Ever since a 17-year-old Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones appeared on Main Source’s 1991 classic “Live at the Barbeque,” hip-hop would be irrevocably changed. NAS. Gifted poet. Confessor. Agitator. Metaphor master. Street’s disciple. Political firebrand. Tongue-twisting genius. With music in his blood courtesy of famed blues musician father Olu Dara, the self-taught trumpeter attracted crowds with his playing at age 4, wrote his first verse at age 7 and, with 1994’s Illmatic, created one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time before he could legally drink.
Two decades on, Nas remains an incendiary, outspoken and brutally candid rapper on the recently released Life is Good, his tenth album and sixth to debut at the top of the Billboard 200.
Catch him at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas this Friday, Oct. 6th.
Maria Jackson Magazine’s objective is to highlight and share the stories of positive Black Creators and Contributors in the field of music, movies, poetry, business etc. In a world where negativity is constantly being celibrated and praised, we are striving to honor positivity in all its forms. We welcome like minded individuals to join forces with us as we use our voice, no matter how soft, to bring some good back into the society.
In a few days, emerging artist jlawremone will be sharing his brand new video for the single, Temporary Love, which features Javon J. The song has been getting good club rotation in the tristate area since its release a few weeks ago.
One of Jamaica’s most accomplished visual artist, Andy Ballentine, is now doing the official artwork for Lt. Stitchie’s soon to be released album. For those not familiar with Andy Ballentine, his trademark work – the careful representation of Jamaican fruits, vegetables and landscapes – as well as other portraits, can be found island wide in various resorts. His eye catching art hangs beautifully in tourist traps like Couples (Ocho Rios), which contracted him to produce 30 pieces for their resort in 2002, Swept Away (Negril), and internationally, in places like the office of the Ambassador of Iceland.
Reflecting Macka B’s world-wide fanbase ‘Health Is Wealth’ features tracks produced in Jamaica, Germany & Japan ‘longside recordings made in Macka’s Black Country heartland as well as the London studios of Mafia & Fluxy & Stingray. 
