Nas

Nas & DJ Premier Excite Fans With Another Possible Collab Album Tease

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Arguably the greatest hip-hop album of all time, Nas’ Illmatic, turns 30 years old tomorrow (Friday, April 19), and to start celebrating the occasion, it seems like the Queens legend is reminiscing on the moment with one of the people that helped make the album the golden standard that it is for rap music. Moreover, he shared an Instagram post on Wednesday (April 17) that featured a photo with DJ Premier in the ’90s, and a picture of them right now. “Then v.s Now. What if…” the “One Time 4 Your Mind” MC captioned the post, and those last two words really got fans thinking that their mythical collab album might still arrive.

Furthermore, for those unaware, a team-up for a full LP’s been on the cards for Esco and Preemo since at least 2007, if going off of recorded history. A Scratch interview saw them mention it, but nothing else has manifested since then other than occasional teases and promises that it will (or could) still happen. However, the most recent tease about this DJ Premier joint project came on Nas’ “30” off of his King’s Disease III album, which was ironically a collaborative effort with another producer, Hit-Boy. “Superhero material, rap star status / Premier album still might happen,” he spits on the song.

Read More: DJ Premier Credits Travis Scott’s Father For Teaching Him Music

Nas Hints At DJ Premier Collab Album, Fans Think

Going back to Illmatic, which contains some of DJ Premier’s most legendary beats for Nas, the latter recently reflected on this time of his life in a recent IG post. “Grainy pictures for grainy times,” he captioned about the pictures in the post. “I had a dream I could get my favorite producers to produce on my debut album. I knew exactly what I wanted and how it should be. But I didn’t know anyone except for Paul, so I asked him would he connect me to them all. The cool soul brother that he is helped me line it up.

“On April 19th we smashed s**t,” the 50-year-old continued. “Even tho the album leaked months before the release date we still are apart of music history. Thank you Large Professor (Paul) and Dj Premier who drove into the projects to pick me up a time or two. Qtip , Pete Rock , and my man from The Bridge DJ LES, and my guy AZ who was just coming up himself. And thank you to everyone involved. Friday is the albums 30th. 2 The Listeners- ONE LOVE.” Do you think this collab album is ever coming out? Let us know in the comments and stay posted on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Nas and DJ Premier.

Read More: Nas Takes Fans Behind The Scenes Of His Tour In New Video For “Sitting With My Thoughts”

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Nas Reflects On “Illmatic” Ahead Of Album’s 30th Anniversary

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Nas has been on a creative high recently. The rapper’s collaborations with Hit-Boy has reinvigorated his career and proved that he’s more lyrical than ever. His relevancy is such that he doesn’t have to rely on his old catalog to attract listeners. Unless, of course, the album in question is Illmatic. The 1994 classic will always be Nas’ high-water mark, and the rapper chose to reflect on the making of the album ahead of its 30th (!) anniversary.

Nas hopped on Instagram to post throwback photos of the men who helped shape his project. The photos are grainy, which the rapper alludes to in the beginning of his caption, but the faces are so iconic that they’re recognizable anyway. Nas can be seen standing alongside New York legends like Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Large Professor, LES and Q-Tip. The second photo sees Nas post up next to his friend and Illmatic‘s lone feature, AZ. “Grainy pictures for grainy times,” the Queens emcee wrote.

Read More: Nas Addresses Jay-Z Reference On “King’s Disease III”

Nas Is Thankful To Be Part Of “Music History”

“I had a dream I could get my favorite producers to produce on my debut album,” Nas continued in the caption. “I knew exactly what I wanted and how it should be. On April 19 we smashed s**t. Even tho the album leaked months before the release date we still are apart of music history.” The “One Love” rapper then proceeded to shout out each of the men pictured. “Thank you to everyone involved,” he added. “Friday is the albums 30th. 2 The Listeners- ONE LOVE.”

Nas has had to contend with every subsequent release of his being compared to Illmatic, but the rapper actually feels like the album has transcended his catalog. He views it as a separate entity in some ways, as he told Clash in 2014. “It’s interesting because that’s bigger than me,” he asserted. “It’s something that I look at and it trips me out a little bit. I just think about it and, with certain artists that I like, I like some of their works more than the others and I only want to hear certain albums. It’s just the way things are.” Regardless of Nas’ sense of authorship, Illmatic remains his magnum opus.

Read More: Nas Net Worth 2024: Updated Wealth Of The East Coast Legend

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Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released The Controversial Visuals For ‘Hate Me Now’ 25 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history, Queens legend Nas released the video for his hit single, “Hate Me Now.” Although the song may be a fan favorite, the video came with a lot more controversy than any music video should. Shot by Hype Williams, the video features the crucifixion of Christ with Nasir himself playing the role of Jesus. Diddy, who was then known as Puff Daddy, was featured on the track, was also cast as one of the criminals on a cross beside Nas.

