K’La plays the “Blame” game with Nas on her new record. The R&B newcomer, who is signed to Music Line/Def Jam, learns a lesson in love from her no-good man. “You promised you’d love me, you’d promise you’d stay,” sings a heartbroken K’La over the drum-patterned beat, while Nas professes his love to “the most perfect one I’ve found in a while.”
Nas opens up about his marriage and divorce to ex-wife Kelis on “Bye Baby,” the closing track off his 10th album Life Is Good, in stores July 17. “Why did we mess it up, we was friends, we had it all/ Reason you don’t trust men, that was your daddy’s fault,” raps Nas over a soulful sample of Guy’s “Goodbye Love.”
Over 40 hip-hop acts and DJs including 50 Cent, Drake, Ludacris, and Rick Ross were on the bill at the Openair Frauenfeld festival in Switzerland, but it was Nas who got one of the biggest reactions when he brought out Lauryn Hill. Wearing a “Life Is Good” tank top in honor of his new album, the rap veteran performed a set full of his classics before L Boogie joined him on their timeless record “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That).”
As executive vice president at Def Jam, No I.D. overseas a roster of superstars. While being honored at the 25th Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, the Chicago producer spoke about some of his upcoming projects including Nas, Kanye West, and Rihanna.
First up is Nas’ 10th album Life Is Good, for which he handled the bulk of production. The project marks a return to the rapper’s “Nasty” roots. “[Nas] said, ‘Hey, this is a hip-hop album. That’s what this is and that’s what I want to make and let it be a hip-hop album,’” No I.D. told Rap-Up TV.
A new Kanye West album is also in the works, but the G.O.O.D. Music compilation will drop first. “It’s for the streets. It’s Kanye. He hasn’t missed yet,” he said of Cruel Summer, due August 7.
And if that wasn’t enough, he is also beginning work on Rihanna’s next album. “I’m going in next week for about a week,” he revealed.
Frank Ocean has worked with superstars including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Kanye West, but one collaboration we may never hear is with Nas. The Odd Future crooner reveals a lost record with the hip-hop legend.
Nas returns to his glory days on his 10th album Life Is Good. Due July 17, the 18-track deluxe edition features appearances from Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, Large Professor, Miguel, Anthony Hamilton, and the late Amy Winehouse, with production by Salaam Remi, No I.D., Swizz Beatz, Rodney Jerkins, Da Internz, Noah “40” Shebib, and more.
“My mindset was to pull out a side of me that people haven’t heard in a while and give ‘em that feeling that they haven’t felt in a while—a feeling that I love,” Nas told Rap-Up.com. “And some of that feeling is ’90s-esque, some of that feeling is 2015. It’s just a feeling that I feel to be a timeless sound.”
Nas gets back to his nasty roots on “Loco-Motive,” the latest release off his upcoming album Life Is Good, due July 17. God’s Son links with Large Professor on the No I.D.-produced record, which he dedicates to his “trapped in the ’90s ni**as.”
Jay-Z wasn’t the only hip-hop heavyweight on the bill at Hackney Weekend. Nas took the 1Xtra Stage at Sunday’s festival, performing material off his upcoming 10th album Life Is Good including his single “Daughters,” which he dedicated to his 18-year-old daughter Destiny. He will embark on his European tour tonight in Manchester before heading back to the U.S. for his album release on July 17.
