nas Archives

Finding the GOAT: Here Are Your Top 10 MCs + 1

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 4, 10 MCs advance to Round 5 (along with Rakim who had a bye), making a grand total of 11 rappers remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop’s greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began... Read more

April 26, 2015 Fresh

Mobb Deep’s Infamous 20 Years Later is Still 1 of Hip-Hop’s Grittiest Classics (Food For Thought)

In the late 1980s, artists like Just-Ice, ScHoolly D, the Geto Boys, N.W.A., Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, and Public Enemy started testing the power of their words, profane and dense alike. The human condition was explored, and Hip-Hop planted a flag in the ground that stated—to quote Ice... Read more

April 25, 2015 Food for Thought, Throwback

Nas & AZ’s Illmatic Collabo Was Supposed to Be Over Juicy. Hear What Could Have Been (Audio)

Though the sample has now been used countless times, Heads will forever associate the deep bass line and knock from Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" with The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Juicy" flip on his debut album, Ready to Die. However, a lesser known fact is that the song was originally supposed to be... Read more

April 22, 2015 Throwback

De La Soul & Nas Are Hip-Hop Gods & Their Collaboration Is Heavenly (Audio)

De La Soul and Nas have been two of the most dependable sources of Hip-Hop music, with nearly 50 years, combined. Crossing paths in one of 2015's biggest collaborations so far, Posdnous, Dave, Maseo, and Nasir sound incredible together on "God It." Presumably the first 2015 public presentation from De... Read more

April 21, 2015 Audio

Here’s a Look at the Real-Life Settings for Some of Hip-Hop’s Most Iconic Album Covers (Photo)

Part of the experience of enjoying an album, Hip-Hop or otherwise, is taking in the cover art that comes with the music. Technology and the Internet have made it so that fewer people actually pay attention to the cover art when they download an album, but recently the internet gave... Read more

April 20, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Nas vs. Black Thought…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH's bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 13, 2015 Fresh

Finding the GOAT: These MCs Are Going to Round 4

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 3, there are only 21 MCs remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began in September, more than 200 MCs have been considered and millions of Hip-Hop fans have... Read more

April 12, 2015 Fresh

Imagine Nas Over Some of Kanye West’s Hardest Beats…Now Take a Listen (Mixtape)

Over the years, while Nas has rocked over some classic beats, one of the few criticisms levied against the iconic MC has been his beat selection. With a catalog that sports classic tracks from DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, No I.D. and more, there have also been records... Read more

April 12, 2015 Mixes

Big Daddy Kane Names His List of the Greatest MCs of All-Time. Who Made the Cut? (Video)

"Me, KRS and Rakim changed the whole way people rhymed..."--Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy Kane is widely considered to be one of the greatest MCs of all-time and, for many, he is the GOAT. So, when Kane speaks about his list of Hip-Hop's best lyricists, it takes on a different... Read more

March 24, 2015 Video

There’s a Reason Why Nas Signed Bishop Nehru. Just Listen (Audio)

Imagine you're an 18-year old up and coming MC and you get the opportunity to work with DOOM...and Nas decides to sign you. Those dreams come true represent just a portion of the good tidings that have come to Bishop Nehru over the last few years. The Rockland County, NY... Read more

March 24, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Nas vs. Ghostface Killah…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 9, 2015 Fresh

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of February 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February had less days, but it was not short on good music. The tight four weeks brought new songs from Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Method Man, Redman, Talib Kweli, Logic, Big K.R.I.T., Slum Village, Rah Digga, Action Bronson, Kanye West, Cannibal Ox, Drake, GZA, Fashawn, Nas,... Read more

March 4, 2015 Audio

Raekwon Explains Ghostface’s Biggie Diss on The Purple Tape. Goes Deep on Wu History (Video)

After more than 20 years in Hip-Hop, Raekwon has some stories...lots of them. He sat down with Sway and had as deep of a conversation as you will ever hear from the Wu-Tang Clan killer bee. The OGs covered a lot of ground, starting with how the Wu changed the... Read more

February 28, 2015 Video

A Mini-Doc With Nas Behind It Shows Fashawn’s World, From An Addict Mom To Years Of The Grind (Video)

Although it's been available for days for stream, today (February 24) is the true release date for Fashawn's The Ecology. The sophomore studio album finds the MC now backed by Nas (care of Mass Appeal Records), releasing a plethora of visuals, and clearing his samples. As was the case with... Read more

February 24, 2015 Video

Fashawn’s New Album Features Nas, Busta Rhymes & More. Take a Listen (Album Stream)

