nas Archives

Here’s an Amazing Mini-Documentary on Illmatic, Featuring Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne & More (Video)

There have been several amazing pieces of content surrounding the 20th anniversary of Illmatic. This is one of the best of them. Google Play has put together a mini-documentary about Nas and his magnum opus, featuring insightful commentary from Kendrick Lamar, Tech N9ne, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Peter Rosenberg, among... Read more

April 10, 2014 Video

You Think You’ve Heard All The Versions Of Nas’ It Ain’t To Tell? Think Again (Audio)

Next week's release of Illmatic XX, a compilation re-releasing Nas' 1994 debut album with some additional freestyles, remixes, and songs recorded during the 1992-1994 sessions which missed the initial Columbia/Sony/RuffHouse release is gearing up. Some Heads, who had bootlegs, mixtapes, and a savvy Internet finger may claim they've heard everything.... Read more

April 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Would Nas’ Illmatic Have Been Longer if it Had Not Been Leaked? MC Serch Speaks (Video)

I remember when I got my first copy of Illmatic. It was a blank cassette tape...and it was about 4 weeks before the album was released. I had a friend who had a friend in NYC and, apparently, bootleg copies were rampant. MC Serch and Faith Newman (who signed Nas... Read more

April 9, 2014 Throwback

The Week in Video Featured KRS-One, Mos Def, 50 Cent, Nas, Scarface & More (Video Playlist)

The past week in Hip-Hop video featured Scarface announcing his first new album in 6 years, Nas talking Illmatic, a monster Mos Def/Marvin Gaye mashup, fire freestyles from Joey Bada$$ & ONYX, and new music videos from 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Big Boi, Yelawolf, Jon Connor, KRS-One, Diamond D, Pharoahe... Read more

April 8, 2014 Playlists, Video

Nas Strolls Down Memory Lane, Talking The Legendary Producers Who Backed Him Early, With Zane Lowe

Illmatic XX has Nas really looking in his rearview. The sometimes reclusive Queensbridge MC is completely open in looking at the formation of his most celebrated album. Zane Lowe, who is getting unrivaled access to guys like Eminem, Jay Z, and Kanye West, sits down with Nasir on his audio... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas Performs One Love & The World is Yours with The Roots & Q-Tip (Video)

Nas performed One Love & The World is Yours with Q-Tip and The Roots on The Tonight Show and the results were pretty epic. Check out both performances below. One Love The World is Yours Related: Nas Talks 20 Years of Illmatic with Bill Maher (Video)... Read more

April 8, 2014 Video

Nas Talks 20 Years of Illmatic with Bill Maher (Video)

Nas was a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher and spoke in-depth about the upcoming 20th anniversary of Illmatic. Hip-Hop's ambassador showed incredible humility in discussing one of the greatest albums of all-time. Check out the video. Related: Here’s an Alternate Take of Mobb Deep’s Eye For an Eye... Read more

April 7, 2014 Video

Here’s an Alternate Take of Mobb Deep’s Eye For an Eye Featuring Nas, Rae & Ghost (Audio)

Think you've heard Mobb Deep's Eye for an Eye? Think again...Here's an alternate mix that sports a different track, different verses from Havoc, Prodigy and Raekwon, and some bars from Ghostface Killah. Though it has different elements, it has all the grit and grime of the original. This is from... Read more

April 5, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Throwback

Nas Discusses the 20-Year Impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (Video)

Nas discusses the 20-year impact of Illmatic with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the world renowned scholar and author of "Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic." Knowledge meets knowledge...Check out the video. Related: If You’ve Never Heard Nas’ 1993 Freestyle On The Stretch & Bobbito Show, You Must (Audio)... Read more

March 28, 2014 Video

Is Nas About To Sign Boldy James? Check This South By Southwest Show Of Support (Video)

Nasty Nas has had a few labels in his career, from Ill Will Records to The Jones Experience. Along the way, Nas oversaw a few critical projects from his brother Jungle and The Braveheartz, to the QB's Finest compilation aligning legends with Queensbridge emerging voices. Nas famously inked a deal... Read more

