“My picture the Jordan brand of this rap s—,” raps Nas on 2021’s “YKTV” (shortened to say “You Know the Vibes”), from his Grammy-nominated King’s Illness sequel. After all, that “picture” is none apart from his bunker-buster debut Illmatic, which propelled hip-hop into the long run upon its arrival in 1994. Off sheer influence alone, that album actually makes a robust case for being the definitive emblem for the style. However for now, on a blustery chilly Friday night time (Feb. 24) in New York Metropolis, the vibes have been unquestionably sure for an additional pivotal event: Nas’ first headlining present at Madison Sq. Backyard.
By no means thoughts how lengthy of a journey it’s been to get up to now — the timing for this night time was good. Nas is sizzling off the heels of releasing King’s Illness III, the threequel to his Grammy-winning collection with tremendous producer Hit-Boy, the quarterback to his extensive receiver, all as hip-hop celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. That stated, Friday’s present was as a lot a victory for Nas because it was for hip-hop. It was a proud event for the ocean of generations-spanning followers, from those that keep in mind the primary time they heard “Reside on the Barbecue” to those that lately tapped in along with his current work. Total, the Backyard couldn’t have been a extra good venue to host this celebration.
“Reside in Madison Sq. now, we on hearth,” a visibly elated Nas hailed, whereas hearth bolted round him throughout his fiery efficiency of “I’m on Fireplace.”
And on hearth he was, launching into standout-after-standout all through his 34-song set. Sticking to the night time’s “King’s Illness Trilogy” invoice, the Queens rap icon pulled out gems throughout the trinity-spanning gem, from storytelling favorites like “Blue Benz” and “Automobile 85” to party-flavored cuts like “Spicy” and “Get Gentle.” By the point the latter blared via the world, MSG had virtually was a park jam as followers all through the sold-out area swayed, bopped, and two-stepped from row to row. Like his output during the last two years suggests, Esco refused to let up on the momentum all through the night time. Between the King’s Illness cuts, he additionally made room for just a few data off his 2021 venture, Magic, sprinkling in cult favorites like “Speechless” and “Wave Gods” to a lot fanfare.
The truth that Nas was performing these comparatively contemporary cuts to a fully-invested viewers inside a sold-out Madison Sq. Backyard was actually a second to behold — one thing, even he, at occasions, gave the impression to be amazed by, generally even taking a short second to relish the vibe. At one level, he stopped to remember after which turned the highlight onto the opposite half of his profitable components: Hit-Boy.
“I like this brother for bringing the artwork out of me once more,” Nas acclaimed earlier than tapping the producer to affix him onstage for the floor-quaking “Michael & Quincy.” Not a soul remained seated, particularly as extra surprises trickled in.
After performing “Reminisce,” a track that samples a sure Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Nas introduced out — you guessed it — Mary J. Blige, who despatched the joy ranges via the roof as she carried out “You Remind Me.” After working via King’s Illness, he hopped via hits from the remainder of his catalog, together with Illmatic. You at all times need to return to Illmatic. This time wearing an all-orange jumpsuit with an identical skully, wheat building Timberland boots, and his signature diamond-covered “QB” chain, he dispatched “N.Y. State of Thoughts.” Subsequently after, he introduced out AZ for “Life’s a Bitch,” and one in every of “my motherf—ing heroes,” Slick Rick, for “Hey Younger World.” Embracing the magnitude and momentous event of the night time, he saved his foot on the gasoline, working via a medley of tracks — “The Message,” Avenue Desires,” “If I Dominated The World,” “Hate Me Now,” “Made You Look” and “One Mic.”
One of many crowning moments occurred whereas performing “Reminiscence Lane (Sittin’ In Da Park).” He did away with the instrumental for the second verse and delivered a masterclass in mic management, performing the tongue-twisting verse a capella with absolute readability and supreme breath management. As he took a bow whereas being showered within the crowd’s adulation, one factor was crystal clear: Nas remains to be that good.
For the encore, preceded by Nas admitting, “I don’t wish to depart but,” he shifted the vitality again to the occasion spirit that hung excessive all through the night time. As arms waved and cheers clamored from all corners of the world, he spun via extra hits, together with “Sizzling Boyz (Remix),” “Oochie Wally” and “Owe Me,” earlier than sealing the night time with an emotional reminder: “We did it!”
