Waiting Game

Nas is one of the most influential artists of his generation. Want proof? Check out a lyric from his rival Jay-Z’s “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”: “I was raised in the projects, roaches and rats/Smokers out back, sellin’ they mama’s sofa/Lookouts on the corner, focused on the Ave/Ladies in the window, focused on the kinfolk.” Heads will recognize Jay-Z’s bird’s-eye perspective as vintage Nas, a technique the latter made famous on his classic debut Illmatic and has continued to mine through six full-length platinum albums.

The question, then, isn’t whether Nas will rock the mike once he hits town — in addition to being an expert lyricist, the self-proclaimed God’s Son is one of the few rappers capable of putting on a great live show. But when will he show up? South Beach nightclubs are infamous for bilking customers for money while they wait all night to see a headlining artist (or “host”) take the stage to spit a few precious rhymes. Better bring lots of money for drinks to this one.