{"id":2621,"date":"2020-09-19T17:12:38","date_gmt":"2020-09-19T23:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/?p=2621"},"modified":"2026-01-04T19:40:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T02:40:01","slug":"nas-and-the-firm-full-circle-deep-dive-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/nas-and-the-firm-full-circle-deep-dive-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Nas and The Firm: Full Circle Deep Dive Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; collapsed=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-324px|||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|4px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"299\" data-end=\"700\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span>\u2019s recently released album <em data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"404\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">King\u2019s Disease<\/span><\/span><\/em> marked his fourteenth project to debut in the top ten. It stands as a testament to his longevity and sustained greatness, with a career now spanning nearly three decades since his debut appearance on <strong data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"648\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Main Source<\/span><\/span>\u2019s<\/strong> 1992 track \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Live at the Barbeque<\/span><\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"702\" data-end=\"1123\">Production on <em data-start=\"716\" data-end=\"732\">King\u2019s Disease<\/em> was spearheaded by <strong data-start=\"752\" data-end=\"793\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Hit-Boy<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, who has built an illustrious career in his own right. The album\u2019s most talked-about moment came on \u201cFull Circle,\u201d a track that reunited the original lineup of <strong data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"995\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Firm<\/span><\/span><\/strong> for the first time since \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Affirmative Action<\/span><\/span>\u201d from Nas\u2019s 1996 album <em data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1122\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">It Was Written<\/span><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Main Source \u2013 Live at the Barbeque feat. Nas<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas &amp; Large Pro - Live at the Barbeque (Live, 1991)  [subtitles]\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ta3srWr4sJQ?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas \u2013 Full Circle feat. AZ, Cormega &amp; Foxy Brown<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas &quot;Full Circle&quot; feat. The Firm, AZ, Foxy Brown, &amp; Cormega (Official Audio)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EOm0896a68Y?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"272\" data-end=\"691\">The track demonstrated that <strong data-start=\"300\" data-end=\"341\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, alongside <strong data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"394\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">AZ<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"437\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Cormega<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"484\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Foxy Brown<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, can still create music held in high regard. It also reignited long-standing curiosity about what the original lineup of <strong data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"647\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Firm<\/span><\/span><\/strong> might have achieved had it remained intact.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"693\" data-end=\"957\">The song\u2019s impact\u2014and the way it ultimately came together\u2014is remarkable. During his promotional run, Nas reflected on his relationships with the group\u2019s members and addressed why <em data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"911\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Firm<\/span><\/span><\/em> failed to meet expectations upon its release.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas \u2013 King&#8217;s Disease Interview<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas: The Vision Behind \u2018King\u2019s Disease,\u2019 The Firm and Mending Relationships | Apple Music\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fwi4dLKTC8M?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"626\"><strong data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"266\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span><\/strong> became friends with <strong data-start=\"287\" data-end=\"328\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Cormega<\/span><\/span><\/strong> at an early age while growing up in Queensbridge. By 1991, Cormega had begun building a name for himself, appearing on tracks with fellow Queensbridge artists such as Blaq Poet and Hot Day. He was initially being groomed for a record deal, but that momentum was halted when he became incarcerated.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"1125\">Cormega\u2019s name continued to circulate thanks to Nas\u2019s track \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">One Love<\/span><\/span>,\u201d which took the form of letters written to his incarcerated friends. On the song, Nas famously shouted him out\u2014\u201cWhat up with Cormega? Did you see him? Are y\u2019all together?\u201d\u2014keeping Cormega\u2019s presence alive in the streets. The track appeared on Nas\u2019s 1994 debut album <em data-start=\"994\" data-end=\"1033\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Illmatic<\/span><\/span><\/em>, further cementing that connection during a critical moment in both of their early careers.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Hot Day &#8211; Going Straight Up feat. Arkim, Blaq Poet &amp; Cormega<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Going Straight Up - Hot Day ft. Arkim, Cormega and Shahid (OLD SCHOOL QUEENSBRIDGE)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gRhUmib4mes?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas &#8211; One Love<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas - One Love (Official Video)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hxce_qvhi5I?