Nas is cooking up a special project with producer Hit-Boy and wants to make sure the world knows. On Monday (August 10), the exalted MC shared an Instagram video with his 5.9 million followers, which shows the duo in the studio.
“I’ve been trying to do this with this man for years,” Nas says over an epic symphony soundtrack. “I finally got that time, that alignment … I’m super, super proud.”
Nas announced the collaboration in April while speaking with Video Music Box pioneer Ralph McDaniels during the Universal Hip Hop Museum and Mass Appeal’s benefit for New York City healthcare workers.
“There’s some projects going on,” he told McDaniels. “One of them, I was working with Hit-Boy and I still am. And then there’s another, the one I’m working on that I don’t want to disclose. But Hit-Boy, that’s been fun working with him. So he played a snippet in the battles the other day, a snippet of something. We got some things.”
Nas’ beat selection has always been a topic for debate among Hip Hop fans. DJ Vlad of VladTV, who once said Nas was the worst beat picker of all time, believes he prompted a response from the Illmatic legend about his production choices on the 2018 NASIR song “Simple Things.”
“Never sold a record for a beat,” he rapped on the song. “It’s my verses they purchase/Without production, I’m worthless/But I’m more than the surface.”
Nas Is Tired Of "Illmatic" Nostalgia: "I'm Done"
Of course, the line sparked another spirited discussion about Nas’ ability — or rather, inability — to select a decent beat. NASIR, Nas’ most recent studio album, was met with mixed reviews with HipHopDX’s Trent Clark blaming Kanye West’s “rush job” for shortchanging its potential.
Despite the criticisms, NASIR debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its release, marking his 12th studio effort to hit the Top 10.
While it’s unclear when exactly the Nas collaboration with Hit-Boy will arrive, the date August 21 was included in the aforementioned Instagram post, so be on the lookout.
To me he already proved what he could do with top notch producing when No ID produced half of Life is Good and Esco floated on that jawn. Honestly I’m not sure what to expect with these 2 but it should at least be better than that last drop.
No I.D. did NOT produce half of Life is Good.
THe only thing that messes up his catalog is the beats…lyrics are always the same, tip top quality lyrics
No, Preemo album??????? Nas got the greatest hiphop beat eva from Preemo; NY state of mind……….he keeps avoiding making an album with Preemo.
He already has classics with Preemo. An album by Preemo is the same as an album with any of the greats from that era – it won’t find an audience today. It will get lost on the streaming services as non-fans put it in the same category as early 90s music. The guy doesn’t need to recreate the past. Hit-boy is not quite a trap producer, but damn can he craft some bangers. I want my favourite MC to challenge himself.
Didn’t even have a verse for Preemo when he reached out to Nas to be on the Gang Starr album. He gave Lil Nas X a verse tho…
I love Preemo. But his beats are beginning to sound to similar. That’s what happened to da beat miners – when Prem did shit Guru it sounded more refreshed… listen to Gang’s 2, 3, 4 & 5th albums- four classics with different sounds. No shade. Huge Preemo fan, but he fucked up gang’s legacy with the last album.
Nas’ ear for beats is underrated. Yeah Nastradamus had wack beats, but that was an album of B-sides after the original I Am… was shelved. Life is Good had fire beats.
No it wasn’t. The I Am album WAS the “B-Sides” of the I Am album. Because the original “I Am..” album was a bootleg floating around the streets about 6 months before “I Am..” came out. “Nastradamus” was a bunch of stuff he did at a different studio, with different producers, Dame Grease being the main one.
The same people always talking this beat shit are the dummies that have co-signed this trap beat shit and co-signed he ringtone era back in the day. Nas grew up around jazz and soul, and his beats he predominantly raps on are that essence. If you don’t like that, it’s a million Cardi B’s you can fuck with.
I feel where you’re coming from homie, but trap beats are actually made for certain rappers. Nas has a unique flow that needs to be accompanied by the right beats. Just like certain trap rappers just don’t sound right on a premo beat. It’s just the wave of the music bro
Nah, a dope MC should be able to handle any beat effectively and Nas been doing that on his own songs and all his features in other genres from the 90s till date.
Y’all just have never wanted him to broaden his artistry and want him stuck doing the same thing rapping on premo beats and boom bap only.
Ain’t no fucking topic for debate. Illmatic, IWW, Stillmatic & LIG are all classics. God’s Son is a near miss. I Am, the original before the bootleg, might’ve been better than all of them. Stop the nonsense…
We are patiently waiting for your wise king…
I never had a problem with Nas’ beats. Some sound dated now, but that’s true of all artists of his era. As long as the concepts make sense, I’ll listen.
This is truth. Although I criticize hot beats, his lyrics always reign supreme for me anyways and I still bump it.
Surely Eminem has the most horrible beats. Vlad full of siht. Plenty rappers pick worse beats. Clout chasing vulture tryna get views from drama he a instathot
Put it out. Nas the greatest. So now Malcolm wasn’t great cause he worse crooked neck ties or king was brilliant because his shoes were overran. He an orator. Just listen. The world gets dumber by the minute.
I’m not getting my hopes up. It’s not the beats. Nas just not inspired anymore. He’s just rhyming to rhyme.
