The anticipation levels couldn’t be any higher over in these parts when it comes to Nas’ new album Life Is Good but in the meantime we have been happily taking in all the leaked songs, interview excerpts and video footage from Nas’current European tour. Speaking of which, Nas just released this live performance of “A Queens Story” with Green Lantern from their Paris show. Check it out: And it’s interesting that he declares Marvin Gaye his favorite artist in that clip, because he’s described “Life Is Good” as his own version of Gaye’s “Here, My Dear” particularly because he’s holding part of Kelis’ dress on the album cover: “I found it in my house and thought, it’s going somewhere! Either on the cover of my album, or burning in a garbage can.” He laughs. “I was angry when I first found it. Hurt and angry – but I don’t think she left it deliberately to hurt me. It’s just part of the dress, so I don’t know where the rest of it is. But it made all the sense in the world for me to … hold on to that.” He pauses. “I guess that’s just my personality. “My wedding and my marriage was, for the most part, some of the most amazing times of my life.” He clears his throat. “She’s an incredible woman. It just ended really publicly, it seemed real bad. I guess this is my Here, My Dear album, that Marvin Gaye made. It might not be quite so much about the marriage or the divorce, but it’s still that kind of record for me.” The latest song to leak off “Life is Good” is a brilliant tribute to his former lady love Kelis called “Bye Baby.” The song, produced by Salaam Remi and Noah “40″ Shebib samples Guy’s “Goodbye Love” and we couldn’t help but to smile a little as Nas recounts his life with his former wife. If you haven’t heard it yet, you have to check it out: Do you think Nas will catch any flack for getting “sensitive” in song? Just a thought. Hit the flip for Nas’ collabo with Amy Winehouse.
