The Pomegranate Witch's Book of Shadows: Unleashing Magic

In the realm of myths and legends, tales of witches have always held a certain captivating allure. One such mysterious and enigmatic figure is known as the Pomegranate Witch. This enchantress possesses an air of magic and power, intertwined with the essence of the pomegranate fruit. Legends say that the Pomegranate Witch was born from the seeds of a pomegranate tree. As the tree bore its fruits, the witch emerged from within, adorned with deep crimson robes and a crown made of pomegranate blossoms. Her presence is said to be both enchanting and intimidating, captivating those who dare to encounter her.

Magic released his debut album "Skys The Limit" in September '98, which reached #15 on the Billboard 200. It also marked the debut of TRU Records who was mentioned as a co-label on the release, and thus boasted C-Murder as an additional executive-producer for the album. Following the departure of Beats By The Pound, Fiend, Mr. Serv-On, Big Ed & Full Blooded in August '99, Magic immediately released his second album "Thuggin'", which had its release date shifted from November 30 to August 31 in late July. From this point forward Magic would in fact not release any more music for TRU Records, only No Limit (in which Master P's overall "ownership" of Magic would become a point of contention between C-Murder & Master P). Thuggin' featured the double singles "That's Me" & "Ice On My Wrist". The album had average success, peaking at #30. Thuggin' contained the debut of Soulja Productions, who were first revealed on TRU's album Da Crime Family, to replace Beats By The Pound. Remaining with NL from 2000 to 2003 as an artist and having a stint in 2002 as a member of the 504 Boyz under The New No Limit Records, a one year pushback delay & poor sales (#147) of his third studio album released in March '03, White Eyes, had Magic severing his relationship with No Limit. He would immediately state in magazines that his loyalty didn't lie with Master P but rather with C-Murder, who had been in jail since January '02. He released his fourth and final solo album just five months after his split from No Limit, the non-charting On My Own, on his own label Da Vault Music combined with a deal with Koch Records.

During a recent interview with XXL , Fif reflected on meeting Nas, revealing that he always had a sense that the artist was smarter than his music let on. He released his fourth and final solo album just five months after his split from No Limit, the non-charting On My Own, on his own label Da Vault Music combined with a deal with Koch Records.

Her presence is said to be both enchanting and intimidating, captivating those who dare to encounter her. The Pomegranate Witch is known for her ability to manipulate the fruit, harnessing its powers to cast spells and weave enchantments. Pomegranates, with their vibrant ruby-red seeds and sweetly tart flavor, are believed to hold magical properties, and the witch has mastered the art of extracting their essence.

Maguc 2 tracklist

Nas has put out a quite solid record. It's surprising since he's dropping albums more than once a year. Although some songs I found were just OK, others were really well executed.

I didn't really like Abracadabra. The lyrics were ok but the mix was a bit weird and the beat sounded kind of amateurish to me.
On the contrary, I enjoyed the beat on Black Magic but Nas didn't really say anything that particularly struck me here.

All the remaining tracks range from just good to great. Some of my favourites were Pistols on your Album Cover, What This All Really Means and Earvin Magic Johnson; this one in particular had to grow on me. I initially thought that the drill influence didn't flow well with the rest of the beat but listening to it again, I had to retreat my words. My absolute favourite tracks was Office Hours: the samples are well chosen, the lyrics are on point and 50cent did a good job as well. I think these better tracks totally make up for the ones that were a bit flawed.

Nas, arguably my favorite rapper of all time. It's sadly quite rare in hip hop, where a veteran is putting out good music so late into their career. This man has been in the game for over 3 decades and is going as strong as ever. Needless to say, he's beat all the 'washed' and 'inconsistent' allegations. It's incredible to see him still perform at such a high level. Magic 2 continues the streak of Nas rapping excellently over crisp boom bap production. Nas clearly doesn't sound quite as hungry of a rapper as he used to, but even then, proves that he can still compete with the best in the game today. His rhyming and flows are still incredibly sharp. As for Hitboy, that dude impresses me more and more with each album. His sampling and layered beats are some of the best out right now, and he just provides 11 straight headnodders in a row. He really know the style of beats that work with Nas the best, and these beats are a perfect fit for him.

