Cyrus Langhorne
New York rap veteran Nas is upping the expectations for his long-awaited follow-up to Life Is Good by releasing the full version of his new "The Season" track.
Nasir Jones’ J Dilla-produced new anthem officially premiered online Thursday (October 30).
Nas is back. After previewing the song at the Run the Jewels 2 release event in Brooklyn last night, the hip-hop king debuts the studio version of his new single “The Season.” Over J Dilla’s “Gobstopper” beat, he pays homage to the late producer and reflects on not being able to enjoy the fruits of his labor. “Dilla lives on / It’s like he wrote it with me / The soulful sample compliments my rhymes so well,” he raps. (Rap-Up)
Check out the new track right here…
The rap vet teased fans about the new track during a hip-hop show last night (October 29).
Earlier this month in an interview on New York radio, Nas revealed that the new single off his forthcoming 12th solo LP would arrive very soon. Fast forward to Wednesday night in New York City, where Killer Mike and El-P held a private Q&A appreciation event for their newly released Run the Jewels 2 LP. An event put on by RTJ’s label Mass Appeal, which Nas serves as an investor, the Queens MC made an impromptu appearance to show support to the rapper-producer duo. (Miss Info TV)
Over the spring, Nas launched his own record label.
The venerated rapper, 40, is launching Mass Appeal Records, an independent record label, which, in addition to shepherding a new generation of hip-hop hopefuls, will also provide an outlet for new Nas music when his contract with Def Jam expires later this year. Mass Appeal Records is co-founded by Peter Bittenbender, 36, and will succeed Decon Records. (Billboard)
Along with Lost Tapes 2, multiple hip-hop releases are expected to come out under the Mass Appeal imprint.
First among Mass Appeal Records releases, arriving late this summer, will be an annual compilation album featuring friends of the brand like Future, Pusha T, Mac Miller, A$AP Mob and Nas himself performing a cover of the 1994 Gang Starr single that gave the company its name. Also on deck is “Lost Tapes 2,” a collection of unreleased Nas music, and a posthumous album from Pimp C that will pair the Houston icon and UGK member with modern production titans like Mike Will Made It and DJ Mustard. (Billboard)
Queens!
Nas is my favorite rapper. A real skilled poet on the mic, but he hasnt been the same since the albums he dropped in the golden years. And no, its not called evolutin because I see his skillset as being more regressive. He was a better emcee in those Illmatic/It was Written days. I’ll still be checkin’ for his projects though.
Let’s be realistic. What rapper/mc still sounds the same or as good as when they first dropped? It’s impossible. lol. Of course he isn’t Illmatic Nas. lol. Jay isn’t Reasonable Doubt, Snoop isn’t Doggystyle Snoop, Scarface isn’t Mr. Scarface Is Back Face. It’s kind of messed up to give a compliment then criticize the dude for growing.
Nothing wrong with being honest. We don’t have to dicksuck our favorite artists by proving incapable of being critical of them. He’s still my favorite rapper and I respect the classic material he’s put out over the years, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be honest about where he’s at now. It’s not growing if the quality is regressing. His prime is past him and as someone who’s bought many a Nas album over the years I reserve the right to express dissatisfaction with his work. He’s still a legend and Illmatic and It Was Written are still two of the best rap albums ever released. I also appreciate his willingness to boldly take on racy issues like declining state of Hip Hop and racism.
You can be honest it just seems like a backhanded compliment because like I said no artist is the same as they were in they prime. No artist. Nas, Ice Cube, Snoop, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang. Same thing. It’s human nature. It’s like Jordan getting old. When I said growing I mean growing as people not necessarily as artist. I mean are you the same dude you was as a teenager???? Nas or the dudes I mentioned are not writing rhymes all day like when they was younger. The hunger and the mindset is different. All the people I mentioned are legends. I haven’t enjoyed everything they dropped but I respect the fact that nothing stays the same. Just drop quality product. I know everything can’t be a classic.
