A few thoughts on my experience.
When i arrived at JFK to go through customs, as you would imagine the staff were all very serious and asking what what peoples business is for coming to NY. As i was being processed, the brother working and processing people asked me why i'm here. This how the convo went (bearing in mind it was all very straight faced lol)
Him - why you here?
me - concert
him - what concert?
me - nas
him - msg?
me - yeah (big smile)
him - you know they gonna bring az out? (bigger smile). Enjoy the show.
I thought to myself, now that's a welcome to NY! The city gonna be going crazy for Nas.
I made it my business to listen to radio the entire time i was there. Not once did i hear radio talk about Nas at MSG in the lead up (I landed on the Wednesday). That is crazy to me, wtf! The goat at MSG should be all over the airwaves far as i am concerned, especially hip hop shows! Must be politics i guess, but for NY radio not to big this up is just foul.
The next day was a Thursday and i went up to The Breakfast Club and met CTG. He was a real humble, down to earth guy i enjoyed holding conversation with him. BUT when he asked what i come out here for, i told him Nas. His first words, and i quote "oh, he ain't sold out msg". That didn't sound or feel right to me, i didn't like that. How can that be your first thought? lol.
Thursday night i went to a hennessy hip hop 50 reception and the love was in the room. Whilst there, talk was spreading of a huge special guest arriving and the rumblings were it was going to be Nas. It was quite an intimate setting so i started to loose my composure a little, thinking i may get the chance to exchange a word or two lol. Turns out it was Grandmaster Caz, which was dope nonetheless. But the hype was building
Now on to the day (Friday). I spent the entire day in queensbridge, saw the mural, sat in the park just looking at the bridge, drinking yak and reminiscing with my peoples. I felt the love for Nas from that very morning.
By show time, as you would expect, the love for Nas was crazy in and outside the building. shyt felt incredible. Met people from all over. Yet the guy right next to me was from queensbridge, same building as Nas, went to the same school as Nas. He attended the show by himself because the tickets were so expensive where we sat none of his homies could afford it, but he said i ain't missing this shyt for nothin. The knowledge i got from him was priceless and we chilled for a while after the show.
Best concert i've experienced and one of the best trips of my life.
Thanks Nas!