One of the greatest MCs to ever pick up a microphone, Nas has watched as his beloved hip-hop has gone from its innocent days of B-Boy battles and lyrical sport to today’s fake-thug posturing and commercial excesses, and he’s got something to say about it. Throughout his storied career – which began with 1994’s classic Illmatic and has spanned the last decade with over 12 million albums sold – Nas has been more than just the genre’s foremost lyricist and thinker. He has become a statesman, some would argue hip-hop’s “conscience.”

As evidenced by last year’s highly-publicized reconciliation with longtime adversary JAY-Z, and his subsequent signing to Def Jam Recordings, Nas has shown that actions speak louder than words: unity is more powerful than divisiveness. The time has come for hip-hop to grow.Now with the release of his critically acclaimed Def Jam debut – the aptly-titled Hip-Hop Is Dead – Nas returns to his role as mentor and teacher, his legendary mic skills as sharp as ever, and takes today’s young rappers back to school. The lesson? Hip-Hop – As Nas sees it – is very much alive.

The title track of the album and new single, “Hip Hop Is Dead” is set to a heavy rock beat interspersed with old-school breaks and showcases some of Nas’ most dexterous mic work in years. Nas

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