I feel you brother. But that’s the thing, I don’t think a lot of the projects of late have been of great quality. You are right that all the legendary artists you named from the 90s have fallen off, but the Jordan comparison is not quite analogous. The body grows old preventing Jordan from moving the same way he could in his mid twenties or early thirties, and while the mind grows old too, these guys aren’t that old to where they can’t put together quality rhyme structures and flows like they once did. Royce Da 5’9 is an example of a artist who has either gotten better over the years or has at least retained the level of quality he embodied in his earlier projects whereas the aforementioned have declined significantly. Not a backhanded compliment, I just think Nas is survivin’ off his old rep. Talented, mind blowing lyricist in the 90s, and some of his recent material has been bold and thought provoking, just not as poetic or technically skilled as he once was.
I just used Jordan as an analogy of how nothing stays the same. When you been rhyming for 30+ years like these dudes I don’t think the mental part of it is quite there like it used to be. Add to the fact that they have matured it adds even more. Nas to me has dropped quality product if you look at his last 5 albums. The beats could of been better but it was quality material lyrically!!!! We’ll agree to disagree about him living off his old rep. smh. To me that’s Cube and LL. lol.
I rock with a lot of Nas’ Untitled album (“Testify” is my favorite track). Lol about Cube and LL. I could see them living off their old rep too to be honest lol
Cube and LL ain’t dropped hot albums since the 90s. The 90s!!!!!! That’s what you call living off your past. To me Nas last 5 albums were good. No classics but good. Streets Disciple and God Son are underrated albums of his. I also think people slept on Distant Relatives because to me that was also a quality piece of work that doesn’t get talked about. God Son, Streets Disciple, Hip Hop Is Dead, Untitled, Life Is Good & Distant Relatives. Good albums imo.
Yeah I havent heard Distant Relatives, but I actually like God’s Son. “Revolutionary Warfare”, “Get Down”, “Made You Look”‘ “Dance” and “Heaven” were some standout tracks. I think Street’s Disciple would have been solid if it was just the first disc with a few tracks imcluded off the second. Namely, “War” “Thief’s Theme” “Bridging the Gap” and “Street’s Disciple”. “Remember the Times” was tigt as well. I’m not a huge fan of Hip Hop Is Dead though.
HHID wasn’t his best but it wasn’t awful. I give it like a 3.5 out of 5. What about Life Is Good. Distant Relatives is a good album. It’s probably on Youtube. If you can give it a listen and let me know what you think. I think SD is soild. It lets you know how hard it is to make a double album tho.
I agree with that 100. Even loving your girl changes. Nas is still that dude regardless. Every living thing changes and Nas is no different. This shit is fire!
People are a lil unfair. Things change.
GHOSTFACE & RAEKWON ……. the real NYC GOATS.
First off I don’t agree about them being the goats. lol. Second they new stuff isn’t like Ironman & Cuban Linx. Cuban Linx 2 was classic hotness but it wasn’t part 1.
Look at all their solo albums. From their first solo projects to their most current and everything in between. Nas from Illmatic to Life is Good. Jay from Reasonable Doubt to MCHG. Ghostface from Ironman to 12 Reasons to Die. Raekwon from Cuban Linx to Shaolin vs Wutang. Their work speaks for itself. To me Ghost gets the crown.
Again that’s your opinion. lol. Your in the minority with that opinion too. I love Rae. He’s my favorite member of Wu. He has dropped a couple of duds tho. The beats haven’t always been chosen wisely in his case. I was never the biggest Ghostface fan. He has dropped bangers and he’s pretty consistent but he doesn’t really do it for me to be on my goat list. I love Ironman but I can’t say I loved anything else he dropped. Good but can’t say I loved it. Now Jay and Nas to me have been the best at dropping classics. Each to me me you can argue have 2-3 classic albums in they catalog. Good albums and a dud or two. I haven’t even mentioned KRS, Rakim or Kane who should be mentioned whenever you bring up goats. They also have catalogs of multiple classics that to me competes with Jay and Nas so it’s all based on opinion.
