Nas

Meet Large Professor - Coming To The Lodge May 31st

Large Professor is the NYC based producer, DJ and MC that demanded the world’s attention from his work on the widely successful A Tribe Called Quest album, “Midnight Marauders.” But it was years beforehand that Large Processor, also known as Extra P or Large Pro, broke into the industry as producer and MC for the group Main Source.

Large Professor soon after became a full-time producer and worked with every monumental act in hip-hop from Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. & Rakim, Mobb Deep, Grand Puba, and Busta Rhymes, to the Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Common, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, and Gang Starr, while also serving as mentor and collaborator to Nas. Some say it was his legendary work on Nas’ forever classic “Illmatic” record that put him in the books as one of the world’s best hip-hop producers.  About.com ranked Large Professor #5 on its Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers list.

Whatever Large Professor touches seems destined to become classic and through it all, this Queens auteur continues to push the movement forward whether lacing others or blazing his own path. The Lodge At RedRocks is very excited to have Large Professor on Saturday May 31st for an exclusive DJ set.  Also on the bill is DJ Stylus of The Sol Power All Stars and localy acclaimed DJ/producer, SHARKEY. Doors are at 8pm. As always at The Lodge, NO COVER.

Listen Up: Nas It Ain't Hard to Tell (Remix)

As the Northeast patiently awaits the spring months, let this be a reminder that there will be more to celebrate than just warm weather. Nas’ landmark debut release Illmatic celebrates its 20th Anniversary this spring, with a special rerelease of the album dropping on April 15th. Titled Illmatic XX, the double disc (tracklist below) will feature rare remixes, and unreleased demos and freestyles.

With the release date nearing, we’re hyped to bring you one of the remixes from the album, a funky drum-fueled version of “It Ain’t Hard To Tell.” Delete stress like Motrin on this Monday with a re-imagined classic.

In accordance with the rerelease, Nas is performing Illmatic front to back across the US, with shows at both the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as this year’s Coachella Festival. Further details surrounding the tour will be released in the coming weeks.

“With Illmatic, I didn’t think about it. I just did it,” he said. “I believe everybody has good instincts. Now I’m a man from that past and I’m supremely grateful. There’s a Nigerian proverb ‘What is past is prologue.’  I’m here today because of Illmatic.”

For those looking to celebrate to the fullest, a feature-length documentary looking at the creation of the original album, “Time Is Illmatic,” will debut this year at the Tribeca Film Festival. The movie, from first-time filmmakers One9 (director/producer) and Erik Parker (writer/producer), delves into the social conditions that created the album; and the music legacy passed down from Nas’ Mississippi-born father and celebrated jazz musician, Olu Dara.

You can preorder Illmatic XX digitally on iTunes and secure the vinyl and CD versions on Amazon now.

 

Disc 1: Remastered original album
1. The Genesis
2. N.Y. State Of Mind
3. Life’s A Bitch
4. The World Is Yours
5. Halftime
6. Memory Lane (Sittin’ In Da Park)
7. One Love
8. One Time 4 Your Mind
9. Represent
10. It Ain’t Hard To Tell

Disc 2: Demos, Remixes & Live Radio
1. I’m A Villain (previously unreleased)
2. The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show on WKCR October 28, 1993 (previously unreleased freestyle)
3. Halftime (Butcher Remix)
4. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Remix)(promo single)
5. One Love (LG Main Mix)
6. Life’s A Bitch (Arsenal Mix)(promo single)
7. One Love (One L Main Mix)
8. The World Is Yours (Tip Mix)
9. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (The Stink Mix)(UK single)
10. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (The Laidback Remix)(UK single)

VIA Massappeal