Nas Explains Picking Beats For “Life Is Good”

    Nas is back in grind mode for his upcoming album Life is Good, most recently releasing his new single “The Don.” During an interview with MTV News, Esco explained that his new LP takes his sound outside of the box, touting production that takes him outside of his comfort zone. 

    “A lot of the tracks have been my ideas where I would take an idea from one of the guys that I’m working with and try to put it together with a different sound that I had in my head with someone else, and just try to get people to collaborate who are not really used to working together, to get something different from me,” he said.

    He also explained the importance of this album and how he needed to live a little before heading back into the studio. The project, which production duo Da Internz likened to It Was Written, will showcase “everything that I’ve got to say.”

    “This album, it’s been a long time, it’s been years since I released a solo studio album, so this record is everything,” he continued. “This is everything that I’ve got to say – I guess you’ve got to live a little sometimes and put that in your music, and it’s coming from my life.”

    RELATED: Exile Rumored To Be Producing For Nas’ “Life Is Good”

    104 thoughts on “Nas Explains Picking Beats For “Life Is Good”

    1. “you’ve got to live a little”
      Excellent. Sounds like he truely has an album on his hands, not just an execuse to write off his back taxes. Respect for putting his heart in this, as he always does. Peace Nas.

    2. hey guy, Im back. Im just signed to MMG. Im tha promoter of MMG.

      ma nigga Ricky Rozay shud teach Nas how to select a good beat. Nas iz ahas been that aint had a hot album since 1994. lmao swag

      1. forget this guy just ignore his messages cause nobody takes it seriously anyway.
        He only does this to get replys

    3. I’ve Liked Some of Nas Beat Choices But What Really Happens Is That His Lyrics Makes The Beats Sound Better. Some People May Not Like But Nas May Need To Get With The Times and Work With Producers Like T-Minus or Kane Beats.

      1. why? man go sit down some where. I can see if you mentioned new producers who have their own sound. But why would Nas go work with dudes who sound like everyone else?

        This was just a dumb statement.

      2. your producer suggestions were very disappointing. they are dope producers but that just goes to show how much of a bandwagon conformist alot of you listeners are.

      3. The Only Reason Why I Named Kane Beats and T-Minus Is Because They Work With Guys Like Lupe Fiasco and Have The Ability To Branch Out of Their “Box”. I Love DJ Premier But He Has To Work Younger Producers So He Can Have A New Sound.

      1. lol no youre not. I will always be impressed with his lyricism but thats about it. Hes technically good, but I wont be listening to this new album.

      2. You should listen to him more often .
        He sometimes has a layback type of style which is good if you like various style of rap.

      1. ^im always more mad when bitch niggas like you entertain these types of comments by trying to start a logical debate. seriously niggas you want to have a conversation with someone who callss 2pac “garbage”? like for real? ok both of yall can go die in the same ditch

    4. This is how Nas chooses beats: “Yo, which one can I get free? No, seriously, my fans don’t care.”

    5. if picking terrible beats was a video game nas would be the final boss and the first unlockable would be streets disciple disc 1.

    6. lil Wayne and drake can take out Nas, Pac & Em all at once mayne.. thos 3 niggas just aint bringing the heat 2 wayne.

    7. nas should get the old crew back , large pro , pete rock , q-tip , premier , and that would be a classic , but i guess he doesn’t want to spend a lil to step his beat game up

    8. Niggas complaining bout beats but lyrically he still great at what he does.
      He might surpise you with this new album

    9. hope Nas gets someone like 9th wonder on his side, someone who can make way for beats and somethin’ with substance, yknow wh’im sayin

    10. real talk nas need something that fit him not shit thats trending or some of dry shit he seem to always pick.

    11. I’m a big fan of nas and IMO he’s the GOAT Beside Eminem but his recent releases was not good! specially their beats were garbage!

      1. I respect your opinion and im a big fan of both but I think nas stood more consistant everytime i hear a new song by nas my mind is blown on how he sounds as good as he ever has. Cant say the same with eminems new track richard though i dont know whats up with em recently but that was trash he needs to get his fire back

    12. Nas fucking sucks! Listen to real hip hop like Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Birdman, Wiz Khalifa, Gucci Mane, Future, Soulja Boy, Waka Flocka, etc.

