Swizz Beatz Says He & Nas Made An Album Together In 2016 & A Taste Is Coming

It was in the summer of 2016 that DJ Khaled released “Nas Album Done.” That video single, belonging to the Miami, Florida-based DJ/producer’s #1 album Major Key signaled something that eventually came to fruition—in June 2018. Last month, Nas released Nasir, a project produced entirely by Kanye West. Debuting at #5, the Mass Appeal/Def Jam Records release marked Nas’ lowest ranking opening week in nearly 15 years (2004’s Street’s Disciple also debuted at #5). As fans debate the merits and flaws of Nasir, another producer has stepped forth to reveal he and the legendary Queens, New York MC had an entire LP in the can.

“I did [Nas’] album two years ago in one week in L.A.,” Swizz tells Pitchfork‘s Amanda Wicks and Elia Einhorn. “[We were] in the studio every day at 12 o’clock, just bang bang bang. [We] recorded the whole thing, got it all on film. It was an ill process.” The Ruff Ryders hit-maker described the work as “super crazy, maniac sh*t.”

Swizz Beatz Premieres A New Song Featuring Nas, Jay Z, DMX & Jadakiss And It’s Unreal (Video)

In February of 2017, Swizz unveiled a previously-unreleased song by Nas, JAY-Z, DMX, and Jadakiss during a beat battle with Just Blaze. That track has never formally released.

Previously Swizz and Nas have collaborated multiple times. In 2012, for Life Is Good, Swizz produced and was featured on “Summer On Smash,” with Miguel. In 2002, they exchanged features when Swizz worked on God’s Son, and Nas appeared on the Bronx, New York-born producer’s first release under his name, G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories.

Why Kanye West Is A Genius Regardless Of His Views Outside Of Music

Swizz is releasing his next solo album, Poison. Nas is a guest, along with Kendrick Lamar, The LOX, 2 Chainz, Pusha-T, and others. The producer and MC says he has four projects in the works altogether. While Poison is Hip-Hop, fans can anticipate an R&B effort, a World Music album, and an “acoustics” project. Those works do not currently have titles made available to the public.

The veteran confirmed that the Nas song originally belonged to the aforementioned ’16 Nas and Swizz project.