Just about any credible rap fan has Nas secured in their Top 10 MC lists. But just as much as he is respected as a brilliant wordsmith, he has long been criticized for poor beat selection.
But what if the MC who arguably has the best ear in rap got to take the reigns for a record by God’s Son?
Blogger Lindsey India wrote that while attending Wingstop event in New York City, she asked Rick Ross if he would executive produce a Nas album.
“You know, Nas is so great as an MC. He’s a legend. So I wouldn’t even play with that, because of course you know Rozay will fucking do it!” he responded, according to a story on India’s web site. “You know I would love to do it, but more importantly, the way Nas moves is so calculated. I feel like everything he does is perfect timing. He’s a legend, and I would love to. You know it’s whatever for the big homie.”
Love or hate Ross, his ear for beats is undeniable. Since his sophomore album Trilla, the Maybach Music Group founder has carved one of the most distinctive sounds in rap. His lush beats from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League further catapulted the Florida trio into one of the most sought-after production groups, and his bangers from Lex Luger stand out. But he doesn’t just rely on notable names. He puts together his albums and mixtapes the way fellow Miami resident Pat Riley makes up a basketball roster: a balanced mix of luxury, brawn and reflectiveness that always ends up working well as a unit.
His collaborations with Nas have all had great beats as well, and Nas seems to always be at his best when they work together. “Triple Beam Dreams,” “Accident Murderers,” “One Of Us,” “Usual Suspects” – the duo is undefeated.
Nas would need varied sounds for his album, and he likely wouldn’t make the type of music Ross makes. But he has proven that he is at his best when a producer can help him build a sound. Illmatic, his crowning achievement, had MC Serch picking the beats for Nas to lay his rhymes over. And No I.D. helped give Life is Good its perfect blend of reflection and nostalgia. Maybe placing his album in Ross’ hand is exactly what Nas needs.
Do you think should Ross executive produce a Nas album? Leave your answers in the comments.
hahahahaha! LOL bitch nigga Nas is going to let Rick Ross executive produce his album Nas fell off right after his first CD nigga is also a punk in real life he can not go back to Queens were I stay so Fuck him and everyone who likes him
And what have YOU done you Internet gangsta
Probably sit around queens smoking bunk letting out his anger on hip hop websites
Ross always has perfect beats. I think he would do Nas justice. Doubt Nas would do it. Seems like a stubborn dude.
While what was said is true, about ross picking dope beats and their collabs being on point, Nas better not let Ross executive produce his LP. Nas already took an L by beefing with Jay Z…then signing with Jay Z at Def Jam during the time Jay Z was president at Def Jam Recordings! Now yall want Ross..someone who idolizes Jay Z and one of his closest friends to executive produce Nas’s album??? Crazy. Nas….youll just be further more tarnishing your legacy while making Jay look good ONCE AGAIN.
U must b a young boy. Nas destroyed Jay-Z on Ether. Nuff said
Im 24. i think Jay Z is a better overall artists and I think he can hang with Nasty Nas. Nas is legendary . i believe Nas can out rap Jay. I also i think Nas won that battle he had with Jay. But i say Jay is better overall not only because of his business sense or cause he’s richer, but cause he came out on top plus he put together more hits. The boy knows how to compose hit after hit. You only respond to someone you feel is a threat to u in rap…Tupac dissedissed Jay Z cuz he knew jay was good. Im still a huge Nas fan tho. I said i was gonna name my 1st son “Nasir” after nas. I only have 1 kid right now and his name is Maurice…named after me lol but my 2nd son name will be Nasir.
Nas really needs to do a full album with Premeir tbh
Get any southern artist with good taste of beat selecting other than someone connected to Jay Z???
fack no!
Y ross when he already has alchemist, oh no, n el p in his corner, unreleased dilla tracks, and he just finished killing a madlib beat.
Plus Large pro nd preemo still alive. Thats just off top. Y the effen vodka is ross even on his radar.
Yeah Nas will DEFINITELY lose me as a fan with this move. I don’t care if Ross has Berry Gordy’s ears, dude has 0 platinum plaques to give a nigga like Nas any credibility to executive produce his music.
OK, Drama Queen
Nigga shut the fuck up. Rozay got a golden ear for beats. His selection with Nas lyrics you got a fucking hot record. Stop that bullshit officer ricky shit that was never funny.
Hell ya nas lyrics and Rick Ross beats nice combo
Imma all for it! Nas on tha beats which Renzel carefully picked up for Nas! That’s dopeness.
This will not end nicely. Imagine Nas monotone raps over some shitty b-grade trap beats. Not going to work.
