Hit-Boy Says He Doesn’t See Himself Working With Nas Again After Six-Album Run
Hit-Boy has revealed that he does not expect to work with Nas again, bringing an uncertain end to one of the most successful rapper-producer partnerships in modern hip-hop.
The Grammy-winning producer made the comments during a recent conversation with journalist Elliott Wilson and DJ Vlad, where he discussed his career, relationships within the music industry and his remarkable creative run with Nas.
Hit-Boy said he has not spoken with Nas in approximately three years, despite the pair producing an extraordinary amount of music together during their partnership.
“We did a lot of great work, but I don’t see us working again,” Hit-Boy said when discussing the future of their collaboration.
When asked about the reasons behind the apparent end of their professional relationship, Hit-Boy did not provide specific details. Instead, he indicated that there were deeper circumstances involved but made it clear that he did not want to publicly discuss them.
“There’s a lot of reasons,” Hit-Boy explained, adding that there was material he did not want to “dig too deep” into because the situation was “pretty deep.” He ultimately chose to focus on what he and Nas accomplished together rather than reveal details about why their communication ended.
The revelation is particularly striking because of how productive the partnership became.
Hit-Boy and Nas worked together on six projects over roughly three years, creating approximately 80 songs during that period. Hit-Boy produced the overwhelming majority of the music, helping give Nas a distinctive sonic direction during one of the most celebrated periods of the veteran rapper’s later career.
Their collaboration began with “King’s Disease” in 2020. The album was widely praised as a strong late-career statement from Nas and eventually earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
The success led to “King’s Disease II” in 2021, followed by “Magic” later that year. The two artists continued their remarkably fast creative pace with “King’s Disease III” in 2022 and “Magic 2” and “Magic 3” in 2023.
Together, the projects created a six-album run that became an important chapter in Nas’ career.
For Hit-Boy, the partnership was equally transformative. Before his work with Nas, the California producer had already established an impressive résumé that included major records with artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Travis Scott.
However, working extensively with Nas allowed Hit-Boy to demonstrate that he could shape the sound and direction of complete albums rather than simply contribute individual tracks.
In an earlier interview, Hit-Boy described the working relationship with Nas as mutually respectful. He said they exchanged ideas and kept their focus on the music rather than allowing either artist’s reputation to dominate the creative process.
That approach became a major part of the success of their partnership.
Nas was already a hip-hop legend with one of the most celebrated catalogs in rap history. Hit-Boy, meanwhile, was a younger producer with a growing reputation for modern, hard-hitting production. Their combination allowed Nas to remain connected to contemporary hip-hop while maintaining the lyrical depth associated with his classic work.
The results were particularly significant because Nas’ late-career output had become a frequent topic of debate among fans. The King’s Disease and Magic series largely changed the conversation, with many listeners praising the rapper for producing some of his strongest work decades after his debut.
The Grammy win for “King’s Disease” further validated the run.
Nas himself previously spoke positively about the partnership. After completing their sixth project together, he described the achievement as emotionally significant and said neither artist initially knew they would eventually make six albums together. He praised the experience as deeply satisfying and credited the collaboration with helping him reach another level as an MC.
That history makes Hit-Boy’s latest comments especially notable.
There had been no recent public indication that the two were preparing another project together. Nas has continued working with other producers, including DJ Premier, while Hit-Boy has increasingly focused on his own music and other creative relationships.
Hit-Boy’s comments also suggest that the separation is not simply a matter of the two artists becoming busy with different projects. His refusal to discuss the underlying reasons indicates that there may be personal or professional circumstances behind the decision, although he has not publicly accused Nas of wrongdoing.
It is therefore important not to assume that the pair are involved in a public feud.
Hit-Boy specifically emphasized respect for what they accomplished. His comments can be interpreted as drawing a line under a highly productive period rather than launching an attack against Nas.
For hip-hop fans, however, the possibility that the partnership is permanently over is still significant.
Six albums in three years is an unusually productive run for any rapper and producer. The pair not only released a large quantity of music but also created a recognizable body of work that helped redefine perceptions of Nas’ longevity.
The partnership also demonstrated that veteran rappers can experience major creative rejuvenation when they find the right producer and working environment.
Whether the door is truly closed remains impossible to know. Hit-Boy said he does not see himself working with Nas again, but music careers can change unexpectedly. Artists who stop communicating sometimes reconnect years later, particularly when the creative circumstances are right.
For now, however, fans may have to view the six albums they created as a completed chapter.
The Hit-Boy Nas collaboration produced one of the most remarkable late-career runs in modern rap, combining Nas’ decades of lyrical experience with Hit-Boy’s contemporary production style.
Whatever happened behind the scenes, Hit-Boy appears determined to leave the details private while acknowledging the significance of what they achieved.
After roughly 80 songs, six albums and a Grammy, their partnership has already secured its place in hip-hop history. Whether another Nas and Hit-Boy project ever materializes remains uncertain, but for now, the producer says he does not see that chapter reopening.
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