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{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| italic_title = no
| Name = Untitled
| Type = Studio
| name = {{noitalic|Untitled}}
| Artist = [[Nas]]
| type = Studio
| Cover = Nas - Untitled.jpg
| artist = [[Nas]]
| Released = {{Start date|2008|7|15}}
| cover = Nas - Untitled.jpg
| Recorded =
| alt =
| Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| released = {{Start date|2008|7|15}}
| Length = 58:50
| recorded = 2007–2008
| studio =
| Label = {{hlist|[[Ill Will Records|The Jones Experience]]|[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[political hip hop]]}}
| Producer = {{hlist|[[Nas|Nasir Jones]] {{small|([[Executive producer|exec.]])}}|[[L.A. Reid|Antonio "L.A." Reid]] {{small|(exec.)}}|A. Saleh {{small|(exec.)}}|[[Cool & Dre]]|[[DJ Green Lantern]]|[[DJ Toomp]]|Dustin Moore|[[Eric Hudson]]|J. Myers|[[Jay Electronica]]|[[Mark Batson]]|[[Mark Ronson]]|[[Polow da Don]]|[[Salaam Remi]]|[[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]]|[[stic.man]]}}
| Italic title = no
| length = 54:04
| label = {{hlist|[[Ill Will Records|The Jones Experience]]|[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]}}
| Last album = ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'' <br />(2006)
| producer = {{hlist|[[Cool & Dre]]|[[DJ Green Lantern]]|[[DJ Toomp]]|Dustin Moore|[[Eric Hudson]]|J. Myers|[[Jay Electronica]]|[[Mark Batson]]|[[Mark Ronson]]|[[Polow da Don]]|[[Salaam Remi]]|[[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]]|[[stic.man]]}}
| This album = '''Untitled'''<br />(2008)
| Next album = ''[[Distant Relatives]]''<br />(2010)
| prev_title = [[Hip Hop Is Dead]]
| Misc = {{Singles
| prev_year = 2006
| next_title = [[Distant Relatives]]
| Name = {{noitalic|the untitled album}}
| Type = studio
| next_year = 2010
| single 1 = [[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]
| misc = {{Singles
| name = {{noitalic|Untitled}}
| single 1 date = June 23, 2008
| single 2 = Make the World Go Round
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]
| single 2 date = October 9, 2008
| single1date = June 23, 2008
| single2 = Make the World Go Round
| single2date = October 9, 2008
}}
}}
}}
}}


The <!-- The following words are not bold per [[MOS:BOLD]] second paragraph -->untitled ninth [[studio album]] by American rapper [[Nas]], commonly referred to eponymously as '''''Nas''''', was released on July 15, 2008 by [[Ill Will Records|The Jones Experience]] and [[Def Jam Recordings]]. Its original title ''Nigger'' was changed due to controversy surrounding [[Nigger|the racial epithet]]. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production, and provocative subject matter. The album features guest appearances from [[Chris Brown]], [[Keri Hilson]], [[Busta Rhymes]], and [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], among others.
The untitled ninth studio album <!-- The following words are not bold per [[MOS:BOLD]] second paragraph --> by American rapper [[Nas]], commonly referred to eponymously as '''''Nas''''', or simply '''''Untitled''','' was released on July 15, 2008 by [[Ill Will Records|The Jones Experience]], [[Columbia Records]] and [[The Island Def Jam Music Group]]. It's original title ''Nigger'' was omitted due to controversy surrounding [[Nigger|the racial epithet]]. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production, and provocative subject matter. The album features guest appearances from [[Chris Brown]], [[Keri Hilson]], [[Busta Rhymes]], and [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], among others.


The album debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], becoming Nas' fifth to do so, and was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 copies in the United States.<ref>[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=nas&artist=nas&after=on&before=on&startMonth=7&endMonth=12&startYear=2008&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Gold & Platinum]. RIAA. Retrieved November 15, 2008.</ref> Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from critics.
The album debuted at number one on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], becoming Nas' fifth to do so, and was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 copies in the United States.<ref>[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=nas&artist=nas&after=on&before=on&startMonth=7&endMonth=12&startYear=2008&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 Gold & Platinum]. RIAA. Retrieved November 15, 2008.</ref> Upon it's release, the album received generally positive reviews from critics.


==Background==
==Background==


===Title controversy===
===Title controversy===
The original title of the album, ''Nigger'' was mentioned by Nas several times, as well as on an October 12, 2007, performance at the [[Roseland Ballroom]] in [[New York City]] where he announced the title and release date.<ref>Shaheem Reid (October 13, 2007). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571889/20071013/nas.jhtml Nas Reveals Controversial Title Of New LP At NYC Gig] [[MTV News]]. Retrieved October 15, 2007.</ref> [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] made no comment on the title.<ref name=billboardtitle>Hillary Crosley (October 15, 2007). [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048091/nas-selects-n-word-for-new-album-title Nas Selects N-Word For New Album Title] ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Retrieved October 15, 2007.</ref> This was similar to attempts to name his 2006 album, eventually titled ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'', to both ''Nigga'' and ''Hip Hop Is Dead... The N''. On May 19, 2008, it was confirmed that Nas changed the name of the album to an untitled one (although on [[iTunes]], the album is [[eponymous|self-titled]]), stating that "the people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it."<ref>[http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/05/19/19895200.aspx Nas Issues Statement Regarding 'N****r' Name Change]</ref> The cover of the album shows the back of a shirtless Nas with [[flagellation]] scars forming the shape of the letter N, a reference to the racial slur and how slaves were tortured. [[Fort Greene, Brooklyn]] assemblyman [[Hakeem Jeffries]] requested New York's Comptroller [[Thomas DiNapoli]] to withdraw $84 million from the state pension fund that has been invested into Universal and its parent company, [[Vivendi]], if the album's title was not changed.<ref>Black widow (October 5, 2007). [http://www.sixshot.com/news/8315/ Update: Universal Told To Change The Title Of Nas' 'N-Word' Album Or Lose $84 Million] ''Six Shot''. [[Retrieved]] April 20, 2008.</ref>
The original title of the album, ''Nigger'', was mentioned by Nas several times, as well as on an October 12, 2007, performance at the [[Roseland Ballroom]] in [[New York City]] where he announced the title and release date.<ref>Shaheem Reid (October 13, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014131010/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571889/20071013/nas.jhtml Nas Reveals Controversial Title Of New LP At NYC Gig] [[MTV News]]. Retrieved October 15, 2007.</ref> [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] made no comment on the title.<ref name=billboardtitle>Hillary Crosley (October 15, 2007). [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048091/nas-selects-n-word-for-new-album-title Nas Selects N-Word For New Album Title] ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Retrieved October 15, 2007.</ref> This was similar to attempts to name his 2006 album, eventually titled ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'', to both ''Nigga'' and ''Hip Hop Is Dead... The N''. On May 19, 2008, it was confirmed that Nas changed the name of the album to an untitled one (although on the [[iTunes Store]], the album is [[eponymous|self-titled]]), stating that "the people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/05/19/19895200.aspx |title=Nas Issues Statement Regarding 'N****r' Name Change |access-date=2008-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528041328/http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/05/19/19895200.aspx |archive-date=2008-05-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The cover of the album depicts the back of a shirtless Nas with [[flagellation]] scars forming the shape of the letter N, a reference to the racial slur and how slaves were tortured in the United States. [[Fort Greene, Brooklyn]], assemblyman [[Hakeem Jeffries]] requested New York's Comptroller [[Thomas DiNapoli]] to withdraw $84 million from the state pension fund that has been invested into Universal and its parent company, [[Vivendi]], if the album's title was not changed.<ref>Black widow (October 5, 2007). [http://www.sixshot.com/news/8315/ Update: Universal Told To Change The Title Of Nas' 'N-Word' Album Or Lose $84 Million] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217235839/http://www.sixshot.com/news/8315/ |date=2009-02-17 }} ''Six Shot''. Retrieved April 20, 2008.</ref>


