on his "insider-outsider perspective" as a successful rapper to create "a richly varied album that goes from old-fashioned East Coast bangers to boldly worked orchestral and jazz samples, all held together by Nas's fluent rap technique." [51] In the opinion of Randall Roberts from the Los Angeles Times , the "thoughtful, fierce, honest and – most important – heavy-duty work" showed "Nas has gotten better at rolling with the punches – and you can hear it in every verse". [54] Carl Chery from XXL hailed it as "arguably Nas' best LP since Stillmatic " and proof that "at this juncture—21 years and 10 solo albums in—no other MC has ever rhymed at such a high level this deep into their career." [22]

Some reviewers were less enthusiastic. Robert Christgau gave Life Is Good a three-star honorable mention ( Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg ) in his "Consumer Guide" column for MSN Music , citing "Daughters" and "Accident Murderers" as highlights while deeming the record "reflections of a bigshot who, as he mentions several times, is damn big". [55] AllMusic's David Jeffries regarded the album as an inevitably "puff-chested bitch session", "acting as a clearing house for all venom and bile, plus some gloss that doesn't fit but needed to go as well." [19] According to New York Times critic Jon Caramanica, the narratives were "sometimes distractingly fanciful" and Nas' lyrics occasionally "overstuffed", even though the record possessed "a simulacrum of the sound that made him legendary". [56] Matthew Fiander from PopMatters was more critical, finding the production "uneven" and calculated "as product", with "half-done ideas". [2]

At the end of 2012, Life Is Good appeared on several critics' top album lists. It was named the best album of 2012 by The Source and Okayplayer. [57] The album was also ranked number 18 by Rolling Stone, [58] number 12 by Complex , [59] number 16 by James Montgomery of MTV, [60] number six by Martin Caballero of The Boston Globe, and number seven by Jon Caramanica of The New York Times. [57] Life Is Good received a Grammy Award nomination in the category of Best Rap Album for the 2013 Grammy Awards. [61] It was also nominated for Album of the Year at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, while "Daughters" won the Impact Track award at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards. [62]

Track listing

Information is taken from the album credits. [63]

Life Is Good standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."No Introduction" J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League 4:15
2."Loco-Motive" (featuring Large Professor) No I.D. 3:40
3."A Queens Story"Remi4:35
4."Accident Murderers" (featuring Rick Ross)
No I.D.4:37
5."Daughters"
No I.D.3:20
6."Reach Out" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
3:46
7."World's an Addiction" (featuring Anthony Hamilton)
Remi5:01
8."Summer on Smash" (featuring Miguel and Swizz Beatz) Swizz Beatz 4:19
9."You Wouldn't Understand" (featuring Victoria Monét)
Buckwild 4:35
10."Back When"
No I.D.3:22
11."The Don"
3:02
12."Stay" (featuring Large Professor)
No I.D.3:45
13."Cherry Wine" (featuring Amy Winehouse)
Remi5:56
14."Bye Baby"
3:59
Total length:58:12
Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."Nasty"
  • Jones
  • Remi
Remi3:04
16."The Black Bond"
  • Jones
  • Remi
Remi2:22
17."Roses"
3:31
18."Where's the Love" (featuring Cocaine 80s)No I.D.4:28
Total length:71:37
iTunes bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
19."Trust"
4:34
Japan bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
20."The Don" (Don Dada Remix)Jones
  • Salaam Remi
  • Heavy D
4:09

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes. [9]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Life Is Good
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [48] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for Life Is Good
RegionDateLabelRef.
GermanyJuly 13, 2012 Def Jam Recordings [1]
United KingdomJuly 16, 2012 [2]
United StatesJuly 17, 2012

See also

Notes

  1. The album was first released in Germany on July 13, 2012, [1] before its US date of July 17. [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Life After Death</i> 1997 studio album by the Notorious B.I.G.

