October 12th 2023.
The Wu Tang Clan and Nas are two of hip-hop's most iconic and well-versed sommeliers. The bold, one-of-a-kind flavor of RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killa, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and Cappadonna combined with the slow, smooth, and irresistible flow of Nas created a pairing as germane to the genre as rhymes themselves.
The two legendary rap acts are currently touring on the “New York State of Mind” tour, and are taking their fans on a journey through hip-hop's history. At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, the two acts took the stage alongside De La Soul for a special performance that celebrated hip-hop's place in music folklore.
It’s important to understand the true roots of moments like this, as both Wu-Tang and Nas have seamlessly matriculated through what is arguably the most vicious period of hip-hop and lived to keep telling their stories unscathed. As two of the genre’s pioneering marque acts, they both represent not only the roots of hip-hop but the dream of it.
Method Man spoke to the crowd about the gravity of the moment, “We’re really at the Hard Rock all because of this hip hop s***. Can you believe this, man?”
Nas also couldn't help but remark on the fact that he was still rocking crowds nearly three decades after the release of his debut album Illmatic. “My story could be completely different, so much different. I’m here because of a microphone,” Nas said.
The two acts have crossed over to become bigger than their music. From TV shows to clothing lines and investment portfolios, they have expanded alongside the genre without moving away from its origins.
This celebration of hip-hop is not a special occasion but rather a necessity to understanding the reach, power, and history of music. This was highlighted by the Senate passing a resolution marking November as Hip-Hop History Month in 2021. Hard Rock was the only hotel to celebrate the genre’s global impact via special events, merchandise, and performances.
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is a story that brings the experiences of two of the most misunderstood communities in this country together. The acquisition of the Hard Rock brand by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in 2007 marked a story of resilience and resistance that could resonate with every hip-hop fan.
The spirit of hip-hop — that undeniable, unrelenting, bold refusal to be defined by the fears and biases of others — permeates from the Seminole Tribe of Florida, to the streets of Staten Island where the members of Wu-Tang connected, down to the cracked pavement of Queens where Nas painted pictures with prose.
“We for the people who love real hip-hop,” RZA said.
It's clear that hip-hop is more than just music, it's a unifier that brings together a variety of cultures and communities. The Wu Tang Clan and Nas are two of the genre's most well-versed sommeliers that have helped shape hip-hop as we know it today.
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