Nas Performs "The Don" & Other Hits At SXSW [VIDEO]

Nas took over SXSW last night when he brought New York City to Austin's W Hotel and performed classic hits like "Life's A Bitch" with his Firm partner in rhyme, AZ. He also took to the stage to perform "The Don" live for the first time. Watch his performances below, and hit the jump to view clips from his interview with Steve Stoute where he addresses his relationship with Tupac and Will Smith.



Nas & AZ - Life's A Bitch


Nas - NY State Of Mind

Nas - The Don [Prod. by Heavy D, Salaam Remi & Da Internz]

Nas has had bloggers like myself camping out for the premiere of his new single "The Don," and the Heavy D and Salaam Remi produced track has finally been released courtesy of In Flex We Trust. The Supercat sampled track is the first look at his upcoming album Life Is Good since releasing "Nasty" over the summer and it definitely lives up to the hype.

Update: Tagless Version spotted at FSD


Download: Nas - The Don

R.I.P. Heavy D!

Previously: Nas Talks SXSW With VEVO News [VIDEO]

Nas - The Don (Single Artwork)

Nas has everyone in anticipation of his single "The Don," which will give us the first look at his upcoming album Life Is Good since releasing "Nasty" over the summer. Rap Genius, being the Gs that they are, has the ultimate exclusive-- Nas will be explaining the lyrics to the Supercat featured, Heavy D co-produced single through his verified Rap Genius account once the track is released.


Previously: Nas Talks SXSW With VEVO News [VIDEO]

Nas Talks SXSW With VEVO News [VIDEO]

Which Hip Hop legends aren't performing at SXSW? I'm straight losing!

Nasty Nas sat down with VEVO News to discuss the excitement associated with performing at a music festival like SXSW. On March 17th, he'll perform his classic debut Illmatic for the lucky badgeholders in Austin, Texas. Hopefully, that'll be streamed like Jay-Z's show!



Pt. 2 after the jump!

Da Internz Describe Working With Nas [VIDEO]

Da Internz revealed in an earlier interview that they have been in the studio with Nas, but they opened up a little more with Rap-Up TV about the extent of their collaborations. Watch below as the production duo claim that Nas is "trying to tear the skin off [our] face" with his new material. Can't wait to hear it!



Props to Miss Info

Previously: Da Internz Weigh In On The "Birthday Cake" Remix [VIDEO]

K'Naan - Nothing To Lose ft. Nas [Music Video]

Although K'Naan and Nas grew up in different parts of the world, this music video proves that they have much more in common than meets the eye.  Watch the visuals to "Nothing To Lose" below, and make sure you pick up K'Naan's new EP More Beautiful Than Silence, which is in stores now!



Props to HHNM

Previously:

• K'Naan - Nothing To Lose ft. Nas
• Tyga ft. Nas & Wale - King & Queens

Tyga ft. Wale & Nas - King & Queens

"King & Queens" was by far the most anticipated track on Tyga's upcoming album Careless World, and from the sounds of it, the Wale and Nas featured song definitely exceeds expectations. February 21st!

Tyga ft. Wale & Nas - King & Queens

Download: Tyga ft. Wale & Nas - King & Queens

Props to D Dot Omen

Previously:

• Tyga - In This Thang [Music Video]
• Teedra Moses ft. Wale - Another Luvr [Music Video]
• Nas Performs "Nasty" Live With The Roots [VIDEO]

Tyga - King & Queens ft. Wale & Nas [Snippet]

The most anticipated track on Tyga's upcoming YMCMB debut Careless World: Rise Of The Last King is easily his collaboration with Wale and Nas.  Listen below for an eensy weensy snippet of "King & Queens," and hit up the comments with your thoughts on the track so far!

Tyga - King & Queens ft. Wale & Nas [Snippet]


2.21 is officially the release date for Careless World. Preorder on Amazon today!

Props to HHNM

Previously:

• Trae Tha Truth ft. Tyga, J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick Lamar + More - I'm On 2.0 
• Wale - Purple Swag (Freestyle)
• Nas Performs "Nasty" Live With The Roots [VIDEO]

Nubbz - The Cross (Nas Blend)

A lot of you were feeling Nubbz's last blend, so here's another from the Dutch producer that will appear on his upcoming project In A Minute.  On "The Cross," Nubbz took Nas's God's Son classic to make the statement, "Y'all can keep y'all weak beats from your corny producers, there's a new king of the streets you're gonna get used to." From the sound of this track, Nas is right. You'll be hearing Nubbz all over the place soon.

Nubbz - The Cross (Nas Blend)

Download: Nubbz - The Cross ft. Nas

Previously: Nubbz - Get Em High (Common Blend)

Jay-Z Makes History At Carnegie Hall With Nas, Alicia Keys & The Roots [VIDEO]

Gabriela Herman

Last night, Jay-Z became the second Hip Hop act to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall, backed by The Roots, Bilal and a 30 member orchestra. Wyclef Jean, who was the first, took the stage with Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton and Whitney Houston in 2001. Among Hov's guests for his first of two benefit concerts were Nas and Alicia Keys, who performed hometown anthems "NY State of Mind" and "Empire State of Mind" with Jay.

