Nas has notched a new career milestone, headlining New York City’s Madison Square Garden for the first time during a stellar performance featuring special guests and a tribute to De La Soul‘s Trugoy.
The Queensbridge legend paused his career spanning set on Friday night (February 24) to play the opening verse on De La’s hit single “Buddy” before yelling out, “Make some noise for Trugoy, De La Soul. Rest in Poetry!”
Dave “Trugoy The Dove” Jolicoeur, who opens the song, passed away unexpectedly earlier this month at the age of 54. Though a cause of death has yet to be revealed, his longtime friend and groupmate Posdnous captured the significance of the loss in a heartfelt statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday (February 22).
“Your passing is a great loss not only to us, but also to the entire hip-hop community,” Pos wrote. “You were a true artist who used music to inspire and uplift others, and you will be deeply missed by all who knew you.”
In November 2022, Nas announced plans to perform his King’s Disease trilogy during the special one-night only performance at MSG.
However, what he also delivered to fans was a set full of hits from his entire discography — which, in addition to countless guest features, comprises 15 studio albums; two volumes of his unreleased compilation series, The Lost Tapes; and group efforts with The Firm, Damian Marley and his Ill Will Records comrades.
The sold out crowd was treated to live renditions of Nas’ greatest hits, including “The World Is Yours,” “Made You Look,” and “If I Ruled The World”; as well as album cuts like “Get Down” and guest verses including his contribution to Missy Elliott’s “Hot Boyz.” The 34-song set also featured songs from each of the King’s Disease albums including “27 Summers,” “Spicy,” and “Michael & Quincy.”
To top off the history-making moment in his career, Nas brought out Mary J. Blige, Slick Rick and AZ to perform “Reminisce,” “Hey Young World,” and “Life’s A Bitch” respectively.
The performance arrives amid rumors that Nas is already at work on a fourth installment in his Grammy-winning King’s Disease series with Hit-Boy.
The cat was let out of the bag in 50 Cent’s sprawling cover interview with Billboard, in which he discussed his impending musical comeback, ever-expanding multimedia empire and the 20th anniversary of his blockbuster debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, among other topics.
The publication noted that in addition to working on a new solo album with Eminem and Dr. Dre, the G-Unit general is set to feature on Nas’ forthcoming King’s Disease 4 LP. Further details about the project, however, remain scarce.
Salute to the Goat-Nas for an epic show, paying tribute to a hip-hop legend and continuing to push the culture forward in showing artists if you have something to say you can still make timeless music and tour at any age. There’s room in the industry for everyone and everyone will have their own core audience.
Woulda luv’d to be there. Esco must’ve delivered a killer set. Thoughts of Get Down bleeding out them speakers is enough to get anybody on they feet. Shout out the GOAT!
Trugoy was in immense loss. Was just riding to All Good in remembrance. The mastery and skill in them bars not to mention the silky soulful presence of Chaka Khan. We losing our hip-hop legends to early. No more this year. R.I.P
By ‘Ill Will Records comrades” I’m guessing they mean the Nas long time crew the Bravehearts? Anybody that’s listened to GodSon’s catalogue and hip-hop in general over the last 2 decades knows them. Jungle, Wiz, Horse and Nashawn made some features with Nas and 50 Cent. They also had their own smash with Oochie Wally and Quick to back down with Lil Jon at the height of the Jay-Z beef.
Greatest of all time
Can’t wait to hear Godson and 50 on KD4. Hip-hop fans been waiting to see them work together since “Who you rep with” before he signed to Dre n Em after the Nastradamus promo tour. It’s another full circle moment. Their joint performance at Summer Jam 2014 put on for the culture but it also was a magic moment for Queens. Let’s hope some joint tour dates and shows follow too.
34 song set of nothing by hand picked classic! What more could you ask for? Bet your bottom dollar them ticket holders didn’t see it coming.
I was there and you’re right. The first hour was him going through his KD album cuts. He then goes off stage comes back with a full length minke on and does another hr of straight classics. I feel lucky to have been there. Shot out to my wife for the tix! We had a great time
Salut to you my G and anybody that turned out Tha God luv. Ya’ll came thru for all of us that wish we was there.
Dante, is a scrub.
And he’s not getting a haircut either… Scrub
Nas a true Hip-hop legend and NY icon. Madison Square Garden an iconic NY venue. It’s clear he picked his moment with the timing of this performance. His sentiments on The Colbert Show were quite telling. He’s hit certain milestones in his career where he can only look to himself for inspiration save for a few. Why not do it in the place he calls home?
Dela Soul were definitely ahead of their time.
Congrats son, my man jigga has been selling out the garden since 2003.
Esco did it with his latest music as the selling point. I thought he was irreverent…lol
Ether…. Case closed
@kid Wave Facts❗️
This is about Dave from De La, but you just had to keep Jigga’s dick in your hand. Love Jay, but his fanbase are some weirdos for real!