On this date in 2005, Queensbridge rap king Nasir Jones akaNas and sultry Star Trak songstress Kelis Rogers tied the knot in Holy Hip-Hop matrimony in Atlanta, Georgia.
The two got hitched at the Morningside Baptist Church in a private ceremony for friends and family. The couple kept a low-profile for a few years, but rumors of infidelity and a sex tape featuring Kelis and a then-unknown rapper named Infrared led to their ultimate break up and divorce in 2009.
Kelis later accused the rapper of verbal and physical abuse, even during her pregnancy with the couple’s first child, but those allegations were never substantiated.
Nas used Kelis’ green silk and chiffon wedding dress as a prop on his Life Is Good album cover post their divorce.
On this day in 2001, the self-crowned “King of New York” released his fifth studio LP, Stillmatic. During Nas’s musical absence the power in New York had shifted and Jay-Z had stepped up and eclipsed Nas as the best MC in New York. The title itself shows that Nas had a chip on his shoulder and used this album to show the world who was STILL the best rapper alive out of the five boroughs.
Nas and Jay-Z were in the midst of one of the biggest feuds in rap. With this being the theme of the time, the lyrics of this album carried a malicious flavor. This new side to Nas’ sound is most prominent on the track Ether that is one of the most straightforward diss tracks in rap. The disrespect that was put on on this record makes the Drake/Meek Mill conflict look like a childhood dispute. Throughout the album Nas continues to showcase his no-holds-barred style of lyricism, dropping names of those he feels have disrespected him left and right and setting records straight about his spot in Hip Hop. With every bar, you can feel Nas attacking the game and making sure his place is felt by everyone listening. This album is also a lot less openly righteous than his previous work. Nas is a righteous individual so there will always be undertones of positivity in his work, but on this album, the focus was on the cold and darker side to Hip Hop and New York City in general.
Released on Columbia Records, the album debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 chart and sold 342,600 albums in its first week. Within a month, the album claimed the #5 spot and was certified platinum on January 16, 2002. By July 2008, the album had sold 2,026,000 copies. This “comeback” album received majority positive reviews from critics. Nas was praised by critics from Rolling Stone, AllMusic and The Source, who gave this album the coveted 5 Mics.
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Nas released his sixth studio album, God’s Son, in 2002. This may be Nas’ most emotional album coming at a rough time in his personal life. With the passing of his mother and his bout with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z at its height, Nas catered his lyricism to be more introspective in relation to his own trials and tribulations. Nas crowned himself “God’s Son” in tribute to his mother’s legacy and to point out a self-acclaimed likeness to Jesus Christ.
The production Nas collected for this project was astounding. Working with The Alchemist, Salaam Remi, Eminem, and even Alicia Keys helped to create a sound true to New York Hip-Hop with its own modern twist. Salaam Remi produced the bulk of the album and in a time when rap was something for the club and a Neptunes’ beat was a signature this soulfully classic sound was refreshing. The beats alone were critically acclaimed being mentioned in Vibe and Stylus Magazine and by countless critics.
Lyrically, Nas went in the opposite direction of what was popular at the time. As always, there was a true and necessary message behind everything that was said on the album, not to mention his flow and delivery were impeccable. The content was also deeply connected to what was going on in his own life. His references on songs like “Warrior” and “Last Real N***** Alive” were in reverence of his recent past mother. He even dedicated the track “Dance” to his mom. There were also a lot of Christian undertones throughout the album. Whether it be through titles of a song or metaphorically in bars spat, Nas’s religious views were intertwined with the majority of this album. Some of the other lyricists featured on the album were Alicia Keys and Nas’s ex-wife Kelis.
Commercially, this album was successful as well. It was certified platinum on January 14, 2003, and peaked at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B chart. The singles from this album, “Made You Look”, “I Can”, and “Get Down,” were also hits. Two of the Three released claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100. “Made You Look” peaked at #32 and “I Can” peaked at #12. “I Can” has become a timeless song in Hip Hop over the years being an anthem of lifelong success for children in the black community.
