Official Nas Thread

[Ziggiy]

Uhhhhhh...hmmm

So Nas has the money to pay them, promote this with no problem.

Where this would go wrong is within Nas own fanbase. See then you have the Nas fans who havent moved on from Pete, Preme and Large Pro (the nutcase fans) vs the fans who have been moved on from notion over a decade ago (the sane fans). What Nas wouldnt want is one group calling Hit project trash compared to Preme and vice versa. It would be totally unfair. The fanbase would derail the projects.

Preme in my top 3 rap producers all time, but I havent heard anything from him in I dont know how long that makes me wish for a whole album.. that doesnt mean it wouldnt be dope songs. I just think Nas and his song concepts would have to carry a Preme album more in 2023 vs the songs they did before.

Nas gave yall a Preme record last year no one even wrote about. I think that was Nas public reception test. It wasnt there sadly

I don’t think Nas gives one iota of a fukk about what his supposed “fanbase” wants. If he listened to the unrealistic demands of fans then he’d be on Illmatic Part 6 and Lost Tapes Part 10 by now.

Nas goes based on his own feelings and what inspires him. He clearly said on 30 that the “Premier album still might happen” and thats a year AFTER break beats dropped. While I agree that Beat Breaks going under the radar is proof that the dusty “trapped in the 90’s nikkas” are full of shyt and Nas was right not listen to them all of these years it DOESN’T necessarily mean that Nas would never be inspired to work with him again. People bytched and complained about Nas working with Salaam Remi and Salaam turned around and gave Nas some of his best ever production on Life Is Good.

So in my opinion IF the Nas/Premo album is ever going to happen it’ll be this year on Hip Hop’s 50th. And Nas said back in 2007 that one of his dreams was to do an album with Dr Dre and an album with Premo and drop them on the same day. If he didn’t care about fans tearing the music apart back THEN i’m sure he cares even less in the present day as an independent artist who can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

 

[L. Deezy]

I don’t think Nas gives one iota of a fukk about what his supposed “fanbase” wants. If he listened to the unrealistic demands of fans then he’d be on Illmatic Part 6 and Lost Tapes Part 10 by now.

Nas goes based on his own feelings and what inspires him. He clearly said on 30 that the “Premier album still might happen” and thats a year AFTER break beats dropped. While I agree that Beat Breaks going under the radar is proof that the dusty “trapped in the 90’s nikkas” are full of shyt and Nas was right not listen to them all of these years it DOESN’T necessarily mean that Nas would never be inspired to work with him again. People bytched and complained about Nas working with Salaam Remi and Salaam turned around and gave Nas some of his best ever production on Life Is Good.

So in my opinion IF the Nas/Premo album is ever going to happen it’ll be this year on Hip Hop’s 50th. And Nas said back in 2007 that one of his dreams was to do an album with Dr Dre and an album with Premo and drop them on the same day. If he didn’t care about fans tearing the music apart back THEN i’m sure he cares even less in the present day as an independent artist who can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

Sigh..Ill let you have it

 

[HNIC973]

Listening to the Telfon album now there's some Premo bangers on there nothing like his 90's material but still . Premier is the GOAT to me so my excitement will never stray from The GOAT MC GOAT producer. I also liked Beat Breaks that song suffered from being on those Hip Hop 50 ep .Premier gave Ab-Soul a banger late last year

 

[kes929]

Sigh..Ill let you have it

Ziggly does have a good point though haha

 

[Budda]

I would rather Alchemist than Premo produce a Nas album.

 

[The Dust King]

Big business ima drop a new yak soon

now henessey changing its name a year later

if yall thought nas and primo jus recorded beat breaks then yall are surely mistaken

 

[HNIC973]

Here's a idea 12 track Nas album
6 beats from HitBoy
3 from Premier
3 ALC
both sides can STFU

 

[HNIC973]

Big business ima drop a new yak soon

now henessey changing its name a year later

if yall thought nas and primo jus recorded beat breaks then yall are surely mistaken

we know they did Preme said it wasn't just Beat Breaks

 

[Piff Perkins]

I don’t think Nas gives one iota of a fukk about what his supposed “fanbase” wants. If he listened to the unrealistic demands of fans then he’d be on Illmatic Part 6 and Lost Tapes Part 10 by now.

