Nas

Memphis Bleek Explains Why He Thinks A Jay-Z And Nas Verzuz Is Out Of The Question

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In all of the furor over many of the Verzuz battles over the past year and a half, one potential matchup has been posed more than almost any other for obvious reasons: Jay-Z vs. Nas. However, it’s also the one that seems unlikeliest — both for, again, the obvious reasons (they are both incredibly busy with other things) and for some not-so-obvious ones. Longtime Jay-Z affiliate Memphis Bleek gave his own reason, however, and it’s got Twitter in a tizzy debating whether or not he might be right.

In an interview with Bally Sports Network’s Brandon “Scoop” Robinson, Bleek explained why he thinks a Jay-Z and Nas Verzuz is out of the question: Because, in his opinion, Nas doesn’t have enough hits for a hits battle. “It’s no comparison,” he started. “It’s just that Nas don’t have enough songs to compete. No disrespect to him, he just don’t. Jay can battle someone with just his B Sides Concert catalog and it’d still be better than people’s A sides.” While it’s understandable that Bleek would hold such reverence for his former mentor, some on Twitter were quick to try to rebut his claims, offering examples of Nas’ worthiness to compete with Jay. Some even went as far as impugning Bleek’s catalog.

Some, however, agreed with him, pointing out Nas’ suspect beat choices over the past 20 years, while others gave more measured responses allowing Nas to “compete” but not to “win” in a hypothetical Verzuz. For what it’s worth, in those battles where it truly seemed a win or a loss was at stake, many of the obvious picks wound up flustered by poor sequencing choices and their opponents’ willingness to outperform them — see: The LOX vs. Diplomats, just a few weeks ago. However, as mentioned, it’s probably not a likely matchup just because Jay and Nas seem to have no interest. Check out more replies below though, and feel free to weigh in on Twitter.

50 Cent Says Eminem’s ‘EPMD 2’ Verse Inspired Him To Record Again

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It has been a while since 50 Cent dropped a musical project, as he’s been primarily focused on producing and promoting his various television series with Starz, which include a new Power spin-off and the period drama BMF, as well as fending off lawsuits for ripping off his competition in the beverage industry. However, a new rap release inspired him to start writing music again recently, as he told People in a recent video interview.

The release in question was King’s Disease 2, the latest release from 50’s fellow Queens native Nas — specifically the song “EPMD 2,” which featured 50’s friend and mentor Eminem. Eminem’s verse, which set Rap Twitter on fire the night of its release, prompted 50 to want to write again. “When Em does something that stands out to me, it’s special,” he said. “He just had a performance on Nas’ album, and it made me want to record again because of my connection to it. He sounded so good that I was like, ‘I gotta write something.’”

He also addressed his long absence from the forefront of the rap game, saying, “I feel like I’m still in it. Even if I don’t share it with the general public, it forced me back into writing, going to the studio and recording something.” Perhaps once BMF — which also features Eminem appearing as FBI informant White Boy Rick — is finished airing, 50 will be ready to once again share his new music with the general public.

Watch 50 Cent’s full interview with People above.

Nas Said Lauryn Hill Laughed When She Heard Fans’ Surprised Reaction To Her ‘King’s Disease II’ Verse

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Nas has been on a hot streak of late, with last year’s comeback collaboration with Hit Boy, King’s Disease and the very quick sequel, King’s Disease II that dropped earlier this month. Part of the excitement around part two of this release was the guest features he was able to score, because he’s hip-hop royalty, and fans damn near lost their minds over his collaboration with Eminem on “EPMD 2” — the first time these two legendary MCs have been on record together.

But another high-profile feature, from the semi-retired legend Lauryn Hill, had fans equally impressed that Nas could draw a verse from her. Speaking with Ebro Darden for Apple Music’s show Rap Life, Nas explained his relationship with the reclusive star. “I hit her up, ‘Yo, this is crazy. People are asking me like, how did I get you on a record,’” Nas said. “She’s laughing like, ‘What do you mean? We just had a tour like, a few years ago.,’” he told Ebro. “She’s like, ‘All my life is right now is concerned with my freedom.’ That’s a different individual. That’s her first line. She’s not out here playing games, man. Thank you, Ms. Hill.”

