King's Disease

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.

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 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'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.