[[L.A. Reid]], chairman of Def Jam at the time, confirmed that the label fully backed Nas and his decision on naming his album.<ref name="title support">Shaheem Reid (October 22, 2007). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572402/20071019/nas.jhtml L.A. Reid Stands 'Firmly Behind' Nas Over LP Title] [[MTV News]]. Retrieved October 22, 2007.</ref> The album's original title received support from [[Ice Cube]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Bishop Lamont]], [[Alicia Keys]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Joseph Simmons|Rev Run]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Akon]], [[Method Man]], [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[David Banner]], [[GZA]], and [[Melle Mel]],<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/010708/ Mixtape Monday: Nas Drops Exclusive New Lyrics; Snoop Dogg Insists He Can Out-Sing Diddy]</ref><ref>{{YouTube|aPBikz0r7Rw|AllHipHop.com Interview with Melle Mel about ''Nigger'' title}}</ref><ref>Shaheem Reid (November 1, 2007). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573280/20071101/nas.jhtml Nas' Album Title Gets Support From Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Bishop Lamont, LL Cool J, GZA, Reverend Run, David Banner] [[MTV News]]. Retrieved November 1, 2007.</ref> while receiving criticism from [[50 Cent]], [[Will Smith]], [[Al Sharpton]], [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]], [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[Jesse Jackson|Reverend Jesse Jackson]] and the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People|NAACP]].<ref name="title support"/><ref>Shaheem Reid (October 18, 2007). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572287/20071018/nas.jhtml Nas Explains Controversial Album Title, Denies Reports Of Label Opposition] ''MTV''. Retrieved October 21, 2008.</ref>
[[L.A. Reid]], chairman of Def Jam at the time, confirmed that the label fully backed Nas and his decision on naming his album.<ref name="title support">Shaheem Reid (October 22, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071021124642/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572402/20071019/nas.jhtml L.A. Reid Stands 'Firmly Behind' Nas Over LP Title] [[MTV News]]. Retrieved October 22, 2007.</ref> The album's original title received support from [[Eminem]], [[Ice Cube]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Bishop Lamont]], [[Alicia Keys]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Joseph Simmons|Rev Run]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], [[Akon]], [[Method Man]], [[Lupe Fiasco]], [[David Banner]], [[GZA]], and [[Melle Mel]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080109001151/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/010708/ Mixtape Monday: Nas Drops Exclusive New Lyrics; Snoop Dogg Insists He Can Out-Sing Diddy]</ref><ref>{{YouTube|aPBikz0r7Rw|AllHipHop.com Interview with Melle Mel about ''Nigger'' title}}</ref><ref>Shaheem Reid (November 1, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071103012108/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573280/20071101/nas.jhtml Nas' Album Title Gets Support From Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Bishop Lamont, LL Cool J, GZA, Reverend Run, David Banner] [[MTV News]]. Retrieved November 1, 2007.</ref> while receiving criticism from [[50 Cent]], [[Will Smith]], [[Al Sharpton]], [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]], [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[Jesse Jackson|Reverend Jesse Jackson]] and the [[National Association for the Advancement of Colored People|NAACP]].<ref name="title support"/><ref>Shaheem Reid (October 18, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071019211152/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572287/20071018/nas.jhtml Nas Explains Controversial Album Title, Denies Reports Of Label Opposition] ''MTV''. Retrieved October 21, 2008.</ref>


===Production===
===Production===
Production credits for the album include [[stic.man]] of [[Dead Prez]], [[DJ Green Lantern]], [[Polow da Don]], [[Salaam Remi]], [[DJ Toomp]], [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]], [[Cool & Dre]], [[Game (rapper)|Game]], [[Mark Ronson]], [[Mark Batson]], [[Jay Electronica]], J. Myers, Dustin Moore, Calvin McDaniel and Eric Hudson. Early reports of production mentioned that [[No I.D.]], [[DJ Khalil]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Chris Webber]] and [[The Hitmen (production team)|The Hitmen]] were contributing tracks, but their tracks failed to make the final cut for the album. DJ Premier stated in a recent interview with HipHopDX that he sent in a beat for Nas that Nas did not end up using on this album.<ref>{{cite web|author= Edwin Ortiz |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8364/title.dj-premier-talks-rejected-beats-recreating-illmatic-line-up |title=DJ Premier Talks Rejected Beats, Recreating Illmatic Line-Up &#124; Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News, & Rap Music News |publisher=HipHopDX |date=2009-12-27 |accessdate=2009-12-31}}</ref>
Production credits for the album include [[stic.man]] of [[Dead Prez]], [[DJ Green Lantern]], [[Polow da Don]], [[Salaam Remi]], [[DJ Toomp]], [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]], [[Cool & Dre]], [[Game (rapper)|Game]], [[Mark Ronson]], [[Mark Batson]], [[Jay Electronica]], J. Myers, Dustin Moore, Calvin McDaniel and Eric Hudson. Early reports of production mentioned that [[No I.D.]], [[DJ Khalil]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Chris Webber]] and [[The Hitmen (production team)|The Hitmen]] were contributing tracks, but their tracks failed to make the final cut for the album. DJ Premier stated in a 2009 interview with HipHopDX that he sent in a beat for Nas that Nas did not end up using on this album.<ref>{{cite web |author=Edwin Ortiz |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8364/title.dj-premier-talks-rejected-beats-recreating-illmatic-line-up |title=DJ Premier Talks Rejected Beats, Recreating Illmatic Line-Up &#124; Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News, & Rap Music News |publisher=HipHopDX |date=2009-12-27 |access-date=2009-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019093805/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8364/title.dj-premier-talks-rejected-beats-recreating-illmatic-line-up |archive-date=2009-10-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Guest artists featured on the album are [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Keri Hilson]], [[Game (rapper)|Game]], [[Chris Brown (American singer)|Chris Brown]],<ref name="previews">Shaheem Reid (May 14, 2008). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587428/20080513/nas.jhtml Nas Previews Controversial Album For MTV News: 'I'm Here To Rap About What I Feel'] MTV News. Accessed May 15, 2008.</ref> [[The Last Poets]], Eban Thomas, Mulatto and Mykel. Although Jay Electronica produced the introductory track, he does not have a verse on the album, as previously stated by Nas.
Guest artists featured on the album are [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Keri Hilson]], [[Game (rapper)|Game]], [[Chris Brown (American singer)|Chris Brown]],<ref name="previews">Shaheem Reid (May 14, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080726210050/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587428/20080513/nas.jhtml Nas Previews Controversial Album For MTV News: 'I'm Here To Rap About What I Feel'] MTV News. Accessed May 15, 2008.</ref> [[The Last Poets]], Eban Thomas, Mulatto and Mykel. Although Jay Electronica produced the introductory track, he does not have a verse on the album, as previously stated by Nas.


