VIDEO: Young Jeezy - My President Is Black ft Nas

VIDEO: Nas - Make The World Go Around ft The Game [Behind The Scenes]

I for one love the fact that Nas has taken to The Game. Every song they've done together so far has been great.

VIDEO: Nas & Jay-Z - Success/Black Republicans (Live)

Nas brings out Jay-Z at this weekends Rock The Bells concert.

VIDEO: Nas - Sly Fox

This song is still essentially good lyrics over a crappy beat, but I'm starting to like it better with the visual to distract me.

LISTEN: Bullet - Hero Freestyle

DOWNLOAD Bullet - Hero Freestyle (MP3)

This could've been mixed better on a audio quality level, but I'm just marveling at how Bullet doesn't seem to need to take a breath more than once a minute. Over Polow Da Don/Nas's 'Hero' beat.

LISTEN: 1st 48 - My Way ft. Benzino & Nas

DOWNLOAD 1st 48 - My Way ft. Benzino & Nas (MP3)

I think we all agree that of all great rappers Nas easily has the worst judgment in terms of doing the right thing artistically and strategically. Here he appears on a lame track (with a pretty dope verse) with the WOAT Benzino's new group 1st 48. This is of course fresh off of Nas inviting nuisance DJ Khaled to be on a track off of his upcoming album (download here).

LISTEN: Nas - Surviving the Times (Spade's Remix)

DOWNLOAD Nas - Surviving the Times (Spade's Remix) (MP3)

Spade still has some to learn and work on his mixing game, but Spade's Remix > the original Cool & Dre version. Though the version from Nas's, see below in the classic SDSU captured live performance, is going to be hard to top by anyone.

LISTEN: Nas - I’m On ft. DJ Khaled

DOWNLOAD Nas - I’m On ft. DJ Khaled (MP3)

Oh hell naw. Nas? Why didn't your advisors forewarn you? Please not DJ Khaled on your track. He's just for play. DJ Khaled on a Nas track is like taking a crap inside of a $1,000 pair of jeans. This track is decent mixtape material at best.

NEWS: New Nas Album Cover

Nas wasn't kidding when he said: The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it.. Will Def Jam pull this cover after they already pulled the title?



Previously the cover was going to be this:

Via DS

LISTEN: Nas - N.*.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)

DOWNLOAD Nas - N.*.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master) (MP3)

Ugh. I was really hoping Nas wouldn't have to take an L on this one. He was forced to change his N*igger album title after all by shady double-speak execs (looking at you Mr. LA Reid). As a saving grace he does give the following statement, and I think he should just promote it at concerts etc by it's original title anyway. Another way to make it better is taking creative revenge, and he does by dropping 'N.*.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)', which is one of the better Nas tracks in a while.

In a statement, Nas clarified that he considers his new album untitled, adding: "It's important to me that this album gets to the fans. It’s been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that, creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. It's that important. The streets have been waiting for this for a long time. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it." (Source)

Props to OnSmash for the mp3.

LISTEN: Grynch - Peer Pressure

DOWNLOAD Grynch - Peer Pressure (MP3)

Does Seattle's Grynch look like that scrappy kid in High School that got teased but would fight the bigger bully nonetheless? Yup. Does he look like a typical MC? Nope. Is this track dope? Yup. Is he opening for Nas in Seattle May 16th? Yup. Are the girls in this photo mad cute? Yup. Off of My Second Wind.

LISTEN: Nas - War Is Necessary

DOWNLOAD Nas - War Is Necessary (MP3)

I don't want to hate, but I can't stand the sentiment behind this track. Also, it's just not very good. The flow trails off and the beat is unremarkable. Weak sound quality because it's a rip.

Props to Jimmy.

NEWS: Rock The Bells Line-Up Announced

The Rock The Bells tour is back (check photos from last year's here). The bills is a little lighter than last year but still a cannot-miss level event.

Performers: A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, Rakim, Method Man & Redman, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Murs, Kidz In The Hall, Spank Rock (blegh, they better be booed off stage), Santogold, Kid Sister, Wale, Flosstradamus, Jay Electronica, The Cool Kids and it will be hosted by B-Real (Cypress Hill) and Supernatural.

Rock The Bells Tour 2008
7/19 Chicago, IL
7/20 Toronto, ON
7/26 Boston, MA
7/27 New York, NY
8/2 Miami, FL
8/3 Philadelphia, PA
8/9 Los Angeles, CA
8/16 San Francisco, CA
8/23 Denver, CO
8/30 Vancouver, BC

VIDEO: Cee Rock "The Fury" - Kill Da Killin

Goodness this beat is about 1 millimeter away from being ridiculously dope with some minor tweaks and mixing. The rhyming and video aren't quite up to par with the high potential this beat has, but I sense excellent intent and emotion. Nas needs to buy this beat though.

LISTEN: Ice Cube - Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It (Remix) ft. Scarface & Nas

DOWNLOAD Ice Cube - Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It (Remix) ft. Scarface & Nas (MP3)

When the original came out I right away thought this would've been a great beat for Scarface and lookie here. Nas makes an appearance as well.


Via Eskay.

LISTEN: A+R - Explode

DOWNLOAD A+R - Explode (MP3)

Rashid Hadee rhymes over Analogic's Roc-A-Fella dynasty style production under the name A + R. If you're a hater you could say this is a re-hash of Nas's excellent 'I Gave You Power', or it's pre-cursor 'Stray Bullet' by Organized Konfusion. But then you'd be a hater and you'd miss the point that this is a really excellent track.

VIDEO: DJ Khalil Breaks Down New Nas Beat For 'What It Is'

Per tradition, I am underwhelmed with Nas's beat selection. Aftermath staff producer DJ Khalil gives us a little insight into the making of Nas' 'What It Is'.


Via CrateKings.

VIDEO: Nas & Kelis @ Grammies, Wearing '

Nas made for one of the better Grammy YouTube moments I've seen so far. The CNN reporter asks some questions about Nas & crew wearing shirts that say 'N*gger' on them, as well as some on his nominated previous album Hip Hop Is Dead. Her tone is eye-roll inducing, especially when she says: "Hip Hop isn't dead in my eyes. Kanye's up for 8 Grammies.". Then Kelis comes back to school the presenter by letting her know John Lennon had a song called 'Women Are The N*ggers Of The World'. Awesome TV moment.


Via TSS.

LISTEN: Rich Boy - Ghetto Rich RMX ft. Nas, Lil' Wayne & John Legend

DOWNLOAD Rich Boy - Ghetto Rich RMX ft. Nas, Lil' Wayne & John Legend (MP3)

Rich Boy managed to enlist a top crooner, a top lyricist and a top...lean appreciator to jump on the 'Ghetto Rich' remix with him. Impressive. Weezy's verse is much better than I expected. John Legend does a great job, and Nas brings heat per usual.

LISTEN: Donny Goines - Success Freestyle ft Mickey Factz

DOWNLOAD Donny Goines - Success Freestyle ft Mickey Factz (MP3)

Donny Goines recently dropped his excellent mixtape Off The Books (download/listen here and he's right back on his grind with this freestyle over Jay-Z/Nas's 'Success' beat. Featuring Mickey Factz