Hip Hop Is Dead is the eighth studio album by American rapper Nas, released December 19, 2006, on Def Jam Recordings.

The album features appearances from Nas's then-wife Kelis, Def Jam label-mates Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Chrisette Michele, as well as will.i.am, Snoop Dogg, and The Game, among others.

[4][5] In a late September interview on English DJ Tim Westwood's Radio show, Nas said, "Hip-hop is dead because we as artists no longer have the power."

[14] Many other Southern rappers such as Ludacris, Trick Daddy, and Big Boi (whose fellow Outkast member, Andre 3000, declared hip hop dead on 2001's "Funkin' Around", off Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast) have also attacked Nas' album title claiming that it is targeted at Southern hip hop.

Rubin praised the album's production quality and lyrical concept, and stated "Hip Hop is unsparing in its diagnosis of rap's ills, but ultimately, it's hopeful.

"[29] Despite perceiving its sound and musical quality as weaknesses, Los Angeles Times writer Soren Baker gave it 3 out of 4 stars and wrote "Nas demonstrates why he remains one of rap's most revered artists, as his defense of hip-hop culture is impassioned and informed, if not fully realized".

[30] Sean Fennessey of Vibe called the album "disorienting and sometimes brilliant" and complimented its "bold, startling production and a renewed lyrical vigor".

[35] On March 12, 2007, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies in the United States.

[36] The title track "Hip Hop Is Dead" (produced by will.i.am), which contains samples from "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly, and "Apache" by Incredible Bongo Band (which Nas previously used on "Made You Look", and Billy Squier's "The Big Beat", was the first single of the album.

[40] Executive producer: Nasir Jones A&R: Jay Brown A&R for Ill Will Music Group: Mike Brinkley A&R Administration: Terese Joseph A&R Coordination: Fabienne Leys Marketing: Tracey Waples Marketing coordination: Shari Bryant Management: Michael "Blue" Williams for Family Tree Entertainment Mastering: Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound, NYC Mixing: Dylan "3-D" Dresdow at Paper V.U.

Studios, LAPhotography: Afshin Shahidi Creative direction: Andy West Cover design: Tavon Sampson Wardrobe: Mike Bogard for The B Lynn Group Photo and art coordination: Nichell Delavaille Package production: Doug Joswick Legal representation: Kenny Meiselas, Esq.

Brown, B. Byrd, R. LehnhoffSample: "Get Up, Get into It, Get Involved" by James BrownSample: “Set It Off" by Big Daddy Kane[43] Songwriters: N. Jones, W. Adams, J. Lordan, D. IngleSamples: "Apache" and “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”,both by Michael Viner & The Incredible Bongo BandSample: "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly[44]Sample: "The Big Beat" as performed by Billy Squier[45]Additional Drums, Drum Machine, Farfisa organ & Keyboards: will.i.am Songwriters: N. Jones, S. Gibbs, W. AdamsSample: "I Ain't No Joke" by Eric B.

& Rakim[46]Drums, Bass & Keyboards: Salaam RemiFlute, Soprano Saxophone & Clarinet: Vincent HenryBass Trumpet, Flugelhorn & Trumpet: Bruce PurseFrench Horn: W. Marshall SealyCello: Patrice JacksonViola: Adam HillViolin: Naira Underwood Songwriters: N. Jones, S. Carter, L. Lewis, W. Coleman, C. CoppalaSample: "Marcia Religiosa" by City of Prague Philharmonic Songwriters: N. Jones, T. Hermansen, M. Ericksen, K. Roger-JonesSample: “Alone" by Heart.