If Nas says yes, then it will be another win for HOV since Ross is more closely tied with HOV than he is with Nas. This will also further prove HOV’s point that Nas “has one hot album every 10 year average”. On the other hand, I’m kind of worried that I may actually be enjoying a Nas album.
LMFAO the dumbest comment on the net…
LMFAO the dumbest comment on the net…
I am not happy she is off Twitter. I am curious as to why someone else’s opinion offends you so much? Why have we become a such a tow the line society, esp in music?
Listen Nas got better albums than Jigga TBT, u whilin takin Js word for gospel, Jigga himself knows he was frontin ; no pun
I fuck your Mother every Monday, Wednesday & Friday (in your bad til she squirts) Nigga ???? ????????
Who the fuck wouldn’t want to exec produce a nas album?
Gutsy journalism dx
they didnt do the interview though
What?! Get the fuck out of here. Officer ricky isn’t touching any nas album. Fat fucker go eat some more piece of shit
Not a fan of Officer Ricky but Triple Beam Dreams is a classic! Rick ross is actually a very good writer.
Brave Heart & Ross will bring a new Window for Nasir, chill on all tha, Ross got a great Aesthetic & ear. Ross team can curate something special for Nas in this new Era
Nas makes great albums. Doesn’t need a prison guard to help him make an album.
Gross…
Hell no! Besides Ross’ use of Justice League and other soul beat makers, he use Lex Luger and other wack trap producers that make the same stale sound that brings down Ross’ and MMG’s albums. Get off trap beats and get hip hop sounding good again. Let No I.D. exec produce again. Life Is Good was awesome
Life is good was hot but lets progress, NO ID should do a few records on the follow up tho
I say he needs large professor
Life is good was hot but lets progress, NO ID should do a few records on the follow up tho
Ok. I can agree with you on that, but if Nas has even one trap beat then there was NO PROGRESS. Agree? I don’t even want to hear those damn water-sprinkler hihats.
The poor beat selection argument about Nas is one of the more ridiculous claims that I have ever heard. Not everybody need to rhyme over overblown production from million-dollar producers. Fuck outta here with that nonsense.
I would rather see 9th wonder and the Soul council executive produce his shh
Nas doesnt have a bad ear for beats contrary to popular belief, he got dope beats from Preemo, Pete Rock, Large Pro, Alchemist, Buckwild, Salaam Remi, Havoc, Kanye and the list goes on. Officer Ricky on the other hand has like 3 decent joints on a 15 track album, which are the soulful beats from Justice League mostly but the rest is trash, so this shit is nonsense, i would love to hear Nas rap on a beat like Rickys Family Ties or Sixteen.
You are so damn stupid. If your namesake is true then why does your idiot ass even come to this site. Just shut up. Just stop. Just go away. You’re a child molester at best.
Shit’s gonna flop so hard.
Primo needs o produce it,his beats were always good,he dont need help from Ross he’s not that good
Totally agree wit u. Since Stillmatic there wasn’t even one Beat from Premier on a Nas Album. It’s long overdue to hear them together again. Premier should handle the whole production! Nas & Premier are unbeatable they never did a wack song!
Totally agree wit u. Since Stillmatic there wasn’t even one Beat from Premier on a Nas Album. It’s long overdue to hear them together again. Premier should handle the whole production! Nas & Premier are unbeatable they never did a wack song!
This “poor beat selection” bullshit is just some garbage people on the internet say because they read/heard other people saying it.
Thank you! Same with Nas albums after Illmatic were trash and that Tribe’s 1996 album was wack.
Nas gon be growlin like Ross on every intro.
what a dumb question to ask Rick Ross to Exec Prod a new Nas album. Such a wack idea, who would even think of that…..
I think it would be hot..Ross has grown to be an respectable hip hop artist through I never felt nas had weak beat selections I think him a rozay will make a classic..
Nas can do whatever man! He is a legend. The greatest to ever to do it! Nobody is F with Nas lyrically period. And F the Beats! The guy just has the best verses and rhymes in hip hop!
We all know he a beast. What he need Ross for though? I’m confused.
No! Nas has a legacy in this game! This would really kill hiphop! ross is only famous for being a prison guard and trying to marry a stripper before deleting all the pics from instagram.
It’s true tho Nas needs beats!! Jay-Z had Just Blaze,Kanye,Pharrell, Swizz,
And Timbo
I wonder how much Young Guru had to do with the beat selection with Jay-Z
Indeed!!!
