If It's Too Loud...

This year Nas' Illmatic turns thirty years old. The legendary album included three songs produced by DJ Premier ("N.Y. State of Mind," "Represent," and "Memory Lane"), so to help celebrate the two have collaborated on a new track. "Define My Name" isn't exactly a throwback to 1994. Instead, it's a natural progression from the duo's work on Illmatic. If you loved Nas' landmark album, you're going to be into "Define My Name." It's great to see two legends work together again, especially when the results are as great as they are here. Neither has lost a single step, and we can't wait to hear more. You can listen to "Define My Name" below. The song is out now via Mass Appeal, with a collaborative album due out later this year. For more on DJ Premier, check out the artist on Instagram . Nas can be found on Instagram here.

None of these things sound like they belong together, but just trust me on this one. Starting on May 16, PBS and BBC will start airing a documentary series called American Epic, which is put together by Jack White, T Bone Burnett, and Robert Redford . It looks back at the 1920s, when record companies would send representatives travelling across the country to record new musicians. The series ends with a film on June 6 called The American Epic Sessions  which will feature Willie Nelson, Beck, Alabama Shakes, and more recording on the same equipment from the 1920s.  Right now you can watch a preview of the series featuring Nas and Jack White reworking Memphis Jug Band's 1928 classic "On the Road Again" as a blues/hip hop hybrid. In the video, Nas explains that he considers this song to be the birth of hip hop, based on the vocal stylings of the original. One of the highlights of the new version might be a musician using a jug to almost beat box.  American Epic  w...

I mean... seriously? Look at that line up. I don't care what Boston Calling has had before, this roster may never be topped ever again. Plenty for old fogies to check out without feeling self conscious (The Replacements, Neutral Milk Hotel, Nas + The Roots, The Hold Steady, Spoon) plus a chance to see some of the up and comers we've been obsessed with without being the Creepy Old Guy. I've wanted to check out Childish Gambino and Girl Talk for a while now, and this may be the chance! And you can check out this Lorde character without being the only adult without a child. Plus, I mean, The Replacements! Neutral Milk Hotel! Nas + The Roots would be kick ass enough by themselves, but Nas with The Roots as his backing band???? Insane. I think The National might be the weak link as far as headliners go, but considering they curated the thing, I can let it slide. The September 2014 edition of Boston Calling takes place in City Hall Plaza on September 5, 6, & 7. 3 Day and ...