==Release and promotion==
==Release and promotion==
Nas released a mixtape with [[DJ Green Lantern]] titled ''The Nigger Tape'' on June 9, 2008.<ref>[http://nahright.com/news/2008/06/09/dj-green-lantern-nas-the-nigger-tape/#more-4922 DJ Green Lantern & Nas – The Nigger Tape]. Retrieved June 9, 2008.</ref> The mixtape, which was released through NasIndependenceDay.com, features three songs that were later included on the album, as well as various unreleased tracks. In July 2008, it was announced that apparel company [[Fila (company)|Fila]] will be providing financial support for the album's marketing for one year. In exchange, Nas will wear Fila sneakers at his shows.<ref>Fila Provide Financial Support For Nas' "Untitled" [http://urbanlookout.com/more-nas-news-signs-deal-with-fila-more-tracks-leak/ "Nas has signed a one year endorsement deal with South Korea’s largest sportswear manufacturing company, Fila."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905181554/http://urbanlookout.com/more-nas-news-signs-deal-with-fila-more-tracks-leak/ |date=2008-09-05 }} ''Urban Lookout''. Retrieved July 4, 2008.</ref>
Nas released a mixtape with [[DJ Green Lantern]] titled ''The Nigger Tape'' on June 9, 2008.<ref>[http://nahright.com/news/2008/06/09/dj-green-lantern-nas-the-nigger-tape/#more-4922 DJ Green Lantern & Nas – The Nigger Tape]. Retrieved June 9, 2008.</ref> The mixtape, which was released through NasIndependenceDay.com, features three songs that were later included on the album, as well as various unreleased tracks. In July 2008, it was announced that apparel company [[Fila (company)|Fila]] would be providing financial support for the album's marketing for one year. In exchange, Nas was to wear Fila sneakers at his shows.<ref>Fila Provide Financial Support For Nas' "Untitled" [http://urbanlookout.com/more-nas-news-signs-deal-with-fila-more-tracks-leak/ "Nas has signed a one year endorsement deal with South Korea’s largest sportswear manufacturing company, Fila."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905181554/http://urbanlookout.com/more-nas-news-signs-deal-with-fila-more-tracks-leak/ |date=2008-09-05 }} ''Urban Lookout''. Retrieved July 4, 2008.</ref>


===Singles===
===Singles===
Prior to the release of the untitled album, Nas released a music video for "[[Be a Nigger Too]]", a song rumored to be the first single. In late June, Nas told [[Billboard magazine|''Billboard'' magazine]] that "Be a Nigger Too" would not even be on the album because of [[Sampling (music)#Legal issues|sample clearance]] issues.<ref>{{cite news|last=Crosley|first=Hillary|title=Tough issues go beyond words for rapper Nas|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/27/AR2008062703869.html|work=Billboard|date=2008-06-27|accessdate=2008-07-05}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> During the same week, Nas released "[[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]", the album's first official single.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_news.php?artist_id=608&news_id=105407 |title=Nas' Defjam Page For "Hero" |access-date=2008-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611013629/http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_news.php?artist_id=608&news_id=105407 |archive-date=2008-06-11 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref> The song features a chorus sung by [[Keri Hilson]], a beat produced by [[Polow da Don]] and lyrics about the music industry's stranglehold on artistry. [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]] announced on [[BET]]'s ''[[106 & Park]]'' that "Make the World Go Round" is the next single of the album, which was debuted in November 2008.<ref>[http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh1b4ERIHUy2ZLZ2YX "The Game Announces Next Single Of "untiled"".]</ref><ref>{{YouTube|NHwAWYAsH0Y|"Behind the scenes of "Make The World Go Round" video shoot"}}</ref> Nas has also released videos for "Sly Fox" and "Y'all My Niggas",<ref>{{cite web|author=25 november 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-mNjh2y_rM |title=Nas&nbsp;— Y'all My Niggas (Official Video) |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-11-25 |accessdate=2009-12-31}}</ref> however he does not appear in either of them.
Prior to the release of the untitled album, Nas released a music video for "[[Be a Nigger Too]]", a song rumored to be the first single. In late June, Nas told [[Billboard magazine|''Billboard'' magazine]] that "Be a Nigger Too" would not even be on the album because of [[Sampling (music)#Legal and ethical issues|sample clearance]] issues.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Crosley|first=Hillary|title=Tough issues go beyond words for rapper Nas|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/27/AR2008062703869.html|magazine=Billboard|date=2008-06-27|access-date=2008-07-05}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> During the same week, Nas released "[[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]", the album's first official single.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_news.php?artist_id=608&news_id=105407 |title=Nas' Defjam Page For "Hero" |access-date=2008-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611013629/http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_news.php?artist_id=608&news_id=105407 |archive-date=2008-06-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The song features a chorus sung by [[Keri Hilson]], a beat produced by [[Polow da Don]] and lyrics about the music industry's stranglehold on artistry. [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]] announced on [[BET]]'s ''[[106 & Park]]'' that "Make the World Go Round" is the next single of the album, which was debuted in November 2008.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130209133034/http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh1b4ERIHUy2ZLZ2YX "The Game Announces Next Single Of "untiled"".]</ref><ref>{{YouTube|NHwAWYAsH0Y|"Behind the scenes of "Make The World Go Round" video shoot"}}</ref> Nas has also released videos for "Sly Fox" and "Y'all My Niggas",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-mNjh2y_rM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/o-mNjh2y_rM| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Nas&nbsp;— Y'all My Niggas (Official Video) |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-11-25 |access-date=2009-12-31}}{{cbignore}}</ref> however he does not appear in either of them.


