Official Nas Thread

[Piff Perkins]

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.

Fair points. My issue with the Swizz/Premo charting thing is that the Swizz project has bigger features which explains why it charted higher in general. Durk, Boogie, and Fivio are all on there plus Wayne. Whereas the only big name on the Premo EP was Wayne.

I agree Nas should do a real promo run for a big album. I thought for sure KD3 was gonna get a victory lap. Four albums within a short period of time...I figured both him and Hit would head to Breakfast Club or something. CTG is a Nas fan, Envy is from Queens, they aren't gonna be asking bullshyt questions. Then there are a host of podcasts he could be doing, from Shannon Sharpe's to The Pivot. All those dudes fukk with Nas, none are ambushing with The Topic he doesn't want to discuss. And as we get closer to the 50th anniversary and the possible release of another album...I'm gonna feel the same way: he should do a promo run. Not just for the anniversary but the album, talking about MSG, and whatever else.

I feel like LT2 was kinda botched to me From the rollout single to the quality of some of the tracks (including mixing) it just felt very weird to compared to the first Lost Tapes. That second Pete Rock track on there sounds unfinished for instance. The Hit Boy track, which initially had Frank Ocean iirc, sounds off too mix wise. Just...I dunno man, I know a lot of people fukked with that project here but outside of a few tracks I wasn't a big fan. The Statik track is easily the best on there IMO, and it also seems incomplete (to be fair it's labeled as a freestlye). End of the day, the tepid reactions to LT2 and Nasir gave us the KD and Magic albums so it was a win win. But if there is another Lost Tapes I hope it's curated a lot better.

Agreed on him being outside and active. It's super dope that he's in the mix. And while I get that he's not gonna do something like a Math Hoffa interview, given how messy (and disrespectful) Math can be...I do hope Nas gives some other respectful brehs a shot because a lot of folks want to hear from him. I think the Spotify podcast proved that you can easily get Nas super animated and EXCITED when talking about 80s rap history. And what better time to do that than this year, the 50th anniversary. Dunno if you saw Angie Martinez's Life After Death/Biggie doc on youtube, it's amazing. Couple cool Nas insights in there too. But anyway I'd love another interview with Angie too.

 

[LOST IN THE SAUCE]

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.

I thought they were underwhelming, and pretty much every review I've seen of LT2 outside of the Coli said they were underwhelming. Not everyone is going to feel the same way, but the consensus was that LT2 was not great. If Nas made an album full of joints over production like Queensbridge Politics I'd be stoked, but I know that for the most part people didn't really care for the track too much. I don't look at LT2 as a bunch of underrated gems and a missed opportunity. It was what it was, so it is what it is.

I used to doubt her insider connection, but now I know its true and she really is tapped in. He involvement really has me looking at Nas' camp funny though. How is no one else in the crew seeing her incoherent rambling and telling her to shape up? She legit comes off like when people with schizophrenia rant on social media. I don't doubt she's passionate, but she needs to clean her shyt up cuz she's making the team look bad. shytting on Nas' core fans is not how you build momentum.

On the topic of Jay, he actually does promo runs for his album. We're lucky to get a weeks notice and a music video for Nas' recent roll outs. It's not really going to be something you'll be able to compare.

 

[Life is Good]

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.

Nas is really intentional about who he partners with and most of his partnerships include stock in the company. Nas is very much respected by many. He is admired tremendously in these types of spaces.

 

[kes929]

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.

Man bro I said the same thing earlier to somebody about how the Nas and Hennessy partnership feels so organic. Everything that they do with Nas always has a message with it in some way which I’m sure Nas wanted to make sure was always incorporated. Not to knock those other alcohol deals other artist have, but this one seems genuine.

 

[kes929]

Nas is really intentional about who he partners with and most of his partnerships include stock in the company. Nas is very much respected by many. He is admired tremendously in these types of spaces.

I’ve never met Nas a day in my life, but you can tell the respect these companies have for him. He doesn’t seem to carry a huge ego and does thinks respectfully which also probably plays a part in their willingness to continue to partner with him.

 

[kes929]

Fair points. My issue with the Swizz/Premo charting thing is that the Swizz project has bigger features which explains why it charted higher in general. Durk, Boogie, and Fivio are all on there plus Wayne. Whereas the only big name on the Premo EP was Wayne.