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"211\" data-end=\"578\">Another future member of <strong data-start=\"236\" data-end=\"277\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Firm<\/span><\/span><\/strong> closely associated with <strong data-start=\"302\" data-end=\"345\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span>\u2019s<\/strong> <em data-start=\"346\" data-end=\"385\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Illmatic<\/span><\/span><\/em> was <strong data-start=\"390\" data-end=\"431\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">AZ<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. He appeared on the album\u2019s intro, \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Genesis<\/span><\/span>,\u201d as well as the standout track \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Life\u2019s a B*tch<\/span><\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"580\" data-end=\"992\">AZ initially showed up simply to support Nas, but organically became part of the album itself. His performance\u2014on what many consider one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time\u2014quickly elevated his profile and led to his own record deal. AZ followed up with <em data-start=\"841\" data-end=\"880\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Doe or Die<\/span><\/span><\/em>, which became a classic in its own right and featured Nas on the track \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Mo Money, Mo Murder<\/span><\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas &#8211; The Genesis feat. AZ<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"The Genesis\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A5Siwt_KUZU?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas &#8211; Life&#8217;s a B*tch feat. AZ<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas - Life&#039;s A Bitch (Live at #VEVOSXSW 2012) ft. AZ\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PdGL3XXO_dI?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5gwtCEtnm6g\"><strong>AZ &#8211; Mo Money, Mo Murder feat. Nas<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"AZ feat. Nas Mo Money Mo Murder\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5gwtCEtnm6g?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"218\" data-end=\"528\">Although <strong data-start=\"227\" data-end=\"268\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span><\/strong> was being heralded as the next <strong data-start=\"300\" data-end=\"341\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Rakim<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, he was still struggling financially. His debut album initially reached gold status before eventually going platinum, but commercial success did not immediately translate into stability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"530\" data-end=\"998\">Around this time, Nas formed a relationship with <strong data-start=\"579\" data-end=\"620\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Steve Stoute<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, who managed <strong data-start=\"634\" data-end=\"675\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Trackmasters<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, a production team known for its polished, radio-friendly sound. The two connected at the <strong data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"807\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Source Awards<\/span><\/span><\/strong> in 1995. Stoute recognized that Nas had all the makings of a star and believed that pairing him with Trackmasters\u2014and managing his career more strategically\u2014could elevate him to a new level.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1000\" data-end=\"1150\">Without that shift, Nas likely would have remained critically acclaimed, but his career risked stalling before reaching its full commercial potential<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"207\" data-end=\"537\">By that point, <strong data-start=\"222\" data-end=\"263\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Trackmasters<\/span><\/span><\/strong> had already spent several years building credibility by producing for underground legends such as <strong data-start=\"362\" data-end=\"403\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Chubb Rock<\/span><\/span><\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"408\" data-end=\"449\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Kool G Rap<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. Their sound was rooted in street credibility, but their reach was beginning to expand.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"539\" data-end=\"964\">They were now achieving mainstream success as well, working with artists like <strong data-start=\"617\" data-end=\"658\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Mary J. Blige<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"660\" data-end=\"701\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Soul for Real<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"703\" data-end=\"744\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Heavy D<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"750\" data-end=\"791\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Notorious B.I.G.<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. With one foot in the underground and the other firmly in the mainstream, Trackmasters were on the cusp of becoming one of the most sought-after production duos in hip-hop.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Chubb Rock &#8211; Lost In The Storm (prod. by Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Chubb Rock - Lost In The Storm  [HD]\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NA3S7Del1l0?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Kool G Rap &#8211; Ill Street Blues (prod. by Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Kool G Rap &amp; DJ Polo - Ill Street Blues [Explicit]\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CfO7qUiOt4Q?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Mary J Blige &#8211; Be Happy (prod. by Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Mary J. Blige - Be Happy (Official Matt X Version)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BvGbmEuV_lA?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Notorious B.I.G. &#8211; Juicy (prod. by Poke from Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy (Official Video) [4K]\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_JZom_gVfuw?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"211\" data-end=\"721\">By the end of 1995, <strong data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"274\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">LL Cool J<\/span><\/span>\u2019s<\/strong> album <em data-start=\"281\" data-end=\"320\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Mr. Smith<\/span><\/span><\/em> had been released. <strong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"381\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Trackmasters<\/span><\/span><\/strong> handled production on nearly half of the project, which ultimately went double platinum. The album showcased their versatility, blending radio-friendly hits like \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Hey Lover<\/span><\/span>\u201d featuring <strong data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"635\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Boyz II Men<\/span><\/span><\/strong> with harder, underground smashes such as the \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">I Shot Ya (Remix)<\/span><\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"723\" data-end=\"1273\">This balance between mainstream appeal and street credibility was exactly the formula <strong data-start=\"809\" data-end=\"850\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Steve Stoute<\/span><\/span><\/strong> envisioned for <strong data-start=\"866\" data-end=\"909\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span>\u2019s<\/strong> next project. \u201cI Shot Ya (Remix)\u201d also served as the world\u2019s introduction to <strong data-start=\"987\" data-end=\"1028\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Foxy Brown<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. In her debut appearance, she more than held her own alongside <strong data-start=\"1092\" data-end=\"1133\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">LL Cool J<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"1135\" data-end=\"1178\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Keith Murray<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"1180\" data-end=\"1223\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Fat Joe<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, and <strong data-start=\"1229\" data-end=\"1272\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Prodigy<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>LL Cool J &#8211; Hey Lover feat. Boyz II Men (prod. by Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"LL COOL J - Hey Lover ft. Boyz II Men\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Um99r6sgspY?