It's Nas in your area! Outside of a few features on R&B records, the veteran MC has kept a relatively low profile in the two years since his last release, Nasir. He's coming back in a big way (and sooner than you think) with his upcoming album King's Disease. He introduces the set with the Hit-Boy-produced lead single "Ultra Black."
The track is a throwback to hip-hop's previous eras, with a boom-bap beat draped in lush piano chords and precisely timed scratches and cuts providing the soundscape. Nas takes the production's throwback feel to make a love letter to Blackness and aspects of Black culture. He also takes the time to call out the contributions of a plethora of Black movers and shakers. One person probably not happy to hear her name make the cut, though, is Doja Cat. While he says nothing extremely negative about the "Say So" star, he seems to make reference to her drama earlier this year with a throwaway lyric, rhyming, "We goin' ultra-Black / Unapologetically Black / The opposite of Doja Cat." Despite the contrived controversy that line is sure to dredge up, "Ultra Black" is a celebratory track that we won't mind rewinding and playing all over again.
We mentioned that King's Disease will be coming sooner than you think. How soon, you ask? The album, which will be executive produced by Hit-Boy, is set to arrive at retailers next Friday (August 21st). Prepare yourself for what's to come by pressing play on "Ultra Black" below.