Watch below as former rivals Nas and Jay-Z perform the Illmatic classic, "NY State Of Mind," and hit the jump to watch Mr. Carter's debut performance of "Glory," his song dedicated to his newborn daughter, Blue Ivy Carter!

Nas Performs "Nasty" Live With The Roots [VIDEO]

Nas + The Roots. Need I say more? Check out their performance of "Nasty" in Indianapolis for last night's episode of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon below!



Props to RM

Previously: K'Naan ft. Nas - Nothing To Lose

K'Naan - Nothing To Lose ft. Nas

On Tuesday, 1.24, K'Naan is releasing his new EP More Beautiful Than Silence on iTunes, but before he does, the Somali rapper dropped off "Nothing To Lose," his collaboration with Nas.  Check out the song below, and make sure you let me know what you think about the track by hitting me up on Facebook and Twitter!

K'Naan - Nothing To Lose ft. Nas
Download: K'Naan - Nothing To Lose ft. Nas

Props to XZ

Previously: Rick Ross ft. Nas - Triple Beam Dreams

Gangstas Use Emoticons Radio, Vol. 15: It's A New Year Baby!

It's been a while but Gangstas Use Emoticons Radio is back right in time for the new year! To celebrate 2012 AND the 6 Month Anniversary of the site, I decided to put straight party tracks on this mix.  If you're looking for more indie tracks, check out the other editions!

Thank you all for all of your support since I launched the site.  This has been a huge learning experience and I'm still not close to bringing Gangstas Use Emoticons to its peak.  I appreciate all you gangstas for riding with me through all the music, mixes, videos (and typos), and I'd love to hear any feedback that you have!

Enjoy! Tracks from Nas, Ludacris, Wale, 50 Cent, Jay-Z & Kanye West, Young Jeezy, B.o.B, Andre 3000, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and more!!


Previously: Gangstas Use Emoticons, Radio. Vol. 14 

Rick Ross - Rich Forever [New Mixtape]

When Rick Ross revealed the track listing to this mixtape, he surprised everyone.  Most people, myself included, thought the mixtape would just be Rick Ross rhyming over hit songs like the remixes he'd been releasing for the past few weeks.  WRONG.

The line up on Rich Forever is RIDICULOUS. All brand new tracks featuring everyone from John Legend and Nas to French Montana and Styles P. The wait is finally over, so look below to stream/download Rozay's prelude to God Forgives, I Don't!

Download Mixtape Free | LiveMixtapes.com Mixtape Player

DOWNLOAD: Rick Ross - Rich Forever [Mixtape] (Hulkshare)

Common - The Dreamer / The Believer [Tracklisting]

Common's The Dreamer, The Believer is finally mastered and ready to move through its final cycles so that it gets released on December 20.  Peep the full tracklisting above, which only features Nas, John Legend, and legendary poet Maya Angelou.  Looks like Common's getting back to basics on this one.  Straight spittin. Thanks to No I.D. for twitpic'n this for the people!

Previously: Common On 106 & Park [VIDEO]

Common Recites The Nas Classic "Life's A Bitch" [VIDEO]

Common is a legend in his own right, but he still pays respect when it's due.  In the video below, Common salutes his homie Nas as he raps a verse from the Illmatic classic "Life's A Bitch." Thanks to 2Dopeboyz/Relentless Films for making this happen!



Common's The Dreamer, The Believer will be in stores December 20th!

Props to YHTN

Previously: Common Performs "Blue Sky" With Marsha Ambrosius [VIDEO]

New Music: Mary J. Blige ft. Nas - Feel Inside

When I found out Mary was doing a follow-up to My Life this is what I was waiting to hear! Check out Mary J. Blige and Nas' collaboration that will be featured on the Queen's November 21st album, and let me know what you think about it!

Mary J. Blige - Feel Inside ft. Nas

Download

Hit the jump for a mobile friendly stream of the track and to watch Nas and MJB perform the track in NYC!

Nas & Damien Marley Perform "Dispear" Live From Wembley Stadium

Distant Relatives Nas and Damien Marley performed "Dispear" in London to a packed Wembley Stadium.  Watch below as the duo combine reggae with hip hop and set the place on fire!



Props to SoulCulture

Previously: Amy Winehouse ft. Nas - Like Smoke

New Music: Amy Winehouse ft. Nas - Like Smoke [Prod. by Salaam Remi]

A collaboration between Amy Winehouse & Nas was rumored shortly after the unfortunate July passing of the troubled British songstress.  Now the track "Like Smoke" has surfaced and is revealed to be a single from her upcoming posthumous album Lioness: Hidden Treasures. Check out the 2008 recorded, Salaam Remi-produced track below, and hit the jump to listen to "Our Day Will Come," a hidden cover recorded in 2002.


Amy Winehouse - Like Smoke ft. Nas

New Music Video: Nas & Rick Ross - It's A Tower Heist

The music video for "It's A Tower Heist" takes me back to the '90s when soundtracks were just as important as albums.  Check out Rick Ross & Nas in the studio in the new visuals below along with clips from the comedy which stars Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy.  Tower Heist hits theatres November 4th!



Props to Complex

Previously: New Music Video: Styles P ft. Rick Ross & Busta Rhymes - Harsh