Last night a special hip-hop moment happened. One of very best to ever pick up a mic, Nas, appeared on stage with Run The Jewels -- one of the hottest duos in hip-hop right now. Run The Jewels were scheduled to perform as the headliner at 50 Kent, the main outdoor venue at the Northside Festival in Brooklyn, and they had a very special trick up their sleeves. The Illmatic rapper showed up as a surprise guest to perform his God's Son track "Made You Look" at the end of RTJ's set and your author was on hand to capture the action on video.
The event kicked off at 7 p.m. with a quality set from Vince Staples, who interchanged his high-energy hip-hop with quips about Brooklyn and gentrification from Long Islanders. Sleigh Bells then came on for a change of pace with their brand of up-tempo rock. However, at around 8:40, your author was waiting for the bathroom and just about 20 feet away a large black SUV pulls up at the side of the venue and nearly 10 security guards rush over to the area. Out steps Nas, a security guard and a member of his team to come and have a chat with Run The Jewels, Vince Staples and a few others before settling in to watch the show.
Run The Jewels got to the rocking the crowd in a growing downpour, bringing out Gangsta Boo and Despot before inviting surprise guest Nas to perform "Made You Look." It was a special moment that will live on with those present last night.
Nas and Run The Jewels have a history going back several years. Nas's label Mass Appeal Records has released RTJ's last two records and is slated to unveil the third next year. Nas also appeared at the Run The Jewels 2 album release party last year.