It is all opinion true but fact is that especially nowadays….you can’t go by a majority opinion as gospel I’m sorry. “I fear for the 85 that don’t got a clue”.
Iron Man
Supreme Clientele
Bulletproof Wallets
Pretty Toney Album
Fishscale
More Fish
Big Doe Rehab
Poet or Wizardry
Apollo Kids
12 Reasons to Die
Timeless music. More Fish is his wackest and I don’t really consider it a Ghost album. It was more like a Theodore Unit compilation. Most Nas and Jay albums are like a sampling of what was hot at the time they came out and they sound dated after awhile.
You call Ghost the goat but quote a Method Man line. lol. Again we disagree brother. That’s your opinion. You feel your way I can feel my way. Can’t bring me to your side of the fence on this one. I don’t even consider him the best lyricist in the group. We’ll agree to disagree.
And this is the conundrum of some this new school conciousness…so what if I quoted Method Man? What if I quoted Jesus, Shakespeare, Jay -Z, or Marcus garvey? Why is that lol worthy?
Ain’t nothing wrong with a friendly debate. You don’t have to agree with me on Ghostface’s GOAT status. But you’re slippin on that Meth comment.
If i’m debating on who I thought was the best MC I wouldn’t quote another dude. Especially since I don’t feel it fits our debate. You can think i’m slipping all you want with that comment. Whatever my dude. That’s something else we disagree on. So it is what it is.
But that’s your intellectual failure. My point was that the majority opinion shouldn’t be gospel to you saying I was in the minority for thinking Ghost is the GOAT.(i fear for the 85 that don’t got a clue). I wasn’t quoting Meth to show Ghost’s literal lyrical prowess. You have tunnel vision. Don’t “agree to disagree”, step your mental game up.
Now it’s my “intellectual failure”. lol. Your a joke. I know what the lyrics means my dude. Like I said no reason to engage any further in this debate. Peace.
Now it’s my “intellectual failure”. lol. Your a joke. I know what the lyrics mean my dude. Like I said no reason to engage any further in this debate. Peace. Smh.
*You’re*
I must’ve really struck a chord with you damn. Triple posts, one as guest. How’s that for a joke? No reason to continue because I dropped my jewels on you and now it’s done. Oh and it’s “you’re”. Don’t forget my lessons.
I like to type in proper english so excuse me. You didn’t strike a chord it’s just how I am. The problem with dudes like you is that you like to insult people when they don’t agree with you. That’s arrogance. I never said you was wrong. I didn’t insult you or down your intelligence. I just said I didn’t agree. I tried with leave it alone as soon as I see we couldn’t agree on the subject. Then you stooped to childish levels. smh. We’re all adults. Go ahead and wave the Ghost pom poms. It’s all good. I just think putting him over someone like Nas, Krs, Rakim or even Kane is blasphemous. Like I said we’ll agree to disagree!!!!!!!!! I don’t need your lessons. Thank you.
What happened to “Peace.smh”?? ok since you wanna get all Dame Dash on me Imma break it down to you real simple:
1.You like to type in proper English wtf does that mean? Are you referring to your insult of “your a joke” to me?
2.You threw that little jab at me first but then wanna start crying and accusing me of insulting?
3.You being arrogant and condescending saying”you quoting Meth but talking about Ghost lol” is stupid and shows your intellectual failure. I really was trying to be nice and not calling you outright a dumbass. Which you have proved to be true. I wasn’t ‘downing’ you or insulting your intelligence. I was calling a spade a spade.
4.I judge an emcees legacy by the complete body of work they leave behind. Not verses here and there understand that!
5.If you’re really done, stop responding!
dumbass.
You stop faggot. lol. You talk shit and call names i’m gonna defend myself. Actually asshole it takes more then the “body of work” to determine a MC status. If you was a real head like you claim you would know that. Sure the catalog counts but how about battling???? Freestyling? Subject matter????? Vocabulary???? How has he changed over time???? Flow???? His influence on the game??? It’s alot more then catalog!!!!!!!! So like I said it’s been fun. Enjoy your day. Peace.
