In little over a month, Nas will drop his highly anticipated tenth album Life is Good and listeners’ excitement for its release is at a fever pitch. Now, in a recent interview with the.LIFE Files, the legendary Queensbridge rhymer discusses one of its single “The Don” and the surprising cameo appearance featured in the song’s video.
Nas said that for the video, he wanted to bring in former manager Steve Stoute for a special appearance as a tribute to their friendship. He explained that while their relationship has had its fair share of turmoil over the years, the two share a host of stories and bond that can’t be broken.
“I called Steve [for the video]. Me and Steve go back – we had some of the greatest times in the time we [worked] together, some of the best times,” he said. “We have a friendship that’s really interesting, man. It’s had its ups and downs and all kinds of amazing stories…I think we’re both proud of each other and we both get each other. We came in the game together, so it was only right to do ‘The Don’ thing [with Steve]. Steve has a certain lifestyle that me and him both kinda share; we like a lot of the same things, so we were in catch and having some good bottles of wine and chilling. And that’s what we do.”
Check out the full interview to find out Nas’s wine recommendations.
RELATED: Nas Explains Meaning Behind “Life Is Good” Cover Art
Don’t just put him in the video, get him on board with the project. Nas’s biggest flaw is that he hasn’t been a repeat customer to the people that have really ben responsible for some of his dopest music. No premo, no pete rock, no LES, that kid wyldfire is dope, no dr dre, or even 9th. No large pro? He still hasn’t worked with 9th. What about chuck thompson?
I mean dude could still be dropping classics but we’re stuck with pseudo classic rhymes and less than stellar beats.
thats what ppl said about it was written….let that shit air out
Kanye wanted to exectiuve produce Nas album. I was so excited mannnnn but nah homie didnt want to do it.
Prep up for more Salam Remi beats. Salam got good beats but i wish he was on Dj Premo, etc. ( Theifs theme, made you look classics) I rather hear Nas is Like , New York State Of mind, The World, and Poppa was a playa
I disagree because he worked with Premo from Illmatic to Stillmatic. Dre fell off with his beats but he last worked with him on Hip Hop Is Dead. Nas never sticks to just one formula, his sound and content has changed alot since Stillmatic. Honestly I’d like to see him work with Alchemist more.
Yeah i would love him working with ALC as well. I would love more No ID and Kanye, Just Blaze.
Imagine if Kanye executive produced. That would be so dope.
I see he has time to record with Hit-Boy. Niggas in Paris was dope but that don’t give you a pass for that garbage Black Girl Lost beat.
Book of Rhymes is a certified underrated Nas classic. I doubt he’s working with him again. He hasn’t even worked with Large Professor in years.
@DJAzmatic, u need to let go of the past,Nas has evolved and moved on to newer sounds. For how long can he be rapping on the same old illmatic producers who by the way aint doing nothing beat wise. Why Nas gotto be the one get on their beats? Why aint no other top rappers getting on their beats? Lol @ u tryna advice a Multiplatinum rapper 20 years deep and still going strong on how to handle his career, y all the “fanagers” Nas been talking about. And finally, u think Nas at this stage n all the success recorded will allow another rapper executive produce his album, that niggie been doing that for as long as I can remember now. I really hope u know the meaning and role of an executive producer. BTW, the production of Lifes Good was handled majorly by Salaam, NO ID n Da Internz with a sprinkle of other producers.
@ tbones:
What you said makes no sense. Nas built fans, based on a certain product. When you look at his appeal, his relevance, and his sales, they have been on the decline since God’s Son. He has changed management at least 4 times. His albums have not had a cohesive sound. He’s all over the place.
Why should I let go of the past? If we let go of the past and only look at the present (the last 5 years for instance) NAS IS GARBAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s the past that has formed the foundation of Nas’s greatest for a lot of us.
As far as the producers from his early albums, the sound of hip hop has changed as we have gotten new artists. Yet, this doesn’t stop people like Common from delivering dope, current sounding hip hop with the dude he started with. It hasn’t stopped Raekwon who has his own situation, not signed to no regular label. It hasn’t even stopped Mac Miller lol. You think those old school producers ain’t working but they are esteemed as some of the greatest in hip hop history. But it’s up to the artists that are still in the game from that era to show LOYALTY to these dudes every now and then. We only do this in RAP music. You don’t this in Rock and other genres. If someone gave you a hit record, that holds weight.
At the end of the day, we are arguing opinion. I understand that but the FACT of the matter, Nas had been on the decline since God’s Son. I’d like to see someone explain that instead of acting like people who are critical of his recent career are just hating. I don’t need to be a “fanager” to comprehend that.
We’ll see how “Life is Good” does. It comes out in a month. Honestly, they need to push it back.
NAS IS THE GREATEST
Last Real Nigga alive.. with some niggas it’s all business.
I hope Life is GOod isn’t as weak as hip hop is dead. Hip Hop is dead was aite! Untitled was wayyy better.
