King's Disease

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Following the release of his eleventh studio album Nasir, Nas stated that he would be working on an unfinished album produced by Swizz Beatz and RZA, who both contributed to Nas' compilation album The Lost Tapes 2 in 2019. However, on August 10, 2020, Nas announced via Instagram he would be releasing a different album produced and executive produced by American record producer Hit-Boy, which would become known as King's Disease. Four days later, on August 14, Nas released the album's lead and only single, "Ultra Black", featuring Hit-Boy. The official music video for the album's final track and only bonus track, "Spicy", featuring American rappers Fivio Foreign and ASAP Ferg, was released on October 2, 2020. The official music video for "Replace Me", featuring American rapper Big Sean and American singer Don Toliver, was released on October 21.

In Their Own Story

King's Disease debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 with 47,000 album-equivalent units, of which 18,000 were pure album sales. It serves as Nas's fourteenth top-ten album in the United States. The album's last track and only bonus track, "Spicy", featuring American rappers Fivio Foreign and ASAP Ferg reached number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and the track "Replace Me" with Big Sean and Don Toliver reached number 49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 72, based on nine reviews. Andy Kellman of AllMusic wrote: "Going strictly by the conviction and feeling in each line, King's Disease is the MC's best work since 2008." Robin Murray of Clash wrote: "'The King's Disease' finds Nas grappling with a raft of contradictions... by the end, you become convinced the Queens rapper has found his throne."

Reader's Guide

King's Disease is the twelfth studio album by Nas, released on August 21, 2020, through Mass Appeal Records. It was produced and executive produced by Hit-Boy. The album features guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Hit-Boy, Big Sean, Don Toliver, Lil Durk, Anderson .Paak, Brucie B, Nas's supergroup the Firm, Fivio Foreign, and ASAP Ferg. The lead and only single was "Ultra Black", featuring Hit-Boy, released on August 14, 2020. Music videos were released for "Spicy" (October 2, 2020) and "Replace Me" (October 21, 2020). The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 with 47,000 album-equivalent units. "Spicy" reached number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; "Replace Me" reached number 49 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Did You Know?

• King's Disease is Nas' twelfth studio album, released on August 21, 2020.
• The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, becoming Nas' first Grammy.
• The album's lead and only single was "Ultra Black", featuring Hit-Boy, released on August 14, 2020.
• King's Disease debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 with 47,000 album-equivalent units.
• The album's sequel, King's Disease II, was released on August 6, 2021 and is Nas's first release to be marketed by Sony Music (through The Orchard subsidiary) since Street's Disciple in 2004.