Nas is dismissing the fan chatter linking his newest enterprise win to his outdated rivalry with Jay-Z. The rap icon’s partnership with Resorts World for a $5.5 billion Queens on line casino venture just lately gained unanimous approval from New York City’s Community Advisory Committee, the identical group that denied Jay-Z’s Times Square on line casino bid backed by Roc Nation, SL Green, and Caesars. As followers on-line turned the event right into a playful “Ether vs. Takeover” rematch, Nas made it clear he’s not feeding into the hype.

“It is just a thing that some people are going to talk about,” Nas informed music/music-features/nas-legend-has-it-comic-books-dj-premier-album-1235441737/”>Rolling Stone. “No one has any control over things like that. I still study Rakim and Big Daddy Kane. Some rap fans just like to go off on those things from time to time. That’s it.”

Even Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. couldn’t resist becoming a member of the enjoyable, joking, “There’s a theme in Queens, and I know that Nas was a part of this: Queens get the money. Sorry, Jay-Z, we win again.”

With Resorts World’s plan now awaiting approval from the State Gaming Commission, the Queensbridge native’s venture is on observe to turn into one of many largest casinos within the nation, spanning 350,000 sq. toes. The website may even embody a 7,000-seat leisure venue and a sports activities advanced spearheaded by NBA champion and Queens native Kenny “The Jet” Smith.

Expected to open in July 2026, the on line casino is projected to create over 24,000 jobs and generate $1 million in new income inside its first yr. While followers proceed to gas the nostalgia of his legendary rap beef, Nas appears centered on the longer term — and on constructing one thing monumental within the borough that raised him.