Nas goes based on his own feelings and what inspires him. He clearly said on 30 that the “Premier album still might happen” and thats a year AFTER break beats dropped. While I agree that Beat Breaks going under the radar is proof that the dusty “trapped in the 90’s nikkas” are full of shyt and Nas was right not listen to them all of these years it DOESN’T necessarily mean that Nas would never be inspired to work with him again. People bytched and complained about Nas working with Salaam Remi and Salaam turned around and gave Nas some of his best ever production on Life Is Good.

So in my opinion IF the Nas/Premo album is ever going to happen it’ll be this year on Hip Hop’s 50th. And Nas said back in 2007 that one of his dreams was to do an album with Dr Dre and an album with Premo and drop them on the same day. If he didn’t care about fans tearing the music apart back THEN i’m sure he cares even less in the present day as an independent artist who can do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

I disagree with the Break Beats point, which seems to be coming from some people in Nas' camp when it comes to Magic. I don't think the issue is that the "real hip hop" nerds should have made more noise about Break Beats. The problem was that the song was meh and that EP got little to no promo. It did about what you'd expect given the circumstance. Same with Magic, which was thrown out on a holiday. I feel like that song and the Magic album both got puzzling releases and now people want to say "see, the stuck in the 90s dudes aren't supporting" when that's not the case.

A Nas/Premo album would put up similar numbers as the Nas/Hit Boy albums. The first KD did 47k. KD2 did 56k. Magic did 22k, and KDIII did 29k. That's about 39k on average. Most of Hit Boy's stuff isn't really selling great over the last few years so I wouldn't say he's bringing much to the table sales wise. So it's not like the "new fans" are supporting more than the "old fans." It's the same fans, who are gonna buy a Nas album because it's Nas - whether it's Nas/Premo or Nas/Hit Boy or Nas/Alchemist or Nas/Salaam. Whatever sales he makes above his average numbers will be due to features and promo. Take Eminem and Lauryn off KD2 and it does less sales, for instance. IMO the recent 21 Savage and Metro collabs have proven that there's a clear path to him doing bigger numbers and it's got nothing to do with Hit Boy. Throw Drake, Kendrick, SZA, and Jay on the next album and he's gonna do 60-70k first week and outpace all the tracks on his recent albums, regardless of whether Hit Boy or Alchemist did most of the beats.

I think all these are damn good numbers for any rapper heading into Year 30, btw.

 

[The Dust King]

we know they did Preme said it wasn't just Beat Breaks

go dj

 

[Ziggiy]

I

I disagree with the Break Beats point, which seems to also be coming from some people in Nas' camp when it comes to Magic. I don't think the issue is that the "real hip hop" nerds should have made more noise about Break Beats. The problem was that the song was meh and that EP got little to no promo. It did about what you'd expect given the circumstance. Same with Magic, which was thrown out on a holiday. I feel like that song and the Magic album both got puzzling releases and now people want to say "see, the stuck in the 90s dudes aren't supporting" when that's not the case.

A Nas/Premo album would put up similar numbers as the Nas/Hit Boy albums. The first KD did 47k. KD2 did 56k. Magic did 22k, and KDIII did 29k. That's about 39k on average. Most of Hit Boy's stuff isn't really selling great over the last few years so I wouldn't say he's bringing much to the table sales wise. So it's not like the "new fans" are supporting more than the "old fans." It's the same fans, who are gonna buy a Nas album because it's Nas - whether it's Nas/Premo or Nas/Hit Boy or Nas/Alchemist or Nas/Salaam. Whatever sales he makes above his average numbers will be due to features and promo. Take Eminem and Lauryn off KD2 and it does less sales, for instance. IMO the recent 21 Savage and Metro collabs have proven that there's a clear path to him doing bigger numbers and it's got nothing to do with Hit Boy. Throw Drake, Kendrick, SZA, and Jay on the next album and he's gonna do 60-70k first week and outpace all the tracks on his recent albums, regardless of whether Hit Boy or Alchemist did most of the beats.

I think all these are damn good numbers for any rapper heading into Year 30, btw.