You Right about that…but hey its some new nas lol
Lupe Fiasco recently said he asked Nas to do a record, then an EP but Nas never responded smh that would’ve broke the internet, but he worked with Nas X….2 of arguably the greatest lyricist of all time that would’ve been an instant classic
Does anyone know why the fuck him and Dj premo never did a full offical album together? Those two lmost define hip hop east coast. Compliment each other perfectly
Facts!
People clamoring for the Nas/Az and Nas/Premo collabs…move on man. That ship sailed like 20 years ago. The producers that grew up inspired by Premo have surpassed him, the way it should be. The way anyone can make beats at home now, you don’t need these big marquee names on your production team. You can literally have a bunch of unknown ‘producers’ send you hundred of beats, pick out the 15 best ones and you’ll have 15 ill beats. Nas has always cared too much about what his colleagues think about him. He wants to have this mythical standing, but it’s time for him to just get back to making simple hiphop music. Beats, rhymes, hooks. Leave the church choirs and the R&B singers, and new hot young rapper features, and the studio photos alone, and just go back to being an MC first, and a celebrity 2nd.
We waiting on the project King! Can’t wait!
Illmatic, Stillmatic, God’s Son, Hip Hop is Dead, Life is Good…His best albums and beat selection.
You forgot It was written and I Am. Man, you sleeping!!!
I think he was only referring to the good albums lol
LMAO! Nas has no idea what he’s getting into right now. The only good Hit Boy beats were “Niggas in Paris” and “Clique”. The rest are garbage. If this broke woman beater thinks Hit Boy will save him from his beat critics, oh boy, he’s in for a rude awakening. Does he not know what his broke fans want? That want an Illmatic Pt. II with making the same shit over and over while King HOV continues to expand his artistry. Nas not paying attention to whatever number of fans he has left will only make him broker. Smarten up Nas! It’s the ROC in here!
U sound like a str8 Bitch.
Nas is the GOAT! Even yo momma know that!
Fucking kid !
Nas is worth 70 million
If Hip-Hop was you Mom, she would have aborted you for hating on her favourite son ;Nas
I don’t agree my dude. Nas is a lyrical genius. Who cares about a beat brah. That’s the problem with Hip Hop. You can put a nice beat on shit, doesn’t matter it’s still shit. The message is important my dude period. I don’t like reading my favorite book with music in the background. Its a distraction. Listen to the message.
Havent you heard the beat he did for Joey Bada$$? Belly of the beast. Fucking incredible beat. If its more of that ill buy.
The best to ever touch the mic bar none!!!!
Always gonna fuck wit my guy but I’ll have to see it to believe it…dude will set u up for a release then________….hope it drops though
Fuck outer here nigga nas got the most sampled beats in hiphop what tha fuck u talking bout. yal niggas iz forgeting ether,nas is like,made you look,one mic,ny state of mind…Mayn i can go on and on.Plus prem and nas had that chemistry the world had never seen before hence illmatic was born.
This is definitely something I would like to see, these two put a master piece together in collaboration. Nas is a known genius when it come to the mic. I really don’t listen to the beats to much, but the message. To me that the most important. I can read a book with music in the background anyway. Yadigg.
in all seriousness, if Nas can somehow get that collab album with AZ done, with beats by Premo, and maybe some large pro n pete rock, it would be my first hip hop music purchase of any format in years
Don’t forget the NAS (dot) Comm album collaboration with Common. Ghetto Dreams!!
I love how you guys mentioned Trent Clarks opinon like Nas & Kanye or anybody for that matter actually gives a fuuuck what he thinks. Trent doesnt rap or make beats he is just a listener like everyone else his opinons are worthless and invalid and has nothing to do with this article.
ummm, working with a “sound/trend of the moment” type producer is NOT the way to silence beat critics. Nas does just fine working with the likes of Salaam Remi, No ID, Alchemist, Large Pro, Justice League, Pete Rock. I really hope he doesnt pander to the 20-something/teenage demographic with this project.
Well, I can honestly say it can’t get any worse than the NASIR project. So, at least things are looking up for Nas .
No, it can. NASIR wasnt his best work, and came across rushed (and was more of an EP) like all those other Kanye produced 7 song albums, but it was still good quality music. I dont know all of hitboy’s music, but I know he makes pop rap for teenagers and young 20-somethings, and that is NOT a good fit for Nas. I hope he can take his role seriously and not try to give and co-sign a whole bunch of beats meant for Drake.
Ahahaha… those are all fair points.
Personally , I think a Nas album over Havoc beats would be hard as hell.
Method man is doing an album with havoc. Coming soon!
Hopefully Nas’ other secret project is the follow-up to Distant Relatives.
i hope hit boy laces nas up w/ tha beats!
Ain’t nobody trying to hear Nas over Hitboy beats. Nas be collaborating with all the wrong producers… If we swapped Hitboy with Havoc, Buckwild, DJ Premier, Bink!, Nottz, Hi-Tek I would be far more excited.
“Streets Disciple” is waaaay underrated. I don’t think y’all really listened to it. To me it’s his 3rd best album, especially lyrically. That was the last time he was really comfortable on the mic.
He was extremely comfortable on Life is Good.