S. Samuel
Rap veteran Nas' streak of launching new business ventures continues in 2014 with an educational firm partnership set to help college graduates. #NasIsLike
Details of Nasty Nas’ new education-based launch have surfaced online.
Rapper and entrepreneur Nas adds another business venture to his portfolio. He is partnering with educational company Koru to assist top graduates in making successful college-to-career transitions with high-growth firms. The Nas Scholarship Fund will provide financial aid to selected students, with the legendary rapper also doubling as a real-world coach. Additionally, Nas and his investment company Queensbridge Venture Partners have made a significant investment in Koru. (Billboard)
The rap veteran also issued a statement on his power move.
“I know how hard it can be to carve out your path and purpose in life,” says Nas in a statement announcing the partnership. “The young people going through Koru are gritty, book smart and street smart. The program gives them an opportunity to put those smarts to work. I can’t wait to work directly with them and share what I’ve learned through my own life experiences.” (Billboard)
Last month, buzz about Nas teaming up with a tech giant bubbled online.
Tech has a serious diversity problem — so General Assembly (GA), the New York City private vocational school for programming and engineering, is now opening an “Opportunity Fund” to give scholarships to women, veterans, African-Americans and Latinos. The first contributors to the fund are Google, Microsoft, Hirepurpose and Nas. Yes, rapper and recording artist Nas, the man who brought us “Illmatic.” The partnership with Nas began when he met GA cofounder Matt Brimer at SXSW, but Nas isn’t the only media figure to approach GA about these kinds of programs. (Beta Beat)
Along with these ventures, Nasir Jones’ new Time Is Illmatic documentary is heading to the big screen later this year.
Tribeca Film announced today that the company is acquiring North American rights to One9’s Time Is Illmatic, which had its world premiere as the opening night of the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary is directed by multimedia artist, One9, written by Erik Parker and produced by One9, Parker, and Anthony Saleh. Tribeca Film is planning a simultaneous theatrical and VOD release in October along with performances from NAS in select cities. Additionally an educational youth screening series will complement the release. (Press Release)