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Nas released his sixth studio album, God’s Son, in 2002. This may be Nas’ most emotional album coming at a rough time in his personal life. With the passing of his mother and his bout with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z at its height, Nas catered his lyricism to be more introspective in relation to his own trials and tribulations. Nas crowned himself “God’s Son” in tribute to his mother’s legacy and to point out a self-acclaimed likeness to Jesus Christ.
The production Nas collected for this project was astounding. Working with The Alchemist, Salaam Remi, Eminem, and even Alicia Keys helped to create a sound true to New York Hip-Hop with its own modern twist. Salaam Remi produced the bulk of the album and in a time when rap was something for the club and a Neptunes’ beat was a signature this soulfully classic sound was refreshing. The beats alone were critically acclaimed being mentioned in Vibe and Stylus Magazine and by countless critics.
Lyrically, Nas went in the opposite direction of what was popular at the time. As always, there was a true and necessary message behind everything that was said on the album, not to mention his flow and delivery were impeccable. The content was also deeply connected to what was going on in his own life. His references on songs like “Warrior” and “Last Real N***** Alive” were in reverence of his recent past mother. He even dedicated the track “Dance” to his mom. There were also a lot of Christian undertones throughout the album. Whether it be through titles of a song or metaphorically in bars spat, Nas’s religious views were intertwined with the majority of this album. Some of the other lyricists featured on the album were Alicia Keys and Nas’s ex-wife Kelis.
Commercially, this album was successful as well. It was certified platinum on January 14, 2003, and peaked at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B chart. The singles from this album, “Made You Look”, “I Can”, and “Get Down,” were also hits. Two of the Three released claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100. “Made You Look” peaked at #32 and “I Can” peaked at #12. “I Can” has become a timeless song in Hip Hop over the years being an anthem of lifelong success for children in the black community.
As far as endorsements go, a rapper — especially a New York rapper — can’t do much better than getting a co-sign from Nas. God’s Son has taken notice of one NYC artist in particular and appears to give his stamp of approval to Conway The Machine. Nas Salutes Griselda’s Conway The Machine Conway was […]
Nas has released a new PSA with Weedmaps to advocate for cannabis legalization, social equity, and the empowerment of Black entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry.
Weedmaps is the largest technology company in the legal cannabis economy and advocates for cannabis reform and social equity for Black and Brown executives to thrive in the sector.
The PSA will air twice during the Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. fight this Saturday.
“We’re hoping to introduce a new audience to Weedmaps as well as bring attention to some of the important conversations happening around cannabis today,” said Juanjo Feijoo, Chief Marketing Officer at Weedmaps. This is just one of many steps we are proactively taking to break down stigmas, promote social equity, and encourage all to join us in the fight for change.”
“I’m a proud advocate for cannabis legalization so this partnership with Weedmaps is particularly close to my heart,” Mike Tyson said. “This is a significant moment for the cannabis industry, and I am committed to doing my part to fight for change.”
The fight night will feature Tyson vs. Jones Jr., Jake Paul vs. Nate Robinson, Badou Jack vs. Blake McKernan, and Viddal Riley vs. Rashad Coulter. Also scheduled for the pay-per-view is performances from DaBaby, Lil Wayne, French Montana, Wiz Khalifa, and YG. The fight can be ordered on Pay-Per-View through cable and satellite providers and is also available on PPV streaming at www.TysonOnTriller.com.
On this date in 1999, Queensbridge King Nas released his fourth full length studio LP entitled Nastradamus on the Ill Will/Columbia imprint. The 15 track album was due to be released as a follow up to his previous I Am LP, but due to bootlegging, Nas added additional recorded songs specifically for this project.
With singles such as “Project Windows” featuring the legendary Ron Isley and the crossover single “You Owe Me” featuring Ginuwine, the album was certified platinum by the RIAA within a month of its release.Production from the likes of Timbaland, Mobb Deep’s Havoc, Premier and Dame Grease, this album appealed to the streets and the charts.
Salute to Nas for this valuable piece of Hip Hop history!
