It doesn't get more legendary than Nas and DJ Premier. The rapper and producer symbolize the purest form of hip-hop, and they've both been doing it for four decades. Nas and Preemo have classic work on their own, of course, but there's something undeniably special about when these two collaborate. Songs like "N.Y. State of Mind," "Nas Is Like," and "I Gave You Power" are essential listens for any hip-hop fan. Their latest single, "Define My Name," proves that they haven't lost a step.
Nas has been teasing fans with a Premier collaboration all week. The rapper hopped on Instagram to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, and thanked Preemo for his work on the album. Fans flocked to the comment section to ask for another collab, and Nas obliged. He posted the artwork and title of the new track hours before its release. "Define My Name" is exactly what you expect it to be, in the best way possible. DJ Premier's production is both slick and dusty, while Nas' rhymes are sharp as ever. We've all gotten used to hearing Nas over Hit-Boy production in the 2020s, but "Define My Name" is a reminder that nobody anchors his voice better than Preemo.
Nas And DJ Premier's Chemistry Shines Through
A great song is one thing, but it was unclear if "Define My Name" was the teaser for an entire album. Nas and DJ Premier have been circling the notion of a collab album for decades. The former even referenced it on the 2022 album King's Disease III. Towards the end of the new song, however, the rapper spits: "30 years later we back in the lab, it's album time." Nas and Preemo album confirmed by the source!
What are your thoughts on this brand-new song, "Define My Name" by Nas and DJ Premier? Does the song live up to the hype? Does Preemo's beat bring out the best in Nas? Are you ready for a full collab album? We want to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news on Nas and DJ Premier. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
DNA of King James, kin of Saint Michael
Polygamous-minded, seven wives on ridiculous timin'
They always share the same title, that be the whiskey talk
That's foul like I stopped and frisked New York
At twenty, I said I'd better quit by thirty
Then by thirty, I thought by forty rapping is corny
