Finalizing a stellar trilogy, Nas falters not on delivering this inspired prominent stride for a third time running. King's Disease III suffers its own familiarity but wins one over with its articulate excellence. His timeless flow, lacking filler, spits commentary thoughts over past, present and future. Housed in consistent architecture, this third round of musing grabs and engages once again. Tales of the youth, lens through age and wisdom. Well wishes, ambitions of action to revive community values and an indulgent helping of nostalgic reflections on the culture that informed his artistry.
All topicality gets delivered through that tight unwavering lens, a razor sharp focus keeping lyrical narratives firmly on track. The main theme, a stance affirming legendary status, echos again as the King's Disease. Retreading these ideas on certain verses, the firmness of this flow glows brighter, its digestibility and ease to follow still a goldmine, despite circling this particular theme. I wonder could it go a forth round? Unlikely, other topics rise head above shoulders in their freshness.
Behind him, Hit-Boy returns to handle production, their relationship still apt. Resurrecting 90s vibes with modern production, a plethora of pitch shift soul singing snippets give the third chapter a warmer distinction. On a couple cuts, percussion is subdued, or dropped entirely. Nas' cadence serves as the rhythm. This chemistry comes ripe, picking plump verses for voice to resonate on its own pacing. Other tracks reminisce It Was Written, Nas' second album. Undoubtedly a bias for me to adore.
Beef echos I Gave You Power, a sublime track where young Nas inhabits a pistol behind street crime, rapping from the weapons perspective. Twenty Six years later, a complimenting instrumental tone helps center his rhymes from a view of beef itself played well. Thun delves into similar tones too, with its rainy, sinister string section. Michael & Quincy furthers this darkly avenue. The beat switch shifts gears, amounting a contrasting nostalgic reflection on the 80s duo's significant trajectory.
Blessed by distinctive songs to pluck as favorites, the whole album still fits the glove. Now a familiar project, its greatness becomes difficult to distinguish in its similarities. Time will two, the last to chapters still sound stunning. One point worthy of notation, this entire record has Nas go at it alone. No features or guests. Another signal of this remarkable level of greatness so deep into his career. Whats next I wonder? I do think a shake up in theme, approach and aesthetic is required. Although in a bold artistic stride, all good things come to an end. Best to get ahead of that reality while on top.
Rating: 8/10