In 2023, hip-hop reached 50, and it's remarkable that some musicians have contributed for almost half that period.
As Nas' Illmatic turned 30 on Friday (April 19), Esco and DJ Premier reunited for their “Define My Name” song.
The legendary record's nostalgia and Preemo scratches allow Nas to shine with his lyrics.
He's surprised he can still rhyme well in his 50s, says the Queensbridge icon.
“At 20, I said I'd better quit by 30/ By 30, I thought by 40 rapping is corny/ How wrong was I/ Never would have thought at 50, new Nas songs would be hard and live,” he raps.
Preemo briefly raps until Nas gently urges him to stick to tracks and announces a collaboration project, which everyone has been waiting for.
“It’s time, it’s album time, yeah,” Nas concludes, referencing “N.Y. State of Mind.”
No release date has been set for the project, which is expected later this year.