Photo: Nas
Legendary New York Emcee and record producer Nas and DJ Premier have linked up on a new rap record. Titled “Define My Name”, the single arrives on the 30th anniversary of his debut studio album “Illmatic”.
Across the flagrant East Coast rap record, Nas reminisces about his legacy and his tall stature in rap music through immaculate lyricism. Further, the iconic Mass Appeal founder pays homage to fellow historic rap figures Rakim, KRS-One, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Ice Cube and Scarface on the record.
“DNA of King James, kin of Saint Michael
Polygamous-minded, seven wives on ridiculous timin’
They always share the same title, that be the whiskey talk
That’s foul like a stop-and-frisk, New York
At twenty, I said I’d better quit by thirty
Then by thirty, I thought by forty rapping is corny
How wrong was I?
Never would have thought at 50, new songs by Nas would be hard and live
I leave ’em scared like when they hear their name called, but ain’t nobody there
The definition of my name probably started where
I rode the E train, fingers covered in ink stains
Writin’ was like an escape, excitedly leave the beat flamed
It was Rakim, Kool G and Kris
Few names like Cool James, ‘Face, Cube and Rick,” Nas raps on the DJ Premier-produced record.
Check out the exclusive “Define My Name” artwork shared by Nas & DJ Premier via Instagram.
Ahead of releasing his latest single, Nas further gave the record producers on “Illmatic” their flowers.
“I had a dream I could get my favourite producers to produce on my debut album. I knew exactly what I wanted and how it should be. But I didn’t know anyone except for Paul, so I asked him would he connect me to them all. The cool soul brother that he has helped me line it up,” Nas said via Instagram.
“On April 19th we smashed shit. Even tho the album leaked months before the release date we still are a part of music history. Thank you Large Professor (Paul) and DJ Premier who drove into the projects to pick me up a time or two. Qtip, Pete Rock, and my man from The Bridge DJ LES, and my guy AZ who was just coming up himself. And thank you to everyone involved,” Nas wrote further.
Check out the affecting message by Nas below.
Nas & DJ Premier have further announced their debut collaboration album.
Most recently, premiered the third visual treatment from his 18th studio album ‘Magic 3’.
Joining forces with cult rap figures Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan, De La Soul & more, the legendary emcee flexes unprecedented longevity of his sprawling rap career in “Sitting With My Thoughts” – the 10th rap record on Nas’ most recent and rumoured to be his last studio album with Hit-Boy.
You can watch the top-tier visuals below.
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Stream ‘Define My Name’ by Nas & DJ Premier via Spotify.
