Nas is back Friday with his 14th studio album, “King’s Disease II,” and fans are already hailing it as a return to “veteran hip-hop.”
The sequel to his previous “Kings Disease”, features collaborations with rapper YG, Eminem and the always welcomed return of Lauryn Hill.
The 47-year-old hip-hop icon’s previous release earned Nas his 14th Grammy nomination and victory earlier this year for Best Rap Album.
“Kings Disease II” was executive produced by Nas and Hit-Boy, who is also featured on the song “Composure.”
But the track social media can’t stop talking about is “Nobody,” featuring former Fugees frontwoman Hill, 46, who notoriously dropped one of the greatest records of all time, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” in 1998 — never to be topped by her or another female hip-hop artist since.
Fans couldn’t get enough of “Ms.” Lauryn Hill’s brilliant and biting lyricisms, as bars from “Nobody” are now trending on social media.
“Let me give it to you balanced and with clarity / I don’t need to turn myself into a parody / I don’t do the shit you do for popularity,” she raps.
In another portion of the song, Hill addresses rumors about her a-punctual lifestyle, which have circulated in the decades since her hit album release: “My awareness like Keanu in ‘The Matrix’ / I’m saving souls and y’all complaining about my lateness.”
Praise for Hill poured over the internet. “Ms. Lauryn Hill said her presence is a present kiss her ass,” quipped one fan.
“Nas got Lauryn Hill rapping in 2021…rapping rapping fr……my eyes teary man…,” said another.
“No matter who’s dropping tonight, Nas and Lauryn Hill getting the first listen,” said one fan in an apparent reference to Kanye West’s “Donda,” which was received a second dose of hype — but still no album release — via an overnight in concert livestream.
“King’s Disease II” is now available to buy or play on streaming platforms.