Nas’ new rap music actually garnered more media attention before it was released on July 1. He gained a lot of attention after claiming that the rap music CD would be called the N-word (censored). With such a blunt statement, it was apparent that his new rap music would be focused around African-American racial conciseness. That idea was hammered home with the album cover showing Nas’ back with scars from whipping that create an “N”. The YouTube song preview attached above shows that rap music CD cover along with the uncensored Hero single.

The album has 15 tracks of controversial material that highlights himself as the best rapper of the time along with inequality issues, poverty and the idea of what it means to be black in America. Those who appreciate what Nas has to say will like this album. Others who are not so keen on listening to racial conscious rhetoric will not like much of the album. Either way he shows off why he has been on the top so long. His beats are great and lyrics are well thought out.