==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings

{{Music ratings
| MC = 71/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/untitled/nas|title=Untitled by Nas|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 29, 2009}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Kellman">Kellman, Andy. [{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1396841/review|pure_url=yes}} Review: Untitled Nas album]. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Kellman">Kellman, Andy. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1396841/review|pure_url=yes}} Review: Untitled Nas album]. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2Score = B+<ref name="Greenwald">Greenwald, Andy. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20211774,00.html Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev2Score = B+<ref name="Greenwald">Greenwald, Andy. [https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20211774,00.html Review: Untitled Nas album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207170742/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20211774,00.html |date=2014-12-07 }}. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev3 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Gill"/>
| rev3Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Gill"/>
| rev4 = ''[[MSN Music]]''
| rev4 = ''[[MSN Music]]'' ([[Robert Christgau#Consumer Guide|Consumer Guide]])
| rev4Score = A-<ref name="Christgau">Christgau, Robert. "[http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=983 Consumer Guide: Untitled Nas album]". [[MSN Music]]: August 2008. Archived from [http://music.msn.com/music/consumerguide/2008/8/ the original] on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev4Score = A−<ref name="Christgau">Christgau, Robert. "[http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist2.php?id=983 Consumer Guide: Untitled Nas album]". [[MSN Music]]: August 2008. Archived from [http://music.msn.com/music/consumerguide/2008/8/ the original] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126133001/http://music.msn.com/music/consumerguide/2008/8/ |date=2009-11-26 }} on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The New York Times]]''
| rev5 = ''[[The New York Times]]''
| rev5Score = mixed<ref name="Caramanica">Caramanica, Jon. [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/arts/music/14choi.html Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev5Score = mixed<ref name="Caramanica">Caramanica, Jon. [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/arts/music/14choi.html Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev6 = [[Pitchfork Media]]
| rev6 = [[Pitchfork Media]]
| rev6Score = 3.8/10<ref name="Cohen">Cohen, Ian. [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/reviews/albums/12002-untitled/ Review: Untitled Nas album]. [[Pitchfork Media]]. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev6Score = 3.8/10<ref name="Cohen">Cohen, Ian. [https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12002-untitled/ Review: Untitled Nas album]. [[Pitchfork Media]]. Retrieved on 2023-03-08.</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev7 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev7Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Rosen">Rosen, Jody. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/nas-20080807 Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev7Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Rosen">Rosen, Jody. [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/nas-20080807 Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev8 = [[Slant Magazine]]
| rev8 = [[Slant Magazine]]
| rev8Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Newlin">Newlin, Jimmy. [http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/nas-untitled/1418 Review: Untitled Nas album]. [[Slant Magazine]]. Retrieved on 2010-05-22.</ref>
| rev8Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Newlin">Newlin, Jimmy. [https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/nas-untitled/1418 Review: Untitled Nas album]. [[Slant Magazine]]. Retrieved on 2010-05-22.</ref>
| rev9 = [[Sputnikmusic]]
| rev9 = [[HipHopDX]]
| rev9Score = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=Nick|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/26286/Nas-Untitled/|title=Nas Untitled (staff review)|publisher=[[Sputnikmusic]]|date=July 12, 2008|accessdate=2011-08-06}}</ref>
| rev9Score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Ahale|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.976/title.nas-untitled|title=NAS - UNTITLED|publisher=[[HipHopDX]]|date=July 14, 2008|access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| rev10 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| rev10Score = favorable<ref name="Hintz">Hintz, Katie. [http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-07-16/music/nas-s-untitled/ Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[The Village Voice]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
| rev10Score = favorable<ref name="Hintz">Hintz, Katie. [http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-07-16/music/nas-s-untitled/ Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[The Village Voice]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
}}
}}


Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics, based on an aggregate score of 71/100 from [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Meta">[https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/nas/untitled Untitled Nas album (2008): Reviews]. [[Metacritic]]. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' credited the album for its maturity as well as the album's ability to keep the listeners guessing. Andy Greenwald credits Nas, saying "In a summer of "[[Lollipop (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]", it's good to hear a complicated record that doesn't shy from grown-up ambition."<ref name="Greenwald"/> The album received a 4.5 mic rating from ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' magazine.<ref name="Source">Columnist. "[http://i36.tinypic.com/vmsz9k.jpg Review: Untitled Nas album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217011651/http://i36.tinypic.com/vmsz9k.jpg |date=2011-12-17 }}". ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'': August 2008.</ref> ''[[The Independent]]''{{'}}s Andy Gill gave it 5 out of 5 stars and described it as "probably the most politically oriented rap album since the days of [[Public Enemy (group)|Public Enemy]] and [[The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy]]".<ref name="Gill">Gill, Andy. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080729034246/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-nas-untitled-def-jam-870486.html Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[The Independent]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref> In contrast, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' writer Jeff Weiss gave the album 2 out of 4 stars and wrote unfavorably of Nas's lyrics, perceiving his themes as hypocritical and inconsistent.<ref name="Weiss">Weiss, Jeff. [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-nas12-2008jul12,0,766850.story Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>
==Critical reception==
Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics, based on an aggregate score of 71/100 from [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Meta">[http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/nas/untitled Untitled Nas album (2008): Reviews]. [[Metacritic]]. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' credited the album for its maturity as well as the album's ability to keep the listeners guessing. Andy Greenwald credits Nas, saying "In a summer of "[[Lollipop (Lil Wayne song)|Lollipop]]", it's good to hear a complicated record that doesn't shy from grown-up ambition."<ref name="Greenwald"/> The album received a 4.5 mic rating from ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' magazine.<ref name="Source">Columnist. "[http://i36.tinypic.com/vmsz9k.jpg Review: Untitled Nas album]". ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'': August 2008.</ref> ''[[The Independent]]''{{'}}s Andy Gill gave it 5 out of 5 stars and described it as "probably the most politically oriented rap album since the days of [[Public Enemy (group)|Public Enemy]] and [[The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy]]".<ref name="Gill">Gill, Andy. [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-nas-untitled-def-jam-870486.html Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[The Independent]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref> In contrast, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' writer Jeff Weiss gave the album 2 out of 4 stars and wrote unfavorably of Nas's lyrics, perceiving his themes as hypocritical and inconsistent.<ref name="Weiss">Weiss, Jeff. [http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-nas12-2008jul12,0,766850.story Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref>