Life After Death is the second and final studio album by American rapper the Notorious B.I.G., released on March 25, 1997, on Bad Boy Records and Arista Records. A double album, it was released sixteen days after his murder. It features collaborations with guest artists such as 112, Jay-Z, Lil' Kim, Mase, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Too $hort, Angela Winbush, D.M.C. of Run-D.M.C., R. Kelly, the Lox, and Puff Daddy. Life After Death exhibits the Notorious B.I.G. further delving into the mafioso rap subgenre. The album is a sequel to his first album, Ready to Die, and picks up where the last song, "Suicidal Thoughts", ends.

<i>Harlem World</i> 1997 studio album by Mase

Harlem World is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Mase. It was released on October 28, 1997, by Bad Boy and Arista Records. The album was nominated at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album. It went on to sell 4.9 million copies in the United States, going quadruple Platinum in the United States. Harlem World sold nearly 273,000 copies during its first week.

<i>The Black Album</i> (Jay-Z album) 2003 studio album by Jay-Z

The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 14, 2003, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, which is also a recurring theme throughout the songs, although Jay-Z resumed his recording career in 2005. For the album, Jay-Z wanted to enlist a different producer for each song, working with Just Blaze, Kanye West, the Neptunes, Eminem, DJ Quik, Timbaland, 9th Wonder and Rick Rubin, among others. The album also features a guest appearance by Pharrell Williams.

<i>The Score</i> (album) 1996 studio album by Fugees

The Score is the second and final studio album by the hip hop trio Fugees, released worldwide on February 13, 1996, on Columbia Records. The album features a wide range of samples and instrumentation, with many aspects of alternative hip hop that would come to dominate the hip-hop music scene in the mid- to late-1990s. Primarily, The Score's production was handled by Fugees themselves, Jerry Duplessis and Warren Riker, with additional production from Salaam Remi, John Forté, Diamond D, and Shawn King. The album's guest verses are from Outsidaz members Rah Digga, Young Zee, and Pacewon, as well as John Forté, and Diamond D. Most versions of the album feature four bonus tracks, including three remixes of "Fu-Gee-La", and a short acoustic Wyclef Jean solo track entitled "Mista Mista".

<i>Gods Son</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Nas

God's Son is the sixth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on December 13, 2002, by Ill Will and Columbia Records. Production took place during 2001 to 2002, and was handled by several producers, including Salaam Remi, Chucky Thompson, Ron Browz, Eminem, and The Alchemist. Partly inspired by the death of his mother in early 2002, God's Son covers lyrical themes such as religion, violence, and his own emotional experiences. It has been recognized by critics as some of Nas' most personal work.

<i>Crunk Juice</i> 2004 studio album by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz

Crunk Juice is the fifth and final studio album by American Southern hip hop group Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz. It was released on November 16, 2004, under BME Recordings and TVT Records. The production was primarily handled by Lil Jon himself, who also collaborated in the executive production, alongside Bryan Leach, Rob McDowell, Emperor Searcy, Vince Phillips, the Neptunes and Rick Rubin. The album includes guest appearances from rappers and singers, like R. Kelly, Ludacris, Ice Cube, Usher, Bun B from UGK, Jadakiss, Nas, T.I., the Ying Yang Twins and Pharrell.

<i>The Documentary</i> 2005 studio album by the Game

The Documentary is the commercial debut studio album by American rapper the Game. It was released on January 18, 2005, by Aftermath Entertainment, G-Unit Records, and Interscope Records. The record serves as his major-label debut, preceded by his independently released debut Untold Story in 2004. In 2001, while the Game was in hospital recovering from a shooting, he decided to pursue a career in music. He released the mixtape, "Q.B. 2 Compton" under his then record label "Get Low Recordz" in 2002, which was later discovered by Dr. Dre and led to him signing the Game to his label, Aftermath Entertainment. The album includes production from high-profile producers such as Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Scott Storch and Timbaland, among others, and guest appearances from 50 Cent, Eminem, Nate Dogg and Faith Evans, among others. This would be the Game's only album on Aftermath and G-Unit Records, as he left the label later in 2006 after a feud began between him and fellow G-Unit label-mate 50 Cent.

<i>The Cookbook</i> 2005 studio album by Missy Elliott

The Cookbook is the sixth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released on July 4, 2005, by The Goldmind Inc. and Atlantic Records in Germany and the United Kingdom, and on July 5 in the United States and Japan.

