In 1994, a spry 20-year-old from Queens released Illmatic, a hip-hop landmark that would change rap music forever. Now 12 years later, Nas’ vividly imaginative narratives have withstood the test of time, though the hip-hop landscape has drastically changed.

Heralded as one of the greatest emcees of all time, it is of little wonder why Nas would feel it necessary to speak on the degradation of an art he once admired so much. His eighth album, Hip Hop Is Dead, is a magnificent testament to the world he remembers, the world that produced that controversial kid from Queens.

If hip-hop really is dead, then this album may be the defibrillator that can revive it. Its 16 tracks work to support his thesis, that commercialism and capitalism have worked to destroy the essence of hip-hop. Over a decade in the game has not brought down Nas’ drive, as his powerful lyricism still shines and complements the unique samples and heavy drums on each track. Nas’ staple producers, L.E.S. and Salaam Remi, each produce two tracks, but the album also brings forth a number of guests: Kanye West, Dr. Dre, will.i.am and Chris Webber (yes, the basketball player) all lend their beat-composition skills, while big names like Snoop Dogg and The Game add verses.

The most notable – and most anticipated – track on the album is “Black Republican,” which features none other than foe-turned-friend, Jay-Z. The grandiose production may not meet the expectations of drooling fans, but the song is good nonetheless. “Carry on Tradition” is Nas rapping at his best, whipping out deadly lines like “Everybody got a label/ Everyone’s a rapper, but few flow fatal.”

But the two most precious gems on the album are “Let There Be Light,” which features the vocals of Tre Williams and bleeds a message of positivity, and “Can’t Forget About You,” which samples Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable.” In “Can’t Forget About You,” Nas laments on the present state of hip-hop, his first love: “Heinous crimes help record sales more than creative lines.”

Another aspect of Nas’ trademark style is his ability to tell stories with unmatched fluidity. He showcases this skill on a number of tracks, including the Kanye West-built “Still Dreaming,” and the will.i.am murder mystery-styled “Who Killed It?” on which Nas recounts a conversation with a personified hip-hop: “Before she dropped the money bag and died/ She said, ‘If you really love me, I’ll come back alive.'” But while Nas reminisces about what he considers the heyday of rap, he does not give up hope that the genre will come back, purer and in full force.

Though he’s far removed from his days in the Queensbridge projects, Nas takes a didactic stance to convey his message to those who may follow in his footsteps. On “Hold Down the Block,” he tells young blacks to “Make your path, be a legend in your skin/ Don’t expect more when you put in less work than all them.” He illustrates his relationship with the street life on the colorful “Not Going Back,” which features his wife, Kelis.

Though critics have generally embraced each album Nas has produced, he has garnered his share of foes. His most notable beef with Jay-Z has been quashed (Nas is now with Jay-Z’s Def Jam Recordings), but other artists have quickly spoken out against Nas in recent months.

Jim Jones, Mobb Deep and Young Jeezy did not hesitate to publicly state their disapproval of “Nasty Nas'” comments about the current state of rap. But Nas doesn’t seem to be fazed in the least – “Hope,” an a cappella track off Hip Hop is Dead, articulates his sentiment: “If you’re asking why is hip-hop is dead/ There’s a pretty good chance you’re the reason it died.”

In an interview with Baltimore DJ Rosetta Devine, Nas said, “What we do is a form of unity. … It’s easy to sell records if I diss you. Who can sell records on love?” The kid who was once mature beyond his years is now a sage among men acting too immature for their age. Hip-hop may have wavered from its original design, but Nas’ Hip Hop Is Dead should remind everyone of where the genre was and where it can still go.

Contact reporter Nikhil Joshi at joshidbk@gmail.com.