1060 Hip Hop Uncut

Nas is undoubtedly one of the most influential and successful rappers in the music industry. But his impact extends far beyond his lyrical prowess and chart-topping hits. He has also played a significant role in shaping the landscape of hip-hop culture through his ventures as a businessman and entrepreneur. One of his most notable contributions is the founding of Mass Appeal, a multi-faceted media and entertainment company that has had a profound impact on the world of music and beyond. So, how did Nas start Mass Appeal? Nas first established Mass Appeal as a graffiti-inspired, underground magazine in 1996. The publication was a platform for showcasing the raw creativity and unfiltered perspectives of the hip-hop community. It quickly gained a loyal following and became a trusted source for all things related to the culture of hip-hop. With its insightful articles, in-depth interviews, and cutting-edge artwork, Mass Appeal was a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated

The intermingling of genres has always been a hallmark of music evolution, breathing new life into the artistic landscape. One such harmonious fusion that has captivated audiences worldwide is the relationship between hip hop and reggae music. These two genres, originating from different cultural backgrounds, collide to create a captivating blend of rhythms and messages. In this article, we dive into the symbiotic connection between hip hop and reggae, exploring how these musical genres have influenced and complemented each other over the years. The Roots of Reggae and Hip Hop: Reggae, born in the vibrant streets of Jamaica in the 1960s, emerged as a powerful musical expression of social and political commentary against oppression. Characterized by its distinctive off-beat rhythms and smooth basslines, reggae music captivated hearts and minds globally. Similarly, hip hop emerged in the U.S. in the 1970s as an outlet for African-American and Latinx communities to share stori

The Legendary Boom Bap Producer Pete Rock co-wrote and produced 'This World Is Yours', the famous song on Nas's classic debut album Illmatic. 28 years later,The Heavyweight boom bap producer is still waiting for his cheque from the Mass Appeal camp. According to Pete Rock, he had a contract with Nas signed that would give him a cut of the proceeds from the classic track, which he estimates to be in the millions. Pete Rock however says Nas never honored his part of the deal, despite repeated efforts to get him to pay up the Mass Appeal mogul never paid his dues. "Nas and his people have stonewalled me since 1994; My New Year’s resolution is to be compensated for my hard work on Illmatic," Pete Rock told The New York Post. Pete Rock says he's suing Nas by the end of this month.

As we are approaching the end of 2021, Nas has just released his second album this year. In March, Nas won his first Grammy Award, for   “Best Rap Album” honors for  King’s Disease , which was entirely produced by his go-to producer Hit-Boy. Then, in August, Nas and Hit-Boy gave us  King’s Disease 2 . The Mass Appeal Records sophomore effort  earned Nas another Grammy nomination ahead of next month’s awards . Its  Lauryn Hill-assisted album cut, “Nobody,”  made it to former USA president Barack  Obama’s annual playlist . Nas also blessed us withhis first documentary, "  You’re Watching Video Music Box  "— which premiered this month on Showtime. Titled  Magic , the third Nas and Hit-Boy link-up is nine songs, just one less than  Illmatic  and two more than 2018’s  NASIR . This one involves another one of hip hop's legendary producer from the Nasir’s career; DJ Premier link up with A$AP Rocky on “Wave Gods,” and sort of reuniting Preemo and Nasir Esc