March 20, 2014 Fresh, Video

Nas & Large Professor’s Remix Of It Ain’t Hard To Tell Gets Another Afterlife (Audio)

For the second time in the 2000s, Columbia/Sony Records is releasing the remix to Nas' "It Ain't Hard To Tell" to CD. Many Heads know that Large Professor, who produced the original sophomore single to Nas' Illmatic debut (released four months prior to the LP), made an alternate version of... Read more

March 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Memphis Bleek Takes Responsibility For Bringing The Jay Z & Nas Beef To A Clash (Video)

Okay, this is interesting. A lot of Rap beefs start indirectly. It was a Source Awards speech in the case of Death Row vs. Bad Boy. It was an association in the case of 50 Cent vs. Jadakiss and Fat Joe. In the case of Ras Kass vs. Alchemist, it... Read more

March 11, 2014 Fresh, Video

If You’ve Never Heard Nas’ 1993 Freestyle On The Stretch & Bobbito Show, You Must (Audio)

In 1993, Nas was in a weird space. It would be over a year before he would release the groundbreaking Illmatic debut. However, Nasty Nas was making a name through New York City performances, and a series of Large Professor collaborations, from 1991's "Live At The BBQ" on down to... Read more

March 5, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

What Do Nas, Rick Rubin & Fab 5 Freddy Think Of Hip-Hop & Race? Watch Part One Of The Tanning Of America (Video)

Yesterday (February 24) kicked off Vh1's five-part series on The Tanning Of America: One Nation Under Hip-Hop. The title, concept and vision is based on Steve Stoute's recent book, which looked at the cultural and racial diaspora that's happened in the United States, in large part, due to Hip-Hop. The... Read more

February 25, 2014 Fresh, TV/Film, Video

Nas’ Street Dreams Take Shape In The Form Of An Episodic Series In Development At XBox Studios

Nasir Jones is making unfathomable moves for the MC who once "waved automatic guns at nuns." Queensbridge's finest has a Harvard University Fellowship. He has a stake in Mass Appeal magazine and digital. The veteran lyricist is enjoying the latest in a long catalog of originally-shelved and tribute material, in... Read more

February 11, 2014 Fresh

Nas’ 20th Anniversary Edition Of Illmatic, Includes Rare Q-Tip Remix, Freestyles & More

In April of 2014, one of Hip-Hop's true classics turns 20 years old. Nas' 1994 debut Illmatic will blow out its candles in style, as the Columbia/Ruffhouse Records release gets an expanded edition, confirmed today via iTunes, courtesy of 2DopeBoyz. Like the 10th anniversary version (which felt like it came... Read more

February 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Nas Touches On If He’s Ever Considered A Sequel To Illmatic (Video)

Moments before he was honored by J. Cole at a VIBE magazine event during Grammy weekend, Nas sat with the publication. Asked if he's ever considered a Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II-esque sequel to his classic debut, Illmatic, Nas answers what he answers with few words more than... Read more

January 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

J. Cole Presents A Complex Speech Honoring Nas At The VIBE Image Awards (Video)

The same night Nas performed "Nas Is Like" and "If I Ruled The World" alongside his Firm collaborator Dr. Dre and Ruffhouse Records label-mates Cypress Hill, he was honored by VIBE. The same magazine that brought Nasir and J. Cole together for a powerful cover-story in 2013, had the Roc... Read more

January 25, 2014 Fresh, Video

Mobb Deep Will Release Unheard Infamous Verses By Nas, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon & N.O.R.E.