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>LL Cool J &#8211; I Shot Ya (remix) feat. Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe &amp; Foxy Brown (prod. by Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"LL Cool J ft. Prodigy, Keith Murray, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown - I Shot Ya (Remix) [Official Video]\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R2zet82146c?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"577\"><strong data-start=\"213\" data-end=\"254\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">AZ<\/span><\/span><\/strong> introduced <strong data-start=\"266\" data-end=\"307\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Foxy Brown<\/span><\/span><\/strong> to <strong data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"352\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. At the time, Nas had expressed interest in working with <strong data-start=\"410\" data-end=\"451\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Lil\u2019 Kim<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, but he eventually warmed to the idea of collaborating with Foxy Brown instead. That connection would soon prove significant.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"579\" data-end=\"919\">As fate would have it, Nas crossed paths with <strong data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"666\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Dr. Dre<\/span><\/span><\/strong> in 1996, and the two shared a mutual interest in working together in the studio. <strong data-start=\"748\" data-end=\"789\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Steve Stoute<\/span><\/span><\/strong> strongly supported bringing Dre into the fold, viewing the collaboration as a way to broaden Nas\u2019s audience and expand his reach.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"1339\">That partnership resulted in \u201cNas Is Coming,\u201d which appeared on Nas\u2019s sophomore album <em data-start=\"1007\" data-end=\"1046\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">It Was Written<\/span><\/span><\/em>. On the track, Nas and Dr. Dre pushed back against the ongoing East Coast\u2013West Coast rivalry, expressing that the conflict was pointless. Instead, they emphasized unity, collaboration, and financial success. The song ultimately served as a teaser for what was to come between the two artists.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1581\">The next step would be even more ambitious: a full group album from <strong data-start=\"1409\" data-end=\"1450\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Firm<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, released under Dr. Dre\u2019s <strong data-start=\"1477\" data-end=\"1518\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Aftermath Entertainment<\/span><\/span><\/strong> in partnership with <strong data-start=\"1539\" data-end=\"1580\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Interscope Records<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas &#8211; Nas Is Coming\u00a0 feat. Dr. Dre<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas is Coming - Nas (Prod. Dr. Dre)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/krr3tfnn4oA?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"227\" data-end=\"670\">The members of <strong data-start=\"242\" data-end=\"283\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">The Firm<\/span><\/span><\/strong> first appeared together on \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Affirmative Action<\/span><\/span>\u201d and its remix, both of which were produced by <strong data-start=\"397\" data-end=\"438\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Trackmasters<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. <strong data-start=\"440\" data-end=\"481\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Foxy Brown<\/span><\/span><\/strong> also collaborated with <strong data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"546\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Nas<\/span><\/span><\/strong> on the track \u201c<span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Watch Dem<\/span><\/span>,\u201d further strengthening the chemistry between the group\u2019s core members.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"926\"><em data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"711\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">It Was Written<\/span><\/span><\/em> remains Nas\u2019s best-selling album to this day. With its commercial success and the early glimpses of The Firm\u2019s potential, anticipation for a full group project reached a fever pitch, and expectations were enormous.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas &#8211; Affirmative Action\u00a0 feat. AZ, Cormega &amp; Foxy Brown (prod. by Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas Affirmative Action The Apollo Hip Hop\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oO3wlwafS9Q?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Nas &#8211; Affirmative Action (Remix)\u00a0 feat. Foxy Brown, AZ &amp; Cormega (prod. by Trackmasters)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe title=\"Nas (f. AZ, Cormega &amp; Foxy Brown) - Affirmative Action (Remix)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x9iFIY6jWLE?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; collapsed=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-324px|||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|4px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;] Nas\u2019s recently released album King\u2019s Disease marked his fourteenth project to debut in the top ten. It stands as a testament to his longevity and sustained greatness, with a career now spanning nearly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3390,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[2,4,3],"tags":[757,758,2962,155,175,177,58,2963,2851,559],"yst_prominent_words":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2621"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3578,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621\/revisions\/3578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2621"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiphopnewsjournal.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=2621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}