Nas

I caught my favourite rapper Nas at XOYO. It was my first time seeing him perform live after years of listening to his music from the other side of the world, so I was stoked to finally get the opportunity. Supported by DJ Green Lantern, the intimate show was filled with Nas fans young and old in a basement like setting, giving the illusion of an old school underground Hip Hop show. Nas ran through tracks from his eleventh studio album ‘Life Is Good’ but it was clear his intent was to take us on a journey back to where it all started. Going as far back as ‘Illmatic’, his first studio album to perform classics like ‘Represent’ ‘If I Ruled the World’ and ‘Hate Me Now’. He tested his fans by holding out the mic on various occasions to see if we knew the lyrics - don’t worry Nas, we got you! We recited the lyrics as we bounced to the beat of each track with nothing but love and energy in the atmosphere as Hip Hop took back the night.
Nas displayed his humble, witty demeanour in the scattered intervals of the show where he shared stories with the crowd. At one point he took requests, giving us the power to decide what we wanted to hear. The New York native gave a surreal performance of the 2001 hit ‘One Mic’, closing his eyes as he poured out the lyrics to a mesmerised audience. He even took the time out to sign CDs and other memorabilia during his sold out 90 minute performance. This came after the lyrist caught sight of an Illmatic vinyl, stopping him in mid-sentence and proving that he had real supporters over in London. I was ecstatic to get two albums signed that I brought in anticipation but realistically did not think I would.

NAS's performance simply-put, is a flash-back throughout the years and albums. If I Ruled The World (Imagine That), my most memorable song from his set. It was a chilled summer evening, at Summer Set Music Festival back in 2012. Crowd was buzzing with lighters in the air, speakers blasting and NAS putting all he had into that mic. Wearing a blue and white shirt and jeans, with a tiny bit of bling and his shades, he electrified the stage. Coming out and getting the crowd pumped by saying, "Put Your Hands Up" and, "I love the smoke ya'll putting up in the air" often. Beats spewed out of the speakers with no vocals, NAS actually rapped all his song! No lip-syncing, no background vocalists, just him and the crowd. Now of course the die-hard NAS fans knew every word and rapped along with NAS, as for me, I rapped what I remembered, but it didn't matter how much of a fan you were or were not when you saw his performance. Because when he finished you came out a die-hard fan and a satisfied concert-goer. Since NAS doesn't really put out much new stuff, its easy to catch up on his music. So you can enjoy his performance to the fullest, every time.

Not a fan of the venue (United Center). Nas requires a smaller venue bc his lyrics, not his energy, take precedence. The UC is for a mega popstar with a large gross allegiant fanbase (e.g. Taylor Swift, Kanye West). There's no intimacy amongst fans at the UC, either. Overall, it's a terrible place for most artists.

Nas is my favorite rapper hands down. Id love for him to perform fan hits, not billboard hits. I wish he were as daring a performer as he is a rapper. Most Nas fans dont like "Hate Me Now" or "I Know I Can" but bc theyre his biggest singles, they'll be played instead of "The Rise and Fall", or "Take It In Blood", "Blaze a 50" or how about "Wanna Play Rough?". Maybe Chicago's an awful city for an artist. It's ironic that Nas's fearless lyrics and depth of content is suppressed by his entertaining stage presence fueled by the need for "Mass Appeal".

This was one of the most epic events I've EVER attended! Nas by himself is enough! But, couple this legendary icon with the infamous Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Wallah, magic has taken place! He performed his 1st album with the Symphony in chronological order which was so melodic. Then once he finished illmatic the symphony cleared the stage and gave a helluva encore by performing all his mainstream hits and even a couple of his newer tracks from Nasir ( his newest album to date). To say I was pleased is an understatement! I was enthralled!!! Nas will forever be a class act in my eyes!

Nas was EVERYTHING!!!!! This was my first time having the opportunity to be blessed with watching him perform live and he didn't disappoint! He had energy from the beginning to the end of his set, taking us down a road on memory lane with his classics and keeping us current with his new joints, accompanied by a live band and background vocals of the late great Natalie Cole's nephew. AMAZING!!! I can't wait for another chance to see him again!

It was amazing! The opening act was a DJ which was great because it kept the crowd going, without having an opening act that nobody was really interested in. Nas was great, he performed all the songs people would have wanted to hear and he had a live drummer and DJ which made the whole experience better. I wish the show had started earlier so that he could have been on for longer.

Nas is Amazing!!!! I love how personal he is with his fans and hes still sexy as ever. Wish he woulda did Ether the. Loved the new artist Nick Grant and Wale really rocked the crowd!!!! Dissapointed Lauren Hill couldn't make it but looking forward to seeing both of them really soon. Can't wait till the next show.

He is so AMAZING!! Great performer. So many classics, i could watch him live all day everyday lol! Banger after banger. Definitely worth every penny! Watching him just made me fall even more in love with his music especially with all the garbage hip hop out these days.

One of the best shows! Nas killed it, he performed many of his classic jams and brought out Puff Daddy! Lauryn Hill rocked it, she performed her classics but put a new twist to all of them and knocked it out for sure!... the entire show was amazing!!

Great show. the symphony was amazing with bringing the music to life. after they finished the illmatic album he performed for about 30 mins more doing some of his other hits with just a dj. all in all a great concert with a legend.