Magic 2 is Nas's seventeenth studio album, released on July 21, 2023, not in 2024. It is the direct sequel to 'Magic' (2021) and the fifth consecutive collaboration with producer Hit-Boy. The album was surprisingly announced days before its release, continuing Nas's tradition of unexpected drops.
The album was recorded in Los Angeles and New York, although exact recording dates have not been made public. Hit-Boy described the process as a natural continuation of 'Magic', maintaining a boom bap sound with modern influences. The cover, again designed by Nas, features a blurry image similar to its predecessor, but with a red filter.
Magic 2 debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and received generally positive reviews, though some critics noted it did not reach the cohesion of its predecessor. Songs like 'Office Hours' with 50 Cent and 'Black Magic' were highlighted. The album was followed by 'Magic 3' in September 2023, completing a trilogy.