On Saturday (Dec. 13), Nas commanded the stage outside T-Mobile Arena during the semifinals of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup in Las Vegas. Presented by Amazon Music, the Queens icon blazed through a career-spanning set that honored his three-decade legacy while spotlighting new material from Light Years, his recently released album produced by DJ Premier.
Fresh off delivering a rousing introduction for his beloved New York Knicks ahead of their decisive win over the Orlando Magic, Nas made his way to Toshiba Plaza around 5:15 p.m. PST. Backed by a live band, he held the crowd entranced for nearly 40 minutes, immediately reminding fans why he remains a Hall of Fame–caliber maestro with a vibrant opening of “Represent.”
The performance helped bridge the gap between Amazon’s growing commitment to intersect the avenues of sports and music, with Nas’ concert serving as the catalyst.
“Live from Vegas to life with Nas is a powerful example of how Amazon Music connects sports and culture,” said Kristen Gambetta, global head of partner marketing at Amazon Music. “Moments like this reflect how deeply music is woven into the fan experience, and we’re proud to deliver live performances that resonate far beyond the game.”
Exuding the confidence of a perennial rhyme-slinger, Nas left nothing to chance, ripping through his catalog with precision and poise. The Vegas crowd quickly locked into his dominating presence, especially when he seamlessly transitioned from “The Message” into “Got Yourself a Gun.” For Nas, this showing wasn’t merely about entertaining basketball fans or satisfying rap purists — it was a celebration of longevity and his enduring devotion to hip-hop.
“We come from the underground, and we want rap to stay on the underground,” Nas told the crowd before pivoting into “Welcome to the Underground,” one of the album’s standout collaborations with DJ Premier. As Premo’s ominous keys reverberated through the plaza, Nas glided across the gritty track before launching into “Git Ready,” their second offering of the night. While the new material earned a warm reception, nostalgia reigned supreme as Nas revisited timeless staples including “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” “New York State of Mind” and “Made You Look.”
Nas also showed love to his women fans, delivering “Owe Me” and his verse from Missy Elliott’s “Hot Boyz.” The night’s defining moment arrived when he summoned longtime collaborator AZ for surprise performances of “Life’s a B—h” and “Phone Tap,” sending the crowd into a full-throated roar.
Before Nas bid adieu, he still had a fistful of tricks up his sleeve, unleashing scintillating runs through “Nas Is Like,” “Street Dreams” and “If I Ruled the World.” To punctuate his rap heroics, Nas closed with “One Mic,” a fitting reminder that after three decades, that’s all he’s ever needed.
