Hip hop fans around the world are in for a treat as Nas and Wu-Tang Clan team up for the “N.Y. State of Mind Tour.” This Live Nation-produced event is set to take place in more than six countries, kicking off on May 9 in Auckland, New Zealand at the Spark Arena and wrapping up on Oct. 22 at the Yaamava’ Theater in Highland, CA.
This announcement comes after the hugely successful “N.Y. State of Mind Tour” in 2022, which sold out in over 25 cities and received a nomination for Pollstar’s 2022 Hip Hop Tour of the Year. Nas recently spoke with GQ about his 1996 sophomore LP, It Was Written, and how the late Notorious B.I.G. influenced it. The Queensbridge artist noted that “Biggie made it different, where you can’t just be the hot dude that they liked from New York to Connecticut to Virginia. You got to hit the mainstream. You got to touch the world.”
Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He first burst onto the scene with his classic debut album, Illmatic, in 1994. Since then, he has released a number of critically acclaimed albums and collaborated with a range of artists across the hip hop spectrum. Nas also continues to make waves with his recent release, King’s Disease III, a project he produced with Hit-Boy back in November 2022.
Meanwhile, Wu-Tang Clan is widely considered one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time. The group, formed in 1993, consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Hulu premiered the first season of an American biographical drama about the group in 2019, titled “Wu-Tang: An American Saga.” The series has since gone on to have two additional seasons, with the third and final season premiering last month. Fans can catch the subsequent episodes on the platform every Wednesday at 3 a.m. ET.
The combination of Nas and Wu-Tang Clan promises to be a tour to remember, as two of hip hop’s most influential and iconic acts take the stage together. With their unique styles and undeniable talent, fans are sure to experience an unforgettable show that celebrates the rich history and culture of hip hop music.