Much as I Respeck Rozay’s Ear, It Would KILL Me if Nas Made A Trap Album.
nas should be producing ross album not the other way around wtf…thats like jeezy producing a ice cube album shit backwdz af
Ross type beats over Nas lyrics? new album gonna be dope
No but I guess when you looking to be less interesting Ross’s audience will punch your ticket to that show quick fast and a hurry.
I am s NAS fan not a Ross fan , hey make your moves Nas
Yeah he should. Who wouldn’t like to hear the greatest of all time drop impeccable verses over beats provided by the Bawse.
Gay Z stans wouldn’t probably fancy that.
Yeah he should. Who wouldn’t like to hear the greatest of all time drop impeccable verses over beats provided by the Bawse.
Gay Z stans wouldn’t probably fancy that.
Hell NO! William ‘Fake Rick Ross – Officer Ricky’ Roberts is the biggest FRAUD in Hip Hop history! Shouldn’t be anywhere a real talent like Nas! Let him continue to bring ‘L’s to weak meek, French Fry, & retards like Gunplay……………
Nooooo! I don’t want to hear Nas on terrible Trap Beats. Too many NY-MC’S doing dis shit!! Nas is only Rapper from NY who’s still capable of making a classic. We need that classic timeless NY Sound on Nas’ new album. Executive Producers Nas really needs are: DJ Premier, Large Professor & Q-Tip
I agree, also Apollo Brown could make some good beats for Nas, and shit, since RTJ is on Mass Appeal he should be reaching out to El-P! Rick Ross is horrrrrible, I just don’t understand everyone >: P
Wasn’t thinking of Apollo Brown & El-P when I wrote my comment, but yes that would be dope!
Wasn’t thinking of Apollo Brown & El-P when I wrote my comment, but yes that would be dope!
headline is misleading. this is not news, it’s yet another hypothetical brought to you by hip hop dx.
Misleading ass headline smh… stop doing this shit. If I wanted to read about what ifs Id read a damn comic book.
He should have Q-Tip, primo, oddise, 9th wonder, snow goons, frank dukes, Hi-Tek, el-p and buckwild
This
Especially Oddisee. That would be incredible.
would be cool if it was executive produced by ross and produced entirely by justice league. scarface type shit
hell yeah…absolutely 🙂
The reason he had poor beat selection is that he help the beats and the beats don’t help him. Then the simple fact is he came up in the game where your lyrics was in the forefront and it was law…Now with that being said I would love to hear him murk these trap rap beats personally to make these other artist/rappers step their lyrical content up.
I wish Nas would just make at least one more boom bap hip hop album. If he did he would probably drop another classic. With Rick Ross producing the album you can expect another shitty album that follows trends and will be “hot” to followers and even they won’t like it after about one year.
The poor beat selection is such a myth. go through his catalogue. How much is actually bad production? not that much. no more than most rappers.
Yea I think nas should fuck with Ross big up cuz Troy in the house
50 cent is a better rapper than nas, he runs new york god damn it!!
Can’t run New York when you’re bankrupt..
His ear for beats is undeniable? Except for the fact I rarely like any of his tracks. What kinda drugs prompt people to make Rick Ross a barometer of hip hop? First Bill Cosby is a rapist, then Trump is up for president, Robin Williams kills himself, and Rick Ross can save Nas’ hip hop appeal. Welcome to the Outer Limits.
Sounds like a bad idea, someone like DJ Premier would be much better suited to that role.
Yeah, in 1994. We’re talking about 2016.
Yeah, in 1994. We’re talking about 2016.
Yea ross taste in beats nice but I’d go primo and pete rock to do the whole album
I Believe its a bad move on the behalf of nas,first & foremost Ross doesn’t have ear for beats.listen to his tracks & his artists tracks they all sound alike not to mention his promotional team lacks luster.
You probably dont even listen to Ross. Ross make better albums than most of these niggas.Black Market and black dollar better than anything that dropped this year. Facts. And that is sonically and lyrically
You probably dont even listen to Ross. Ross make better albums than most of these niggas.Black Market and black dollar better than anything that dropped this year. Facts. And that is sonically and lyrically
nas just needs to bring back all the producers from illmatic-premiere, large proffesor, pete rock, Q tip, and LES, and he will have another classic..but knowing Nas, he would rather go in a new direction than do what he’s already done…
That would be nice since ross does put together the most cohesive albums. Black Dollar and Black Market from 2015 better than the albums out now
Nas rappin’ over house beats. This must happen!
I WANT TO EXEC PRODUCE NAS’S ALBUM TOO.
GIVING YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO PRESS WITH THIS DX. GET IT OUT THERE BEFORE XXL REPORTS ON IT.