      1. @Swag

        you must be a young cat don’t know a damn thing about hip hop. Hip hop was born with a message and culture. Listen to Nas lyrics first fool before you judge. The beats are never all dat but the lyrics you can’t touch. Yo ass need to go sit down some where shut up and listen youngsta.

      2. Mxm! you dont know wht u are talking about, u were born yesterday, wait until u r grown and start talking. Do u know Nas, 2Pac, B.I.G.? ofcoz not. You are so stupid, who inspired your Wayne and Ross & where do they inherit Hip Hop from ofcoz from Nas, PAC, DRE, and B.I.G. just to name a few. So think before u talk.

    13. Big Nas fan; and he is still king poetic hands down. He is consistent while Eminem went another. Don’t get me wrong, Em a lyrical master mind even at the expense of a track with Nikki. I don’t feel his don beat was any much made to fit the ears of the modern day radio head. And to me as long as his flow is lethal i wont object to it.

    14. I think Nas is one of the best to ever touch the mic, but to be honest, “Untitled” and his collaboration with Damian Marley sucked

      1. it takes the average nas fan 2 years to tell the truth and give an honest review. 2 years ago niggas were saying distant relatives was a classic and deserved a grammy.now its “they sucked/were not his best work” thats why no one takes you nasstans seriously. everything is classic and then 2 years later you come clean that you were just dickriding. happens every time.

      2. ^ Why are you basing Nas fans off of one or two people? Distant Relatives still gets rotation from me and I think it should’ve gotten at least a Grammy nomination of some sort. Untitled was good, could’ve been better. My opinion then, my opinion now.

    15. old ass nas can’t pick a beat worth a shit. if he wants bangin beats, he needs niggaz like t-minus, boi 1da, lex luger, clams casino, niggaz like them. ditch the wackest producer on the planet salaam remi and old ass premier, pete rock and rza. get some young producers on there. if he does, then i might listen mainly cuz nas is boring on the mic but the beats will be bumpin.

      young niggaz stand the fuck up! hate us now!

      1. There should be a law where dudes who wear a helmet 24/7 shouldn’t be allowed near a keyboard..I would punch your mom in the vagina for having you.

      2. I wud like to hear him on a NoID beat and by th way J.Cole is young and makes soulful music so you are not speaking for the youth (well not me anyway)

      1. that was a very say weird thing to say im not even gonna front. he must moisturize? lol typical groupie comment

    16. i will shit all over his dick…he will have poo poo paste driping down his fuckin dick for the garbage music he writes..i hope this dirty ass fuck dies of aids…no1 listens to nas anymore anyways…he was a joke all along and fucked up hiphop…real rap is out ther you just have to listen for it…not this fuckin clown ass hoe…check out some timbaland and magoo, mims, drama, silk tha shocker, ma$e..that is some classic shit..rap is going down the gutter with fake ass lyrics ala NAS…fuck this fuck nigga who fucks niggas and anyone else who listents to him…i will fuckin kill all…

    17. i love nas but his beat selection is not very good, but i think because his lyrics have substance it makes up for shitty beats.

    18. this album is gonna be hot i have a feeling!! im loving the reggae shit done with Damian. it was written had those nocturnal mob type jazzy beats too. i love that album. The new AZ song is crazy!!! love that beat too!!

    19. 2012 this year is goin down yall! DMX, Dr. Dre, Nas and Busta Rhymes? Shiiit, yall niggaz ain’t ready for this…

    20. NAS is definitely on of the G.O.A.T’s, without a doubt.

      Still consistent, still dropping real dope hip-hop rhymes. Ever since early 90’s, few MC’s can match that.

      And still current and rocking it, far from a piece from hip hop history.

      His new tracks have also rocked, Nasty, Don etc…

      C’mon NAS show these young punks how it’s done

    21. So you’re going to blame these “young punks” for what? Not making boring message music like Nas does?

      1. Boring message music? God forbid someone has something more important to say than learning “how to dougie”… you fail.

    22. All you beat lovers out there, what does picking a beat matter? a great mc makes the song. If you wanna bounce, why don’t you just buy an instumental cd, and pay the producer your 15 dollars. This is rap music!

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