Sales wise the fans don’t agree with you
lol @ last real nigga live. this nigga’s a fake bitch. anyways, hip hop is dead >>>>>>>>>>> untitled.
Steve stoute was mentioned in the last real nigga alive on God Son.
And hip hop is dead was above average. Who Killed it was so experimental. It was a good concept but wasn’t feeling it.
Not going back another good concept but not feeling it either.
Blunt Ashes, Hustlers, Can’t forget about you, and Hope were the best songs. It sounds like Hip Hop is Dead was just thrown together. Untitled was more cohesive.
every nas album post god’s son = garbage.
“Blunt Ashes, Hustlers, Can’t forget about you” were the best songs?
This has to be sarcasm
I’d rather Nas switch up the formula with different producers than stick to the same old shit like Jay-z does. Thats why Nas will always be better because he steps outta his comfort zone and is more creative with his music.
His sound on every album has always been from 6 or more producers..so wats yo point? Aint no need to compare his style to Jay…
Why ya’ll guyz try to validated points with nas/jay comparisons is beyond me
the beef been dead.. spans
L-Boogie: Maybe in your mind all of that is working for the homie. Thats the very definition of inconsistent though.
The flaw is that’s who YOU want him to work with. Who’s wyldfire? Chucky? You’re talking about “dude could still be dropping classics but we’re stuck with pseudo classic rhymes and less than stellar beats.”
You heard the album yet?
I havent heard the album but I heard the 3 attempts at singles. And your singles are usually your “best foot forward” right? Right? Aren’t these your buzz generators? Everything that he dropped was cool. But you are right I don’t know about the album itself. Some of those guys could be on it so I am looking forward to that. Im just judging by the last few albums that he put out. If he has some bangers coming, why leave them as album cuts?
You think this is my opinion but his sales and feedback from the fans are parallel with my views. Son has been in a steady decline every since God’s Son, as far as sales and relevance.
As far as your questions, Wyldfire is the kid that produced Blak republican with JZ and a few other Nas records. But he is up and coming so I can understand if you dont know him. But Chucky Thompson? You don’t know who Chucky Thompson is and you are a Nas fan? Ever heard of a song called “One Mic”? Maybe you have.
Im just judging by the last few albums that he put out. If he has some bangers coming, why leave them as album cuts?
^ look at what you typed
“Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos” wasn’t a lead single. “Affirmative Action” and “Life’s A Bitch” were not lead singles. “Get Off The Bandwagon” remix was HUGE for EPMD. “The Joy” off of WTT came from G.O.O.D. Fridays.
I guess what is perplexing me is you’re DJ, do you not listen to the music before you decide what to play? Analogy time, we’re Tom Cruise-ing it and judging for future crimes? “The Don” could use a remix beat, but they do not build singles anymore. And I would like Jay to jump on “Daughters” to shut these nerds up, but it is what it is. I play Untitled constantly, I do not agree with you.
But if we’re talking MUSIC, we need to HEAR IT FIRST. We didn’t get a tracklist yet.
Chill
Yo if Jay jumped on Daughters that would be hot though. People gon hate though.
Untitled was so soft in comparison to Stillmatic or the earlier albums. Sly Fox , N.I.G.G.E.R Fried Chicken, was dope and almost didnt fit that album. Hero was cool.
Anyways I just want to see dude win.
Pete Rock – The world is yoz – Illmatic
Havoc – Live Nigga Rap – It was written
Dr Dre – Phone tap – Tha firm
Trackmasters – Hate me now – i am…
DJ Premier – Come get me – Nastradamus
L.E.S – Da Bridge 2001 – QB’s Finest
Large Proffessor – U’re Da Man – Stillmatic
The Alchemist – No ideas original – Tha Lost tapes
Salaam Remi – Made you look – God’s Son
Q Tip – American way – Streets Disciple
Kanye West – Still Dreaming – HipHop is Dead
Cool & Dre – Surviving the Times – Tha Nigga Tape
Jay Electronica – Queens get the Money – Untitled
Steven Marley – Leaders – Distant Relatives
No I.D – Daughters – Life is Good
Keep shuffling em Nas …u dont need certain producers to define yo sound.
Thank you! Someone’s on the same page with me. He has grown past working with just Illmatic producers. Let the man have some variety in his music.
Oh, and it was Chris Webber that made “Surviving the Times”, not Cool & Dre.
You think you are making a point, but you are contributing to my point. Shuffling producers, huh? How’s that working out for him? Sales decline after every album from God’s Son on. WHY IS THAT?
DJAzmatic:
You think you are making a point, but you are contributing to my point. Shuffling producers, huh? How’s that working out for him? Sales decline after every album from God’s Son on. WHY IS THAT?
Thats just how Hip Hop music works in general. Most artists sell at a high pace and gradually decline in sales, some artists decline at a faster rate while others decline at a much slower rate. If you don’t believe me just go and check hip hop artists sales and see how it goes.