ALSO, BY THE WAY, I KNOW LIKE 2.5 MILLION OTHER PEOPLE THAT WANT TO ALSO
Mc Search may have been the executive producer on illmatic but he ain’t pick the beats…it was all Nas. If we are to follow that logic then destiny picked the beats on stillmatic. Get your facts right before your write.
And learn how to spell MC Serch’s name before you write. Dumbass.
And learn how to spell MC Serch’s name before you write. Dumbass.
Everybody saying all Ross has is trap beats has never heard a Ross album. The radio garbage he puts out is for the simpletons that keep radio playing the same trash rap. Listen to any Ross album instrumentals and you will be able to picture nas killing those beats.
yep
yep
Yup.
I am a huge Nas fan , & at the same time a fan of Ross. I personally think it would be a great idea to get. Esco’ bar back in the Mainstream. Rickross is Dope when it comes to Commercial appeal , he can balance the music in a way that accommodates both Old skool and New skool fans. His selection of beats is really good. Especially with his collaborations with rappers like Nas & jay-Z . For instance ,Ross & jay on free mason , Music to everyones ear , F*ckwithmeyouknowigoit , Devil is a lie ,now that’s the south side trap sound which is mainly catchy on the mainstream if Nas manages to have both his oldskool touch & the new skool sound on his album . One thing for certain Esco’bar is back. Rickross is the perfect Executive producer for Nas because this will be a project done with out most intention of success.
Stop dreaming people….nas will never:
1. Be on another preemo track
2. Do a collab album with AZ
3. Ever be able to secure solid beats throughout an album
4. Give u that illmatic feel again
5. Speak about controversial issues on an album
6. Win a Grammy
It would be a classic….
Mc search never picked one beat on illmatic thats incorrect not a fact…hiphopDX
Nas x Kanye full collab.
Rick Ross beats??…man u gotta be kidding me…im old school,i have know idea what this writer is talking about …big upping R.Ross as hot beat maker,Cats dont know shit about Hip hop….wanna be fake ass Dic* Rid**g clowns writing articles then heading back to there safe lil world in the suburbs.R.Ross is garbage as rapper and equally Garbage as legit rapper..Salam Remi..Premier or somebody Real to those who kow the Real…..unlike this Bit*h ** Wanna who wrote this article!!!!!!!Billy K III..Never been in hood in his life,but he’s a expert on street life????..WHATEVER MAN!!
no one mentioned Rick Ross beats…The article says Rick Ross was asked about EXECUTIVE producing an album. Picking beats, arranging the overall sound of the project NOT personally making the beats.
no one mentioned Rick Ross beats…The article says Rick Ross was asked about EXECUTIVE producing an album. Picking beats, arranging the overall sound of the project NOT personally making the beats.
And stop hating on Rozay nobody azz bitch made nigga !
Stop dreaming people….nas will never:
1. Be on another preemo track
2. Do a collab album with AZ
3. Ever be able to secure solid beats throughout an album
4. Give u that illmatic feel again
5. Speak about controversial issues on an album
6. Win a Grammy
7. Go platinum again
8. Stop being a sucka 4 luv ass niga
Lol…..but he is the GOAT
ross do hv an ear 4 beats,listen to BMF,2 shots,money dance,tupac back etc,i think ross will do justice given a chance 2 produce nas album plus they make beautiful music together,they hvnt done a weck song u got 2 admit that
gonna assume you mean you find Willy Leonards ears attractive when you say “best ear in rap”.
how is this even a story? anyone but Cormega would say yes to this question… even H to the Omo.
A person who needs a face lift is the one who goes out looking for help. Not Nas he is good at the moment so many fell off along the way. He is still here doing what he does best making dope music
Featuring lil Wayne
Certainly worth discussing over a 5 star meal…gourmet chef type $hit. I’ve heard the collaborations they done in the past and theirs definitely a chemistry. Nas is a prophet,a true definition of a living legend. His flow is impeccable and he paints a vivid picture with words. Ross has the ear of Ray Charles.. And I say that because you’ve NEVER heard Ross on a wack beat! His production is always potent.. I look forward to seeing these brothers make it happen, I respect them both! #IllmaticMaybach
Fuck Rozay, Nas should have Kendrick, J Cole or Drake get beats for him. Shit even Kanye
Ross would provide nice beats on one or two songs then I would let DJ Premier do the rest…Thats an album!!
Rick Ross new Album coming soon “Male pig from storeroom”
I have seen it once and will like to see it again….Ross on Nas album ll b great.
I would love to see dr dre and seven for production. Maybe a tech nine verse. But I’m hyped for the final album.
Will never understand why Nas and the Alchemist have never done a album together I have no doubt that album would make history !