Check out their conversation below.

Meanwhile, Nas is already teasing King’s Disease 3, and praising his producer Hit Boy as a “Quincy Jones”-style figure.

Nas Calls Hit-Boy His ‘Quincy Jones’ And Talks About The Possibility Of ‘King’s Disease 3’

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Earlier this month, Nas and Hit-Boy reconnected for King’s Disease 2, the follow-up to their 2020 effort, which earned the former his first-ever Grammy award. The new project is packed with guest appearances from Eminem, Lauryn Hill, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, EMPD, YG, Blxst, and Charlie Wilson. Some argued that it was even better than the first. During a recent interview with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden, Nas spoke about his chemistry with Hit-Boy, who executive produced both King’s Disease and King’s Disease 2.

“He’s like my Quincy [Jones], you know what I mean?” the rapper said. “So I feel like the next thing I do, if I was to work with Hit-Boy on the next thing I do, I think that we might do something that is going to be magical.”

Considering how successful the series has been so far, it’s no surprise that talk about a King’s Disease 3 came up. “I think what we have is magic,” Nas added. “I think if we do another one, I’m excited about that idea, but you know, we’re celebrating this one now.”

Nas’ comments come after he joined Belly and The Weeknd in a video for their collaboration, “Die For It.”

You can watch the full interview on Apple Music here.

King’s Disease 2 is out now via Mass Appeal. Get it here.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Belly, The Weeknd, And Nas Are Willing To ‘Die For It’ In Their Courageous New Video

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Three years after sharing his fifth project, Immigrant, XO Records signee Belly is back in actually with his newly-released album, See You Next Wedneday. It’s a project that comes with 19 songs and guest appearances from Big Sean, Young Thug, The Weeknd, Nas, Benny The Butcher, Gunna, Lil Uzi Vert, Nav, PnB Rock, and more. In addition to the album’s arrival, Belly graces fans with a video for “Die For It,” an effort that features contributions from The Weeknd and Nas.

The visual opens with Belly walking in the midst of destruction. Rumble and burning buildings surround him as he raps about the many hardships he overcame in life. Following a haunting hook from The Weeknd, Nas steps to the mic to relay thoughts that fall in line with those that Belly shared in his own verse. While Belly and Nas can be seen in the video, The Weeknd’s presence is captured on various screens that appear throughout the visual.

Prior to the album’s release, Belly revealed that See You Next Wednesday received approval from none other than Jay-Z. “Before I officially close out an album, there’s two people I play it for to get the seal of approval: Hov and Abel,” Belly wrote in a tweet. “That being said, I can officially say the album is done.”

You can listen to “Die For It” in the video above.

See You Next Wednesday is out now via XO Records/Roc Nation. Get it here.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Nas Has Entered The Cigar Industry

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Rap veteran Nas has entered a new industry. New reports reveal Nasir Jones is now the co-owner of a cigar brand. Nas Has Entered The Cigar Industry He’s added a new venture to his business portfolio. The hip-hop icon is now the co-owner of premium Nicaraguan cigar company Escobar Cigars, and spoke about the opportunity […]

Nas ‘Speechless’ After Careless Killing Of ‘Equal Standard’ Writer

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New York rapper Nas and Ice-T are paying respect to a longtime friend and industry veteran. The hip-hop pair have shared condolences after Equal Standard writer/producer Joseph “Taheim” Bryan had his life taken from him through gun violence. Nas ‘Speechless’ After Taheim’s Death Nasir Jones went to his Instagram page to remember Bryan. The Queens […]

Nas Celebrates ‘King’s Disease II’ Going Back On Top

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New York rapper Nas has major bragging rights right now. The hip-hop veteran has stepped up to alert the world his newly released King’s Disease II studio album is back on top. Nas Celebrates His New Album’s Success Nasir Jones went to his Instagram page to break some major news. The Queens native shared footage […]

Nas’ ‘King’s Disease II’ First-Week Sales Are In

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New York rapper Nas‘ King’s Disease II didn’t need much promotion after all. The hip-hop veteran’s latest studio album has debuted in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top 200 chart in its first 7 days. Nas’ King’s Disease II First-Week Sales Despite being announced just days before becoming available, Nasir Jones’ LP managed to […]