Nas

Apr
18
Sneak Peek: Nas – ‘The Don’

Nas

Nas reps his hometown of New York in the 30-second trailer for “The Don,” the first single off his upcoming album Life Is Good. The Queens MC raps in a ring of fire, hits the stage, and rides around town in a chauffeured car. See what it’s like to live like a don.

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Apr
16
New Music: Nas – ‘Another Black Girl Lost’

Nas

Nas speaks to the ladies on “Another Black Girl Lost,” the empowering sequel to “Black Girl Lost” off his 1996 album It Was Written. The Queens rapper cautions young women to not let men dictate their lives as he raps over the clanging beat produced by Hit-Boy.

“Ladies, I believe in you. We gotta stop this craziness out here though. We gotta get right ’cause when we both get right, we both take flight. Us real men need you, for real,” says Nas.

In a recent interview with Angie Martinez, he said that the track will be featured on his first solo album in four years, Life Is Good, but we’ll have to wait and see.

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Apr
16
Sneak Peek: Nas – ‘Behind the Music’

Nas

“In the neighborhood where I’m from, people will kill for nothing,” said Nas as he reflected on his rise from the gritty Queensbridge projects of New York City to the top of the charts.

The hip-hop icon, born the son of a jazz musician and postal worker, shared his journey on the latest episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” airing Wednesday.

Nas looked back on the events that shaped his life and legendary career including his parents’ separation, drug-dealing days, and dropping out of school to become an MC, with commentary from family members.

Preview 10 minutes of the episode below.

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Apr
12
On Set of Nas’ ‘The Don’ Video

Nas

Recognize a real don when you see one. Nas was back in front of the camera earlier this week shooting the Aristotle-directed video for “The Don,” the first single off his 10th album Life Is Good, due this summer on Def Jam. The hip-hop vet was iced out in diamond chains with a scarf around his neck while shooting scenes in a ring of fire. He later relaxed poolside in a red blazer while dining with a female companion and hit the stage for a live performance.

“It’s heart wrenching, personal, and life, and all that good stuff,” Nas said of his new music.

He will be featured on the next episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” airing April 18.

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Mar
31
Nas Talks Fatherhood with Jay-Z, Co-Signs Meek Mill

Nas

Hip-hop royalty graced the “106 & Park” stage on Friday. While promoting his new single “The Don,” Nas opened up to Terrence and Rocsi about the Trayvon Martin tragedy, his conversations with Jay-Z, respect for Meek Mill, his upcoming album, and the late Heavy D, who co-produced “The Don.”

Wearing a hoodie in support of Martin, Nas said, “I don’t think he thought his life would ever become this legacy, so I’m just looking for justice.”

The man who once said hip-hop was dead praised the new generation of MCs. “Incredible. I love it,” he said. “They brought it back. Like you can’t listen to Meek Mill and not go, ‘Wow, it’s crazy.’”

Nas saluted Jay-Z for inviting him to perform with him at New York’s Carnegie Hall in February. “I never thought two project dudes would be on the Carnegie Hall stage,” laughed Nas, who shared their conversations about fatherhood.

“He was like, ‘Why you ain’t tell me about this, man?’ He’s cool. Congratulations to him and Beyoncé.”

Nas is about a week away from finishing his 10th album Life Is Good, due this summer. “It’s heart wrenching, personal, and life, and all that good stuff,” he teased.

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Mar
28
Nas Weighs In on Trayvon Martin Tragedy, State of Hip-Hop

Nas

Nas caught up with Angie Martinez on Hot 97 to promote his new single “The Don” on Wednesday. The hip-hop O.G., who wore a hoodie in support of Trayvon Martin, spoke about his relationship with ex-wife Kelis and their son Knight, what he thinks of hip-hop today, and why he collaborated with Tyga. He also revealed that “Another Black Girl” will be one of the featured songs off his first solo album in four years, Life Is Good, and weighed in on the Martin tragedy.

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Mar
18
Nas Gets Nostalgic at VEVO SXSW Show

Nas

Nas brought a New York State of Mind to Texas, transforming Austin’s Moody Theater into his old Queens stomping ground, complete with graffitied streets and housing projects, during his VEVO concert at SXSW. The hip-hop vet performed material from his 1994 debut Illmatic, rocking with longtime collaborators Pete Rock and DJ Premier. AZ joined him on “Life’s a Bitch” and The Firm’s “Phone Tap.”

Fresh off debuting his Heavy D-assisted single “The Don” last week, Nas performed it in front of a live audience for the first time. In a Q&A with Steve Stoute at the festival, Nas revealed that his 10th album Life Is Good will be released in late May/June.

Watch highlights from his nostalgic set below.

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Mar
15
New Music: Nas – ‘The Don’

The Don

Nas comes back with a vengeance on “The Don,” the heavy-hitting single off his upcoming 10th album. Produced by Salaam Remi, Da Internz, and the late Heavy D (“Heavy D gave this beat to Salaam for me to rap to”), the reggae-flavored tune features Nasty Nas in top form, touting tough bars over a rasta hook. Welcome back “The Don.”

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