Nas after a pop-up show to showcase his recently released album Nasir had a sit down with radio personality Angie Martinez. At the 16:30 mark of the interview Nas reveals a new album is on the way that was already in the works prior to Nasir. He mentions that the project consisted of tracks produced by Swizz Beatz and Rza from the Wu-Tang Clan. Earlier this summer Swizz Beatz mentioned that he had produced a complete album’s worth of material with Nas. (https://hiphopnewsjournal.com/nas-and-swizz-beatz-unreleased-completed-project/) More than likely some of that material should appear on the upcoming album. This will mark the first time working with Rza in almost twenty years. Nas during his illustrious career has appeared alongside Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and Ghostface Killah. However, he has worked together with Raekwon the most over the years.
The first time Nas appeared on a with a Wu-Tang member was “Eye for an Eye” off Mobb Deep’s 1995 album The Infamous. Along with Nas on the track was Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. Later that year Nas would appear on Raewon’s track “Verbal Intercourse” from the Only Built for Cuban Linx… album. The track also included Ghostface Killah and produced by Rza. Raekwon revealed that he had been vibing to Nas’s “One Love” off Illmatic and knew he would be perfect for the track.
Mobb Deep – Eye for an Eye (remix) feat. Nas, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah
Raekwon – Verbal Intercourse feat. Nas & Ghostface Killah (prod. by Rza)
Raekwon Interview – How Nas Appeared on Only Built for Cuban Linx…
The next time Nas worked with a Wu-Tang member was on the star-studded track “Grand Finale” from the 1998 Belly soundtrack. With Nas appeared Ja Rule, DMX, and Wu member Method Man. Nas that same year would reunite with Raekwon on the track “John Blaze” from Fat Joe’s Don Cartagena album. Along with Fat Joe, Jadakiss and Big Pun would make an appearance.
Nas – Grand Finale feat. DMX, Method Man, & Ja Rule
Fat Joe – John Blaze feat. Nas, Big Pun, Jadakiss, & Raekwon
In 2000 would mark the second time Nas would hop on a track produced by the Rza. This time it was for “Let My” from Wu-Tang’s The W project with Raekwon and Inspectah Deck. Raekwon’s 2006 project, The Vatican Mixtape Vol.2 The DaVinci Code on “Brothers Keeper” would mark the next time he linked up with Nas. Then one last time on Raekwon’s “Rich & Black” which appeared on his 2010 album, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang.
Wu-Tang Clan – Let My feat. Nas (prod. by Rza)
Raekwon – Brothers Keeper feat. Nas
Raekwon – Rich & Black feat. Nas
With Nas announcing another album being released soon it will mark the first time since 1999 where two projects were released the same calendar year by him. Those projects where I Am… and Nastradamus. Nas is in a great position with this album. With Nasir he fulfilled his contract with Def Jam. If he chooses so he can facilitate the project completely through his own label Mass Appeal Records. Having Swizz Beatz and Rza behind the boards should insure a high-quality album production wise. With Nas a Wu-Tang affiliate it will be interesting to see which members will be featured on the album. At the very least based on history, Raekwon should be making an appearance.