Five days before release, Fashawn's sophomore solo LP, The Ecology comes to full stream. The Fresno, California MC celebrates his first go-round with Nas' Mass Appeal Records, and updates fans after a near six-year break from solo studio releases. After a Duck Down Music venture with Murs, co-signs from Wiz Khalifa,... Read more

February 20, 2015 Audio

Nas & Fashawn Give Us Something To Believe In With Support From Aloe Blacc (Audio)

When he released his first album, Boy Meets World, Fashawn garnered comparisons to the introspective Nas. When Fash' followed with Ode To Illmatic mixtape, the influence was overt. Last year, Nas signed Fashawn to his Mass Appeal imprint, making the proverbial cypher complete. Clearly, Nas something in Fashawn that he... Read more

February 19, 2015 Audio

Here’s a Flawless Blend of Jay-Z, Nas and Mary J. Blige on President’s Day (Audio)

For decades, the president's most mentioned in Hip-Hop are the late ones...So, on Presidents Day here's a look back at a flawless blend of Jay-Z, Nas and Mary J. Blige by Heretic East Productions, from 2011. "Dead Presidents Remix" combines Jay's first verse from the original "Dead Presidents," with Nas'... Read more

February 16, 2015 The Bridge

Ever See This Real Hip-Hop Moment with Mos Def, De La Soul, Nas, Will.I.Am & More (Video)

Update: Here's an extended version of the clip, with additional performances from Nas and Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey). Sometimes the best moments in life are those that are unplanned. Here’s a look back at what has to be one of the most epic after parties of all... Read more

February 15, 2015 Video

Whet Your Appetite With A Tiny Sampling Of Nas & Timbaland’s Latest Creation (Audio)

Dating back to 1998's Tim's Bio: Life From The Basement album, Timbaland and Nas have worked together nearly a half-dozen times. The Queens, New York MC extraordinaire called upon the Virginia producer/rapper for his Nastradamus single, "You Owe Me," in addition to work together alongside everybody ranging from Jay Z... Read more

February 13, 2015 Audio

Madonna & Nas Unveil Their Collaboration About Coming Up In The Big Apple (Audio)

Throughout her career, Madonna has had a curious relationship with Hip-Hop. She included Big Daddy Kane in her sex coffee table book. Madonna was sampled by Jay Z and Ab-Soul in the last 15 years. Also, she recorded a yet-unreleased, but confirmed song with Tupac Shakur before his 1996 death.... Read more

February 3, 2015 Audio

Do Remember: Fat Joe, Nas, Big Pun, Raekwon & Jadakiss’ John Blaze (Video)

1998 was a critical turning point for Fat Joe. Two albums deep, the Bronx, New Yorker had made Represent and Jealous Ones Envy with the hardcore Hip-Hop Head in mind and in spirit. With Joe's brazen delivery, sharp cadence, and keen ear for intricate sample-based production, he had risen the... Read more

January 29, 2015 Throwback

Fashawn Unleashes A Captivating Ecology Single, With A Release Date Too (Audio)

Over five years removed from Boy Meets World, Fashawn solo product may feel estranged from record store shelves, but the Fresno, California MC has been anything but stagnant. Ranging from charting joint efforts with Murs to two Alchemist-assisted mixtapes, to a host of videos, singles, and Grizzly City projects, Fash'... Read more

January 27, 2015 Audio

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Premiere the Trailer for a Documentary on The Purple Tape (Video)

Nas' Illmatic was not the only Hip-Hop classic worthy of a documentary. Over the weekend at The Sundance Film Festival, a trailer was premiered for The Purple Tape Files, a forthcoming film about the making of Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., guest starring Ghostface Killah as Tony Starks. The... Read more

January 26, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Nas vs. Big L…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

January 19, 2015 Throwback

Ever Heard This Nas, AZ & Foxy Brown Freestyle From 1997? It’s Firm Business (Audio)

Back in 1997 when Nas, AZ and Foxy Brown announced they were forming a super group called The Firm and their album would be released on Dr. Dre's then new label Aftermath Entertainment, Heads went crazy with anticipation for the project. Though they would only release one album, which for... Read more

January 17, 2015 Throwback

The Beastie Boys & Nas Unearth A 5 Year-Old Visual That Hasn’t Aged A Day (Video)

It was a major affair back in 2009 when the Beastie Boys and Nas released the spiking commentary track "Too Many Rappers." The Def Jam superstars of 1986 teamed with the critical label acquisition of 2006 in a song that was appropriate for the times. Released on vinyl, and also... Read more

January 12, 2015 Featured-homepage, Video

Slick Rick Performs Children’s Story with Nas at His 50th Birthday Party (Video)