So often with classic albums, what was released was almost everything that was recorded. In 2014, it's often hard to imagine that there's much that hasn't leaked over time, with all the deluxe reissues and bootlegs. Mobb Deep is proving this wrong. During the 1994 recording of Prodigy and Havoc's... Read more

January 25, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Dr. Dre, Nas, Eminem, Diddy & Ma$e & Pharcyde Etc. Come Together To Perform At Beats’ Grammy Party

Earlier this month, Beats Music launched. From the creators of the Beats By Dre headphone and electronics lines, this streaming subscription service is the latest competitor in a space that includes Spotify, Pandora and others. With plenty to celebrate, Beats hosted a Grammy Awards weekend party at Los Angeles, California's... Read more

January 25, 2014 Fresh

MC Serch Recalls The Early Days Of MF DOOM & Slick Rick In This Stellar Juan Epstein (Audio)

From his time with 3rd Bass, Rockaway, Queens' MC Serch is already an interesting figure of old school Hip-Hop. However, the MC-turned-record executive-turned-talk show host has been involved with so much more than his group with Prime Minister Pete Nice and DJ Daddy Rich (f/k/a Richie Rich). Serchlite was a... Read more

January 16, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Nas Brings Hip-Hop Education to Harvard. Hip-Hop is Alive and It’s Changing Lives (Video)

Ammunition's new series, By Design, takes a compelling look at Harvard University's Nasir Jones Fellowship. The fellowship's namesake, Nas, explains his role and activism and punfully says that Hip-Hop needs a countering "slow-down period" to the "fast life" (a single Nas appeared on with Kool G Rap almost 20 years... Read more

January 14, 2014 Video

Suge Knight & Snoop Hanging Out?? Yeah, 2013 Was a Crazy Year For Hip-Hop. Here’s a Photo Recap (Food For Thought)

The old adage, "a picture's worth a thousand words" often proves to be true. Let's hope so for 2013, which by way of Instagram, Twipic, and some inner-circle released photos, told Heads plenty of stories. From unlikely reunions to time-pieces, to first steps for Hip-Hop kind, what a year... Here... Read more

December 23, 2013 Food for Thought

Who’s Better, Jay Z or Nas? Here’s What Schoolboy Q Had to Say About It (Video)

Here's some extra footage from Schoolboy Q's recent sit down with Peter Rosenberg. In this installment, Q talks Jay Z vs. Nas. Check out what he had to say below. Related: ScHoolboy Q Might Be Having Some GQ Fun On His Version Of Man Of The Year (Audio)... Read more

December 8, 2013 Video

Nas Speaks on the Impact of Nelson Mandela and More (Video)

Many in Hip-Hop have spoken about what Nelson Mandela meant to them since he passed away yesterday. Hip-Hop's ambassador, Nasir Jones, dropped a few jewels about Mandela and more in this brief interview. Check out the video. Related: Nas Talks Being in the Game for 20 Years, Turning 40, Why... Read more

December 6, 2013 Video

This Week in Video Was Dominated By Kanye West’s Epic Meltdown on Sway…But There Was So Much More. Here’s a Playlist of the Kanye Highlights and Anything Else Worth Watching from the Past Week (Video Playlist)

Kanye West shut down the web with his extremely heated exchange with Sway. In the midst of the furor, last week was one of the best of the year for Hip-Hop video programming--Eminem's Rap God video, Snoop talking TDE vs. Death Row, A Tribe Called Quest discussing their farewell shows,... Read more

November 30, 2013 Playlists, Video

Nas Talks Being in the Game for 20 Years, Turning 40, Why Hip-Hop is Still Dead, His NY State of Mind, the “N” Word and More (Video)

To quote AZ Tha Visualiza, this is rather unique. Nas, on his 40th birthday, has "Talk Stoop" with NBC host Cat Greenleaf. The two discuss the state of the art through Nas' 20 years in the game. Perhaps most interesting, Cat asks the father for advice on helping her own... Read more

November 25, 2013 Fresh, Video

The Nas and DJ Premier Collabo Album is Coming…DJ Premier Speaks on the Project (Video)

EME caught up with DJ Premier to discuss his much anticipated joint album with Nas. Primo spoke on that, as well as working on new material with Joey Bada$$, Macklemore, The Lady of Rage and more. Check out the video. Related: Talib Kweli, Marco Polo & DJ Premier Honor Guru... Read more

November 24, 2013 Video

Nas Releases Trailer To His Shake The Dust Breakin’ Documentary (Video)

