One can rightfully ask what business Nasir Jones has in putting such a blasphemous title to his eighth album, especially since his former nemesis Jay Z is now considered its ambassador. Initial controversies aside, one of the most inconsistent legends in the genre has assembled an album worthy of keeping company with his 5mic classic debut ILLMATIC. "Hip Hop is Dead" proves itself noteworthy from being his first album on the venerated Def Jam label and the historical collabo with Jay-Z ("Black Republicans").

Nas refuses to rest on that alone. His gift of metaphor, imagery and the introspective spark undeniable chemistry with tracks by uber-whiner/producer Kanye West (the pensive "Still Dreaming"), the peerless Dr. Dre ("Hustlers") and the ever-expanding Will.I.Am in the highly engaging title track. In "Carry On Tradition", Nas chastises rappers who have no love for the culture and manufacture fake beefs like WWE wrestlers to keep weak careers on life
support. Luckily, Nas proves just the opposite of his album's title. Once again, one of the dons have come back to smack these lieutenants and street soldiers
back into position.