This is a solid project but expectations were probably too high. Nas is still an incredible rapper but DJ Premier's production is rather average throughout this project.

The other issue is that this album would probably be 4th best in the 6-album Hit Boy run? Makes it feel more average.

I get the Billy Joel sample, but I'm not sure NY State of Mind 3 deserves it's title. Good track, but doesn't live up.

On the other hand I think 3rd Childhood is my favorite song on the album.

Man, I'm excited for this! Love that Xzibit is rejuvenated to release all this new music.

Appreciate you being so honest and straightforward about his struggles. 

Right, so age.  Realizing the majority of his life was behind him and not satisfied with his position in life and realizing there isn't much time left to correct that would cause depression which would affect your rapping ability, absolutely.  Age definitely a factor.

yup

never said it couldn't be .. a lot of the times it definitely is

all i said is that it's not always the case

he was in a deep depression when we approached him about doing the album

hence the hibernation shivers concept .. waking up from a deep slumber

he was very optimistic but the natural confidence and feeling of ready to take over the world will naturally decline when you lack that level of satisfaction with your position in life and most your life is behind you

Appreciate you being so honest and straightforward about his struggles. 

Right, so age.  Realizing the majority of his life was behind him and not satisfied with his position in life and realizing there isn't much time left to correct that would cause depression which would affect your rapping ability, absolutely.  Age definitely a factor. 

Thats good news!!

source?

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1417286813089283&id=100044239338920

Seen it on his facebook account

Someone in the IG comments said, "Must've been a lot of sessions leftover from the first."

Xzibit replied, "Nope, all new music."

 

Nice!!

I get that....so what do you think was the cause of RBX's slowdown lyrically?  If it wasn't age, what do you attribute it to?  Like you said, you were in the studio with him, pushing him, producing him, making him to retakes to get it just right, so obviously the drive was there, at least through your end if nothing else.  What could it be?

he was in a deep depression when we approached him about doing the album

hence the hibernation shivers concept .. waking up from a deep slumber

he was very optimistic but the natural confidence and feeling of ready to take over the world will naturally decline when you lack that level of satisfaction with your position in life and most your life is behind you