"Back in '83, I was an MC sparkin' / But I was too scared to grab them mics in da mic." - Nas Coming from Queens, Nas has always had close ties to the pillars of Hip-Hop. At a time when breakin' (or breakdancing) is seemingly endangered in its rooted... Read more

November 11, 2013 Fresh, Video

Kool G Rap Discusses Nas, Big Pun and His Top 10 MCs (Video)

When one of the most highly-regarded MCs of all-time discusses his top 10 MCs, the world listens. Kool G. Rap sat down on the Juan Epstein Show and discussed his first meetings with Nas and Big Pun, as well as his top 10 MCs of all time. Surprisingly, Biggie and... Read more

November 2, 2013 Video

Mary J. Blige and Nas’ Rise Up Shepherd & Follow is the First R&B and Hip-Hop Christmas Collabo of the Season (Audio)

It's way too early for Christmas music, right? Not when it comes courtesy of Mary J. Blige and Nas...Nasir and the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul have come together for an inspirational and soulful Christmas song that is more anthem than carol. Check out Rise Up Shepherd and Follow from the... Read more

October 31, 2013 Throwback

Nas Joins Emeli Sande on the Remix to Rudimental’s Free (Audio)

Nas joins Emeli Sande on the soulful remix to UK Group Rudimental's song Free. This song is a slow burn that swells to an anthem of liberation and inspiration. Check it out below. Related: Emeli Sande Teams Up With Ab-Soul for the Remix to My Kind of Love (Audio)... Read more

October 23, 2013 Audio

Nas Discusses His Upcoming Album, Working With Jay Z & Justin Timberlake, the 20th Anniversary of Illmatic and More

Nas sat down with the Huffington Post to discuss a range of topics, including his collabo with Jay Z and Justin Timberlake, how he intends to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Illmatic, what he wanted to accomplish with Life is Good and more. Check out what he had to say... Read more

October 18, 2013 Fresh

DJ Premier To Produce Future Nas Album (Video)

Fans have been bothering (rightfully) DJ Premier and Nas about this planned album together since word broke in Scratch magazine back in the mid-2000s. In a recent interview with Phenom Bank, Primo confirmed that a collaboration between the two living legends was on the way, saying "I just saw him last... Read more

October 8, 2013 Fresh, Video

J. Cole Performs Let Nas Down (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are some songs that just scream potential simply by looking at the title. When J. Cole dropped the track list for his latest album Born Sinner, "Let Nas Down" was definitely one of those songs. And even with all the hype surrounding the track before anybody had... Read more

September 23, 2013 Fresh, Video

Nas – Performs You Wouldn’t Understand (Video)

Arsenio Hall's return to late-night is still holding down Hip-Hop. The same week he interviewed Ice Cube, Arsenio gave some stage time to Nas to perform "You Wouldn't Understand." Rather than use the spot to unveil new music, I personally think it's great to see Nasty Nas still actively working... Read more

September 12, 2013 Fresh, Video

Vado – Fast Lane ft Raekwon (Video)

Vado and Raekwon channel Kool G Rap and Nas for "Fast Lane." The lyrics from this Slime Flu 4 mixtape are just as lush and illustrious over signature 1995 Buckwild production. These two sound really great together. Rae is so versatile, as is Vado. Certain songs are untouchable, but this... Read more

September 8, 2013 Fresh, Video

Nas Reviews “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”

Having already left his mark in Hip-Hop history, it seems Mr. Nasir Jones is focusing his efforts on a new profession: journalism. Ok not really, but his first album review, which covered Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, definitely would have been a great start. In the review Nas... Read more

September 6, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Justin Timberlake Talks “Sinatra At The Sands” Collabo With Jay Z, Timbaland & Nas

We heard Timbaland around the release Magna Carta Holy Grail discuss this track. Justin Timberlake spoke with Angie Martinez and HOT 97 following his 2013 MTV Video Music Awards shakedown performance. Timberlake spoke about Timbaland, Nas and Jay Z deciding to impromptu record the song known as "Sinatra At The... Read more