Conflict arose on April 15, 1999, when the video was premiered on MTV’s TRL. Diddy, who is a devout Catholic, had requested his image on the cross be removed from the cut of the video that was to air nationally. Whether it was an honest mistake or done intentionally is unknown; but, the fact of the matter is the request was ignored and the full video was broadcast across the country.

The events that followed could be deemed as outlandish by some. Diddy’s reaction to the lack of consideration of his religious views turned violent when he stormed into Nas’ manager, Steve Stoute’s office with several bodyguards and allegedly attacked Stoute by smashing a bottle of champagne on his head. The assault led to a suit that was settled out of court.

When asked about the incident and the inspiration for the video Nas explains,

“There’s a play in New York where a Black man played Jesus, and caught a lot of flak. I think, even the mayor at the time, Giuliani, was against it. So my thing was I wanted to be crucified like Jesus in the video, to get back at all those people that don’t want to see a Black man doing his thing. Me and Puff got hammered to the cross, but after Puff expressed his religious beliefs and spoke to his pastor, he wasn’t ready to take that stance, so it was really my idea anyway, so we took his part out. For some reason, I think Steve Stoute let it fly with Puffy still being crucified to the cross, so there was that fight at the office, where Puff jumped on Steve or some s*it like that. Both of them were friends of mine, so I squashed the whole thing, and it’s all in the past. Just growing pains. We were all growing up. That brings back a lot of memories. Even when I throw it on onstage now, it still kills.”

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released The Controversial Visuals For ‘Hate Me Now’ 25 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released The Controversial Visuals For ‘Hate Me Now’ 25 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Third LP ‘I Am’ Turns 25 Years Old!

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Released by Columbia Records, Nas’ third album, I Am, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album sold 470,000 copies in its first week and was certified double platinum in the United States. The album was nominated in 2000 for Best Rap Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards.

Originally intended to be a double album titled I Am…The Autobiography, the album was arguably Nas’ most honest and poetic project at the time. Although the additional tracks were scrapped due to bootlegging of the original sessions, the intention for the theme and tone of the project can still be felt on the released single-disc LP.

Nas’ cover art has always been an iconic staple of his work. Usually consisting of his face superimposed over his native Queens, each cover has served as a visual representation of Nas as an artist. Famed portrait photographer Danny Hastings shot this particular cover. To create the image of Nas’ face in the Pharaoh mask in a pre-Photoshop world, Hastings made a clay mold for Nas’ face (which, in fact, almost killed him when clay got lodged in his nostrils, nearly suffocating him).

This album wasn’t only popular in the United States. I Am… made appearances on music charts in Australia, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The two official singles from this project claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Nas Is Like..” peaked at #86, and “Hate Me Now” climbed a little higher to take the #62 spot.

After the release of this album, Nas released seven more solo albums and two collaborative projects. Nas continues to perform and is known as one of the most prolific rappers of his or any generation. Take some time today to listen to this album appreciate the career of a living legend.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Third LP ‘I Am’ Turns 25 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Third LP ‘I Am’ Turns 25 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Nas Releases Introspective Video for “I Love This Feeling” from ‘Magic 3’ Album

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Nas Releases Introspective Video for "I Love This Feeling"

GRAMMY-Award-winning rap icon Nas unveils the music video for “I Love This Feeling” from his latest album, Magic 3.

Directed by Leff, the video captures the introspective essence of the track, showcasing Nas’s reflective journey while imparting wisdom to aspiring artists. With poignant visuals and lyrical depth, Nas inspires both self-reflection and admiration for his enduring legacy in hip-hop.

The post Nas Releases Introspective Video for “I Love This Feeling” from ‘Magic 3’ Album first appeared on The Source.

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The Massive 2024 Lineup For Festival D’été De Quebec 2024 Features Post Malone, J Balvin, Nas, And More

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The annual Festival d’été de Quebec unveiled the lineup for 2024, with no shortage of talented acts. This year, Post Malone, J Balvin, Jonas Brothers, 50 Cent, Nickleback, Zac Brown Band, Mötley Crüe, The Offspring, and more will be headlining the festival when it runs from July 4 to 14.

Other performers on this year’s stacked bill include Carly Rae Jepsen, Uproxx cover star Ava Max, Rise Against, Killer Mike, Jessie Murph, Fleet Foxes, Future Islands, Seether, Nas, Mt. Joy, Killswitch Engage, Ben Howard, and many more genre-spanning acts.

