Magic 3

Magic 3 is the seventeenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on September 14, 2023 through Mass Appeal Records, the day of the rapper's 50th birthday. The album serves as a third installment to Nas' Magic series, following up Magic 2. It is also the sixth and final consecutive Nas album produced by Hit-Boy, following the King's Disease trilogy, as well as the previous two Magic albums.[1] The album contains a sole guest appearance from Lil Wayne.

Magic 3
Studio album by
Nas
ReleasedSeptember 14, 2023
Recorded2023
GenreHip hop
Length45:43
LabelMass Appeal
ProducerHit-Boy
Nas chronology
Magic 2
(2023)		 Magic 3
(2023)

Background

On September 8, 2023, almost two months after the release of Magic 2, Nas posted a cryptic video on his Instagram, hinting at another album being released soon, with the letter "N" of his logo, and the words "The Finale" being shown.[2] On September 12, he officially announced the album, revealing the title and artwork, as well as the release date being his 50th birthday.[3] The tracklist was revealed hours before the album's eventual release.[4]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash8/10[5]
HipHopDX3.8/5[6]
Sputnikmusic3.4/5[7]

Magic 3 received generally positive reviews from critics. Robin Murray of Clash wrote, "Reaching greater and greater heights, Magic 3 could well be Nas and Hit-Boy's finest hour together – the closure of this chapter allows us to analyze their relationship, but you're still left yearning for more."[5] Eric Diep of HipHopDX wrote, "Magic 3 is another chapter that doesn't quite surpass the original, but it's the swan song before his decision to retire. [...] Magic 3 puts the stamp on one of the most interesting late-career series in Hip Hop history, a feat that may never be duplicated."[6] Mitch Worden of Sputnikmusic wrote, "Magic 3 is everything special about [Nas and Hit-Boy's] 6-LP run and certainly an excellent effort from modern rap's most surprisingly stellar partnership, and it's everything that might have been left behind.[7]

Track listing

All tracks are produced by Hit-Boy.

Magic 3 track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Fever"
2:47
2."TSK"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
3:04
3."Superhero Status"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
  • Penelope McClendon
2:51
4."I Love This Feeling"
3:17
5."No Tears"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
3:11
6."Never Die" (featuring Lil Wayne)
3:10
7."Pretty Young Girl"
2:20
8."Based on True Events"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
2:44
9."Based on True Events, Pt. 2"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
3:14
10."Sitting with My Thoughts"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
3:00
11."Blue Bentley"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
2:35
12."Jodeci Member"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
  • George Kerr
2:47
13."Speechless, Pt. 2"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
  • George Patterson
3:05
14."Japanese Soul Bar"
  • Jones
  • Hollis
3:01
15."1-800-Nas&Hit"
4:37
Total length:45:43

Sample credits

  • TSK contains a sample of "Barabas" performed by Belgian band Hooverphonic.

Commercial performance

Magic 3 debuted at number 20 on the UK Album Downloads Chart on September 22, 2023.[8] In the United States, it debuted at number 65 on the Billboard 200 and 13 on the Independent Albums chart.

Personnel

Charts
Chart performance for Magic 3
Chart (2023) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[8] 20
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[9] 8
US Billboard 200[10] 65
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[11] 13
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[12] 26

References
  1. Powell, Jon. "Nas unveils Magic 2 artwork and release date". Revolt. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  2. "Instagram video by Nasir Jones • 8 September 2023 at 22:27". Retrieved 14 September 2023 – via Instagram.
  3. Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (12 September 2023). "Nas Announces New Album Out This Week". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  4. Williams, Aaron (14 September 2023). "Nas & Hit-Boy's Magic 3 Tracklist Supplies A Lone Feature From Lil Wayne". Uproxx. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  5. Murray, Robin (September 15, 2023). "Nas – Magic 3 | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  6. Diep, Eric (September 17, 2023). "Nas and Hit-Boy's 'Magic 3' Is More Cliffhanger Than Grand Finale". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  7. Worden, Michael (September 20, 2023). "Review: Nas - Magic 3". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  8. "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  9. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  10. "Nas Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  11. "Nas Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  12. "Nas Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
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