Life Is Good is the upcoming tenth studio album by rapper Nas. The album is Nas’ final album under Def Jam Records. The first single off the album is Nasty. Salaam Remi who produced the single is the only confirmed producer for the album thus far. Nas has called the album a “magic moment” in his rap career while mentioning that Swizz Beatz, DJ Premier, The Alchemist, Dr. Dre, Kanye West and RZA are possible producers on the LP. Producer Bangladesh revealed that he has produced some tracks for the album. Also Producer Kane Beatz revealed he has recently worked with Nas and legendary producer DJ Premier recently hinted that he may be collaborating with Nas on the album. Last but not least Producer and DJ Statik Selektah has also said that he has produced a couple of tracks for the album. Illmatic collaborators Pete Rock and Large Professor are also rumored to have logged studio time or sent beats to Nas for the upcoming album. Pete Rock has confirmed that he is working with Nas via twitter and in a video interview with SB.TV. Nas debuts the new official music video for his song “Nasty,” where he takes it back to the block and rides around Queens, NY. Watch the video below and let me know what you think…
OFWGKTA members Frank Ocean, Tyler, The Creator and Hodgy Beats have been confirmed to feature on Nas’ tenth album, with Ocean putting the track together and Tyler and Hodgy adding verses. Nas is also planning a collaboration with longtime rhyme partner AZ, confirmed via Twitter in August. The two have not released a track together since 2004. Nas confirmed that the two MCs have been “messing around with ideas here and there” in the studio. AZ himself has recently confirmed that he and Nas have been working together and that “me and him it’s like magic when we connect so, it’s that magic all over again. We a lil older now so, it’s really more dangerous and potent because now we know the moves and the proper moves to make so, it’s a beautiful thing now.” He also commented on the direction of the music he and Nas are making: “Yo, we gon’ reinvent the wheel, that’s what we gon’ do.” Speaking on possible producers for the album Nas also revealed: “It’s all about who got it. I’m not reaching out to any specific person, really. I did reach out to No I.D. But other than that, people already know that we want to work together. Almost every producer in the game, I had a conversation with. We’re just going to see what fits, what makes a marriage together.”
The video above is the behind the scenes footage of Nas’ “Nasty” video shoot. In a recent interview, Nas spoke on the possible features for the album and stated: “I’m knee-deep into the album now. I definitely have some spaces for some guests. It just has to be right for the track, or whatever. It just got to sound right. So whatever happens, it’ll be for the best. I have some pretty good ideas as to who I want to put on certain songs. So we just have to see if some of these dudes will be with it, if they have time to do it, or whatever. We’ll see what happens.” Most recently Nas revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that he has recorded with Salaam Remi, Jay Electronica and AZ. Nas also stated in the interview that Lost Tapes II is still a possibility and that he hopes to record with Scarface for the new album: “There’s a certain sound in hip-hop that I love so some of the album may give you a Nineties feel.” A preview of the “Nasty” music video has been shown on 106 & Park.
Personally, Nas killed the entire song, from the lyrics to the beat to the production of the video. Its a straight hip hop joint with a tight beat, crazy rhymes and slick flow. It is what we would expect from straight hip hop with no bullshit. Get the fuck out of here if you were expecting an overproduced beat, with a trick singing half of the song instead of rapping. Nas is keeping it real and not forgetting where he came from. He has incredible talent that is homegrown from the streets…
