Getty Image / Theo Wargo / Staff
What was the first Nas song that blew your mind? “NY State of Mind,” “Hate Me Now,” “Ether,” “Street Dreams,” “Halftime,” “The World is Yours,” “One Mic,” “Made You Look,” “Life’s a Bitch,” “If I Ruled The World,” “One Love,” “Nas Is Like,” “It Ain’t Hard To Tell?” Difficult to pick just one. Nas changed the hip-hop world back in 1994 with his debut album “Illmatic” and has been going strong ever since. His most recent album was “Life Is Good” back in 2012 and on Thursday night we got a brand-new Nas album titled “Nassir.” “Escobar seasons begins.”
The 24-year veteran of the rap game went back home to Queens to stream his new album at a New York City listening party that was attended by hip-hop fans as well as Pusha T, Swizz Beatz, Mobb Deep’s Havoc, Chris Rock, DJ Clue, and Kanye West. Nas unveiled his 11th studio album and played it twice for the hyped crowd so the new music could marinate. “Nasir” has an unmistakable Nas vibe and flow.
G.O.O.D. Music’s seven-track album is produced by Kanye West and Ye adds a verse on a track that samples Slick Rick’s classic “Children’s Story.” Other collaborations on the LP feature 070 Shake and The-Dream. There is even an intro by legendary comedian Richard Pryor. Earlier this week, Kanye tweeted the track listing for “Nasir.”
Fans love the new Nas album and are already calling it an “instant classic.”
Check out the “Nasir” listening party below.