Nas will be performing his multi-platinum album “Illmatic” live with The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Tuesday March 5th. Peep the Pistons press release below.
DETROIT, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today that Nas, a 13-time Grammy Award Nominee, will perform with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) as a culmination of Detroit Pistons Black History Month festivities atOrchestra Hallwithin the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Centeron March 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets to Nas – with theDetroit Symphony Orchestraand presented by the Detroit Pistons go on-sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 26 and are available online atticketmaster.com. Tickets may be also charged by phone to American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard by calling800.745.3000. Pricing is available at the following options: $150, $100, $90, $85, $75 and $65.
Proceeds from the event will benefit programs that stem from the Detroit Pistons partnership with the DSO and the Sphinx Organization, which providesopportunities to young African-American and Latino string players to develop and showcase their talents in the communities they serve. The Detroit-based national organization identifies, recognizes, rewards and nurtures young and talented musicians of color, while making classical music accessible and relatable to diverse audiences.
Nas will perform his debut album “Illmatic” by giving the music a classical treatment with the accompaniment of theDetroit Symphony Orchestra. The world-renowned musician performed a similar concert five years ago to celebrate the 20thanniversary of the album, playing with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center as part of a PBS special.
Since hisIllmaticdebut in 1994, hip hop heavyweight Nas has long been considered one of the most influential and talented MCs to ever hold a mic. The Queens, NY native has dodged the unpredictable and ephemeral nature of the rap industry, consistently releasing critically acclaimed projects that become more than just hip hop records, but defining moments in music history. Racking up 11 albums in the Billboard Top 10, 6 debuting at #1, 13 Grammy nominations, 8 consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums, and over 30 million records sold worldwide, Nas’ catalogue speaks for itself. Most recently, Nas released the 4th of 5Kanye West-produced projects,NASIR.
Nas has been engaging in far more than music in the six years following his last full-length solo recordLife Is Good(2012).His venture capital firm Queensbridge Venture Partners has invested in a number of notable companies including Casper, Lyft and Genius; he has invested in and helped grow media company Mass Appeal into a multi-faceted conglomerate with branches in creative services, production and music; he has diversified his business portfolio by founding restaurant Sweet Chick and sneaker boutique 12AM:RUN, he has heavily supported UNICEF and the East African region known as the Horn of Africa. These efforts have been recognized by Harvard, the Ivy League college establishing the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship in 2013 and awarding Nas the W.E.B. DuBois Medal in 2015. Nas has ascended rap and become more than the music he continues to create.
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city.
Last year,the Detroit Pistons and DSO announced a multi-year partnership aimed to enhance music and education programming for Detroit youth. Financial commitments from Pistons owner Tom Gores, Vice Chairman Arn Tellem and the Detroit Pistons Foundation have expanded the DSO’s Civic Youth Ensemble offerings through the creation of a new percussion ensemble and bucket band, a music training group for Detroit students. Funding will also allow all Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) fourth graders to attend DSO educational performances for free through subsidized tickets. Resources will also be directed to the Sphinx Organization to support its annual Sphinx Competition for young African-American and Latino musicians who compete at the DSO’sOrchestra Halleach year.
Making its home at historicOrchestra Hallwithin the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, one of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, which is celebrating its 100thanniversary in 2019, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences. For more information – visitdso.org.