August 28, 2013 Fresh

Sometimes I Rap Fast, Sometimes I Rap Slow: The Evolution Of JAY-Z’s Flow (Food For Thought)

As another NFL season loads up, the sports news cycle is dominated by teams, offenses, depth charts and injury reports. Although not a fan (au contraire), I often marvel at the dynamic strategies of Bill Bellichick, Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots. From season-to-season, the three-time Super Bowl champions... Read more

August 25, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Big Sean – First Chain ft Nas & Kid Cudi

Big Sean's Hall Of Fame is exfoliating some of its biggest assets. On "First Chain," Sean channels early Kanye West's penchant for Jacob The Jeweler talk, as he links with Def Jam Records big brother Nas, and contemporary/former label-mate Kid Cudi. Since the days of Nice & Smooth's "Gold," this... Read more

August 19, 2013 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Nas Speaks on Kendrick Lamar’s Control Verse (Video)

Miss Info caught up with Nas to discuss the recent influx of discussion of fine art in Hip-Hop (he name checks Wild Style), and he also spoke briefly on Kendrick Lamar's Control verse. Not surprisingly, Nas stays above the fray and talks about the historical context of competitive rap. That's... Read more

August 16, 2013 Video

J. Cole & Nas Interviewed Together In New VIBE

Longtime VIBE editor/journalist John Kennedy recently shared a recording space with Nas and J. Cole. No, it wasn't for anymore collaborations, but rather to study one of the breakthrough artists of the early 1990s, and one of his disciples, a breakthrough artist of the early 2010s. On the heels of... Read more

August 13, 2013 Fresh

Nas Times Square Hennessy Billboard (Video)

Now billboards in New York aren’t a rare occurrence, but when a 170-foot tall image of a Hip-Hop icon is draped over Times Square, it’s definitely a reason to stop and take notice. As a part of their “Wild Rabbit” campaign, Hennessy has created the largest single illuminated billboard display... Read more

August 13, 2013 Fresh, Video

Nas Raises Money to Aid Homeless Family (Video)

Nas has had the most incredible 3 week stretch as a brand ambassador for hip-hop that I can ever recall. After having a Harvard Fellowship named after him and appearing on CNN to discuss the enduring effect of racism, he has now started a fund to help Stanley Young, a... Read more

August 8, 2013 Throwback

Nas in Sao Paulo (Video)

Here's some behind the scenes footage of Nas during a trip to perform in Sao Paulo, Brazil (brought to you by Hennessy). Check out the video below. Related: Harvard University Establishes the Nasir Jones Fellowship... Read more

July 29, 2013 Video

Nas Speaks on Race on Anderson Cooper’s Race & Justice in America II (Video)

It's official. Nas has become the defacto representative of hip-hop excellence to the mainstream. After having a Harvard fellowship created in his name last week, he made an appearance on Anderson Cooper's special on Race & Justice in America last night to weigh in. Check out a brief clip below.... Read more

July 24, 2013 Video

Timbaland Speaks on Nas’ Collabo with Jay-Z & Justin Timberlake & More (Video)

A picture of Nas, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland in the studio caused a lot of commotion a couple of months ago. Everyone assumed their joint effort would be on Jay-Z's new album. Then Magna Carta came but there was no Jay/Nas/Justin/Tim collabo. Well, Timbaland speaks on the mystery song.... Read more

July 23, 2013 Video

Harvard University Establishes the Nasir Jones Fellowship

This is an incredible landmark for hip-hop. Harvard University has established the Nasir Jones Fellowship "to seek projects from scholars and artists that build on the rich and complex hip-hop tradition." Nas released a statement saying that “In my rollercoaster of a life I’ve endured good and bad for sure,... Read more

July 16, 2013 Food for Thought

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of June 2013 (Audio Playlist)

As we ease into July 4th weekend, here's a look back at the best hip-hop that dropped in June. You'll hear music from J. Cole, Nas, Curren$y, Mac Miller, Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Posdnuos, Kid Tsunami, Drake, LL Cool J, Slum Village, Wale, Lupe Fiasco, Joey Bada$$,... Read more

July 3, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists