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.
Nas celebrated his No. 1 album Life Is Good with a visit to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” The hip-hop icon hit the outdoor stage in Hollywood and delivered his Heavy D-produced single “The Don” as the crowd rapped along. He returned for an encore of “Nasty,” catching up backstage with his labelmate Rick Ross. Watch his performance below.
Nas is not only admired by his hip-hop peers. Some of sports’ all-stars showed their respect to the Don at the 2012 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. In honor of his 10th album Life Is Good, Vince Young, Ray Edwards, Spencer Paysinger, Mario Manningham, Lindsey Berg, and Kim Glass praised the “Nasty” rapper and explained why life is good.
“I went from life’s a bitch to life is good,” Nas told Rap-Up TV. “Like my man B.I.G. said, it feels stupendous. It just feels like I got the torch and I’m running with it. I’m trying to show people my passion for it is still here. I still love it.”
His “Summer on Smash” collaborator Swizz Beatz has plenty of reasons to celebrate life. “Life is good for me because I’m healthy,” said the super-producer. “I have a beautiful family. I have a talent that God gave me. I love giving back. Sky is not the limit, it’s just the view.”
Michael Robinson showed his appreciation for Nas’ lyricism. “He reminds me so much of Biggie [more] than any rapper that’s ever been out,” said the Seattle Seahawks running back. “He tells stories and I really understand his stories.”
Nas stopped by “106 & Park” to celebrate the release of his 10th album Life Is Good on Tuesday. Dressed in all white, the hip-hop icon spoke about his critically-acclaimed new project, dream collaborations (Prince, Sade), favorite female rappers, and Lauryn Hill’s recent tax troubles. He also hit the stage to perform new music including “Summer on Smash” with special guests Miguel and Swizz Beatz.
Nicki Minaj called into the show to congratulate Nas, who she kissed in her video for “Right By My Side.” “To be such a superstar and such an icon, he was so humble,” recalled the “Starships” rapper. “I didn’t really expect that from him. He was the most humble person on the set and it just took my respect for him to another level.”
He also received a surprise call from Mary J. Blige, who appears on “Reach Out” on Life Is Good. “Thank you so much for being so consistent and loving us so much that you would take care of us the way you have, through your lyrics, through your videos. You are the truth,” said Mary, whose favorite Nas song is “One Love.”
The champagne was flowing as Nas celebrated the release of his 10th album Life Is Good at a private party hosted by Moët & Chandon in New York City on Monday night. The intimate event, which kicked off the Moët Rose Lounge series, commenced with a sit-down dinner at Bagatelle.
Q-Tip played DJ as guests including Jay-Z, a camera-shy Beyoncé, Wale, Teyana Taylor, Swizz Beatz, Bridget Kelly, Jermaine Dupri, and “Empire Girls” Adrienne Bailon and Julissa Bermudez stopped by to toast the man of the hour.
Nas hit up “The Late Show with David Letterman” on the eve of his album release. Looking dapper in a collared shirt and white pants, the iconic MC performed his single “Daughters” off his 10th album Life Is Good.