Some artists decline faster because they can’t master the art of a well-rounded project. Good rhymes/lyrics isn’t enough these days. For all of that, rappers can just sell acapella’s
well, nas doesn’t even have good rhymes.
Nas paying you? To get some buzz going because every time i look theresssome new article on Nas. This is what he resorted to? Tell him stop wasting his money on stupid stuff like this, use it to pay your taxes boy!
Nas is one of the best hip-hop artists ever, that’s why he’s being reported about…Faggot
AliciakeysHOMEWRECKER…you have figured us out. We are on to you. We have your IP address and are coming to stop you.
I admit that there are certain folks that come just to hate on nas. But i swear that he has managers or A&R that come on sites like this just to run damage control when someone has valid criticism for him. His weakness has been beats for years now. It’s management’s job to fix that. Im looking forward to NO ID production. Salaam be too inconsistent. All of his hot stuff (to me) be the stuff thats just loops like “Made you Look”, “Thief’s Theme” and “Nasty”.
I kind of get the DJ homie’s point. He can’t get 1 joint with one of those classic producers? Dude touched on one of my personal issues with HIP HOP. Artists aren’t as loyal to people whom they’ve enjoyed success with as much as other genres. Christina Aguiler got Dj Premier beats lol. Of course you never know what happen behind the scenes. im sure its people who want to hear Wayne on a Mannie Fresh beat but you know there was some mess.
Im looking forward to this album. I just dont like the title lol.
Nas, a successful and influential artist in the genre of hip-hop music, has spanned a career of over twenty years at the top of his game. From classic albums like illmatic, to underrated but highly influential projects such as GodSon and Hiphop is Dead.
While some fans may have issues with the direction of Nas’s music, he has constantly put out work with integrity and heart, with the intent to carry on the tradition of hip hop music without seeking just commercial success. If you have any comments, questions or concerns about Nas and his work please email Nasaryouafuckindumbass@gmail.com.
Remember we are watching, monitoring and controlling every word said about Nas.
PS every rapper but Canibus is part of the illuminati, watch the signs!
PSS–Ill Will never existed, this is only code by nas to say he serves the WILL of the Illuminati
^^^Evidently the illuminati doesn’t take care of his taxes.
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Nas is one of the last greats.. love to see him still doin’ his thing.. anticipating the new album
Nas gonna kill it this summer.
yeah, in the hiphopdx c-section.
untitled and dr were garbage and this will be another hit album.
DJAzmatic:
@ tbones:
What you said makes no sense. Nas built fans, based on a certain product. When you look at his appeal, his relevance, and his sales, they have been on the decline since God’s Son. He has changed management at least 4 times. His albums have not had a cohesive sound. He’s all over the place.
Why should I let go of the past? If we let go of the past and only look at the present (the last 5 years for instance) NAS IS GARBAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s the past that has formed the foundation of Nas’s greatest for a lot of us.
As far as the producers from his early albums, the sound of hip hop has changed as we have gotten new artists. Yet, this doesn’t stop people like Common from delivering dope, current sounding hip hop with the dude he started with. It hasn’t stopped Raekwon who has his own situation, not signed to no regular label. It hasn’t even stopped Mac Miller lol. You think those old school producers ain’t working but they are esteemed as some of the greatest in hip hop history. But it’s up to the artists that are still in the game from that era to show LOYALTY to these dudes every now and then. We only do this in RAP music. You don’t this in Rock and other genres. If someone gave you a hit record, that holds weight.
At the end of the day, we are arguing opinion. I understand that but the FACT of the matter, Nas had been on the decline since God’s Son. I’d like to see someone explain that instead of acting like people who are critical of his recent career are just hating. I don’t need to be a “fanager” to comprehend that.
We’ll see how “Life is Good” does. It comes out in a month. Honestly, they
You make no sense, It took Illmatic about ten years to go platinum with all the good beats. When IWW came out people said it was commercial, Nastradamus came it had no good beat but went platinum. Rick Ross had and has good beat but no platinum.
Nobody from Illmatic is making hit now so if you want good beat so if you want trap beat get a Rick Ross CD.
What was the last CD you bought?
OK. REEEWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIND! Could you please put a coherent thought together and type that so it can be understood?
And you had the nerve to start this comment off with “you make no sense”. I don’t think Nas wants you to defend him, B
“His albums have not had a cohesive sound. He’s all over the place”
Finally, a Nas fan being honest. It’s ok to be critical of a rapper you’ve endorsed in the past. Especially if what they’re putting out doesn’t live up to your expectations. Granted, expectations are different for each person, but honestly, if you actively seek out Life is Good on the first day then you have an expectation (probably based from his earlier more successful works)that it will somehow bring the old Nas back. And maybe it will, but at this stage in his life and career, I don’t personally don’t believe that can happen. Once certain rappers lose their way, it’s almost impossible to get it back. No wonder everything after Illmatic has always been seen as somewhat of a disappointment, even when the sales for most of those albums were still good.
Good point