The Nas song "Black Magic" is an impactful composition that samples the piano riff from the track "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly. Released in 2004 as part of Nas's album "Street's Disciple," "Black Magic" delves into the theme of the African diaspora and the influence of black people on various aspects of culture. The sample used in "Black Magic" adds a haunting and captivating element to the overall sound of the song. It fuses the raw and gritty lyrics of Nas with the nostalgic and mysterious vibe of the original track. By incorporating this sample, Nas pays homage to the musical heritage of black artists while creating a unique sonic experience for the listener. Lyrically, "Black Magic" dives into the history of black people, highlighting their contributions to art, music, and sports.
Lyrically, "Black Magic" dives into the history of black people, highlighting their contributions to art, music, and sports. Nas delves into the struggles and achievements of black individuals throughout history, shedding light on the resilience and creativity that springs forth from the African diaspora. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of black excellence and the impact it has had on a global scale.
Nas – Magic 2
There’s an oft repeated truism about Nas that he peaked too early; scaling the Himalayan heights of genius on ‘Illmatic’, some venture that the Queens rapper spent the subsequent years tracing a path down into the valleys below. Perhaps it’s time to flip that, however – Nas’ current run is not only up there with his best, it represents one of the best rap runs of all time.
Need more evidence? Succinct, tightly wound, and often explosive, ‘Magic 2’ adds further ammunition to his remarkable late career high. Closing the ‘King’s Disease’ trilogy earlier this year, he’s back once more – his fifth album in a little over three years, a bravura feast of word play combined to some of the most effective beats of his career.
Combining once more with Hit-Boy – the studio architect behind his recent golden run – ‘Magic 2’ finds Nas taking the energy of his 90s recordings into a fresh era. ‘Abacadabra’ taps into West Coast funk while Nas expresses that “doo-rag energy”, while the subtle 70s gospel-funk that drives ‘Office Hours’ ranks as an all-time high. The song’s dynamite opening gambit – “hip-hop’s back!” – gives way to incredible flows from the Queens artist, joined by a rejuvenated, bombastic 50 Cent. A true high point.
‘Black Magic’ blows off the dust of Hit-Boy’s sample collection, pivoting between Nas’ dextrous flow and those tumbling notes of piano. ‘Motion’ is sheer boom-bap exploration, illustration that fresh space remains within one of hip-hop’s oldest stylistic traits. “When we failed,” Nas boasts, “we only failed up”.
Yet it’s far from a homage to past glories. ‘Bokeem Woodbine’ is fuelled by Jamaican soundsystem culture, with the album stepping firmly out of the retro playbook. Indeed, a search for unity is a recurring theme on ‘Magic 2’, perhaps reaching its apex on ‘What This All Really Means’ – cross-referencing his upbringing, and the centrality of rap in the Black American experience, it’s a profound statement on the nature of the art, the sound of an artist working long enough to claim his own legacy.
‘Slow It Down’ is dominated by Nas’ mic muscle, giving way to the production crunch that frames ‘Pistols On Your Album Cover’. For an artist in the fourth decade of his career, Nas goes harder than some rappers less than half his age.
Closing with ‘One Mic, One Gun’, Nas spars with 21 Savage – “I got King’s Disease but I move like a knight” – constructing his own lineage in the process. For those who have followed Nas’ recent creative resurgence, ‘Magic 2’ offers more gristle to his mill, amplifying his unmistakable voice to profound levels. As one voice puts it: “When you turn legend you forget there’s no such thing as relevance…”
8/10
Words: Robin Murray
Closing with ‘One Mic, One Gun’, Nas spars with 21 Savage – “I got King’s Disease but I move like a knight” – constructing his own lineage in the process. For those who have followed Nas’ recent creative resurgence, ‘Magic 2’ offers more gristle to his mill, amplifying his unmistakable voice to profound levels. As one voice puts it: “When you turn legend you forget there’s no such thing as relevance…”
Overall, "Black Magic" is a profound and thought-provoking song that utilizes the "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" sample to create a captivating sonic and lyrical experience. Through this track, Nas pays tribute to the heritage and successes of black people while delivering a powerful message to listeners..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Nas' Black Magic Samples in Hip Hop"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to listen to "Nas black magic sample" as I am a big fan of Nas and his previous works. However, I was quite disappointed with this song. The sample used in the track felt overused and generic, lacking any originality or creativity. The lyrics were also underwhelming, not living up to the high standards set by Nas in his earlier albums. Overall, it left me feeling unsatisfied and hoping for better from such a talented artist.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - I have mixed feelings about "Nas black magic sample". On one hand, I appreciate the smooth flow and delivery of Nas' verses. His rhymes are on point and he showcases his lyrical prowess. However, the sample used in the track is quite repetitive and becomes monotonous after a while. I was hoping for more diversity in the song's production. It's not a terrible track, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Nas black magic sample" just didn't do it for me. The production felt lackluster and the sample used didn't add anything substantial to the song. Nas' lyrics were decent, but they didn't make up for the overall mediocrity of the track. It lacked the energy and creativity that I usually associate with Nas' music. I found myself skipping this song after a few listens and haven't gone back to it since. Disappointing effort from an artist I usually admire.