I agree Nas should do a real promo run for a big album. I thought for sure KD3 was gonna get a victory lap. Four albums within a short period of time...I figured both him and Hit would head to Breakfast Club or something. CTG is a Nas fan, Envy is from Queens, they aren't gonna be asking bullshyt questions. Then there are a host of podcasts he could be doing, from Shannon Sharpe's to The Pivot. All those dudes fukk with Nas, none are ambushing with The Topic he doesn't want to discuss. And as we get closer to the 50th anniversary and the possible release of another album...I'm gonna feel the same way: he should do a promo run. Not just for the anniversary but the album, talking about MSG, and whatever else.

I feel like LT2 was kinda botched to me From the rollout single to the quality of some of the tracks (including mixing) it just felt very weird to compared to the first Lost Tapes. That second Pete Rock track on there sounds unfinished for instance. The Hit Boy track, which initially had Frank Ocean iirc, sounds off too mix wise. Just...I dunno man, I know a lot of people fukked with that project here but outside of a few tracks I wasn't a big fan. The Statik track is easily the best on there IMO, and it also seems incomplete (to be fair it's labeled as a freestlye). End of the day, the tepid reactions to LT2 and Nasir gave us the KD and Magic albums so it was a win win. But if there is another Lost Tapes I hope it's curated a lot better.

Agreed on him being outside and active. It's super dope that he's in the mix. And while I get that he's not gonna do something like a Math Hoffa interview, given how messy (and disrespectful) Math can be...I do hope Nas gives some other respectful brehs a shot because a lot of folks want to hear from him. I think the Spotify podcast proved that you can easily get Nas super animated and EXCITED when talking about 80s rap history. And what better time to do that than this year, the 50th anniversary. Dunno if you saw Angie Martinez's Life After Death/Biggie doc on youtube, it's amazing. Couple cool Nas insights in there too. But anyway I'd love another interview with Angie too.

A Joe Rogan interview would be big too I think. He is Joe’s favorite rapper and always gives him high praise.

 

[Ziggiy]

A Joe Rogan interview would be big too I think. He is Joe’s favorite rapper and always gives him high praise.

Nas and Joe Rogan would BREAK the internet but Joe is also a lightening rod for fukkery. I can see him asking shyt about Kelis and other bullshyt for clicks that Nas wouldn’t be down with.

 

[kes929]

Nas and Joe Rogan would BREAK the internet but Joe is also a lightening rod for fukkery. I can see him asking shyt about Kelis and other bullshyt for clicks that Nas wouldn’t be down with.

I don’t know, I honestly don’t think he would do Nas like that. I know he can be controversial, he always showing Nas love. So I’m sure they would talk about music, business etc…

 

[H.S.]

Nas and Joe Rogan would BREAK the internet but Joe is also a lightening rod for fukkery. I can see him asking shyt about Kelis and other bullshyt for clicks that Nas wouldn’t be down with.

I doubt Rogan would ask Nas about anything controversial. They would probably end up talking about Pablo Escobar, weed, Wu-Tang, Richard Pryor and Ex-Machina. I just don’t see Nas wanting to do a 4 hour interview with anyone.

Rogan probably doesn’t even know who the hell Kelis is.

 

[badboys11]

Nas is like.....half man half amazing.....no doubt

A baby born same time a man is murdered, the beginning and end

 

[H.S.]

Mass Appeal was smart to plant the seeds for this 50th anniversary like two years ahead of time. It’s crazy how many institutions have hopped on the bandwagon from Good Morning America to the Smithsonian.

 

[HNIC973]

the perfect Nas song

 

[HNIC973]

I’ve never met Nas a day in my life, but you can tell the respect these companies have for him. He doesn’t seem to carry a huge ego and does thinks respectfully which also probably plays a part in their willingness to continue to partner with him.

I've told this story like 10 times but meeting son was almost surreal. I damn near didn't know what to say. He was grateful thanked me for the support signed Untitled shouted my hood out (had Newark shirt on). My girl was beyond excited damn near shaking . Some dude before us started rapping the Live at the BBQ verse went full stan mode.

 

[kes929]

I've told this story like 10 times but meeting son was almost surreal. I damn near didn't know what to say. He was grateful thanked me for the support signed Untitled shouted my hood out (had Newark shirt on). My girl was beyond excited damn near shaking . Some dude before us started rapping the Live at the BBQ verse went full stan mode.

Hahaha that’s a hilarious story

 

[HNIC973]

Hahaha that’s a hilarious story

He went before us his homie told him to chill Nas laughed it off. Random Horse was the security. That's why I go in so hard on her when she start talking about us. Some of us been fans well before she was born. I'm not with that shyttin on the core base. Find ways to build expand not tear it down we been out here showing support. @Piff Perkins been saying it the days of Nas doing 100-200K are behind him. He can do 40-60K if they got out promote a get a couple of features do some podcasts ect... Nas has to be willing