[NEWS] Nas Slams Def Jam Execs In E-Mail

Now see, this is why I love me some friggin' Nasir Jones. This man is the epitome of a person that stands firm for music. When I sit around and debate with like-minded music fiends and people look at me like I've lost my mind or have nothing better to do, I look at them and give them the eye of sympathy because they just don't get it and that's fine because we all can't.

But enough about me, lets get into this e-mail...

Nas & Damian Marley Unite On 'Distant Relatives'

After experiencing numerous release date changes dating back to 2009, rapper Nas and Reggae artist Damian Marley’s collaborative effort Distant Relatives finally hit music store shelves today May 18, 2010.

It’s no secret (unless of course you completely shelter yourself from the internet) that Nas has experienced a flood of media attention thanks in part to his very public separation from his soon-to-be-ex-wife singer Kelis. While some would find it difficult to focus on presenting a collection of quality work, Nas made it seem so simple and the tracks on Distant Relatives reflects this sentiment.

Distant Relatives consists of 13-tracks that center on both educating and entertaining, edutaining if you will.

Nas & Damian Marley's Trailer For 'Distant Relatives' [Video]

Here is a trailer taking fans behind the scenes of the making of Nas and Reggae artist (and Bob Marley offspring) Damian Marley's new collaborative effort Distant Relatives.

I am so excited for this album because it looks like it is about to be epic. Just the combination of a Hip-Hop sound with a Reggae tone is making me salivate. This really has never been done before and judging by the video the two shared a very distinct chemistry which makes for great music.

Distant Relatives hits stores May 18, mark your calendars!

ALBUM COVERS: NAS & DAMIAN MARLEY 'DISTANT RELATIVES' [COVER & TRACK LIST]

Here is the album cover for Damian Marley and Nas' new album Distant Relatives. This album has been a long time coming with it missing its album release date which was set for August of this year.

I love the cover and the fact that they used the continent of Africa as their background, very creative.

Here is the track list:

01. Intro (Something New) (Produced by Damian Marley)

02. As We Enter (Produced by Damian Marley)
03. Revolutionary (Produced by Damian Marley)
04. Count Your Blessings (Produced by Damian & Stephen Marley)
05. Belief is Key (Produced by Damian Marley)
06. Africa Must Wake Up (feat. K’naan) (Produced by Nas, Damian & Stephen Marley)
07. Black Horizon (feat. K’naan) (Produced by Damian Marley)
08. Only the Strong (Produced by Damian & Stephen Marley)
09. Our Generation (feat. Joss Stone & Stevie Wonder) (Produced by Damian Marley)
10. Empowerment (Produced by Stephen Marley)
11. AID (Produced by K’naan & Nas)
12. Let’s End It (Poverty) (feat. K’naan) (Produced by 9th Wonder & Damian Marley)
13. The Earth (feat. Bob Marley) (Produced by Salaam Remi, Damian & Stephen Marley)
14. Black Man’s Paper (feat. Erykah Badu) (Produced by Afry) [UK Bonus]
15. Weed On (feat. Snoop Dogg) (Produced by Damian Marley) [iTunes Bonus]
 
{spotted at OnSmash}

Nas talks to CNN about the death of Derrion Albert

Nas recently sat down with CNN to talk about the sudden passing of Derrion Albert, a Chicago honor student that was beaten to death late last month by boys his same age.

As always, Nas carries himself well and articulates his answers even after they attempted to paint him in a bad light.

I'm not one to defend Hip-Hop. I feel a lot of commercial Hip-Hop tends to play on and glorify the violent aspect of inner city living, something that Nas did for some parts of his career; however, mixed in with some of those tracks are songs that hold positive messages that could be applied to the lives of the listeners for their better good.

Whats funny is that the media hardly ever shine light on Hip-Hop songs that speak the truth and send out positive messages like Slick Rick's "Hey Young World", KRS-One's "You Must Learn", or Ludacris's "Runaway Love."