Despite calling its production "sporadically successful and widely uneven", [[Slant Magazine]]'s Jimmy Newlin gave the album 3½ out of 5 stars and commended Nas's lyricism, calling its lyrics "all terrific".<ref name="Newlin"/> Jody Rosen of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and called it a "sprawling, furious, deeply ambivalent theme album about institutional racism, the failures of black leadership and the pathologies and promise of early-21st-century African-American life".<ref name="Rosen"/> ''[[USA Today]]''{{'}}s Elysa Gardner gave it 3 out of 4 stars and wrote "Nas reconfirms his status as one of rap’s most deft, thoughtful rhymers and his knack for trenchant, defiant commentary".<ref name="Gardner">Gardner, Elysa. [http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2008/07/this-weeks-re-1.html Review: Untitled Nas album]. ''[[USA Today]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref> On December 3, it was announced that the album had been nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album]], but it ended up losing to [[Lil Wayne|Lil Wayne's]] ''[[Tha Carter III]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/grammy-nominati.html?iid=top25-Grammy+nominations+announced! |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205000803/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/grammy-nominati.html?iid=top25-Grammy%2Bnominations%2Bannounced%21 |archive-date=2008-12-05 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref>
Despite calling its production "sporadically successful and widely uneven", [[Slant Magazine]]'s Jimmy Newlin gave the album 3½ out of 5 stars and commended Nas's lyricism, calling its lyrics "all terrific".<ref name="Newlin"/> Jody Rosen of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and called it a "sprawling, furious, deeply ambivalent theme album about [[institutional racism]], the failures of black leadership and the pathologies and promise of early-21st-century African-American life".<ref name="Rosen"/> ''[[USA Today]]''{{'}}s Elysa Gardner gave it 3 out of 4 stars and wrote "Nas reconfirms his status as one of rap’s most deft, thoughtful rhymers and his knack for trenchant, defiant commentary".<ref name="Gardner">Gardner, Elysa. [http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2008/07/this-weeks-re-1.html Review: Untitled Nas album] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105040632/http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2008/07/this-weeks-re-1.html |date=2010-01-05 }}. ''[[USA Today]]''. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.</ref> On December 3, it was announced that the album had been nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album]], but it ended up losing to [[Lil Wayne|Lil Wayne's]] ''[[Tha Carter III]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/grammy-nominati.html?iid=top25-Grammy+nominations+announced! |title=Grammy nominations announced! |website= EW.com |access-date=2008-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205000803/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/grammy-nominati.html?iid=top25-Grammy%2Bnominations%2Bannounced%21 |archive-date=2008-12-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Commercial performance==
==Commercial performance==
The album debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album charts selling 187,078 copies in the first week of release.<ref>Aliya Ewing (July 23, 2008). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7371/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-7-20-08 Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 7/20/08] ''HipHopDX''. Retrieved August 4, 2008.</ref>
The album debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album charts selling 187,078 copies in the first week of release.<ref>Aliya Ewing (July 23, 2008). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7371/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-7-20-08 Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 7/20/08] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905151520/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7371/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-7-20-08 |date=2012-09-05 }} ''HipHopDX''. Retrieved August 4, 2008.</ref> On September 11, 2008, the album was certified [[RIAA Certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=nas&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=RIAA Certifications - Nas|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 54:04
| total_length = 54:04
| title1 = Queens Get the Money

| title1 = Queens Get the Money
| note1 =
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Nas|Nasir Jones]]|[[Jay Electronica|Timothy Thedford]]|[[Yann Tiersen]]}}
| note1 =
| writer1 = {{hlist|[[Nas|Nasir Jones]]|[[Jay Electronica|Timothy Thedford]]|[[Yann Tiersen]]}}
| extra1 = [[Jay Electronica]]
| length1 = 2:12
| extra1 = [[Jay Electronica]]
| title2 = You Can't Stop Us Now
| length1 = 2:12
| note2 = featuring Eban Thomas of The Stylistics and [[The Last Poets]]

| writer2 = {{hlist|Jones|Eban Thomas|[[The Last Poets|Abiodun Oyewole]]|[[The Last Poets|Umar Bin Hassan]]|[[The Whatnauts|Carlos Herndon]]|[[The Whatnauts|Garnett Jones]]|[[The Whatnauts|Gerard Pinkney]]}}
| title2 = You Can't Stop Us Now
| note2 = featuring Eban Thomas of The Stylistics & [[The Last Poets]]
| extra2 = [[Salaam Remi]]
| length2 = 3:05
| writer2 = {{hlist|Jones|Eban Thomas|[[The Last Poets|Abiodun Oyewole]]|[[The Last Poets|Umar Bin Hassan]]|[[The Whatnauts|Carlos Herndon]]|[[The Whatnauts|Garnett Jones]]|[[The Whatnauts|Gerard Pinkney]]}}
| title3 = Breathe
| extra2 = [[Salaam Remi]]
| length2 = 3:05
| note3 =
| writer3 = {{hlist|Jones|Dustin Moore|J. Myers}}

| extra3 = Dustin Moore, J. Myers
| title3 = Breathe
| length3 = 3:34
| note3 =
| title4 = Make the World Go Round
| writer3 = {{hlist|Jones|Dustin Moore|J. Myers}}
| note4 = featuring [[Chris Brown]] and [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]]
| extra3 = Dustin Moore, J. Myers
| writer4 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Chris Brown|Christopher Brown]]|[[The Game (rapper)|Jayceon Taylor]]|[[Cool & Dre|Marcello Valenzano]]|[[Cool & Dre|Andre Lyons]]}}
| length3 = 3:34
| extra4 = [[Cool & Dre]], The Game

| title4 = Make the World Go Round
| length4 = 3:49
| note4 = featuring [[Chris Brown]] & [[Game (rapper)|The Game]]
| title5 = [[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]
| note5 = featuring [[Keri Hilson]]
| writer4 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Chris Brown|Christopher Brown]]|[[The Game (rapper)|Jayceon Taylor]]|[[Cool & Dre|Marcello Valenzano]]|[[Cool & Dre|Andre Lyons]]}}
| writer5 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Keri Hilson]]|[[Polow da Don|Jamal Jones]]|Amber Rives|J. Sublett|C. Haynes}}
| extra4 = [[Cool & Dre]], [[Game (rapper)|The Game]]
| extra5 = [[Polow da Don]]
| length4 = 3:49
| length5 = 4:00

| title6 = America
| title5 = [[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]
| note6 =
| note5 = featuring [[Keri Hilson]]
| writer5 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Keri Hilson]]|[[Polow da Don|Jamal Jones]]|Amber Rives|J. Sublett|C. Haynes}}
| writer6 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Stargate (production team)|Mikkel Eriksen]]|[[Stargate (production team)|Tor Hermansen]]}}
| extra6 = [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]]
| extra5 = [[Polow da Don]]
| length5 = 4:00
| length6 = 3:52
| title7 = Sly Fox

| note7 =
| title6 = America
| writer7 = {{hlist|Jones|[[stic.man|Clayton Gavin]]}}
| note6 =
| extra7 = [[stic.man]]
| writer6 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Stargate (production team)|Mikkel Eriksen]]|[[Stargate (production team)|Tor Hermansen]]}}
| length7 = 4:23
| extra6 = [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]]
| title8 = Testify
| length6 = 3:52
| note8 =

| writer8 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Mark Batson]]}}
| title7 = Sly Fox
| extra8 = Mark Batson
| note7 =
| length8 = 2:46
| writer7 = {{hlist|Jones|[[stic.man|Clayton Gavin]]}}
| title9 = [[N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)]]
| extra7 = [[stic.man]]
| length7 = 4:23
| note9 =
| writer9 = {{hlist|Jones|[[DJ Toomp|Aldrin Davis]]|[[Phil Hurtt]]|[[The Persuaders (R&B group)|A. Bell]]}}

| extra9 = [[DJ Toomp]]
| title8 = Testify
| length9 = 4:33
| note8 =
| title10 = Untitled
| writer8 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Mark Batson]]}}
| note10 =
| extra8 = [[Mark Batson]]
| writer10 = {{hlist|Jones|Gavin}}
| length8 = 2:46
| extra10 = stic.man

| length10 = 2:51
| title9 = [[N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)]]
| title11 = Fried Chicken
| note9 =
| note11 = featuring [[Busta Rhymes]]
| writer9 = {{hlist|Jones|[[DJ Toomp|Aldrin Davis]]|[[The Persuaders (R&B group)|Phil Hurtt]]|[[The Persuaders (R&B group)|A. Bell]]}}
| writer11 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Busta Rhymes|Trevor Smith Jr.]]|Mark Ronson}}
| extra9 = [[DJ Toomp]]
| extra11 = Mark Ronson
| length9 = 4:33
| length11 = 2:50

