Nas Joins DJ Shadow for Powerful New Single “Systematic”

HBO’s hit comedy show, Silicon Valley, has a brand new song to add to its tasteful soundtrack. Rapper Nas and DJ Shadow have just released their new collaboration, “Systematic.” The new song was made specially for the HBO show and is set to premiere in the season 4 premiere. 

The song dropped as a surprise on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Radio show. With “Systematic,” DJ Shadow crafts a catchy flowing beat full of scratches and guitar funk that matches perfectly with Nas’ lyrics and the show’s musical theme. It’s the first ever collaboration from the two respected artists. Silicon Valley has tried to strategically choose music that carries the tone of the show. When Rudy Chung, one of the show’s music supervisors, was asked about the show’s music identity, he said “Nerd swagger, essentially. Our characters are so strange and intelligent and funny that they’d be listening to interesting music in real life. It also probably means a pretty broad palette musically. They’re trying to create a game-changing business in a pressure-cooker environment, so the sounds need to reflect those stakes and those pressures.” The show frequently uses rap and punchy music to match the fast paced industry the show takes place in, and yet also to contrast the nerdy characters. DJ Shadow and Nas’ new song matches those qualifications perfectly and is sure to be hit.

Both artists have been keeping busy. DJ Shadow is coming off the success of his album released last year, The Mountain Will Fall. Nas is ready to release his 12th album at some point in the near future in his Empire State Building recording studio. He appeared on DJ Khaled’s album Major Key, on a track simply titled “Nas Album Done”, teasing the upcoming album. Nas is also working on an upcoming BET series, “Street Dreams,” which will be based on his life. Plus, he’s playing Raymond “Sunset” Green in Monster, alongside A$AP Rocky and Jennifer Hudson.

You can listen to the new song below and be sure to keep a lookout for Nas’ new album, which could drop at any moment.

Photo Credits: Sharon Alagna