Really is amazing to see. Nas at age 49, still at the top of his game. Preach!

Back again! Nas been dropping projects like they're nothing. I'm not as keen on them as everyone else is, but I'm still enjoying the output. This is probably the blandest of his albums this decade, though. Not something I see myself revisiting much ever, to be honest.

A menos de un año del lanzamiento del bien recibido "King's Disease III", Nas vuelve en compañía de Hit-Boy, quien fuera productor de sus últimos álbumes. Para esta ocasión, el rapero nos presenta "Magic 2", la continuación directa del primer "Magic", lanzado a finales del 2021. Es así como Nas suma otro lanzamiento a su extensa discografía, misma que ha crecido notablemente en años recientes, gracias a esta prolífica mancuerna que lo ha traído de nuevo al mapa, por lo que se vuelve imprescindible de escuchar para saber si aún continúa con su buena racha.

Tras una breve intro protagonizada por el popular Don "Magic" Johnson tenemos "Abracadabra", una mezcla de Pop Rap y Trap bastante juguetona, en la que como por arte de magia, Nas saca las palabras necesarias para defenderse de sus detractores y enaltecer su propia figura; de temática similar le sucede "Office Hours (Feat. 50 Cent)", en la que recuerdan los viejos tiempos a la vez que presumen de su legado a través de un Boom Bap de la vieja escuela por demás apetecible.
En "Black Magic" continúan las referencias a la magia, aunque esta vez hacia la brujería y a ritmo de un Jazz Rap sutil y cadencioso; por su parte, "Motion" es un Boom Bap rítmico y agresivo cuya producción nos traslada al sonido del Colectivo Griselda.
El nivel baja ligeramente en "Bookem Woodbine", que es una reflexión del arte y la cultura popular con solemnes adiciones de Jazz Rap que no brillan más allá de sus arranques de trompeta; mejor resultado ofrecen "Earvin Magic Johnson" y "What This All Really Means", debido a que manejan el Jazz Rap con mayor soltura y sutileza que se entabla bien con su melodía.
Por su parte, "Slow It Down" es otra reflexión sobre su trayectoria, en la que predomina el Boom Bap; mientras que "Pistola On Your Album Cover" mantiene el Boom Bap y le agrega algo de Jazz Rap a la vez que hace una recorrido histórico por las viejas peleas que aparecieron en Queensbridge.
Como tema de cierre aparece "One Mic, One Gun (Feat. 21 Savage)", que básicamente es una respuesta a las declaraciones de 21 Savage sobre la supuesta irrelevancia de Nas; curiosamente este tema se coloca entre los mejores, debido a una afortunada y bien trabajada producción que realza las cualidades del Trap y el Jazz Rap.

Conclusión:
Siguiendo con las entregas numeradas, Nas nos presenta "Magic 2", cuyo título hace obvias referencias a la primer parte iniciada en 2021. A diferencia de su primer entrega, "Magic 2" no está enfocada en el Chipmunk Soul, sino que en su lugar lo sustituye por una tersa y bien estilizada presencia de Jazz Rap a la que añade elementos de Boom Bap, Trap y Hardcore Hip Hop; dicha fusión de géneros resulta bastante amena y está bien elaborada, aunque carece de la apabullante producción implementada tanto en "Magic" como en "King's Disease"; aunque a favor tiene una estructura más sólida y consistente que los ya mencionados.
En cuanto a cuestiones líricas, Nas parece hacer un recuento de su trayectoria, misma que respalda con hechos y a la que rinde auto referencias y alabos para defenderse de sus detractores; sin embargo, no solo se límita a su propia figura, sino que también rinde homenaje a símbolos o eventos que lo forjaron, o hacia personas a las que admira, resultando así en un proyecto muy reflexivo.
Tras lo anterior, se puede decir que Nas ha hecho su "magia" de nuevo, y nos ha entregado un producto redondo que hace honor a su leyenda y a su reciente racha.