Tickets for the Festival d’été de Quebec are currently on sale now. The General Admission pass started at CA $150 (about $110 US) but is currently sold out. Those interested in attending will have the chance to purchase other ticket tiers starting on April 4 at noon.

The Silver Front Stage Zone pass starts at $560 ($413 US) and includes closer access to the stage, along with “exclusive bathrooms.” The Bell Signature Zone pass starts at $640 ($472 US), providing a top-of-stand view of the Bell Stage.

The Gold Stage Front Zone ticket starts at $970 ($715 US). This includes access to the viewing area directly in front of the Bell Stage. Finally, there are single-day tickets through Jardin Air Canada that start at $75 ($55 US) and will increase in price, depending on which day and headliner you choose.

For additional information, visit the Festival d’été de Quebec’s website.

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

Nas’ $5B Proposal to Rival JAY-Z for NYC Casino License

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In a bold move that could reshape the landscape of New York City’s entertainment scene, rapper Nas has unveiled a $5 billion proposal to transform Resorts World Casino New York City into a state-of-the-art casino complex in his hometown of Jamaica, Queens.

Partnering with Resorts World Casino, Nas aims to revitalize the neighborhood while creating new opportunities for local residents. The ambitious project includes plans for a multi-functional casino featuring a 7,000-seat capacity entertainment venue for hosting events and concerts. Additionally, the development will encompass park space, housing, hotels, restaurants, and upgraded transit options to JFK Airport and Manhattan, promising to generate an estimated 5,000 union jobs.

“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent, and build up the next generation of leaders,” Nas expressed during the unveiling, as reported by Rhyme Junkie. “It’s an honor to be here, to be a part of this with Resorts World, realizing the future, seeing what this can be and what it will be.”

The announcement comes as Nas’ proposal competes with fellow hip-hop icon JAY-Z’s bid for a NYC casino license. JAY-Z, through his entertainment company Roc Nation, has partnered with SL Green and Caesars Entertainment to propose a boutique-style casino at the iconic 1515 Broadway office tower in Times Square.

“New York is the epicenter of culture. We have the opportunity to create a destination at the heart of the true crossroads of the word,” JAY-Z stated in a press release. “My partnership with SL Green and Caesars has all the promise and commitment to economic opportunity, growth, and enrichment for the community and everyone that visits the Empire State.”

The competition for the coveted casino license underscores the potential economic impact and cultural significance of these projects. Nas and JAY-Z are not only vying for the license but also aiming to shape the future of entertainment and hospitality in New York City.

“When we stood here more than a dozen years ago to break ground on Resorts World New York City, our vision extended well beyond that already-ambitious original plan — today, that vision can soon become a reality,” remarked Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting America East, in a statement.

As both Nas and JAY-Z present their visions for the city’s entertainment landscape, the decision on the casino license remains in the hands of New York City officials. With their respective proposals, these hip-hop moguls are not only competing for a business opportunity but also aiming to leave a lasting impact on their communities and the city at large. The stakes are high, and the outcome will shape the future of entertainment in the Big Apple.

The post Nas’ $5B Proposal to Rival JAY-Z for NYC Casino License first appeared on The Source.

The post Nas’ $5B Proposal to Rival JAY-Z for NYC Casino License appeared first on The Source.

Jill Scott, Lil Wayne, Nas, Victoria Monét and More Set for Roots Picnic 2024

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Jill Scott to Star in 'Mahalia!' Biopic Executive Produced by Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah

The acclaimed Roots Picnic festival, a beacon of musical excellence and cultural celebration, is back for its 2024 edition, promising an unforgettable two-day experience. Presented by GRAMMY® Award-winning hip-hop icons The Roots and Live Nation Urban, the event will occur at The Mann in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA, on June 1-2, 2024.

Launching the excitement, Roots Picnic alumni presale tickets will be available starting Tuesday, February 20th at 10 AM ET, followed by general on-sale beginning Friday, Feb. 23rd at 10 AM ET.

The festival lineup boasts an impressive array of talent, with GRAMMY® Award-winning legend Lil Wayne headlining alongside The Roots, treating audiences to a journey through decades of hits and a special tribute to Lil Wayne’s hometown of New Orleans, featuring guests PJ Morton and Trombone Shorty. Joining the bill is powerhouse Jill Scott, captivating audiences in her hometown with her soulful style.

The festival’s spirit of collaboration continues with performances from Victoria Monét, André 3000, Gunna, Sexyy Red, Tyla, Smino, Babyface, Adam Blackstone featuring Fantasia & Muni Long, Cam’ron, Nas, Wale, Robert Glasper featuring Yebba, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and more.

Roots Picnic 2024 promises to be a cultural landmark, bringing together generations of artists and fans for an unparalleled celebration of music and community. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event in the heart of Philadelphia.

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