Nas and DJ Premier joined forces 30 years ago on Nas's iconic debut album 'Illimatic', marking the start of their legendary careers in hip-hop. Now, they're set to drop their highly-anticipated first collaborative album later this year. Although the title and release date remain a mystery, their latest single, 'Define My Name,' gives a glimpse into their upcoming project.
“At twenty, I said I’d better quit by thirty / Then by thirty, I thought by forty rapping is corny / How wrong was I? / Never would have thought at fifty, new songs by Nas would be hard and live,” Nas raps on the second verse. Illimatic was released when the rapper was 20 years old. He’ll turn 51 this year.
The outro of 'Define My Name' features Nas and DJ Premier reflecting on their journey so far and envisioning their future direction. Nas DJ Premier Define My Name Reaction Excited For Nas & Preemo Album? Illmatic 30 Draft
Before dropping the single, Nas posted throwback and recent photos with DJ Premier on Instagram. Nearly twenty years have passed since their Illimatic hits like 'N.Y. State of Mind,' 'Represent,' and 'Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park)' teased a future collaboration.
Back in 2006, Nas mentioned in Scratch Magazine about their plans for an album, stating, 'We talked about doing an album together, and some fans are eager for it—I am too—but I want to gather inspiration from various sources for this next project because some think it's become too easy, that I've given up.'
However, in the outro of 'Define My Name,' Nas declares, 'It's time for the album,' signaling the long-awaited collaboration is finally happening.
Explore the legendary Nas, a hip-hop icon celebrated for his lyrical mastery, compelling narratives, and insightful social commentary. Dive into his seminal albums "Illmatic" and "It Was Written" to witness his unmatched flow, profound lyrics, and enduring influence on rap culture. Nas Dj Premier 'Define My Name'
DJ Premier, a legendary hip-hop producer known for his innovative beats and collaborations with artists like Nas and Gang Starr, brings a unique blend of boom-bap and jazz-infused production to the table. His signature sound has shaped the landscape of hip-hop, making him a pioneer in the genre. Explore the genius of DJ Premier with his iconic tracks, production techniques, and influence on hip-hop culture.
Breaking Down Nas’ “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” | Large Professor Digging The Greats
Today is the 30th anniversary of Nas’ Illmatic. So today, we’re gonna talk about yet ANOTHER incredible producer who worked on this album: Large Professor. He produced multiple songs on this album, but today we’re looking specifically at the last song on the album “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”. This song has it’s own journey as there are multiple version of this song, but… well the easiest way to navigate this is to… use a metaphor. Digging The Greats
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