NaS' tenth studio album is finished

NaSir Jones took to his Twitter yesterday to announce that his highly anticipated tenth studio album is completed, putting the ball in Def Jam's court and hopefully meaning we will hear it sometime this year. The news that tentatively titled 'Life Is Good' is ready to be released is music to every Hip-Hop fans ears, and will be his first solo LP since the controversial 'Untitled' in 2008 - if 'Nasty' and his recent features are anything to go by, then this is going to special. Nasty, kid.

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NaS, Common & Q-Tip reportedly set to form super group The Standard

Back in 2007, Q-Tip & Common announced that they were to form a super group called The Standard - however nothing came to light, in a similar vein to that of CRS (KanYe, Lupe & Pharrell). However, in a recent interview with NYDN, NaS said that he "definitely" plans on doing an album with Tip & Comm in the future, fuelling speculation that the duo could well become a trio. Kamaal is currently working on his third studio album, and the follow up to 'The Renaissance', while NaS is readying his next LP 'Life Is Good'. We can live in hope.

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Tyga - Kings & Queens (Feat. Wale & NaS) x Lil Homie (Feat. Pharrell)

Not a massive fan of Young Money's Tyga, and his new album on the whole is very average, but these two tracks are sick and clearly stand out from the rest, mainly because of the features/production. 'Careless World: Rise of the Last King' will be released on February 21st, and features Lil Wayne, Drake, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and more.

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Rick Ross - Triple Beam Dreams (Feat. NaS) x Stay Schemin' (Feat. Drake & French Montana)

Here are two of my favourite tracks from Rick Ross' highly anticipated mixtape, Rich Forever, which the Florida-born rapper let loose on the internet just minutes ago. Never been the biggest fan of Ross' work, but his work ethic is second to none and the quality of this mixtape is clear for all to see (hear). Most rappers would be ecstatic if their albums were on this level. Download HERE, tracklist and the 'Stay Schemin' video are after the jump.

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Elzhi - Memory Lane (Video)

Elzhi gives the latest track to be lifted from Elmatic some sick visual treatment - music executive and artist manager Jae Barber, also a Detroit native, provides an authentic picture of the world Elzhi revisits in his nostalgic spin on Nas' classic song, Memory Lane. The video includes rare visuals of various artists such as Eminem and Royce da 5'9. Amongst the many artists included are the late Baatin, Proof and J Dilla. Elmatic started out as mixtape, but many people (including myself), believe this is the best Hip-Hop album to be released in 2011. Amazing, just amazing.

Mobb Deep - Get It Forever (Feat. NaS)

Following the new Mary J tune, the latest piece from Mobb Deep's upcoming EP has surfaced, which once again features Mr. Nasir Jones. Feels like we're going back in time this year, but for all the right reasons. Real Hip-Hop.

Mary J. Blige - Feel Inside (Feat. NaS)

My favourite and most highly anticipated track from Mary. J Blige's forthcoming tenth studio album, My Life II...The Journey Continues, which is set to be released November 21st. NaS is really on fire this (every) year and this is without doubt a much stronger album than Mary's last effort, Stronger With Each Tear. One of the Queens of R&B is back with a bang.

Amy Winehouse - Like Smoke (Feat. NaS) x Our Day Will Come

Earlier today the first two tracks surfaced from Amy Winehouse's first posthumous album, Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which is set to be released on December 5th. 'Like Smoke' features Amy's (and many other people's) favourite rapper Nasir Jones, and 'Our Day Will Come' is a stunning cover of the Ruby & The Romantics' classic, which was apparently recorded all the way back in 2002. You can listen to 'Like Smoke' below and listen to 'Our Day Will Come' over on the Sky News website HERE. Sorely missed.

"Winehouse’s third album of previously unheard tracks, entitled Lioness: Hidden Treasure, will be released on December 5th They include three cover versions, her duet with Tony Bennett, Body & Soul, recorded in March this year, and a collaboration with New York rapper Nas. A donation of £1 from the sale of each album will go towards the Amy Winehouse Foundation – the charity set up in her honour."

DJ Premier - Regeneration (Feat. NaS & Berklee Symphony Orchestra)

Wow. Preemo & NaS hook up, with a little help from the Berklee Symphony Orchestra, for the first time in years to bring us the first track to come from the upcoming documentary, RE:GENERATION. Amazing, simply amazing.

NaS & Rick Ross - It's A Tower Heist

Produced by Salaam Remi, the same guy who produced the lead single from NaS' upcoming album, here is a new piece taken from the soundtrack for Tower Heist, which is a new film directed by Brett Ratner and stars Eddie Murphy & Ben Stiller. A big tune from two Hip-Hop heavyweights. Check out the video for Nasty HERE.

Spotted over @SoulCulture