I agree that music is a big influence on the lives of the youth, but I also feel that upbringing and parenting is even bigger. If there is an absence in the home than the TV and the music will play substitute and they are the worst babysitters.

Nas celebrates the birth of his son Knight

Nas was spotted in Queens last night (07.21) celebrating the birth of his first son Knight. If you missed it the Tuesday drama, Nas was not allowed in the delivery room to witness the birth of his son.

Although it has not be reported that it was a decision made by wifey Kelis, I'm sure the thought has crossed many of minds.

Anyhow, the net went banana's yesterday when it was reported that Nas was not by his wife's side as she pushed their son out (ouch, literally). Bloggers and spectators interpreted his absense as him showing early signs of a dead beat. In the video, Nas let's y'all know not to believe everything you read unless you read here on Musically Yummy (Ok, he didn't say all of that but you get the point).

I was hoping that Kelis and Nas would reconcile after watching their son come into the world but I guess that dream needs to be scrapped and trash being that there still is some vindictiveness in action, oh well.

Congratulations to the Jones' and their new bundle of joy!

Kelis has gone into labor

According to TMZ, Kelis went into labor earlier this morning; she and Nas' son will be born any minute. Despite the couple's current divorce drama, Nas' lawyer assures that Nas is right by Kelis' side awaiting the arrival of their brand new baby boy.

Deep down in my romantic soul I am hoping that this moment and experience will bring the two closer together to at least have a cordial relationship for their babies sake.

Stay tuned for more details.

Update @ 6:40 PM: According to various reports and Nas' lawyer, Nas was not allowed into the delivery room to witness the birth of his son; however, he did rush to the hospital upon hearing that Kelis went into labor. Sources say Kelis has given birth to her son

Yummy Pics: From the looks of things...Nas is doing just fine

Ain't no party like a single man party cause a single man party don't stop. Whew..what I wouldn't do to be a fly on the wall in this hotel room Monday night (06.01); what a way to usher in the new month of June.

Maxwell put up some photo's of he and Nas getting down and Carribean with some girls out in Turks and Caicos and decided to post them up on his twitter. Trust I am not mad, party as hard as you can until the casket closes, but Nas looks like he doesn't have a care in the world, no?

Hmmm...something tells me the females out there are not going to be feeling this one. If it makes y'all feel any better I'm sure he's hurting inside....
Why else would he empty an entire bottle of Patron?

Is Nas in the wrong for partying it up while he is going through a divorce? The woman in me wants to knock him out but then again he is getting a divorce ~shrugs~ why sit and mope about something that seems to be done. I guess those rumors about he and Kelis working things out were a tad false huh :-(?

Artist News: Nas is looking to leave Kelis out to dry

Initially, I failed to report on the story because I felt there were enough media outlets exhausting the hell out of it, but since some of you have been emailing me with questions or asking me about my thoughts on this issue, I wanted to let you know what I know based on the various reports.

As you know, Nas and Kelis are currently getting divorced. In said divorce proceedings, Nas is asking that Kelis receives no spousal support as well as funds to pay for a lawyer seeing as though the idea to get divorced was hers to begin with. He is also seeking joint custody of their unborn son, in an attempt according to some people, to avoid paying child support.

It really hurts my heart to know that a child will be coming into this world to parents that are separated all because they couldn't find it in themselves to work it out. I am a firm believer in marriage, which is why I always preach to know who you are marrying before you marry them, because once it is done, it's done.

It is being rumored that Nas was very verbally abusive to Kelis and that Kelis was "loose". It is also rumored that the reason why Kelis wanted a divorce was because she noticed that Nas became very withdrawn from the marriage after info came out that Kelis was involved in a sex tape with a no-name rapper.

On both angles I can see where there would be cause for a divorce but I do wish they could at least attempt to work it out. I plan on visiting this subject in the future on my column so keep a look out for it. I do wonder though, what exactly will he do with that tat of her on his arm?

Nas and Kelis call it quits!

It has been reported that Hip-Hop's sweethearts Nas and Kelis have filed for divorce.

