Wu-Tang Clan shocked followers with an intimate set at London’s KOKO final evening (June 13) throughout Nas’ afterparty marking 50 years of hip-hop.

The afterparty was to have fun the tip of the UK leg of the ‘NY State Of Thoughts’ tour, a joint tour between the 2 legendary hip-hop acts.

After Wu-Tang Clan and Nas carried out at their sold-out present at The O2, a celebration was held for superfans with a extra intimate efficiency. Nas was initially billed to host the occasion, nonetheless, many followers speculated that the Wu-Tang Clan would additionally carry out with him.

Nice to have fun 50 years of hip hop at The Home of Koko final evening, adopted by Nas and Wu-Tang Clan within the Koko Theatre for a late evening ‘after occasion’ set post-O2 efficiency. pic.twitter.com/S0swcIiIm5

— Greg Wetherall (@GregWetherall) June 14, 2023

@nas @Hennessy after occasion pic.twitter.com/xN0Hwntgxh

— Nasoutlet (@nasinfo_) June 14, 2023

Nas’ opening acts have been two London rappers; south Londoner and Home Of Pharaohs “resident” Sam Smart and the ’00s hip-hop-inspired Strandz. Within the latter’s set, he reminded the viewers that “We’re right here to have fun hip-hop, proper?” while asking for “extra power” earlier than the legends took to the the stage. Kiss FM and TV DJ Shortee Blitz additionally “examined our data of hip-hop” by enjoying classics like KRS-One‘s ‘Sound Of Da Police’, Giggs‘ ‘Speaking The Hardest’ and extra.

Arriving on stage, Nas delivered an extended monologue of gratitude.

“I simply completed The O2 with Wu-Tang and it’s the finest tour I’ve ever been on in my life,” he instructed the KOKO viewers in Camden. “Doing what we do is one thing particular. As you recognize, it’s been so a few years and doing this tour is such a blessing. That is my fiftieth 12 months on the planet, the identical time as hip-hop is popping 50, ain’t that some shit?”

The rapper then went on to carry out classics together with ‘Hate Me Now’, ‘Ooochie Wally’, and ‘If I Dominated That World’. Mid-set, he supplied one other reflection on the style and his profession: “This ain’t simply hip-hop music. This ain’t rap. That is life… It’s ache and love and demise. That shit ain’t simply music, man. That’s not leisure, man. That’s drama.

“However, by way of the love of Run-DMC and LL Cool J and Rakim, Queen Latifah, Slick Rick, Monie Love, De La Soul, Simply-Ice, Eazy-E; due to them, we have been saved. Not simply me and Ghost[Face Killah], however you too.”

Nas then instructed the group to “throw these Ws up” and invited Wu-Tang Clan members GhostFace Killah and Raekwon on stage to rap their very own generational hits; ‘C.R.E.A.M’, ‘Shield Ya Neck’, and extra.

Earlier than leaving the stage, Nas instructed the group: “I simply wanna thank your ears for all these years from backside of my courageous coronary heart. With out you, the entire rap shit goes fucking nowhere. This shit is like life water within the veins popping out.

“They are saying that is leisure – we’ll take that. We’re simply right here and we are able to’t imagine it. We’re simply n**** from the block [but] we’re larger than [that]. Sorry for speaking your ears off, however thanks on your ears by way of the years.”

Final November, the Grammy Award winner launched the third instalment of his ‘King’s Illness’ album trilogy, ‘King’s Illness III’. In a five-star assessment, NME mentioned the document “homes punchy Hit-Boy beats which are purpose-built for the New York wordsmith’s dynamic rhymes.” The primary instalment of the trilogy, ‘King’s Illness’, gained Finest Rap Album on the 2021 Grammy Awards.

In the meantime, Wu-Tang Clan have fun the twentieth anniversary of their debut album ‘Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’ this 12 months. The collective haven’t launched a brand new document since 2015. Wu-Tang Clan additionally just lately revealed the customized metal chamber for his or her guide Legacy. It prices $360,000 (£298,872) and there are solely 36 on this planet.

Bob Dylan additionally just lately revealed he’s a fan of the clan – in addition to Eminem-  praising their “feeling for phrases and language” and enjoyING “anyone whose imaginative and prescient parallels mine.”

In the meantime, Nas’ brother, Jabari Fret, defended him in opposition to feedback made by 21 Savage, who mentioned he wasn’t “related” anymore however “simply has a loyal ass fan base and he nonetheless makes good-ass music.” Fret referred to as Savage “trash” in response.