Rap Radar

Before Kanye closed out the three-day music festival last night, Nasir and Damian Marley brought their Distant Relatives sound to Indio California by performing their solo and joint tracks. Raise your fists in the air.

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Nasir Jones got comedian Colton Dunn’s mind playing tricks on him in the latest sketch for Funny Or Die.

Previously: Drake

Not everything is promised, but nearly a year after its release, we finally get a video to track eight off Nas and Damian’s collaborative album Distant Relatives.

You were warned, but during the wee hours of the morning, Alchemist introduced us to the Mobb and Esco’s first collabo in over 10 years. Sounds good dog, no bullshit.

Queensbridge finally has unity! This afternoon, Havoc revealed that he and Prodigy have reunited with Nas on a new track entitled “Dog Shit”. The last time the trio appeared on the same cut was in 1999 on “It’s Mine”. Hopefully, the song doesn’t live up to its title.

Earlier this evening, Nas and Damian Marley brought their international tour to Wembley Arena in the UK. Of course, Sumit of HHC just released some great footage of the duo’s performance. Distant Relatives in stores now.

Actually, it’s “Gordon Smith”. Last night, Nas appeared on Hawaii 5-0 as a computer booster turned parole violator. Let’s just say actin’ isn’t Esco’s strong suit. Maybe next time they’ll catch him at the pro bowl.

Nas allegedly wrote this email to the bigwigs at Def Jam demanding the release of Lost Tapes Vol. 2 this winter. Supposedly, they offered him $200,000 to fund the project. Until we receive confirmation, believe half of what you read after the jump.

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On the song “I Want To Talk To You”, Nas said he wanted to talk to the muthafuckin’ president. Well, it looks like he’s gotten a step closer. In the new issue of Rolling Stone, President Barack Obama says that he’s added Nas and Weezy to his playlist.

What music have you been listening to lately? What have you discovered, what speaks to you these days?
…Thanks to Reggie [Love, the president's personal aide], my rap palate has greatly improved. Jay-Z used to be sort of what predominated, but now I’ve got a little Nas and a little Lil Wayne and some other stuff, but I would not claim to be an expert. Malia and Sasha are now getting old enough to where they start hipping me to things. Music is still a great source of joy and occasional solace in the midst of what can be some difficult days.

Previously: Barack Obama’s iPod Selections

Nas dropped by Tim Westwood’s show today on BBC1xtra and gave a great interview. After reminiscing about the old days, Esco salutes Drake and says that Swizz Beatz, DJ Premier, Alchemist, Dr. Dre, Kanye West and RZA have reached out to work on his next album. Whoa. Towards the end, he attempts a freestyle and laments on his divorce from Kelis.