My point wasn’t about sales numbers specifically, it was about overall hype and excitement even amongst Nas own fanbase. Fans have been genuinely anticipating each new Nas/Hit Boy collaboration even the loosies like Big Nas and Life Is Like A Dice game. At least ONE song from each Nas/Hit-Boy album has charted within the top ten on apple music’s Hip Hop charts since they started whilst Break Beats didn’t chart within the top 50. That Nas Outlet chick was on Twitter Spaces talking about how the Nas/Swizz track on the latest EP made more noise amongst the fans than Break Beats. And again these are the SAME fans who continually question Nas moves and decisions and beg and whine and bytch about Nas going back to the Illmatic producers and when he DOES do music with Pete Rock, Premier, RZA and boom bap type producers like Alchemist and Statik Selectah there’s no EXTRA hype or excitement.

I agree that Nas doing more features equals more sales, thats common sense because the younger generation is into streaming whilst the older generation is still into purchasing. One Gun One Mic is a great example as you stated, it IMMEDIATELY shot to number 1 on Apple Music after its release. Spicy from KD1 with the Fivio Foreign and Asap Ferg features was the charting song even though Ultra Black was the official lead single and video. I DO however feel that if Nas did a more traditional promo run it would equal more sales too so i’m not of the opinion that he can’t chart higher by “himself”’so to speak. But all of that is up to the man himself, i’m going to enjoy the music regardless.


A Nas/Premo album, if its going to happen (and its on Nas mind as well if he’s shouting out the possibility on one of the more popular songs on KD3) seems like a no brainer right here right now as Nas is on an incredible run both artistically AND commercially. I feel that he could align the fans with all the goodwill and nostalgia that the 50th anniversary is bringing along with the excitement he’s been inspiring amongst younger fans due to the KD series. Maybe it’ll sell on par with Magic/KD3 and maybe if he does some great promo it’ll sell more. Features from J.Cole/Kendrick/Andre 3000 even Jay-Z feature (that would BREAK the internet) would push it over the top. A KD4/Metro album with a Drake/Future/ feature would do the same, but again thats up to what Nas wants/feels as an artist


These are just my off the wall predictions as I think Nas is primed to have a BIG year in 2023. The sold out show at MSG. The soundtrack feature run, the Hennessey collaboration, the international tour with Wu-Tang alongside headlining festivals like Blue Note Jazz Festival. Updating the merch on his online store. Doing more interviews. The man is OUTSIDE more than he’s been since the Life Is Good era.

 

[LOST IN THE SAUCE]

My point wasn’t about sales numbers specifically, it was about overall hype and excitement even amongst Nas own fanbase. Fans have been genuinely anticipating each new Nas/Hit Boy collaboration even the loosies like Big Nas and Life Is Like A Dice game. At least ONE song from each Nas/Hit-Boy album has charted within the top ten on apple music’s Hip Hop charts since they started whilst Break Beats didn’t chart within the top 50. That Nas Outlet chick was on Twitter Spaces talking about how the Nas/Swizz track on the latest EP made more noise amongst the fans than Break Beats. And again these are the SAME fans who continually question Nas moves and decisions and beg and whine and bytch about Nas going back to the Illmatic producers and when he DOES do music with Pete Rock, Premier, RZA and boom bap type producers like Alchemist and Statik Selectah there’s no EXTRA hype or excitement.

That's not true though, there was definitely extra hype amongst Nas fans and the hip hop media when the production line up for LT2 came out. The problem was that the records just weren't that compelling. I think Queens Bridge Politics is dope and I still play that, but the RZA, Alchemist, and other Pete Rock joints were all just okay. He shot himself in the foot by releasing the Al Jerreau joint as the lead single as well. Immediately killed most of the hype for the project.

For Beat Breaks, like @Piff Perkins explained, it's really just because the song wasn't good. That's it. All the extra comparisons and chart talk is irrelevent, because we all know if they dropped another Nas Is Like it would make huge waves throughout the hip hop media ecosystem. "Break Beats didn't make an impact" is such a disingenuous reason to write off the Nas/Preemo collab. I'm never going to bet against Nas to make a quality album after the run he's been on. I know you're not the one making those claims, but it needs to be said. fukk the Twitter bird and her dumbass takes. I hope she isn't close enough to Nas' circle to spread her garbage opinions on to him.