“you stop faggot.lol” You’re in high or middle school huh?
That’s the best you can come up with???? I’m dealing with a imbecile here. lol. You enjoy your day my dude.
I’m seriously asking. I don’t believe a grown man could be as stupid as you.
Yeah yeah yeah. You amuse me jackass. I thought the same thing when I ran across someone as stupid as you. Like I said good day my dude. It’s been fun.
You gotyta change that name you’re a bad representative for the city. You gotta be some puff soft dominican mommy’s boy with that my dude shit too.
Wow. That’s the best you can do? Like I said come better than that bitch boy. Go continue to suck on Ghost’s dick. You seem to like that position. Peace my dude.
Everything I’m saying is true tho. You’re just speaking in empty cuss words. You have to be in your teens because you think saying a few cuss words is supposed to mean something. Like how you say my dude after talking all that shit. It’s already been established you’re a dumbass and you keep cementing it. Go back and read our exchanges with a smart friend from beginning to now. Stop making NYC look dumb and soft.
You started with the cuss words and disrespect trying to belittle someone. I don’t type insults and disrespect until i’m provoked. This is a forum for adults. Not people who get they rocks off trying to play the next man. You wanna play that game we can do it all day my dude. Makes no difference to me. Dumb piece of shit. lol. What i’m saying is also true. Especially regarding criteria for the goat, you being the arrogant fool and goats being a matter of opinion. You took a little Method Man comment I made and got your panties in a bunch. Be easy. I find it funny that you believe your little insults affect me. Blah blah blah. It’s comedy to me.
dead ass I didn’t even read what you just wrote.
Good!!!!!!!!! It’s about time. Annoy someone else now. Peace.
I always thought he said ‘Basketball season has returned”..
Lol u mean on Hate Me Now when Diddy says Escobar season? Lol
Oh actually – yes – exactly!
Dope Dope Dope beat…..but it’s so old. Busta and Rah Digga had this on the Dillagence mixtape years ago and they rocked it better. Jay Electronica used it too.
Sorry but no one knows those other versions. Nas rips this beat.
Sorry but Nas does not rip that beat. He rips the Funk Flex volume 2 freestyle, He rips “Thief’s Theme”, on this he says dope shit but flows awkwardly trying to fit it to the beat.
Go and Youtube the Busta and Rah Digga “Just Another Day at the Range”. Not as dope lyricsally but they both flow waaaay better to this. It’s actually lame Nas would take this beat thats almost 5 years old and try to pass it off as something new.
good call, i havent heard the busta track so thanks for putting me on that one.
So and what! It is about rap lyrics dude. Who cares about a beat to shake your ass to? That is what is wrong with hip hop now and street dudes turning fruity by shaking their asses. Real street dudes bob the head to the flow. You feel me little homie! Take the thong off! Nas is that killer!!!
Shut up, you trying to hard my equal lol, just say you like nas shit better. But who cares about a beat? Nigga you just bump acapella versions of songs in the whip or something? Ol I’m a just bass out the vocals ass cat lol. Lyrics are important no doubt, but just because you got whitey rhythm you mad at the world on some I want them to see it my way shit lol foh lil equal. Ol I roll down the strip playing url battles in the whip and wondering why no bitches fuck with you ass equal. Relax. Just bump that new bomb ass esco shit without explantion yell
Okay but did you take that thong off yet! Ha! Ha! Fruity dudes!!!!
I will beat the breaks off your ass if you talk to me like that face to face. Matter of fact you wouldn’t even dare. I’m 30 “little homie”.
That beat is dope as fuck you dumb ass. Nas just doesn’t flow to it proper. Problem with hiphop is dudes like you. Hiphop is BEATS and RHYMES. If all you want is lyrics with no flow and soul or “oomph” go read a poetry book. I’ll take your mom’s thong off you little b!tch.
