Nas and DJ Premier have officially revealed the title and release date of their highly anticipated collaborative album. Light-Years is set to arrive on December 12 via Mass Appeal, marking the culmination of years of teasing from the legendary rapper–producer duo. The album cover, shot by Danny Hastings with art direction by Mike Lukowski of Mass Appeal, has also been unveiled.
The project brings together two artists whose creative partnership stretches back three decades. DJ Premier played a defining role in Nas’ landmark 1994 debut Illmatic, and the pair have continued to collaborate throughout their careers. Their musical reunion picked up steam again last year with the release of “Define My Name,” which sparked speculation about a full-length album.
Light-Years also serves as the finale to Mass Appeal’s yearlong tribute to New York hip-hop. The label’s celebratory releases throughout the year have included new projects from Slick Rick, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, the late Big L, and De La Soul.
Nas last delivered a studio album with Magic 3 in September 2023, completing his acclaimed trilogy with Hit-Boy. DJ Premier, meanwhile, has remained active in 2024, dropping new collaborative works such as The Coldest Profession with Roc Marciano and The Reinvention with Ransom.
With Light-Years, two of hip-hop’s most respected figures are set to close out the year with a major moment for New York rap.
