It's called Distant Relatives because that's what we are! This isn't a concert, it's a family affair!" Nas announced onstage at Brooklyn's Williamsburg Waterfront on Saturday (July 31), referring to his collaborator and co-headliner Damian Marley.
Throughout the show, the duo performed cuts off their Distant Relatives album together as well as doing alternating solo sets, all to a crowd of 7500 with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop.
The show began with As We Enter, with Nas and Damian backed by a full band that included a bongo player, backing vocalists, DJ Green Lantern and even a flag waver who waved the Jamaican banner for the duration of the 90 minute set.
After teaming up for Tribal War and Nah Mean, Nas' solo set proved who the audience was really there to see. Deafening screams peppered a shortened Nas Is Like, Represent, the full version of Hip Hop is Dead, and finally a medley of Sweet Dreams / If I Ruled the World.
Damian returned to the stage for Leaders, telling the audience, "We take for granted electricity, water, even concerts. Count your blessings," before launching into the album favorite of that name. During Land of Promise, the entire crowd put their lighters up at Nas' request.
Next came Damian's solo set, which included The Mission and More Justice. He then sang father Bob Marley's hits War and No More Trouble. "If you're next to someone who's not jumping, grab them!," Damian yelled before incorporating the elder Marley's Exodus into Move.
Nas returned for Distant Relatives cut Patience," which featured Damian Marley's falsetto. Strong Will Continue was a standout that suited the audience's energy and had an anthem feel. During Nas' Got Yourself A Gun, so familiar with fans that he barely had to rap, he let them take over. Made You Look had the audience in a frenzy that continued to Damian's solo Welcome to Jamrock. Lighters made their return for Road to Zion, after which Damian told the audience, "This song is about the birthplace of humanity," before moving into finale Africa Must Wake Up which had the entire audience singing along.
As the audience screamed for more, an instrumental version of Phil Collins' In the Air Tonight played before Nas returned for One Mic, which induced a sudden surge by the audience, eager to get closer to the stage. He asked the audience, "If we wanted to we'd stay here all night. Would you stay?" He upped the ante continuing, "We've been all around the world - Jamaica showed us some love. You need to show Damian Could You Be Loved, to fans' delight.
Source: www.billboard.com
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