News Videos 16 November 2018
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Nas releases short film ‘Nasir’

16 November 2018
1,510,800 views
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Rap legend Nas has dropped a new short film called Nasir.

The cinematic moving piece is soundtracked by songs taken from his album Nasir  which was released in June. The album was seven tracks long and was executively produced by Kanye West. The album was teased on DJ Khaled’s 2016 album release Major Key with the track “Nas Album Done”.

The short film is as politically charged and topical as the lyrical content of the album. Police brutality and racism are among the social issues explored in the 16 minute film.

The visuals were directed by Rohan Blair-Mangat who recently worked on the video to Jay-Z’s track featuring reggae artist Damien Marley, “Bam”.   


Nasir
mixes stock footage and news media with narrative led images and stylistic shots of Nas performing his verses. Slick Rick and Demarius Mack are among many others who make cameo appearances in the film which pays homage to New York where Nas orginates from. Religion and morality are heavily present themes within the narrative and they are both explored in varying ways during the film.

The Nasir album was a feature heavy project and saw appearances from Diddy, 070 Shake, Kanye West and The-Dream. Famed producers Benny Blanco, Mike Dean and Cashmere Cat are among the many who worked on the album.

Nasir comes six years after Nas’ last album release Life Is Good which housed the Grammy nominated track “Cherry Wine” featuring the late Amy Winehouse.

Watch Nasir the short film above and go back and listen to the accompanying album, here on GRM Daily.