| title12 = Project Roach
| title10 = Untitled
| note12 = featuring The Last Poets
| note10 =
| writer10 = {{hlist|Jones|Gavin}}
| writer12 = {{hlist|Jones|Oyewole|Hassan|[[Eric Hudson]]}}
| extra12 = [[Eric Hudson]]
| extra10 = stic.man
| length10 = 2:51
| length12 = 1:48
| title13 = Y'all My Niggas

| note13 =
| title11 = Fried Chicken
| writer13 = {{hlist|Jones|J. Myers}}
| note11 = featuring [[Busta Rhymes]]
| extra13 = J. Myers
| writer11 = {{hlist|Jones|[[Busta Rhymes|Trevor Smith Jr.]]|[[Mark Ronson]]}}
| length13 = 4:16
| extra11 = [[Mark Ronson]]
| title14 = We're Not Alone
| length11 = 2:50
| note14 = featuring Mykel

| writer14 = {{hlist|Jones|Gavin|Don Mykel}}
| title12 = Project Roach
| extra14 = stic.man
| note12 = featuring The Last Poets
| length14 = 5:40
| writer12 = {{hlist|Jones|Oyewole|Hassan|[[Eric Hudson]]}}
| title15 = Black President
| extra12 = [[Eric Hudson]]
| length12 = 1:48
| note15 =
| writer15 = {{hlist|Jones|[[DJ Green Lantern|James D'Agostino]]|[[Tupac Shakur]]|D.K. McDowell|Larry Troutman|Lawrence Goodman|[[Roger Troutman]]}}

| extra15 = [[DJ Green Lantern]]
| title13 = Y'all My Niggas
| note13 =
| length15 = 4:29
}}
| writer13 = {{hlist|Jones|J. Myers}}
{{track listing
| extra13 = J. Myers
| headline = United Kingdom [[iTunes Store]] bonus track
| length13 = 4:16
| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title16 = Like Me
| title14 = We're Not Alone
| note16 =
| note14 = featuring Mykel
| writer14 = {{hlist|Jones|Gavin|Don Mykel}}
| writer16 = {{hlist|Jones|D'Agostino}}
| extra16 = DJ Green Lantern
| extra14 = stic.man
| length14 = 5:40
| length16 = 3:47
| total_length = 57:51

| title15 = Black President
| note15 =
| writer15 = {{hlist|Jones|[[DJ Green Lantern|James D'Agostino]]|[[2Pac|Tupac Shakur]]|D.K. McDowell|Larry Troutman|Lawrence Goodman|[[Roger Troutman]]}}
| extra15 = [[DJ Green Lantern]]
| length15 = 4:29
}}
}}
{{tracklist
| headline = UK [[iTunes Store]] bonus track
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| collapsed = yes


{{track listing
| title16 = Like Me
| note16 =
| writer16 = {{hlist|Jones|D'Agostino}}
| extra16 = DJ Green Lantern
| length16 = 3:47
| total_length = 57:51
}}
{{tracklist
| headline = iTunes Store pre-order bonus track
| headline = iTunes Store pre-order bonus track
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| collapsed = yes

| title17 = Proclamation
| title17 = Proclamation
| note17 =
| note17 =
Line 231: Line 218:


==Charts==
==Charts==
{{col-start}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


Line 240: Line 227:
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br/>position
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Australian Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The ARIA Report: Issue 961 (Week Commencing 28 July 2008)|url=http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20080820-0000/issue961.pdf|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|accessdate=2012-06-02|page=2|format=PDF}}</ref>
|align="left"|[[Australian Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The ARIA Report: Issue 961 (Week Commencing 28 July 2008)|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue961.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080819140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20080820-0000/issue961.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-08-19|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|access-date=2012-06-02|page=2}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|55
| style="text-align:center;"|55
|-
|-
{{albumchart|Flanders|89|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|accessdate=October 4, 2013}}
{{album chart|Flanders|89|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|access-date=October 4, 2013}}
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Canadian Albums Chart]]<ref name="allmusic album charts">{{cite web|title=Nas > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1396841/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=allmusic|accessdate=2008-08-14}}</ref>
|align="left"|[[Canadian Albums Chart]]<ref name="allmusic album charts">{{cite web|title=Nas > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1396841/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=allmusic|access-date=2008-08-14}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
|-
{{albumchart|France|45|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|accessdate=October 14, 2013}}
{{album chart|France|45|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|access-date=October 14, 2013}}
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Irish Albums Chart]]<ref name="acharts">[http://acharts.us/album/36810 Nas – Untitled – Music Charts] ''αCharts''. Retrieved September 23, 2008.</ref>
|align="left"|[[Irish Albums Chart]]<ref name="acharts">[http://acharts.us/album/36810 Nas – Untitled – Music Charts] ''αCharts''. Retrieved September 23, 2008.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|54
| style="text-align:center;"|54
|-
|-
{{albumchart|Oricon|35|album=無題|artist=NAS|note=<ref>http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/17729/products/music/771850/1/</ref>|accessdate=November 1, 2013}}
{{album chart|Oricon|35|album=無題|artist=NAS|note=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/17729/products/music/771850/1/|title=無題 &#124; Nas}}</ref>|access-date=November 1, 2013}}
|-
|-
{{albumchart|Norway|31|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|accessdate=October 13, 2013}}
{{album chart|Norway|31|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|access-date=October 13, 2013}}
|-
|-
{{albumchart|Switzerland|10|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|accessdate=October 8, 2013}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|10|artist=Nas|album=NAS (UNTITLED)|access-date=October 8, 2013}}
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
|align="left"|[[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="acharts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|23
| style="text-align:center;"|23
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
|align="left"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] (''Billboard'')<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
|align="left"|US [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] (''Billboard'')<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Top Rap Albums]]<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
|align="left"|US [[Top Rap Albums]] (''Billboard'')<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}
|}
Line 279: Line 266:
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br/>position
! style="text-align:center;"|Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
|align="left"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|100
| style="text-align:center;"|100
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]]<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
|align="left"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|21
| style="text-align:center;"|21
|-
|-
|align="left"|U.S. ''Billboard'' [[Top Rap Albums]]<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
|align="left"|US Top Rap Albums (''Billboard'')<ref name="allmusic album charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|}
|}
Line 293: Line 280:
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Nas|title=Nas|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Nas|title=Nas|award=Gold|relyear=2008|certyear=2008}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}


==Release history==
==Release history==
Line 317: Line 304:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
* {{Cite web|url=https://www.hipcoded.com/|title=Hip Hop Music Download .|date=September 29, 2023|website=Hipcoded}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Metacritic album}}
* [http://www.discogs.com/Nas-Untitled/master/20348 Untitled] at [[Discogs]]
* {{metacritic album|untitled/nas}}
* [http://rap.about.com/od/previews/fr/NasNigger.htm Album Review] at [[About.com]]