Rating: 88/100
Highlights/Best Tracks: 1• Pistols On Your Album Cover // 2• One Mic, One Gun (Feat. 21 Savage) // 3• Office Hours (Feat. 50 Cent)

Rating Track By Track:
1 Intro (N/R)
2 Abracadabra (90/100)
3 Office Hours (Feat. 50 Cent) (95/100)
4 Black Magic (85/100)
5 Motion (90/100)
6 Bokeem Woodbine (80/100)
7 Earvin Magic Johnson (85/100)
8 What This All Really Means (85/100)
9 Slow It Down (85/100)
10 Pistols On Your Album Cover (95/100)
11 One Mic, One Gun (Feat. 21 Savage) (95/100)

Today, Nas took to Instagram to unveil the tracklist for his upcoming album. The album, Magic 2, is set to arrive tomorrow (July 21). The artist has been teasing the project on Instagram as of late, only revealing the title and release date earlier this week.

It is said that the Pomegranate Witch can create potions that grant eternal youth, heal ailments, and even reveal glimpses into the future. Her potions are sought after by villagers in need, although those who dare to approach her must do so cautiously, for the witch's intentions are a mystery. Legend has it that the witch's lair is hidden within a grove of ancient pomegranate trees. The grove is said to be protected by thorny vines and enchanted creatures, making it impossible for mere mortals to trespass. Only those who possess a pure heart and brave spirit may be granted access to the Pomegranate Witch's realm. Despite her magical powers and alluring presence, the Pomegranate Witch is a solitary being, dwelling in seclusion within her mystical grove. She is rarely seen venturing beyond her realm, choosing instead to observe the world from afar. Some believe that she exists to guard the secrets of the pomegranate, ensuring that its magic remains untamed and respected. In folklore, tales of the Pomegranate Witch serve as cautionary tales, reminding individuals of the power and potential dangers that lie within the realms of magic. Some view her as a symbol of female empowerment, with her ability to command the forces of nature and shape her destiny. Whether she is seen as an enchanting sorceress or a fearsome guardian, the Pomegranate Witch continues to captivate the imaginations of those who have heard her tale. Her connection to the pomegranate fruit and its magical properties adds an air of mystique and wonder to her legend, ensuring that her story lives on in the realm of folklore and beyond..

Reviews for "The Pomegranate Witch: Guardian of the Underworld"

1. Alice - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed by "The Pomegranate Witch". The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear plot. The characters were underdeveloped, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was confusing, and it was hard to follow along. Overall, I found the book to be boring and unsatisfying. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.

2. Brian - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "The Pomegranate Witch" to be a complete waste of time. The story was slow-paced and uninteresting. The illustrations were dull and didn't enhance the reading experience. The book had potential, but it failed to deliver. I struggled to finish it and felt no sense of fulfillment when I finally did. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.

3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Pomegranate Witch", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The story lacked depth and substance. It felt like a shallow exploration of the witch folklore. The illustrations were the only redeeming factor, but even they couldn't make up for the lackluster plot. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing I had chosen a different book to read. Don't bother with this one if you're looking for a captivating read.

4. Mark - 3 out of 5 stars - While "The Pomegranate Witch" had its moments, overall, I was left unimpressed. The story had potential, but it fell short. It lacked depth and failed to fully explore the characters and the witch lore. The writing style was decent, but it couldn't make up for the lack of substance. The book had some interesting illustrations, but they couldn't save it from being a mediocre read. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're really interested in witches or looking for a quick, light read.

5. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I didn't enjoy "The Pomegranate Witch" as much as I had hoped. The story felt rushed, making it difficult to fully grasp the plot and immerse myself in the world the author was trying to create. The characters lacked depth, and their motivations were unclear. The book had some interesting themes, but they were poorly executed. It could have been a captivating read, but unfortunately, it fell short.

The Pomegranate Witch's Crystal Ball: Divination and Prophecy