Lil dude, we don’t have to go there in fighting over what is right or wrong on Nas killer ass song. You just sound a little fruity to me and then turned hard all of sudden. Anyway, back to subject matter on hand, Nas is that dude and “F” what you heard lil homie!
You really have no concept of how you come across do you? How dare you call anyone else a fruit?
People be wanting too much from Nas these days…the track is dope…period..Just roll one up and zone the fuck out to this shit
When you hear “New Nas!” and everybody’s ranting and raving and you push play and hear a beat thats been used 3 times over in the past 5 years it’s a bit of a buzzkill.
Dude is the greatest of them all! The Season new joint is fire! It is on the IPod heading to the gym and on repeat!
this guy nas is so corny man. fuck. I hate how people make him to be so intelligent and the GOAT to this rap shit and out of his albums Id only call 2 of them real classics.
Tell me what other rapper that has classics? I thank you! Nas is the GOAT, freak!
mad niggas have more classics than nas dawg. just because he’s your favorite doesnt mean he’s top dog. jay has multiple classics, all of tupacs, all of biggies, like 4 of ems, 3 of lupe’s, az’s awol and doe or die were classics. easy.
nas stayed true to jay’s line” thats one hot album every 10 year average”
Bet this album drops and is number 1 on the charts…One hot album every ten years is BS considering Nas has multiple #1 albums and several platinum selling albums.. So dont come with that wack line..It dont matter what you think of the dude he established a core fanbase..He sells decently with hardly any tv or radio promotion. what other rapper you know can do that? Jay has maybe 3 classics all the rest of his albums are mediocre.. And you overrating biggie and pac cuz they dead..
You have nailed it! I agree bruh and I would not even give jay 3 classics. Jay fell off so hard after reasonable doubt that I lost interest! He had some good cuts on a few other albums but other than that mediocre at its best. One love!
Those shits no one call classics and Jay only has one himself and that is reasonable doubt but compare them to Nas illmatic and it was written classics are insane. No one mention your shits are classics. You guys use that word so freely. I give PAC all eyes on me and biggies ready to die but the rest hell to the naw!
All Pac’s albums aint considered classics. Personally, i think All Eyez On Me was weak.
I don’t agree that it’s weak but it ain’t what people make it out to be. lol. Personally the only Pac album I really love is Me Against The World.
Oh I’m with you theremman. I love Me Against the World. 2Pacalypse Now sounds dated, but I love it for its revolutionary themes and social commentary.
That was the Pac I loved. He was about black people everywhere. Thug Life Vol 1 is another favorite. When he went to Death Row he changed.
Yeah. He took on that Westcoast ridah shit full fledged. It’s like he went backwards. Started off revolutionary and for his people, then started pumpin gangsta shit with Suge. Me Against the World and 2Pacalypse Now are my favorite Pac albums. I havent heard Thug Life Vol. 1. Was that a posthumous release?
You haven’t heard Thug Life Vol 1??????? Jesus. lol. No it ain’t posthumous!!!!!! I wanna say it dropped in 94-95. Google it if you can. I had it on tape back in the day but I got it on CD now. It was a group project with him and some other cats. It’s really good. Street but revolutionary stuff too!!!!! I also like R U Still Down because while some may say it sounded dated it represented Tupac’s natural sound. That album was mostly Me Against The World/ Strictly For My N****z era Tupac. Yeah but Thug Life Vol 1 is a classic to me. That whole East/West stuff was nothing but black on black crime. Fighting each other while the cats behind the scene at the companies got rich. It was irresponsible.
To anyone that is on this post hate or dislike Nas and his music, eat a freakin D! If Nas or his music is corny than what that makes your favorite rapper! Nas is the greatest of all time, period and F what you heard little Nukkas!!!!
huh?…I thought he just shut fools up on the last joint,,shi* had dope beats..flows..lyrics..and was about real life ..not no fake ass I push bricks of white bullsh!t