S. Samuel
Rap mogul Nas has a lot more than the 20th anniversary of Illmatic to celebrate these days as new reports claim he has an upcoming music series in the works.
According to reports, a 30-minute series called “Street Dreams” is currently in production.
EXCLUSIVE: As Nas marks the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut album Illmatic, a half-hour series project loosely based on his life as a hip hop artist in the 1990s is getting off the ground with a deal at XBox Entertainment Studios. Titled Street Dreams, the project, from Jamie Patricof and Lynette Howell‘s Electric City Entertainment (The Place Beyond The Pines), is set in the 1990s in Long Island’s Queensbridge housing complex, where Nas grew up, and takes a look at music, family and the tribulations of the rap game. (Deadline)
An established director has already been attached to the unexpected project.
Street Dreams is being written/directed by Jonathan Levine, who also grew up in New York, spending his formative years in the 1990s. New York in the 90s was the backdrop for his coming of age feature The Wackness, winner of the Audience Award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. Street Dreams is now being developed, with Nas involved in the writing and music. His manager, Anthony Seleh, executive produces with Patricof, Howell and Levine. Patricof and Howell recently developed bodybuilding half-hour Muscle for HBO. Xbox has been actively buying scripted projects though it is yet to launch its first series. It also has in the works a pro skaters comedy series from writer Ian Edelman. (Deadline)
Aside from this, Nasir Jones will release a special Illmatic 20th annivesary album this spring.
Nas has announced that his seminal debut album, Illmatic, will be released as a special 20th Anniversary Edition, titled Illmatic XX, on April 15th by SONY Legacy. This exclusive collection will feature several rare remixes, unreleased demos and freestyles to commemorate the anniversary. RapGenius.com is now exclusively streaming the “It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Stink Mix).” PRESS HERE to listen now. In addition, fans can now pre-order the 2CD set on iTunes and both the 2CD set and 1LP vinyl via Amazon.com. (PR Newswire)
Along with the new music, Nasir Jones will also be performing Illmatic throughout the country.
Nas has also announced that he will be touring the U.S. and performing the groundbreaking Illmatic from front to back to celebrate the release. The tour will kick off with special performances this spring at both the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as this year’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Further details surrounding the tour will be released in the coming weeks. (PR Newswire)
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