{{Nas}}
{{Nas}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:2008 albums]]
[[Category:2008 albums]]
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[[Category:Def Jam Recordings albums]]
[[Category:Def Jam Recordings albums]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in music]]
[[Category:Obscenity controversies in music]]
[[Category:Naming controversies]]

Latest revision as of 23:14, 17 December 2024

Untitled
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 15, 2008 (2008-07-15)
Recorded2007–2008
Genre
Length54:04
Label
Producer
Nas chronology
Hip Hop Is Dead
(2006)
Untitled
(2008)
Distant Relatives
(2010)
Singles from Untitled
  1. "Hero"
    Released: June 23, 2008
  2. "Make the World Go Round"
    Released: October 9, 2008

The untitled ninth studio album by American rapper Nas, commonly referred to eponymously as Nas, or simply Untitled, was released on July 15, 2008 by The Jones Experience, Columbia Records and The Island Def Jam Music Group. It's original title Nigger was omitted due to controversy surrounding the racial epithet. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production, and provocative subject matter. The album features guest appearances from Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Busta Rhymes, and The Game, among others.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, becoming Nas' fifth to do so, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over 500,000 copies in the United States.[1] Upon it's release, the album received generally positive reviews from critics.

Background

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Title controversy

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The original title of the album, Nigger, was mentioned by Nas several times, as well as on an October 12, 2007, performance at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City where he announced the title and release date.[2] Def Jam made no comment on the title.[3] This was similar to attempts to name his 2006 album, eventually titled Hip Hop Is Dead, to both Nigga and Hip Hop Is Dead... The N. On May 19, 2008, it was confirmed that Nas changed the name of the album to an untitled one (although on the iTunes Store, the album is self-titled), stating that "the people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it."[4] The cover of the album depicts the back of a shirtless Nas with flagellation scars forming the shape of the letter N, a reference to the racial slur and how slaves were tortured in the United States. Fort Greene, Brooklyn, assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries requested New York's Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to withdraw $84 million from the state pension fund that has been invested into Universal and its parent company, Vivendi, if the album's title was not changed.[5]

L.A. Reid, chairman of Def Jam at the time, confirmed that the label fully backed Nas and his decision on naming his album.[6] The album's original title received support from Eminem, Ice Cube, Jay-Z, Bishop Lamont, Alicia Keys, LL Cool J, Rev Run, Common, Akon, Method Man, Lupe Fiasco, David Banner, GZA, and Melle Mel,[7][8][9] while receiving criticism from 50 Cent, Will Smith, Al Sharpton, Bill O'Reilly, Oprah Winfrey, Reverend Jesse Jackson and the NAACP.[6][10]

Production

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Production credits for the album include stic.man of Dead Prez, DJ Green Lantern, Polow da Don, Salaam Remi, DJ Toomp, Stargate, Cool & Dre, Game, Mark Ronson, Mark Batson, Jay Electronica, J. Myers, Dustin Moore, Calvin McDaniel and Eric Hudson. Early reports of production mentioned that No I.D., DJ Khalil, Jermaine Dupri, Chris Webber and The Hitmen were contributing tracks, but their tracks failed to make the final cut for the album. DJ Premier stated in a 2009 interview with HipHopDX that he sent in a beat for Nas that Nas did not end up using on this album.[11]

Guest artists featured on the album are Busta Rhymes, Keri Hilson, Game, Chris Brown,[12] The Last Poets, Eban Thomas, Mulatto and Mykel. Although Jay Electronica produced the introductory track, he does not have a verse on the album, as previously stated by Nas.

Release and promotion

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Nas released a mixtape with DJ Green Lantern titled The Nigger Tape on June 9, 2008.[13] The mixtape, which was released through NasIndependenceDay.com, features three songs that were later included on the album, as well as various unreleased tracks. In July 2008, it was announced that apparel company Fila would be providing financial support for the album's marketing for one year. In exchange, Nas was to wear Fila sneakers at his shows.[14]

Singles

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Prior to the release of the untitled album, Nas released a music video for "Be a Nigger Too", a song rumored to be the first single. In late June, Nas told Billboard magazine that "Be a Nigger Too" would not even be on the album because of sample clearance issues.[15] During the same week, Nas released "Hero", the album's first official single.[16] The song features a chorus sung by Keri Hilson, a beat produced by Polow da Don and lyrics about the music industry's stranglehold on artistry. The Game announced on BET's 106 & Park that "Make the World Go Round" is the next single of the album, which was debuted in November 2008.[17][18] Nas has also released videos for "Sly Fox" and "Y'all My Niggas",[19] however he does not appear in either of them.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic71/100[20]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[21]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[22]
The Independent[23]
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)A−[24]
The New York Timesmixed[25]
Pitchfork Media3.8/10[26]
Rolling Stone[27]
Slant Magazine[28]
HipHopDX[29]
The Village Voicefavorable[30]

Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics, based on an aggregate score of 71/100 from Metacritic.[31] Entertainment Weekly credited the album for its maturity as well as the album's ability to keep the listeners guessing. Andy Greenwald credits Nas, saying "In a summer of "Lollipop", it's good to hear a complicated record that doesn't shy from grown-up ambition."[22] The album received a 4.5 mic rating from The Source magazine.[32] The Independent's Andy Gill gave it 5 out of 5 stars and described it as "probably the most politically oriented rap album since the days of Public Enemy and The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy".[23] In contrast, Los Angeles Times writer Jeff Weiss gave the album 2 out of 4 stars and wrote unfavorably of Nas's lyrics, perceiving his themes as hypocritical and inconsistent.[33]

Despite calling its production "sporadically successful and widely uneven", Slant Magazine's Jimmy Newlin gave the album 3½ out of 5 stars and commended Nas's lyricism, calling its lyrics "all terrific".[28] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone gave the album 4 out of 5 stars and called it a "sprawling, furious, deeply ambivalent theme album about institutional racism, the failures of black leadership and the pathologies and promise of early-21st-century African-American life".[27] USA Today's Elysa Gardner gave it 3 out of 4 stars and wrote "Nas reconfirms his status as one of rap’s most deft, thoughtful rhymers and his knack for trenchant, defiant commentary".[34] On December 3, it was announced that the album had been nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, but it ended up losing to Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III (2008).[35]

Commercial performance

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The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album charts selling 187,078 copies in the first week of release.[36] On September 11, 2008, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States.[37]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Queens Get the Money"Jay Electronica2:12
2."You Can't Stop Us Now" (featuring Eban Thomas of The Stylistics and The Last Poets)Salaam Remi3:05
3."Breathe"
  • Jones
  • Dustin Moore
  • J. Myers
Dustin Moore, J. Myers3:34
4."Make the World Go Round" (featuring Chris Brown and The Game)Cool & Dre, The Game3:49
5."Hero" (featuring Keri Hilson)
Polow da Don4:00
6."America"Stargate3:52
7."Sly Fox"stic.man4:23
8."Testify"Mark Batson2:46
9."N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)"DJ Toomp4:33
10."Untitled"
  • Jones
  • Gavin
stic.man2:51
11."Fried Chicken" (featuring Busta Rhymes)
Mark Ronson2:50
12."Project Roach" (featuring The Last Poets)
Eric Hudson1:48
13."Y'all My Niggas"
  • Jones
  • J. Myers
J. Myers4:16
14."We're Not Alone" (featuring Mykel)
  • Jones
  • Gavin
  • Don Mykel
stic.man5:40
15."Black President"
DJ Green Lantern4:29
Total length:54:04
United Kingdom iTunes Store bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Like Me"
  • Jones
  • D'Agostino
DJ Green Lantern3:47
Total length:57:51
iTunes Store pre-order bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Proclamation"
  • Jones
Nas0:59
Total length:58:50

