Art imitates life in the video for “Bye Baby,” the latest single off Nas’ chart-topping album Life Is Good. The hip-hop kingpin reflects on the end of his four-year marriage to Kelis in the Aristotle-directed clip. Mr. Jones cleans out his ex-wife’s closet and discovers her green wedding dress. He watches old footage of the couple from happier times, later sitting down with his lawyers to sign the divorce papers.
Watch Nas reflect on the past and move on to the next chapter in his life.
On the eve of their album release, Rap-Up TV caught up with Slaughterhouse for a late night interview on L.A.’s Sunset Strip. Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Royce da 5’9” gathered around to discuss their Shady Records debut welcome to: OUR HOUSE, working with Eminem, and what they’re currently blasting in their cars.
“Dylan off the rip!” joked Joe Budden when asked what fans can expect from their new album, while Royce provided a more serious answer. “The album is basically what the naysayers say that we can’t do.”
As executive producer, Eminem was very hands-on, mixing, arranging, and even rapping on the album. “He put in as much work, if not more, than we did,” said Crooked I.
Joe and Joell were both inspired by their boss’ work ethic and humility, but didn’t feel pressure in the studio. “If you feel any pressure, it’s you applying it yourself ’cause he’s not giving you that energy,” shared Joe.
Aside from their own record, Royce has been listening to Nas’ latest Life Is Good. “I got Nas’ album on repeat,” he revealed. “I take it to all different eras of hip-hop. I’ll listen to ‘Accident Murderers,’ ‘World’s an Addiction,’ and then I’ll go back to It Was Written.”
The summer ain’t over yet. Nas continued to celebrate the good life during his performance at the vitaminwater & FADER uncapped concert in Detroit on Thursday night. The hip-hop icon performed his classics and was joined onstage by Miguel for the Swizz Beatz-produced “Summer on Smash” off his latest album Life Is Good. The R&B crooner stuck around to perform his single “Adorn.” Check out their joint set below.
Nas kisses Kelis goodbye in the trailer for “Bye Baby,” the latest single off his No. 1 album Life Is Good. Mr. Jones cleans out his ex-wife’s closet and finds her green dress as he reflects on happier moments from their wedding. He sits down to sign the divorce papers and make their separation final. Watch Nas’ real life play out on screen.
“Let’s go through some of these journeys. Walk with me,” Nas said while performing “Daughters” at Rock the Bells in San Bernardino, Calif., on Sunday. The hip-hop icon closed out the two-day festival with an hour-long set that included material from his 18-year career. Dressed in all white, God’s Son opened with “No Introduction” off his latest album Life Is Good, performing old (“Street Dreams”) and new (“The Don”) material with a full band.
“It’s good to be here, Rock the Bells 2012. Hip-hop music at its finest,” said Nas, who caught the “hip-hop holy ghost” when he brought Large Professor to the stage for “Loco-Motive.” “God bless every rapper that touched the stage tonight.”
As a partner in the festival, Nas tried to get Kanye West on this year’s bill, but it didn’t work out. “The Kanye thing was up in the air for a minute,” he told Rolling Stone. “I really wanted that to happen. But like so much going on, if it doesn’t happen this year, it’ll happen another time. Kanye’s the type of artist that belongs on Rock the Bells.”
Hip-hop represented for Team USA at the London Olympics. After clenching the gold medal in Sunday’s final game against Spain, Team USA’s basketball team celebrated at the TAO/Marquee pop-up club at Roundhouse in London. Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony popped bottles into the early morning with their hip-hop counterparts Nas and Swizz Beatz.
“We made history tonight wow!!!!” tweeted Swizz, who brought his daughter to the game.
Nas was also introduced to Lolo Jones. “Wasn’t drooling someone spilled a drink on me…Ok i was drooling,” admitted the track and field star after meeting the “Nasty” rapper.
Ludacris showed his support for Team USA by sporting a patriotic polo as he toasted the victory with his friend LaLa Anthony. “Team USA came back to the hotel celebrating their Gold Medals singing ‘we are young’ by Fun. If only y’all could hear them! Hilarious,” wrote Luda.
Nas and Scarface pen a letter to the love of their lives, “Hip Hop,” on DJ Khaled’s heavy-hitting new single from his upcoming album Kiss the Ring, due August 21. The elite MCs spit heartfelt lyrics dedicated to their craft over the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League production, which features scratching from DJ Premier.
“I am Joseph, Darryl, Jason, Dr. Dre, O’Shea, and a host of those who passed away/ Today I’m Drake, I’m Wayne, 2 Chainz,” raps Nas.
Hear them express their love and loyalty to hip-hop.
With two decades under his belt, Nas continuously proves why he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as hip-hop’s elite. The rapper’s 10th album, Life Is Good, enters at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
