S. Samuel
Rap veteran Nas has updated fans on the status of his long-awaited Lost Tapes 2 compilation album and why the project is currently being shelved indefinitely.
Nas said his main focus will be dropping a fresh solo album before constructing a plan to unleash his never-before-heard records compilation.
Unfortunately, he says changes to the Def Jam label thwarted his plans to release the album in December of 2010. “I kinda got away from [the album] and I started working on my new album,” he explained. “…so maybe Lost Tapes later down the road but the new album first. Who knows, I’m trying to figure it out now.” (Hip Hop DX)
In January, Nas said he was considering dropping Lost Tapes 2 as a free project.
“Because I kind of lost time, I really wanted to release [the album] in December,” Nas explained in an interview reflecting on his aim to drop Lost Tapes 2 last month. “But I’m starting my next album. So I feel like I’ll probably give The Lost Tapes as a deluxe, maybe, on the next album for free. I’m trying to figure that out now. It’s not safe to say that it’s gonna be on Def Jam. You know, news at 11. We coming with the information on that soon.” (MTV)
Around late December, the rapper’s fans created an online petition against Def Jam hoping to pressure the project’s release.
“We the fans of Nasir Jones, have been waiting for the follow-up to the 2002 classic “Lost Tapes”. This was a record of compiled tracks that did not make Nas albums, but put together for the sake of the fans. Since its release almost a decade ago, it has received critical acclaim and quickly became a fan favorite. It has come to our attention that Nas has in fact completed the follow-up, titled “Lost Tapes 2”, and is waiting for you (Def Jam) to green-light the project and give it a release date. We do not like to go into speculation and rumors, but it seems as though you do not want to release Lost Tapes 2 because you don’t want it to count as an official album since Nas only has 2 more albums left to fulfill his contractual obligation to Def Jam.” (We Need Lost Tapes 2)
Recently, Nas said he was most focused on completing a solo follow-up to 2008’s Untitled.
“I record a lot of sh*t. I have recorded a lot of sh*t over the years, and the sh*t that I ain’t put out on albums should be on the Lost Tapes,” Nas said in an interview. “Because my album, my studio album, my new album is a priority for the label and of course me. To find the time to put out Lost Tapes and then my record, my real record, is what we’re up against. It’s all this material and trying to get it out…I got no release dates right now. Nothing to tell people about, just inner workings hopefully to get the sh*t out right and get it out soon — I’m in the studio, taking it step by step. It’s not ready yet. I’m taking it step by step because it’s so important for me and myself. I’m in a huge fight with me, so it’s important that I get this one right. I don’t want to leave no stone unturned on anything I say on this sh*t.” (The Boom Box)
Nas has yet to reveal a name or release date for his next solo album.
Check out some recent Nas footage down below:
