Nas, Wu-Tang, And Hip-Hop's Long Game

Last night at the Barclays Center, Nas strode to the stage for the latest stop on the NY State of Mind tour, his co-headlining venture with the Wu-Tang Clan. Decked out in all black from his leather jacket down to his Air Force 1s, he serenaded the crowd with hits like “One Mic” and “Got Ur Self A Gun” before delivering a message as classic as his look.

“If it wasn’t for the Bronx, the whole world would be boring,” he proclaimed. “Happy birthday to hip-hop music—50 years. And happy birthday to me...