Nas only released his chart-topping eleventh studio album Life is Good in July 2012, but he’s already onto the next one.

During an interview with AP, Esco said that he’s already begun work on the follow-up to Life is Good and that he’s in the right state of mind to record it. “Yes. It has started. I must tell you. I can’t stop now. I’m in a great zone,” he said.

Additionally, the Queens, New York rapper named his favorite albums of 2012, picking Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city and Meek Mill’s Dreams & Nightmares as his top LPs from last year.

“No disrespect to nobody else in rap music, but Kendrick Lamar. I’m really happy about his record. I needed that. His record reaches you. It gives you hope. … Also, Meek Mill. His energy is amazing.”

Read the full interview over at Washington Post.

RELATED: Snoop Dogg, Nas Top Complex’s “50 Greatest Guest Verses Of All Time”