This is classic. Slick Rick celebrated his 50th birthday (1/14) early at NYC's Brooklyn Bowl last night. As part of the festivities, he performed "Children's Story." Rick, being one of Hip-Hop's greatest storytellers, got a special assist. Nas, another master of the narrative, served as The Ruler's hype man. The... Read more

January 10, 2015 Throwback

Capone-N-Noreaga Bust Through A Thematic Blend Of Nas & Mary J. Blige (Audio)

Late last year, N.O.R.E. found a cool pocket, when he and Royal Flush flexed on a Queens instrumental, courtesy of borough brethren The Beatnuts. The sound was fresh, but nostalgic, and something that resonated with the voices of the '90s MCs. Now with Capone in tow, Capone-N-Noreaga are back in... Read more

January 7, 2015 Audio, Fresh

The End Of An Era For Hardcore Hip-Hop…DJ Premier’s Studio Closes Its Doors Today

Nas' Illmatic recorded there. The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die recorded there. Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt recorded there. And nearly every song by Gang Starr, in addition to every track produced by DJ Premier since 1992 was recorded there. Today, on January 7, 2015, Premo announced that D&D Studios a/k/a HeadQCourterz... Read more

January 7, 2015 Fresh

Listen to Over 170 of the Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2014 in One Playlist (Audio)

2014 was an incredibly diverse year for Hip-Hop, musically and thematically. Many of the sounds that have dominated airwaves and web streams remained, but something returned that had been missing from the culture for quite some time: the voice of the people. In a year that saw more unrest in... Read more

January 5, 2015 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Start the New Year with Some Old School Videos (Playlist)

Should old acquaintance be forgot...never that. Today, we ring in the new year with some Old School. Here's a video playlist featuring Nas, Common, OutKast, The Roots, Black Moon, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, The Beatnuts, a rare performance by The Notorious B.I.G. & Method Man and more. Check it... Read more

January 3, 2015 Playlists, Throwback

5 Things That Made Hip-Hop Proud in 2014 (Food For Thought)

Looking at the culture, 2014 had plenty to offer. In addition to the albums, the mixtapes, the songs, and the videos, there was real action. The year, from the Hip-Hop vantage point, brought everlasting history in some areas, and demanded change in others. The culture, the players, and the people... Read more

December 30, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh

Stream and Download More Than 35 of the Best Mixtapes of 2014 (Mixtapes)

2014 was a year of incredibly diverse mixtape offerings. There were amazing blend projects like Yasiin Gaye which combined Mos and Marvin, beat-jacking tapes like Jon Connor's amazing takeover of Kanye West tracks, albums in disguise like Travi$ Scott's Days Before Rodeo, remix wonders like Soul Cookin's complete re-imagination of... Read more

December 29, 2014 Mixes

Your Old Droog Freestyles Over Some Vintage DJ Premier (Video)

Your Old Droog stopped by NYC's Hot 97 for his first interview with Peter Rosenberg. Droog spoke about his ethnic origins, raising his status this year, traveling to Europe and more. At a little over ten minutes in, Rosenberg put him to the test and Droog stepped up with nearly... Read more

December 19, 2014 Video

Chris Rivers Samples Nas and Channels Pun on His Latest (Video)

Chris Rivers (formerly Baby Pun) has had a breakout year in 2014. Big Pun's son has shown that the apple did not fall far from the tree with his razor sharp lyrics and eerily similar tone. On "Ain't Hard to Tell," he puts a Nas sample to good use and... Read more

December 7, 2014 Video

Hus Kingpin & Median Channel The Warriors & Nas At Once, Still Comin’ Original (Audio)

Now based in Los Angeles, California, Hus Kingpin brings the shivery East Coast sound with him. On "The World Is Yours," the New Yorker travels back to a treacherous 212/718/917 sound, with vivid images, cold slang, and sharp accounts of street maneuvers. After Hus' Treach assist last month, this joint... Read more

December 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Marley Marl Remembers Giving Nas Some Key Demo Pointers, Talks Sample Revenue Loophole (Video)

Marley Marl might just be Hip-Hop's greatest producer. The Queens, New York legend is not easily accessible these days, so when he appeared in Tokyo, Japan before a live, engaged audience, it's "kind of like a big deal." Red Bull Music Academy/ego trip!'s "Chairman" Jeff Mao sat down with the... Read more

November 26, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Wale’s Lyrics Come To The Forefront In The Followers (Video)

Although Wale is not tied to Mass Appeal Records, he has a fan in Nas. Reports state that Nasir specifically wanted "The Followers" on his upcoming label compilation. Thereby, the Maybach Music Group/Atlantic Records star spilled the video to the track, featuring a number of people besides the MC driving... Read more

November 21, 2014 Fresh, Video

Imagine Nas Recording The World Is Yours. It Would Look Like This (Video)