<i>Hip Hop Is Dead</i> 2006 studio album by Nas

Hip Hop Is Dead is the eighth studio album by American rapper Nas, released December 19, 2006, on Def Jam Recordings. His first album for the label, it was co-financed by Nas's previous label, Columbia Records, which once distributed for Def Jam. The album's title was inspired by Nas's view of the music industry and the state of hip hop music at the time. The album features appearances from Nas's then-wife Kelis, Def Jam label-mates Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Chrisette Michele, as well as will.i.am, Snoop Dogg, and The Game, among others.

The discography of Nas, an American rapper, consists of seventeen studio albums, one collaborative album, one group album, five compilations, four mixtapes, one extended play, and seventy-nine singles. Nas has sold over 20 million records in the United States alone, and 35 million albums worldwide.

<i>Back to Black</i> 2006 studio album by Amy Winehouse

Back to Black is the second and final studio album by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse, released on 27 October 2006 by Island Records. Winehouse predominantly based the album on her tumultuous relationship with then-ex-boyfriend and future husband Blake Fielder-Civil, who temporarily left her to pursue his previous ex-girlfriend. Their short-lived separation spurred her to create an album that explores themes of guilt, grief, infidelity, heartbreak and trauma in a relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Untitled Nas album</span> 2008 studio album by Nas

The untitled ninth studio album by American rapper Nas, commonly referred to eponymously as Nas, or simply Untitled, was released on July 15, 2008 by The Jones Experience, Columbia Records and The Island Def Jam Music Group. Its original title Nigger was omitted due to controversy surrounding the racial epithet. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production, and provocative subject matter. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Busta Rhymes, and The Game, among others.

<i>Theater of the Mind</i> 2008 studio album by Ludacris

Theater of the Mind is the seventh studio album by American hip hop recording artist Ludacris. It was released in the UK on November 21, 2008 and in the US on November 24, 2008 and on other release dates throughout the world, through Disturbing tha Peace and Def Jam South. Ludacris calls the album "theatrical".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Don (Nas song)</span> 2012 single by Nas

"The Don" is a song by American rapper Nas. Released as the second single from his tenth studio album Life Is Good (2012), it is produced by record producers Da Internz, Heavy D and Salaam Remi, who all helped write the song along with Nas, although Heavy D died before the song could be finished. Built around a sample of "Dance in New York" by reggae singer Super Cat, a former collaborator of Nas, "The Don" is backed by a boom bap, reggae-tinged production with additional drum and piano sounds. Lyrically, Nas reaffirms his status as a "street poet", addressing the hardships of poverty within disadvantaged societies and the realities of weapon and drug problems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daughters (Nas song)</span> 2012 single by Nas

"Daughters" is a song by American rapper Nas, released on July 17, 2012, by Def Jam Recordings as the third single from his tenth studio album Life Is Good (2012). He wrote it as a reflection on the growth of his daughter Destiny Jones. It was produced by No I.D. and was one of the first songs recorded for the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Wine</span> Song by American rapper Nas from his 2012 album Life Is Good

"Cherry Wine" is a song by American rapper Nas, released in 2012 by Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from his tenth studio album Life Is Good (2012). The single features vocals by singer Amy Winehouse and was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2013 Grammy Awards. It is the final single to feature vocals from Winehouse.

<i>It Was Written</i> 1996 studio album by Nas

It Was Written is the second studio album by American rapper Nas, released on July 2, 1996, by Columbia Records. After the modest commercial success of his debut album Illmatic (1994), Nas pursued a more polished, mainstream sound for It Was Written. Produced largely by Trackmasters, it departed from the debut's raw, underground aesthetic and embraced mafioso and gangsta themes. The recording also marked the first appearance of Nas's short-lived supergroup The Firm, featuring the rappers Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega.

<i>Streets Disciple</i> 2004 studio album by Nas

Street's Disciple is the seventh studio album by American rapper Nas, released as a double album by Columbia Records. Originally scheduled for a September 14, 2004 release, the album was ultimately released on November 30, 2004. Named after one of his lyrics from "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source, the album's cover art was digitally created using photos of Nas to create an adaptation of The Last Supper. The album marked the end of Nas' tenure with Columbia Records after ten years.

<i>Nasir</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Nas

Nasir is the eleventh studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on June 15, 2018 through Mass Appeal Records and Def Jam Recordings. It succeeds Nas album Life Is Good, released six years prior in 2012. The album features an appearance from Kanye West, who also produced the entirety of the album, as well as guest appearances from Puff Daddy, 070 Shake, Tony Williams, and The-Dream.

<i>Kings Disease</i> 2020 studio album by Nas

King's Disease is the twelfth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on August 21, 2020, through Mass Appeal Records and marketed by Universal Music Group. It succeeds his eleventh album, Nasir, released two years prior. The album features guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Hit-Boy, Big Sean, Don Toliver, Lil Durk, Anderson .Paak, Brucie B, Nas's supergroup the Firm, Fivio Foreign, and ASAP Ferg.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Offiziellecharts.de – Nas – Life Is Good" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Fiander, Matthew (July 12, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good (take one)". PopMatters. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Marriott, Rob (May 21, 2012). "Nas: Return of the Don (2012 Cover Story)". Complex . Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Hancox, Dan (July 5, 2012). "Nas: 'Hip-hop belongs to all of us now'". The Guardian . London. section G2, p. 10. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Desai, Manan (July 18, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good". Slant Magazine . Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 "Nas on Marvin Gaye's Marriage, Parenting And Rap Genius". NPR. July 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Murphy, Keith (June 29, 2012). "Nas Opens Up About Personal Moments On 'Life Is Good' Album". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  8. "Nas – Life Is Good CD Album". CD Universe. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Life Is Good (CD liner). Nas. Def Jam Recordings. 2012. B001705602.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Markman, Rob (January 24, 2013). "Nas And Frank Ocean's 'White Jesus' Will Be 'Heard by the World'". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rytlewski, Evan (July 24, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good". The A.V. Club . Chicago. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ramirez, Erika; McDermott, Tyler (July 17, 2012). "Nas, 'Life is Good': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. New York. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  13. 1 2 Capobianco, Ken (July 17, 2012). "Nas, 'Life Is Good'". The Boston Globe . Boston. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Soderberg, Brandon (July 17, 2012). "Nas, 'Life Is Good' (Def Jam)". Spin . New York. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  15. Hamm, Ryan (July 30, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good (Def Jam)". Under the Radar . Los Angeles. Archived from the original on August 26, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greene, Jayson (July 20, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  17. Mistry, Anupa (July 19, 2012). "Nas – Life Is Good". Now . 31 (47). Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  18. Dennis, David (July 17, 2012). "Does Nas's New Album Prove That Life Is Good For Older Rappers?". The Village Voice . Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Jeffries, David. "Life Is Good – Nas". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  20. Birchmeier, Jason. "Nas – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 Dolan, Jon (July 17, 2012). "Life Is Good". Rolling Stone . New York. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  22. 1 2 3 Chery, Carl (July 18, 2012). "Nas, Life Is Good". XXL . Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  23. Amidon, David (July 17, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good (take two)". PopMatters . Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  24. Martin, Andrew (July 17, 2012). "Album Review Nas – Life Is Good". Prefix. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  25. 1 2 3 Padania, Jesal (July 17, 2012). "RapReviews.com Feature for July 17, 2012 – Nas' Life Is Good". RapReviews. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  26. 1 2 3 Santos, Nate (August–September 2012). "Record Report: Nas 'Life Is Good'". The Source (254): 87.
  27. Madden, Mike (July 20, 2012). "Album Review: Nas – Life Is Good". Consequence . Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  28. 1 2 Fox, Killian (July 14, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good – review". The Observer . London. The New Review section, p. 30. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  29. McKenna, James (August 24, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good – Music Review". No Ripcord. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  30. Anderson, Kyle (September 19, 2012). "Nas and Lauryn Hill announce 'Life Is Good/Black Rage' team-up tour". Entertainment Weekly . New York. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  31. "Nas Announces Exclusive Show at Radio City Music Hall on New Years Eve". Island Def Jam. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  32. "Nas". Island Def Jam. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  33. Williams, Brennan (October 12, 2011). "Nas Debuts New 'Life Is Good' Video, 'Nasty' (VIDEO)". HuffPost . Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  34. Markman, Rob (October 11, 2011). "Nas Goes Back to the Projects For 'Nasty' Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  35. 1 2 Markman, Rob (May 25, 2012). "Nas' New Video Is Through His Daughter's Eyes". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  36. Blanco, Alvin Aqua (April 27, 2012). "Nas – "The Don"". Hip-Hop Wired. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  37. 1 2 Markman, Rob (August 30, 2012). "Nas Toasts to the Good Life In 'Bye Baby' Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  38. 1 2 "Nas releases 'Cherry Wine' video featuring Amy Winehouse – watch". NME . London. October 2, 2012. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  39. Scott, Tahsan. "Nas ft. Amy Winehouse – "Cherry Wine"". GroundSounds. Archived from the original on December 29, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
  40. "Radio playlist update: Radio 1". Music Week . London. September 26, 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2013.(subscription required)
  41. 1 2 Price, Simon (July 15, 2012). "Album: Nas, Life is Good (Def Jam)". The Independent . London. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
  42. 1 2 "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  43. Dowling, Marianna (July 25, 2012). "Flo Rida climbs back to No. 1". Jam!. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (July 25, 2012). "Nas Bows at No. 1 with 'Life is Good'". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  45. Caulfield, Keith (August 1, 2012). "Zac Brown Band Reclaims Top Spot on Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  46. Horowitz, Steven J. (February 13, 2013). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 2/10/2013". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  47. 1 2 "Nas Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  48. 1 2 "American album certifications – Nas – Life Is Good". Recording Industry Association of America.
  49. 1 2 "Life Is Good by Nas reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  50. 1 2 "Reviews for Life Is Good by Nas". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  51. 1 2 Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (July 20, 2012). "Nas: Life Is Good" . Financial Times . London. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  52. 1 2 Perry, Kevin EG (July 15, 2012). "Nas – 'Life Is Good'". NME. London. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  53. Jones, Steve (July 16, 2012). "Nas toasts maturity on 'Life is Good'". USA Today . McLean. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  54. Roberts, Randall (July 17, 2012). "Pop album review: In 'Life Is Good,' Nas rolls with the punches". Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles.
  55. Christgau, Robert (August 31, 2012). "Odds and Ends 015". MSN Music . Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
  56. Caramanica, Jon (July 19, 2012). "New Nas Welcomes The Nas of Old". The New York Times . New York. p. C1. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  57. 1 2 "Music Critic Top 10 Lists - Best of 2012". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  58. "50 Best Albums of 2012: Nas, 'Life Is Good'". Rolling Stone. New York. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  59. "12. Nas, Life Is Good – The 50 Best Albums of 2012". Complex . Archived from the original on December 21, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  60. Montgomery, James (December 13, 2012). "Best Albums of 2012". MTV. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  61. "Grammys 2013: Complete list of nominees". Los Angeles Times. December 5, 2012. Archived from the original on December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  62. Alex Russell. "Here Are The BET Award Nominees". Complex. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  63. "Nas – Life Is Good (Booklet & Production Credits)". HipHop-N-More. July 13, 2012. Archived from the original on May 22, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  64. "Australiancharts.com – Nas – Life Is Good". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  65. "Ultratop.be – Nas – Life Is Good" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  66. "Ultratop.be – Nas – Life Is Good" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  67. "Nas Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  68. "Danishcharts.dk – Nas – Life Is Good". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  69. "Dutchcharts.nl – Nas – Life Is Good" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  70. "Lescharts.com – Nas – Life Is Good". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  71. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Nas". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  72. "「ライフ・イズ・グッド」 NAS". Oricon . Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  73. "Charts.nz – Nas – Life Is Good". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  74. "Norwegiancharts.com – Nas – Life Is Good". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  75. "Swisscharts.com – Nas – Life Is Good". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  76. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  77. "Nas Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  78. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  79. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  80. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2022.