Month: November 2024

  Recently a post online mentioned how Outkast’s ‘Stankonia’ is now twenty-four years old and just twenty-four years prior to it’s release, the drastic change and evolution of the sound of HOP music. Can it really be said that the “music” of Hip-Hop has drastically evolved since the year 2000? It can be seriously argued that it has not but maybe the music evolving was simply the first stage of Hip-Hop’s growth. What has clearly evolved in HOP music in twenty-four years is the veterans that have continued to make the music. Since A Tribe Called Quest 2016 album ‘We Got It From Here…,’ it seems a renaissance or quite possibly an energy drink was put in rappers who had been in the game since the late 1980’s and 1990’s. In 2024 that motivation and energy has continued emphatically but the run of Nas might have been the new “energy drink.” ‘Magic 3′ marks the final album in the Nas and Hit-Boy series which started with the subtle comeback of Nas’ with the album ‘King’s Disease.’ ‘Magic 3’ serves as a send off to this collaboration and finds Nas giving himself flowers but not in an egotistical way but more as an official autobiography at times. Hit-Boy brings Nas back to what we love him for with the production and as a theme to all the ‘Magic…’ albums the one feature on this is Lil’ Wayne on the very hype ‘Never Die.’ Regardless of what many have thought about the last Nas run, what can’t be denied is how he added another stamp to his legacy. This is the second stage of Hip-Hop music’s growth and where unlike sports, you don’t need legs to keep you in shape, just ideas, a voice and a little magic. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Fever,’ ‘I Love This Feeling’ & ‘Sitting With My Thoughts’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

  The fifth installment in the Nas & Hit-Boy saga was either overkill for some or a gift. ‘Magic 2’ comes off a stellar run of the ‘King’s Disease’ trilogy but even more a sequel to one of the most surprising and satisfying albums from Nas in years, ‘Magic.’ The question is was there a need for a ‘Magic 2’? The first installment played like an homage to ‘Illmatic’ with just nine tracks, one feature and a simple but effective focus of just beats and rhymes. ‘Magic 2’ plays like an apology for all those who could not accept or understand the nature of ‘Magic.’ From the opening track ‘Abracadabra,’ the Nas fan in me felt nervous that he was regressing back to playing to current and industry standards. ‘Office Hours’ brings back hope and although I initially was skeptical seeing 50 Cent featured on the track listing, I actually enjoyed his verse while many, who are fans of 50 Cent felt disappointed. The verse felt weird as it was very short and kind of reminded me of Saafir’s guest appearance on Casual’s ‘Fear Itself’ album. Almost as if the rapper could give more effort but chooses not, like he’s mere presence on the record is enough so maybe this was the 50 Cent fans’ issue. The majority of the album rides the line of keeping the traditional HOP music fans, and people who want to hear Nas over what the average beats rappers of the last 12 years have produced satisfied. Of course this to me is where the album is unnecessary and leans into the criticism of Nasir Jones over the years. When Nas sticks his landings it is GREAT but when trying to bridge gaps it just sounds like turkey without seasonings. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Motion’ & ‘Black Magic’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio