Nas and DJ Khaled’s “Nas Album Done” video is finally out.
It’s been a month since the release of the track that announced that Nas’ long-awaited 12th studio album is finished and ready to be released. The song comes off of DJ Khaled’s latest album, Major Key , which debuted at the No. 1 spot on Billboard 200.
Now, Nas and DJ Khaled are bringing the song to life in a nine-minute clip directed by Eif Rivera. The video starts off with Khaled speaking with dancehall artist Louie Rankin, who reprises his role as Ox from the 1998 film Belly that also starred Nas.
“We have to give the youth the keys,” says Khaled to Rankin, using one of his many catchphrases. The reason — so they can have “more success and more blessings.” Khaled continues to push his message forward. “When we come together, love is the most powerful thing in the world,” he says. Rankin agrees before Nas and DJ Khaled kick off the song “Nas Album Done.”
The two are living it up in the Caribbean as Nas smokes a cigar — his signature move — rides around on jet skis and dances with women dressed in traditional Carnival outfits. Towards the end of the song, Nas drops the news.
Head to the Caribbean with @djkhaled in the ” @nas Album Done” video: https://t.co/9Fr8Kw9Urk pic.twitter.com/kiPh7EP18q
— 2DOPEBOYZ (@2DopeBoyz) September 9, 2016
“Khaled called me when I was in album mode / So I put it on hold for the Major Key / My album done, n*ggas, wait and see,” he rapped over the Fugees’ “Fu-Gee-La” sampled track.
It’s been four years since Nas released his 2012 Grammy-nominated effort, Life Is Good . Although it’s unknown what Nas’ forthcoming album will be titled, fans have received tidbits of information about the project. For production, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and No I.D. are slated to be contributing beats to the album. There’s also a collaboration with Justin Timberlake and Jay Z dubbed “Sinatra in the Sands” that’s rumored to be on the album. But, in the meantime, the only track released by Nas was the J. Dilla-produced track, “The Season.”
“I’m letting the music dictate [the direction]. Words can’t explain that,” Nas told Complex . “It’s going to be a fun Nas album.”
As for the hold-up of the album, Nas shared that it’s due to experimentation and the pressure to come out with music that’s fresh as well as timeless to stay up to par with his past achievements.
Nas X DJ Khaled bts for “Nas Album Done” ??? pic.twitter.com/6SfIgMiOwf
— Catch The Wave Radio (@TheWavieTeam) August 17, 2016
“Making new records for awhile just trying to feel the inspiration just trying to get the vibe,” he said in an exclusive interview with Worldstar Hip Hop conducted by DJ Khaled. “One month I know what I”m doing, the next month I’m starting all over again. It’s a lot of that back and forth. You know just grabbing the inspiration. You know, that’s what’s holding the whole thing.”
“We go in there, we try our hardest to outdo our last joint or to make something that’s going to be right,” he said. “When you’ve done so many things already, you think ‘How can I do it again, but in a new way, the honest way, the right way that feels good with me?’ When you shift the climate of the game a time or two, you wanna make sure that everything you’re doing is right.”
While the focus for “Nas Album Done” is largely on Nas, DJ Khaled has been making major moves himself. Along with releasing the album, Major Keys , he’s also serving as the opening act for Beyonce’s “Formation World Tour.”
As for Nas, he has plenty of other projects to keep him busy as well. He served as the executive producer for the hit Netflix series The Get Down . He also laid down some verses for the series’ soundtrack.
[Image via YouTube]