Vice has put together a cool concept called Most Valid Reason, in partnership with Sony, where they record artists doing a cappella versions of their songs. For Vol. 1 of the series, they turned to Nas for an extremely minimalist rendition of his classic, "The World is Yours." Nas is... Read more

November 16, 2014 Video

After Nas Sets Things Off, AZ Tries His Hand At Rhyming On J Dilla’s Donut (Audio)

Old friends, AZ and Nas watch each other's moves. As Nasir stole Hip-Hop's attention last week by taking one of J Dilla's 2006 Donuts beats, and coming up with "The Seasons," Tha Visualiza wanted in. AZ made his own rendition of "The Seasons," cuing up Jay Dee's "Gobstopper" instrumental. As... Read more

November 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas Is Recording Over J Dilla Donuts Beats. Now In CDQ (Video/Audio)

Nasty Nas is a rebel to convention. Since investing a stake in Mass Appeal (the magazine), the Queens icon has been making some really interesting, Hip-Hop culturally-minded moves. Deeply involved in Mass Appeal Records, Nas reportedly hand-picked signings of Fashawn, Bishop Nehru, and Boldy James...three artists that have been making... Read more

October 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pete Rock Salutes Nas & The Album He Worked On With Time Is Illmatic (Mixtape)

Back in 1994, Pete Rock notably contributed to the would-be classic debut album, Illmatic, by Nas. The Mount Vernon, New Yorker, who was fully entrenched in a highly-successful career with Pete Rock & CL Smooth stepped aside (with Large Professor, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and L.E.S) to give some of his... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Nas Reacts To His Third-Great Grandmother’s Bill Of Sale Into Slavery (Video)

As part of PBS' "Enslaved Roots" series, the camera turns its lens on Nas. The Queens superstar traces his DNA back to a Virginia slave plantation. Throughout his career, Nas has paid close attention to his ancestry, and African bloodline. The continent is a place that the iconic MC has... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Raekwon Phone Taps Into Some Faith Evans & Carl Thomas Heat (Audio)

Raekwon's TBT series rolls on, with an early '00s tilt. Chef looks to Faith Evans & Carl Thomas' "Can't Believe," which is not even his first Faith nod. The song notably swacked the basis of the beat to The Firm's "Phone Tap," made by Rae's friends and collaborators Nas, AZ,... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Beautiful Look at the Making of the Nas Film Time is Illmatic (Video)

Time is Illmatic, the documentary about Nas, Illmatic and the Hip-Hop landscape of that era, opened up this year's Tribeca Film Festival and hit select theaters last week. The film was a 10-year labor of love by filmmakers One-9 and Erik Parker. Here's a gorgeously shot short about the making... Read more

October 9, 2014 Video

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop to Drop in September 2014 (Audio)

As we ease into October, here's a look back at some of the amazing music that came out in September 2014. You'll hear songs from DJ Quik, Nas, The Lox, Schoolboy Q, Common, Jay Electronica, MC Lyte, Childish Gambino, Raekwon, Logic, Rapsody, Yelawolf, Diamond D, Elzhi, Talib Kweli, Nature, Rick... Read more

October 7, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Nas Opens Up About His Life With Angie Martinez; Says New Music Possible Coming Today (Video)

Nas has always been an open book through his art, narrating not only for himself but for the streets. However, he typically has been a little less forthcoming in interviews. Yesterday, he sat down with Angie Martinez and the two had an intimate conversation amongst friends. Nas opened up about... Read more

October 2, 2014 Video

Nas Addresses the Your Old Droog Rumors Briefly (Video)

MTV caught up with Nas during a screening of his Time is Illmatic documentary. Nas spoke about the film, its inspiring his new music and his belief that Hip-Hop is a young man's game now. In the course of that discussion, he also was asked about the persistent rumors that... Read more

September 29, 2014 Video

Bishop Nehru Says Nas’ “I Can” Is Real, Makes A Case For Abstinence (Video)

Like his big brother MF DOOM, Bishop Nehru is a bit mysterious, if not misunderstood. The Rockland County New Yorker begins an interview with HOT 97's Ebro In The Morning show breaking down his neighborhood, between Hip-Hop's absence, to the misnomer about his being from Brooklyn. Midway through is where... Read more

September 15, 2014 Fresh, Video

Large Professor Releases a Tribute to Nas on His Birthday (Audio)

The connection between Nas and Large Professor spans decades. Extra P introduced Nas to the world via Nas' mind-bending guest verse on Live at the BBQ and then shepherded much of Esco's debut album, Illmatic. Today (9/14) is Nas birthday and his mentor saw fit to release a tribute celebrating... Read more

September 14, 2014 Audio