Nature x Noreaga - Nate finally appears on DRINK CHAMPS (link)

The fans have been demanding it for a long time and Nature has finally made an appearance on the hit podcast / RevoltTV video series DRINK CHAMPS with Noreaga and DJ EFN. Nate hits on a lot of topics including how he got started rapping, how he became a staple on DJ Clue tapes, his stories in NYC and LA with Nas, Dre, Noreaga and more, his falling out with Nas (and potential reconcilliation), a behind the scenes look at how the budget and business behind his debut album For All Seasons worked, and more. Check it out below:

Nature - The Ashtray Effect 2 (free mixtape download)

Coming right on the heels of the announcement of the Seasons Changed 4 part EP series (part 1 dropping April 30th on iTunes), Nature has dropped another dope new mixtape called The Ashtray Effect 2. The tape is hosted by DJ Big Mike and DJ Mickey Knox and has been offered for stream or download courtesy of AudioMack.com. Similar to the first installation of the Ashtray Effect the tape is a nice mix of dope Nature tracks past and present. For the hardcore Nature fans out there I've tried to add some details on each track. The mixtape has been getting tons of burn on the blogs and social media, with features from SOHH.com, HipHopGame, 2DopeBoys, RealHipHopDaily, HipHopReviwsForDummies, EliteMuzik, The 9 Elements, Rap Reviews, The Dope Academy, and many many more.






Ashtray Effect 2 Tracklist (with additional details)
01 - Thug Ali Baba (unsure of release date, prior to mixtape I hadn't heard this joint)

02 - Fly Away (2012 track, produced by Sickness. Peep the video here.)

03 - Welcome To My World (2012 track, produced by SupaDave. Peep the video here)

04 - Spit feat. Red Cafe & Pretty Ugly (originally appeared on the 2001 Stretch Armstrong "Spit" LP)

05 - Love Is All We Need (REMIX) w/ Mary J Blige (1997 unreleased track, DJ Smooth Denali first aired it)

06 - Take It On (Classic, various versions released on 90's clue tapes including one called I'll Fuck You up)

07 - American Dream (2012 track, produced by BP, released by Nature on Obama's election day 2012)

08 - Metal Cuff Links w/ Beneficence (from the 2012 Beneficence - Concrete Soul LP)

09 - Magazine Covers (unsure about this one, hadn't heard it til the mixtape)

10 - They Just Dont Know w/ Madd Rapper & Black Rob (late 90's track that was on the Madd Rapper "Tell Em Why You Madd" LP released early in 2000)

11 - Magic & Bird w/ Noreaga (unreleased 90's heat with NORE)

12 - Itz Yours freestyle (don't recall when this one was recorded)

13 - The Hurt w/ P Dap & Matt Fingaz (Produced by Sha Self in 2000, released on vinyl only)

14 - Too Hot w/ 50 Cent & Nas (appeared 50 Cent's 2002 Guess Who's Back release)

15 - Magic (released by Nature on Halloween 2012)

16 - Something In The Air (track sounds older, I hadn't heard this one prior to mixtape release)

17 - Back Against The Wall w/Reek Da Villian & Peter Leo (produced by Sickness, 2013 track)

18 - Charisma w/ Mercy (2011 joint, produced by Solidified. peep the video here)

19 - Miracle (produced by Velotz, 2012 release from Deep Concepts Media)

20 - Round One (I know I've heard this previously... just not sure where)

21 - From The East w/Rap P (2010 track produced by Live, released in early 2011)

22 - Da Rockwilder freestyle w/ Little Vic (2012 track DCP did for Doo Wop's The Source mixtape)

23 - No Money (Demo Version) (brand new 2013 track)

Nature - Documentary (snippet) - Produced by Q-Butta

Back in 2009 I was notified that this dude named Q-Butta, a talented up and coming video producer and director, was creating a documentary about Nature. I saw a 5 minute snippet of the documentary on YouTube (see video below). Nature talks about getting into the game, his song making process, and working with the legendary Dr. Dre. I had forgotten that the video on YouTube was just a snippet until today, somebody hit me up and asked me if I'd ever seen the final product. I hadn't, so I hit up Q-Butta on Twitter to ask. I haven't heard back yet but I'll definitely post up the response once I hear it.

Who ripped the beat better??? Nas or Nature?

Saw this floating around the net this week... a supposedly "new" Nas track with Keyshia Cole where he flows over a beat very similar to one that Nature used back in the late 90's on a DJ Clue mixtape joint called "Let's Do it Again". The track later was officially released on the 2002 Anti-Backpack Movement compilation LP. I'm not sure if I believe that this is actually a 2011 Nas joint but regardless I think Nature's version is superior. Props to the Nature Appreciator on youtube as always, his Nature uploads with the lyrics are money.