NAS TO WORK WITH PETE ROCK

Once again. At least that’s what AllHipHop is reporting.

“”The World Is Yours” was an inspirational beacon to Hip-Hop fans during the period. Pete explained how things came to fruition. “I got a call from [Nas] one day. I was very excited when I saw that he called. I called him back and we conversed a bit, through the text, got him on the phone and we kicked it,” Pete Rock told AllHipHop.com. “I sent music to him. And I’ll just continue to send him music, you know? Whatever he likes, he’ll probably put to the side. But, I’m real excited about working with him.”

If your a Nas fan you’ve heard this kind of shit before. Last time it was Nas to work with Primo, Nas to work with Dre, Nas to work with AZ AND Primo, Nas wanting to release full length Dre AND Primo albums (on the same day). None of it ever materializes. I don’t count that Hustlers joint with the Game because let’s face it, that was a piece of shit. It’s hard being a Nas fan… on the real… and it doesn’t help when you see things like this happening but realize the chances of him actually ending up on that beat are very small. How many times can XXL and other magazines do the “the Making of Illmatic” issue. It feels like once a year…

– Oren

NINETEEN NINETY-NOW #16

Few would disagree with the notion that Nas’ Illmatic is one of the most masterfully executed and influential hip hop albums of our time. The culmination of inspired collaboration between a young Nasir Jones and a cast of producers that reads like an all-time who’s who of hip hop production, it has proven impervious to the test of time. In 2006, its promo video (from circa 1993 or early 1994) resurfaced on youtube. This is nostalgic hip hop footage at its finest.

(Big ups to Miguel for posting it on facebook this morning!)

– Jse

COME ON NAS

Sometimes I get really tired of watching rap youtubes on blogs, but this one got me geeked out so here we are. 9th Wonder previewing a beat he made for Nasir.

– Oren

NAS & DAMIAN MARLEY RECORDING ALBUM

There are no photos on the internet of these two, yet they’re recording a full length album together this year. My photoshop MSpaint skills are fu*king amazing.

“Nas told Billboard last week he was cooking up a few surprises, and now we know one of them: an as-yet-untitled collaboration with reggae star Damian Marley.

The pair has been recording quietly in Los Angeles for the last several weeks. Nas’ manager, Anthony Saleh, tells Billboard the project will most likely be released in the spring. It’s not clear which label will release it; Nas is signed to Def Jam, while Marley records for Universal.

“We’ve been recording in a studio, where people like Mick Jagger are recording. No one knew who we were,” Saleh says. “We’re going to Miami this week to finish it up and we’re aiming to tour for the album this summer.”

In addition to its regular incarnation, the album may also be released in a special edition exclusively through Best Buy or Target. A portion of the proceeds will go toward building a school in Africa, though details are still being solidified.

As previously reported, Nas guests on a song on Dr. Dre’s long-in-the-works “Detox” album, due sometime this year. He was nominated for two Grammys at Sunday’s 51st annual awards but lost in both the best rap solo performance and best rap album categories. “

– J.S.E.

RE-UP: BEYOND BORDERS #1

After the big event which occurred this past Tuesday with our neighbors across the border, I thought I’d start a series of posts in tribute to Canadian/American collaborations.

CITY OF GOD’S SON

Remember what it was like before the days of television and YouTube?
Of course you don’t…or maybe, just maybe, some of you do?

City of God’s Son is a “cut and sew” hip-hop audio drama. Similar to old radio dramas like The Shadow and Dragnet, with a huge chunk of truth on today’s urban society, and an ear full of rhymes, beats, and storytelling. This will give you the critical beatdown with a side of well done story development.

This project stars Nas, Notorious BIG, Jay Z and good ol’ Samuel Jackson just to name a few. The music and sound design is really remarkable, so peace up to Kenzo Digital, and Joseph Fraioli for this masterpiece.

It really is like a movie for the blind, but that’s no excuse to be multitasking when listening to this. Drop your shit, you might miss something.

Click here to see the trailer and download the project. Also, keep a look out for the rest of the project.

– Dale

SONG OF THE DAY 25.8.08

Man, time flies… I can’t believe two days have passed since the last song of the day.

^ Such a good chorus. (Although, as is the case with so many songs, I liked this track a lot more when it came out..)