Studio Album · No. 8
Hip Hop Is Dead Songwriting Credits by Nas
Produced by L.E.S., Wyldfyer, Al West, Scott Storch, Nas, Salaam Remi, will.i.am, Stargate, Kanye West, Devo Springsteen, Mark Batson, Chris Webber, Dr. Dre, Alexander Mosely
Holds writing credit on 16 of 16 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 16 / 16 documented
Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Nas carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Awards & Recognition 1
Hip Hop Is Dead is Nas's first album for Def Jam and a provocative thesis record, arguing that commercialism had hollowed out the genre, with Nas writing every verse of the argument himself. It pairs him with big-name producers like will.i.am, Kanye West, and Dr. Dre, and even reunites him with Jay-Z on "Black Republican" after their feud. The Grammy-nominated album shows his pen sharp and combative, debuting at No. 1.
"Hip Hop Is Dead" is the 2006 eighth studio album by Nas, his first release for Def Jam Recordings and a record framed around his provocative critique of the state of hip-hop and American society. Production came from will.i.am, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Scott Storch, and Salaam Remi. The title track was produced by will.i.am, and "Can't Forget About You" featured Chrisette Michele, with additional guests including Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, The Game, and Kelis. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 355,880 copies in its first week, becoming Nas's fourth chart-topping album and earning gold certification from the RIAA. It was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 50th Grammy Awards, losing to Kanye West's "Graduation."
Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Money Over Bullshit
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesLeShan LewisW. Coleman | L.E.S.Wyldfyer | Nas (Rap) |
| 2 |
You Can't Kill Me
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesLeShan LewisAlvin West | L.E.S.Al West | Nas (Rap) |
| 3 |
Carry on Tradition
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesScott Storch | Scott Storch | Nas (Rap) |
| 4 |
Where Are They Now
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesSalaam GibbsJames BrownBobby ByrdR. Lehnhoff | NasSalaam Remi | Nas (Rap) |
| 5 |
Hip Hop Is Dead
#41
|
Naswill.i.am | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesWilliam AdamsJ. LordanD. Ingle | will.i.am | will.i.am |
| 6 |
Who Killed It?
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesSalaam GibbsWilliam Adams | Salaam Remiwill.i.am | Nas (Rap) |
| 7 |
Black Republican
|
NasJay-Z | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesShawn CarterLeShan LewisW. ColemanC. Coppala | L.E.S.Wyldfyer | Jay-Z |
| 8 |
Not Going Back
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesTor HermansenMikkel EriksenK. Roger-Jones | Stargate | Kelis |
| 9 |
Still Dreaming
|
NasKanye West | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesKanye WestC. PayneC. Ernst-Wells | Kanye West | Kanye WestChrisette Michele |
| 10 |
Hold Down the Block
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesMark Batson | Mark Batson | Nas (Rap) |
| 11 |
Blunt Ashes
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesM. Webber | Chris Webber | Nas (Rap) |
| 12 |
Let There Be Light
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesKanye WestT. WilliamsD. HarrisP. Cho | Kanye WestDevo Springsteen | Tre Williams |
| 13 |
Play on Playa
|
NasSnoop Dogg | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesScott StorchCalvin BroadusMarvin GayeLeon WareA. Ross | Scott Storch | Snoop Dogg |
| 14 |
Can't Forget About You
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesWilliam AdamsC. PayneI. Gordon | will.i.am | Chrisette Michele |
| 15 |
Hustlers
|
NasThe Game | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesJayceon TaylorM. AmbrosiusAndre YoungM. Elizondo | Dr. Dre | The GameMarsha Ambrosius |
| 16 |
Hope
|
Nas | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesLeShan Lewis | L.E.S.NasAlexander Mosely | Chrisette Michele |