Nas Album Release + 18 Years Since Illmatic * Jay-Z 16years Since Illmatic

Nas’ 10 th studio album Life Is Good is in stores today after his release party last night at Bagatelle in New York City. Fellow Hip-Hop artists in attendance celebrating Nas’ new album were Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, Jermaine Dupri, and music was provided by Q-Tip. Here a shot of Jay-Z and Nas celebrating during the release party. The above picture is great not only considering Nas and Jay’s past combustible history, but also for the fact they’ve entered uncharted territory for Hip-Hop as two emcees two decades deep that have maintained relevance and high skill levels. As they continue releasing albums, especially of the quality Nas just dropped, it’s becoming highly difficult to rank any of their peers or predecessors above them. Just consider for a second that Illmatic came out 18 years ago and Reasonable Doubt 16 years ago. Then reflect on how many trends and rappers have come and gone since then. The majority of our greatest emcees and groups are pretty much done as far as being at a high level by their third or fourth project. It’s been an amazing run for both and hopefully a signal that future older emcees will let their music mature with their age and life experiences.

By Devere Moore

Mariah Carey Checks Jermaine Dupri?

Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri have a long-standing working relationship. The two have collaborated as far back as the mid-90s and their careers together reached their peak back in 2005, when JD spearheaded Carey's comeback with the stellar album The Emancipation of Mimi.

But that doesn't mean Carey can't playfully poke fun at her hitmaking friend.

MC took some playful jabs at Dupri after he 'kept her waiting' in the sudio.

"Where is JD? Because I know he had to go to Vegas and blah-blah-blah...must be nice," Carey 'complained' jokingly, before chastising Dupri.

"First of all, time out...here's my issue--don't talk over me." she 'snapped.' "Why do you feel the need to be on Global 14 constantly? Technology in the room when we're writing is not always 100% beneficial for productivity. Because it distracts people."

Is Da Brat Free?

It looks like Da Brat is home after serving two and a half years of a three year sentence following an assault conviction. The fiery rapper hit a waitress over the head with a bottle at a nightclub in an Atlanta suburb back in 2008. While Da Brat will remain on probation for another seven years, her pal Jermaine Dupri tweeted that the Chicago-born femcee is back amongst the free.

"Happy day for me and all SO SO DEF fans," Dupri tweeted. "Da Brat is finally home."

Just days after Remy Ma's appeal was denied and with Foxy Brown embarrassing herself daily, its good to have some positive news in the female rapper universe for a change.