Nas Is Like: A Conversation With The Duo Behind 'Time Is Illmatic' Documentary

Nas' maiden masterpiece, Illmatic, is deeper than rap. The stories he tells and panoramics he paints are rich, eye-opening depictions of life in the Queensbridge PJs.
Former VIBE editor Erik Parker and first-time film director One9 recognized the magnitude of the generation-defining album and delved into the unexplored contexts on their new documentary, Time Is Illmatic, which debuts tonight at the Tribeca Film Festival in Manhattan.
Lori Tosan sat down with the two dope documentarians to discuss the making of Time Is Illmatic. Yeah, it's time, man. Begin.

International Superstar Nneka Now An Actress? The Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter Stars in “Relentless”

Nneka is far from your ordinary singer/songwriter; with her international acclaim and worldwide tours with the likes of Nas & Damian Marley, she’s really made a name for herself.

Now, she’s adding another accolade to her feats, as she stars in Andy Amadi Okoroafor’s movie “Relentless”. It is a soldier’s tale about isolation and self-discovery in the restless city of Lagos and is currently included in New York’s African Film Festival holding at The Lincoln Center which started on the 11th of April and ends on the 17th of April.

So, not only is she one of Forbes’ most powerful celebrities in Africa, she’s a singer/songwriter and actress always ready to lend her talent to bring awareness to her roots in West Africa. Also, here’s the music video for “I Am Waiting”, a soulful tune by Bantu ,which also features the legendary songstress, off the movie’s soundtrack.

Album Review: Melanie Fiona, 'The MF Life'

Melanie Fiona
The MF Life
Producers: various
Title 9/SRC/Universal Republic
Release Date: March 20

At the start of her second album, in the face of men who are treating her much worse, Melanie Fiona** declares, "This time I'm doing much better." "The MF Life," it seems, is full of cads and heartbreaks, even for someone with a few R&B hits and a couple of Grammy Awards. But Fiona tears into them with righteous relish on the 13-song set. She may allow herself a bit of airy self-pity at "4 AM," but when he (in this case, guest T-Pain) rolls in at "6 AM," he's not going to sleep without getting smacked upside his booze-addled head. Meanwhile, Fiona is singing up a storm on "The MF Life," delivering a welcome big voice to perhaps fill in the void of recent departures like Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse. She gets torchy on the song "Wrong Side of the Love Song," buoyant on "L.O.V.E." (featuring John Legend), bluesy on the lyrically silly "Bones" and rockin' on "Running" (with Nas) and "Watch Me Work." It's indeed better the second time around, no matter who's running her down.