If you can remember, there were rumors swarming that they were having problems and that there might be a divorce in the works but those were quickly brushed to the side when Nas announced that Kelis was expecting a baby boy.

According to papers obtained by Vibe, the inevitable divorce is a fact; the cause? "Dissolution Of Marriage". Apparently, there was a lot of verbal abuse and infidelity going on in the Jones' household.

Kelis is now seven months pregnant, I truly need a moment.

Back tracking a bit, I think that the supposed tape of Kelis having "fun times" with a no-name rapper, that was eventually put on blast courtesy of Wendy Williams, might have been the straw that broke the camels back.

Developing....

M.Y. Song Of The Week: Nas-Book Of Rhymes

Totally did not get the chance to post Song Of The Week yesterday, I hate breaking routine. Working on improving the site (you will see the changes real soon), has occupied a lot of my time. Plus, I recently joined Twitter and it is a addictive! Anyway, let's pretend I didn't :-).

This weeks Song Of The Week is courtesy of Nas with his song "Book Of Rhymes". This song appeared on his album God's Son that he released in 2002.

Book Of Rhymes - Nas

"Book Of Rhymes" is one of those songs that stand out because of it's concept and lyrical format. It is a song that is pretty much a collection of loose lyrics in his book of...well...rhymes. Not many artists are as creative, but Nas really brings it on this song. My favorite line is from the short snippet of second childhood.

This is definitely a must have on your iPod.

Leaked Music: Nas ft. Marsha Ambrosius-If I Ruled The World (2009)

I loved the original 1996 "If I Ruled The World" featuring the baddest chick in R&B (back then) Lauryn Hill. Everyone and their mother loved that song and you could hear it bumping out of every one's cars on the highest volume possible to the point that you could hear the car vibrate from a mile away.

Nas headed back in the studio to give us a more modern day "If I Ruled The World" featuring Marsha Ambrosius the young lady from Floetry.



The song still has that xylophone bounce on the track but it sounds a lot more futuristic. I love it. I personally wouldn't compare the original "If I Ruled The World" because I feel they have a different sound and plus Marsha doesn't follow the same pattern Lauryn did. You decide, check out the original below. I will say though, in the original, Nas sounded a lot hungrier and raw.

If I Ruled The World feat. Lauryn Hill - Nas

Nas talks album and new baby

MTV Shows

I'm definitely happy about a new Nas album. Contrary to what people may believe I think Nas is a great contribution to Hip Hop. Congratulations are in order for the new bundle of joy on his/her way. It's looking like a great year for Nas'

Side Order: I surely do hope Nas and Kelis don't give the baby an outlandish name, we have enough of those.

Young Jeezy ft. Nas "My President Is Black"

Here is the new video from Young Jeezy featuring Nas for Jeezy's single "My President Is Black". (Sniff) Now I'm not crazy about the song simply because I have a hard time understanding Jeezy but I must admit...somehow the video still moves me to tears. Okay...maybe not tears but it does cause my eyes to water just a tad.

I like Nas' flow and verse however I think he could have come harder. I do love the video; seeing everyone together all shapes, sizes, shades, and genders chanting "my president is black" is just so moving.

I can be a little sensitive, I know.

I do have a question, why does Jeezy still need to talk about his cars?!

I give this video a yummy B+ for hip hop starting a political movement, using your voice for good is always beneficial and important.

Side Order: Am I the only one that thinks Jeezy would do best as a hype man? I just love his ad libs and I'm crossing my fingers that he will consider doing voice overs for cartoons...

Conversations with Nas

^^^^^This is the reason why I have the up most respect for this man. Nas is a REAL rapper and to those of you who disagree, take it how you want to. Hip Hop artists have bigger voices than they think and they would truly benefit if they reclaimed their thrones as the voice of the people. Oh and um Jim, yea you Mr. Jones, make sure you do your best to pay close attention to the video; then maybe just maybe you will have enough sense to retract your little statement you made to Complex Mag :-).