Nas just played the Royal Albert Hall — Here’s what HUNGER reckoned

Nas’ debut album isn’t just music — it’s a cultural blueprint, and something of a defining moment in hip-hop history. Dropping back in 1994, Illmatic bottled the raw energy and unfiltered honesty of life in Queensbridge, New York, pairing Nas’ unmatched lyricism with production from icons like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip. Its magic isn’t just in its technical brilliance, but in the way it cuts deep, telling stories of survival, ambition, and the realities of the streets. Three decades on, Illmatic remains a masterpiece. And HUNGER was lucky enough to experience a rendition of the seminal record at one of London’s most prestigious venues, the Royal Albert Hall. 

It’s not a venue you’d expect someone like Nas to perform. Sure, it’s been home to performances from the likes of The Beatles and Frank Sinatra (that was back in 1970), but when you think of a Nas show, it doesn’t exactly conjure up the place they also host the Proms. But the East Coast rapper is doing things a little differently to ring in thirty years of Illmatic — he’s backed by The Heritage Orchestra. Again, not exactly an expected combo, but one that more than works. The orchestra elevates every lyric of Nas’ bars, adding a cinematic depth to tracks that have defined a generation. It’s a surprisingly poignant reminder of why his name remains as one of the greatest to touch a mic. More than anything, Nas owns the performance, as he’s done a thousand times before. “What’s up, London?” Nas shouts, stepping onto the stage, kitted-out in a green velvet jacket that radiates New York swag. 

Nas takes a moment to give props where they’re due and reflect on his roots. “I was a nobody,” he says, nodding to the heavyweights who shaped Illmatic: Pete Rock, Large Professor, Q-Tip, and DJ Premier. “They saw something in me when I was just starting out.” What you get as an audience member is the sense you’re glancing behind the curtain. A reminder of what (and who) it took to make an album such an influential record. As a gig, it’s no Nas-centric vanity project.

Then, it’s over to the rapper’s surprise guest: AZ, the man behind that legendary verse on Nas’ equally iconic song, “Life’s a Bitch”. If there’s a moment when the crowd loses it, it’s now. Two legends are sharing the stage, spitting their timeless bars like it hasn’t been a whole thirty years since they first hit the airwaves. It’s a moment of hip-hop history unfolding in real time. It’s then the late Quincy Jones’ turn to get a little shoutout from the rapper. “Without him, there’s no me,” Nas tells the audience, his voice oozing with bona fide respect. “There are so many music people who wouldn’t have made anything without his inspiration”. The legendary producer even serves as a segue into Nas’ next song. “Large Professor was inspired by him, and he sampled it,” he says, the crowd hanging onto his every word. “And now the orchestra’s playing it.” Nas then launches into “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”, his delivery sharp and direct. 

Then… It’s over? It can’t be over? The Heritage Orchestra exits the stage, the crowd cheering in admiration. Nas even disappears from the stage. But there’s a buzz in the air, and anticipation is building. Sure enough, the rapper reappears, this time with a bottle of Hennessy in hand. There’s also been an outfit change. It’s unapologetically Nas — he now dons a blue varsity jacket and matching hat, but he’s keeping it classy for the Royal Albert Hall via a bow tie. The lighting has changed, too. We’re thrust back into the 90s. It’s old-school, and the crowd is ready to party. 

The second half of the set is a certifiable mood shift. Nas launches into “Got Ur Self a Gun” before following it with “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)”, which soars through the hall. There’s a chorus of voices singing every word. “One Mic” then pulls the room into an almost spiritual quiet. And then the beat of “Made You Look” drops. The hall explodes. Energy. Chaos. Hands in the air. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why live music matters. 

As the final notes fade, Nas stands centre stage, soaking everything up. For one night, the Royal Albert Hall and the streets of Queensbridge became perfectly aligned. Some gigs entertain and others define eras. This was the latter. 

All photographs by Ravi Sidhu.