Pictures of Nas's Mass Appeal Office Space

Nas might drop a song every now and then, or make a guest appearance on someone else's album, but for the last 3-4 years he has been more of a business man than a rapper. In 2013, he partnered with Peter Bittenbender to revive Mass Appeal magazine with a couple of other investors, and then they went on to start Mass Appeal Records (which has rappers like Dave East, Fashawn, and Nas himself under the label).

Billboard visited Nas and his partner at their office in SoHo, New York last week Thursday for an interview, and they took some shots of the lovely looking working area...which also includes a recording studio. Above is the picture of Peter Bittenbender, Nas, and Michael Gross (WeWork Vice Chairman), and below are pictures of the Mass Appeal office.

Pic: Fabolous and Dave East at an Event Yesterday

This is a picture of Fabolous and another New York rapper, Dave East at an event yesterday. Dave East has really been buzzing on the music scene since he signed that Def Jam deal some months ago. He is still on Nas's Mass Appeal label though...but he is did a partnership deal with Def Jam. Cool move.

Dave East Signs Deal with Def Jam

New York rapper, Dave East just signed a deal with Def Jam Records. Nas signed him two years ago to his Mass Appeal records, but now he is signed to Def Jam Records. I guess he feels the major label can take him where he wants to go faster than Mass Appeal could. He is probably still signed to Mass Appeal, but with a joint deal with Def Jam. I wish him all the best.

New Video: KD (Dave East)

Nas's Mass Appeal Records artist, Dave East just dropped a new video titled KD. This is another one off his DJ Drama hosted Gangster Grillz mixtape, Hate Me Now. Checkout the video below.

Pic: Dave East and Funk Master Flex

Nas's new artist on his Mass Appeal Records, Dave East was on Funk Master Flex show a few days ago for a 4 part freestyle session. This picture was taken on that day.

Dave East Speaks on How He Got Signed to Nas's 'Mass Appeal Records'

Two years ago, Nas invested in Mass Appeal magazine, and then the next year, he went on to start a label with the same name (Mass Appeal Records), which he co-owns with Peter Bittenbender. Right now, there are about 5-6 rappers signed to the label- Boldy James, Run the Jewels, Fashawn, Bishop Nehru, and ofcos Dave East. In this recent interview on New York radio, Power 105.1, the Harlem, New York native, Dave East detailed how he ended up on Nas's label.




During the course of the interview, DJ Envy asked him how he met Nas, and he said...

Update on Nas's 'The Lost Tapes 2' Album

Nas is about to drop his last album with Def Jam, which is being speculated to drop early 2016. After that, he would totally focus on his independent label, Mass Appeal Records, which his future albums would be released on.  He is a part owner of the label. News out right now is that Nas will soon be dropping his long awaited The Lost Tapes 2 on Mass Appeal Records. 

Pic: Bishop Nehru and Nas

Yup! Nas posted this selfie of him and Bishop Nehru on Instagram two weeks ago. By the way, to those that don't know, Bishop Nehru is a 18 year old rapper from New York, signed to Nas's Mass Appeal Records. The pic was accompanied with this caption- "Young Bishop! @bishopnehru @massappealrecs #MassAppeal"

Pic: Nas and Fashawn

Nas is working on building his own independent label, Mass Appeal Records. He has one last album on Def Jam, and then he would probably just focus on his own thing. This is a pic of him and one of the signed rap acts to his label, Fashawn. By the way, Fashawn's new album, Ecology drops next week Tuesday (September 30th)...first official release by a rapper on Mass Appeal Records.

Fashawn to Feature Nas and Aloe Blacc on First Single off Ecology

New Mass Appeal Records artist, Fashawn is currently working on his second album and first on his new label. After making his own version of Nas's Illmatic (Ode To Illmatic) 4 years ago, little did the he know that he would one day get signed to his idol's label. In his latest interview with HHDX, he spoke on how the first single off his upcoming album (The Ecology) will feature Aloe Blacc and Nas. 

"The record with Nas and Aloe Blacc is a monster. That record is a monster. That song is a monster...If you would have asked me five months ago, I couldn't even imagine making a song like this with artists of this caliber. That's probably gonna be the first song you hear off The Ecology. Everything has evolved...I'm so happy I took my time with this one, especially in the climate of Rap." 






I can't wait to hear that, cos I know it will be very musical. The problem most rappers have is that they just rap...rap, and rap some more, they don't know about the other intricate details of making 'a song' that people can actually enjoy listening to and probably memorize. I am not talking about going pop, but making a song with a good hook/chorus, and good beat, and good production overall. 


In case you don't know him, Fashawn is a rapper from the west coast (Fresno, California). He dropped his first album, Boy Meets World in 2009, and was featured on XXL's Freshmen Cover the following year. His second album, The Ecology is set to drop on September 30th. 

Nas Signs Boldy James to Mass Appeal Records

A couple of months ago, it was announced that Nas was starting a new label, Mass Appeal Records with Peter Bittenbender. Now, Nas has signed Detroit rapper, Boldy James to the imprint. Below is what Nas said to confirm this when he was asked about the deal recently on Hot 107.5. 







"All day, yes sir. He spit. He just spit straight raw straight outta the D. Everybody know what it is in the D, and my man right there, he's flowing. It's just easy. It's just easy to see the talent right there and I just wanted to be associated with that. ... I've been hearing what he's been doing and found out he didn't have a deal. When I found out he was still free, I was just trying to see if he was ready to get down with this thing and go all the way with Mass Appeal and I think it's a perfect connection."

Once Nas's contract expires with Def Jam records (in some weeks or so), he will be signed to his own label, Mass Appeal Records. The label would be distributed by RED Distribution, which is under Sony Music. Other artists signed to Nas's Mass Appeal Records include, Bishop Nehru, and Fashawn. Let's see what Nas can do with this label. Ill Will Records didn't do too well back in the day. But I believe he will get it this time around. At least he is signing lyricists like him, and not friends out of sentiment. 

Nas Starts New Label...And Gets Ready To Drop 'Lost Tapes 2'

Nas has one last album top drop with Def Jam, after which he would become Independent. He would probably drop that album before the end of the year, and so is getting ready for his independent phase. It has been announced that he has launched a new label named, Mass Appeal Records, and is readying the release of his Lost Tapes 2 album. The first Lost Tapes dropped in 2002, and was a compilation of left over songs from his I Am and Stillmatic recording sessions. 

Read more on this below.

The venerated rapper, 40, is launching Mass Appeal Records, an independent record label, which, in addition to shepherding a new generation of hip-hop hopefuls, will also provide an outlet for new Nas music when his contract with Def Jam expires later this year. Mass Appeal Records is co-founded by Peter Bittenbender, 36, and will succeed Decon Records. First among Mass Appeal Records releases, arriving late this summer, will be an annual compilation album featuring friends of the brand like Future, Pusha T, Mac Miller, A$AP Mob and Nas himself performing a cover of the 1994 Gang Starr single that gave the company its name. Also on deck is "Lost Tapes 2," a collection of unreleased Nas music, and a posthumous album from Pimp C that will pair the Houston icon and UGK member with modern production titans like Mike Will Made It and DJ Mustard. (Billboard)