Two of Billboard’s newly topped R&B/Hip-Hop Corridor of Fame recipients joined forces on Friday morning (Sept. 15), when Nas enlisted Lil Wayne for his Magic 3 standout observe “By no means Die.”
The Hit-Boy-produced music comes shortly after Nas’ fiftieth birthday, because the venerable MCs ruminate about their longevity within the rap sport. “We ain’t gon’ by no means die, I’m an icon in real-time,” declares Nas on the triumphant hook. Esco additionally gave a nod to his partner-in-rhyme throughout his verse, saying, “The model new Model Nubians, N-A-S and Wayne.”
Weezy closed issues off with a smoldering verse plagued by sports activities metaphors as he name-drops Deion Sanders and Zion Williamson. He additionally salutes Nas throughout his lyrical barrage, rhyming, “Weezy and my slime Nas, ain’t no one like us.”
For Nas and Wayne, “By no means Die” marks their first collaboration in 12 years. They final sparred collectively on Weezy’s Tha Carter IV music “Outro” earlier than pairing up on Nas and Damien Marley’s 2010 Distant Relative observe “My Technology.”
Final month, Nas and Lil Wayne have been honored at Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Energy Gamers occasion after being inducted into the Corridor of Fame Class of 2023 for his or her cultural contributions in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop.
“To see that we’re right here and [hip-hop is] thriving [is incredible],” stated Nas in his cowl story with Billboard in August. “The artwork kind is loopy proper now. That’s an exquisite factor, and for youthful artists which can be simply 20 years outdated to comprehend the historical past that’s there and was laid down for them, to have a look at it and go, “Wow, it is a lengthy historical past with deep roots,” is a superb feeling.”
Take heed to “By no means Die” under.