Samples

  • "Queens Get the Money" contains samples from "Summer '78 (Instrumental)" by Yann Tiersen.
  • "You Can't Stop Us Now" contains interpolations from "Message from a Blackman" by The Whatnauts.
  • "N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)" contains samples from "We're Just Trying to Make It" by The Persuaders.
  • "Black President" contains samples from "I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto" by 2Pac and speeches from Barack Obama.

Personnel

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  • Nasir Jones – executive producer
  • Antonio "L.A." Reid – executive producer
  • A. Saleh – executive producer, A&R, management
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering
  • Terese Joseph – A&R administration
  • Leesa D. Brunson – A&R coordination
  • Shakir Stewart – A&R for Def Jam
  • Shari Bryant – marketing
  • N. Jones – management
  • Kenny Meiselas ESQ – legal representation
  • Paul Rothenberg ESQ – legal representation
  • Tavon Sampson – art direction and design
  • Mieeno Peluce – cover photography
  • Tavon Sampson – cover illustration and design
  • Eric Altenburger – cover illustration and design
  • Carol Corless – package production
  • Deborah Mannis-Gardner for DMG Clearances, Inc – sample clearance agent
  • Michael Seltzer – business affairs
  • Antoinette Trotman – business affairs
  • Ian Allen – business affairs
  • Corbis – booklet images
  • Getty Images – booklet images

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[47] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date
Germany July 11, 2008
Ireland
France July 14, 2008
United Kingdom
United States July 15, 2008

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gold & Platinum. RIAA. Retrieved November 15, 2008.
  2. ^ Shaheem Reid (October 13, 2007). Nas Reveals Controversial Title Of New LP At NYC Gig MTV News. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  3. ^ Hillary Crosley (October 15, 2007). Nas Selects N-Word For New Album Title Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
  4. ^ "Nas Issues Statement Regarding 'N****r' Name Change". Archived from the original on 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-05-20.
  5. ^ Black widow (October 5, 2007). Update: Universal Told To Change The Title Of Nas' 'N-Word' Album Or Lose $84 Million Archived 2009-02-17 at the Wayback Machine Six Shot. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
  6. ^ a b Shaheem Reid (October 22, 2007). L.A. Reid Stands 'Firmly Behind' Nas Over LP Title MTV News. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
  7. ^ Mixtape Monday: Nas Drops Exclusive New Lyrics; Snoop Dogg Insists He Can Out-Sing Diddy
  8. ^ AllHipHop.com Interview with Melle Mel about Nigger title on YouTube
  9. ^ Shaheem Reid (November 1, 2007). Nas' Album Title Gets Support From Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Bishop Lamont, LL Cool J, GZA, Reverend Run, David Banner MTV News. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  10. ^ Shaheem Reid (October 18, 2007). Nas Explains Controversial Album Title, Denies Reports Of Label Opposition MTV. Retrieved October 21, 2008.
  11. ^ Edwin Ortiz (2009-12-27). "DJ Premier Talks Rejected Beats, Recreating Illmatic Line-Up | Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News, & Rap Music News". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on 2009-10-19. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  12. ^ Shaheem Reid (May 14, 2008). Nas Previews Controversial Album For MTV News: 'I'm Here To Rap About What I Feel' MTV News. Accessed May 15, 2008.
  13. ^ DJ Green Lantern & Nas – The Nigger Tape. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
  14. ^ Fila Provide Financial Support For Nas' "Untitled" "Nas has signed a one year endorsement deal with South Korea’s largest sportswear manufacturing company, Fila." Archived 2008-09-05 at the Wayback Machine Urban Lookout. Retrieved July 4, 2008.
  15. ^ Crosley, Hillary (2008-06-27). "Tough issues go beyond words for rapper Nas". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-07-05.[dead link]
  16. ^ "Nas' Defjam Page For "Hero"". Archived from the original on 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
  17. ^ "The Game Announces Next Single Of "untiled"".
  18. ^ "Behind the scenes of "Make The World Go Round" video shoot" on YouTube
  19. ^ "Nas — Y'all My Niggas (Official Video)". YouTube. 2008-11-25. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2009-12-31.
  20. ^ "Untitled by Nas". Metacritic. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
  21. ^ Kellman, Andy. Review: Untitled Nas album. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  22. ^ a b Greenwald, Andy. Review: Untitled Nas album Archived 2014-12-07 at the Wayback Machine. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  23. ^ a b Gill, Andy. Review: Untitled Nas album. The Independent. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  24. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide: Untitled Nas album". MSN Music: August 2008. Archived from the original Archived 2009-11-26 at the Wayback Machine on 2009-10-27.
  25. ^ Caramanica, Jon. Review: Untitled Nas album. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  26. ^ Cohen, Ian. Review: Untitled Nas album. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2023-03-08.
  27. ^ a b Rosen, Jody. Review: Untitled Nas album. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  28. ^ a b Newlin, Jimmy. Review: Untitled Nas album. Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-05-22.
  29. ^ Ahale (July 14, 2008). "NAS - UNTITLED". HipHopDX. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  30. ^ Hintz, Katie. Review: Untitled Nas album. The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  31. ^ Untitled Nas album (2008): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  32. ^ Columnist. "Review: Untitled Nas album Archived 2011-12-17 at the Wayback Machine". The Source: August 2008.
  33. ^ Weiss, Jeff. Review: Untitled Nas album. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  34. ^ Gardner, Elysa. Review: Untitled Nas album Archived 2010-01-05 at the Wayback Machine. USA Today. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
  35. ^ "Grammy nominations announced!". EW.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
  36. ^ Aliya Ewing (July 23, 2008). Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 7/20/08 Archived 2012-09-05 at the Wayback Machine HipHopDX. Retrieved August 4, 2008.
  37. ^ "RIAA Certifications - Nas". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  38. ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 961 (Week Commencing 28 July 2008)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  39. ^ "Ultratop.be – Nas – NAS (UNTITLED)" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g "Nas > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  41. ^ "Lescharts.com – Nas – NAS (UNTITLED)". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  42. ^ a b Nas – Untitled – Music Charts αCharts. Retrieved September 23, 2008.
  43. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: {{{date}}}" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  44. ^ "無題 | Nas".
  45. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Nas – NAS (UNTITLED)". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  46. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Nas – NAS (UNTITLED)". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  47. ^ "American album certifications – Nas – Nas". Recording Industry Association of America.
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