Nas & Hit-Boy, Ultra Black | Track Review 🎵

Nas enlists Hit-Boy on “Ultra Black,” the promo single from King’s Disease, which celebrates blackness in all its glory. 

Nas received the ‘mini Kanye West-helmed album treatment’ in 2018 with Nasir. Despite being among the most respected rappers in the game, critics were mixed at best regarding the album.  Perhaps King’s Disease (arriving August 23, 2020) will be a stronger showing for the legend. In advance of the album, with Hit-Boy by his side, he unleashes “Ultra Black.”

“Ultra Black” finds Nas exuberant in celebrating blackness. Backed by old-school production (very East Coast), the man who isn’t necessarily known for hooks drops one! The chorus isn’t the catchiest thing you’ll ever hear, mind you but it’s moderately catchy.

“We goin’ ultra black, I gotta toast to that
We don't fold or crack
Occasion, we rose to that, fuck goin’ postal
We goin’ ultra black
Watchin’ the global change, hop in the coldest Range
Hit-Boy on the beat, this shit ‘posed to slap
We goin’ ultra black, we goin’
We goin’ (We goin’) uh.”

To reiterate, celebrating blackness is the big takeaway from “Ultra Black” Nas cites specific notable blacks and things associated with ‘the culture’ One truly clever lyric comes near the end of the second verse: “Hall & Oates, I can’t go for that / Motown Museum, Detroit, I’m ultra black.” Essentially, the rapper doesn’t want the ‘culturally appropriated’/white washed version – no disrespect intended – he wants the legit, black and proud version.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Nas drops a respectable and meaningful joint with “Ultra Black.” I wouldn’t go so far to call this my favorite song by the rapper, but it is but perfectly suited for the times.

Nas • King’s Disease • Mass Appeal • Release: 8.23.20

Photo Credit: Mass Appeal