Nas is in a completely different place now than when he was recording LT2. Now that he's in the zone it's only natural people want to see him double back to previous collaborators. That schizophrenic bird on Twitter says a whole lot of dumb shyt, and I'm tired of people taking her seriously. She's always shytting on the fans. No one asking for Nas to work with Alchemist again even gives a shyt about streaming numbers vs Hit Boy, it's strictly about the quality of music they have the potential to put out together. If Nas never works with Alchemist again I would be pissed. They're both in their second primes, it just makes perfect sense. If Nas never works with Preemo again though, I'm not going to be mad, but I'm not trying to hear a bunch of bullshyt reasons why they shouldn't work together.

Again, I know it's not you making the claims, I'm just venting.

 

[Life is Good]

 

[Ziggiy]

That's not true though, there was definitely extra hype amongst Nas fans and the hip hop media when the production line up for LT2 came out. The problem was that the records just weren't that compelling. I think Queens Bridge Politics is dope and I still play that, but the RZA, Alchemist, and other Pete Rock joints were all just okay. He shot himself in the foot by releasing the Al Jerreau joint as the lead single as well. Immediately killed most of the hype for the project.

For Beat Breaks, like @Piff Perkins explained, it's really just because the song wasn't good. That's it. All the extra comparisons and chart talk is irrelevent, because we all know if they dropped another Nas Is Like it would make huge waves throughout the hip hop media ecosystem. "Break Beats didn't make an impact" is such a disingenuous reason to write off the Nas/Preemo collab. I'm never going to bet against Nas to make a quality album after the run he's been on. I know you're not the one making those claims, but it needs to be said. fukk the Twitter bird and her dumbass takes. I hope she isn't close enough to Nas' circle to spread her garbage opinions on to him.

Nas is in a completely different place now than when he was recording LT2. Now that he's in the zone it's only natural people want to see him double back to previous collaborators. That schizophrenic bird on Twitter says a whole lot of dumb shyt, and I'm tired of people taking her seriously. She's always shytting on the fans. No one asking for Nas to work with Alchemist again even gives a shyt about streaming numbers vs Hit Boy, it's strictly about the quality of music they have the potential to put out together. If Nas never works with Alchemist again I would be pissed. They're both in their second primes, it just makes perfect sense. If Nas never works with Preemo again though, I'm not going to be mad, but I'm not trying to hear a bunch of bullshyt reasons why they shouldn't work together.

Again, I know it's not you making the claims, I'm just venting.

I disagree that the songs on LT2 were underwhelming. I thought Never Ends, The Art Of It, and Highly Favored were all standouts, though my favorites were War Against Love and Beautiful Life.

I’m going to spin LT2 in full tonight because its been a min since i’ve been listening to the KD series so much the last few years. I agree Jerreau Of Rap wasn’t shall we say the “logical” way to go for a lead single but its funny I saw that song used in a car commercial a few years ago so Nas ate off licensing for that song.


The twitter chick is definitely plugged in on SOME level because she knows a lot about the business moves Nas makes and provides context to some things like how chaotic the Nasir recordings were and how Nas was recording KD3 during the Wu tour and spending a lot of money flying Hit Boy out for sessions. I know her fervor when it comes to fan interactions and streaming can be offputting but I believe she REALLY wants to see Nas win and cares alot about his career and legacy. She talks alot about how good of a person he is and how he’s personally helped her in her career and personal life so I think she feels a responsibility to get everyone on the same page when it comes to streaming and sales but the issue is that Nas core fanbase skews older and according to her the physicals sales and merch reflect that. He makes a KILLING off his website sales and his tours but 35-50 year old fans aren’t going to incessantly stream like Taylor Swift or Harry Styles fans are. Hell I didn’t even know there were all these rules to streaming until I started tapping into her Twitter Spaces breaking down how the shyt works. But thats why a traditional album promo works for Nas. Not to bring Jay into it but i’m going to be VERY interested to see how he markets his next album as he’s the only other rapper from Nas era that will illicit the same level of interest with an album.

 

[Ziggiy]

I LOVE how the entire Hennessey partnership going back the last decade feels super organic to Nas brand. They REALLY respect Nas as an artist and every commercial, short, poster, billboard they’re involved with Nas is very much in line with his ART and not just peddling the liquor itself.


Nas linking with them was pure genius. Sprite as well does a lot with Nas brand that feels in line and on brand with what Nas represents.