Hip Hop can never shake the ongoing trend of unpaid royalties, and it looks like Nas is about to be in the middle of a battle with a legendary producer. According to a report from Page Six, Pete Rock is planning on suing Nas, who allegedly hasn’t paid him a dime for his contributions to the Queensbridge rap legend’s debut album Illmatic.
Pete Rock and his attorneys claim Nas signed a contract stating the producer would get a cut of the money made off the classic track “The World Is Yours.” The money owed is apparently in the millions, and although the attorneys reached out to Nas and his team, there was no response.
“Nas and his people have stonewalled me since 1994; My New Year’s resolution is to be compensated for my hard work on Illmatic,” Pete Rock told Page Six.
“The World Is Yours” was the only track to get a gold plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America. Pete Rock produced the record, has a songwriting credit and wants all the coin he can get off the song. Rappers such as Jay-Z, Eminem, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and the late Mac Miller have all sampled the record.
It’s unfortunate to hear Nas’ relationship with Pete Rock has been fractured. But while that friendship fizzled out, Nas’ friendship with Hit-Boy has strengthened tremendously. Their union has gotten to the point where Nas calls Hit-Boy his “Quincy Jones.”
Nas Calls Hit-Boy His ‘Quincy Jones’ While Pondering 'King's Disease 3'
“He’s like my Quincy [Jones], you know what I mean?” said Nas during an interview with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden on Rap Life Radio in August. “So I feel like the next thing I do, if I was to work with Hit-Boy on the next thing I do, I think that we might do something that is going to be magical.”
Nas did this man dirty.
I don’t think Nas at 19 would be the responsible for song legalities bro. Maybe Columbia or Serchlight. And if Anybody owes me that kinda money work done, I would continue to do More Work for them??
I wish they can solve this amicably. No feud is needed b/w these legends.
I am not 100% sure but didnt Nas just get his Masters recently frm Illmatic? Wouldnt his beef be wit the record label more or less?
Whoever the rights holders and publishing admin at the time of the infractions would be the ones on the hook paying royalties. Nas old label would be liable for debts during their ownership UNLESS they unloaded the masters and folded in that debt to whoever owns it now. in that case, they’d be assuming this whole mess…
Nas might be worth close to $100mill these days… Mass Appeal got the pockets to cover this.
Since 94?? Damn Pete what’s the hold up??
Nas has always treated the older producers bad. DJ premier wanted to do an album with Nas for decades and Nas always shunned him to do lower tier work like the hit boy albums (3) and the terrible Kanye album. He should respect large pro, Pete rock, LES & premo a lot more. Ignorant.
I get what you’re saying but the Nas x Hit Boy collaboration on “Magic” is epic. Magic is probably one of Nas greateast album.
WHAT!!! Nas and HitBoy”s “Magic” will never compare to “Illmatic!” HitBoy is alright but he can’t touch Pete, Preem, or EasyMo that’s just a few. Nas Needs to pay what he owe! If it wasn’t for Illmatic where would Nas be today.
Well… I guess to each his own. Personaly, I’ve never been down w/ Illmatic like that. It Was Written was the real deal for me.
All the producers you mentioned did during their time. This the season of hit boy. You can’t deny he is the new school killer.
Nas moved away from what the sound he’d already done. And Large Pro produced on Life Is Good ‘14( LocoMotive)
Pay that man period.
Why isn’t he going after the record company and publishers? I think we know why….
Why pls I want to know
The article is titled and written to garner attention. Producers, artists an the labels negotiate the royalty splits. So, if he’s owed something it’s probably from the label not directly from Nas.
Thats impossible. Nas can do no wrong.
This is rediculous after how many years. I believe royalties are for the musician and producing company.
Beside Pete rock was paid for the beats. So what’s happening.
I have respect for the two legends.
Definitely the fault is not from Nas.
After all these years..why now