Hip Hop legend Nas kicked off his 40^th birthday at TAO Beach on Saturday. Arriving with a group of friends, he enjoyed lunch while drinking Dom Perignon and Hennessey cocktails.  He was surprised by friend and fellow hip hop artist Busta Rhymes who came to say happy birthday.

 

The two hung out in the cabana, laughing and singing along to the sounds of DJ Jerzy. Thrilled at the presentation, Nas was then treated to his second birthday cake of the weekend accompanied by a parade of large pool floats. He took photos with the treat adorned with a crown and Mets logo and was later seen tasting it with friends. “All Gold Everything” rapper Trinidad Jame$, who also spent his day at a VIP cabana poolside, later came over to say happy birthday. Nas’ group stayed until 5pm then left to get ready for the big fight.

Later that night, TAO continued Nas’ 40^th birthday festivities with a post-fight party. Headlining the evening, Nas arrived in a Waraire Boswell designed gold and black suit and enjoyed dinner with friends in TAO Asian Bistro’s private dining room. The group then took over a VIP section in the center of the club where a custom graffiti wall of Nas’ name was displayed over the dance floor. Flashes filled the space and fans cheered as DJ Vice announced his arrival. Soon afterward, TAO put on a giant birthday presentation that featured a special showcase from professional b-boy dancers and a cake replica of the Queens Bridge. Later that night after some Hennessy and Dom Perignon drinks, Nas jumped on the mic and thanked everyone for coming, stating, “I’m 40″ while chuckling. He encouraged club goers to “live [their] life to the fullest, don’t stop and take it all the way.” DJ Vice then dropped a medley of his songs including “If I Ruled the World,” “Hate Me Now” and “The Don,” which he rapped along to.

Busta Rhymes, who dined at TAO Asian Bistro earlier that night, took over a VIP table next to Nas. Busta made sure to wish Nas a happy birthday and toast with the crowd to his career, professing his love and admiration for the legendary lyricist as well as dubbing him “King of New York.” He then got the entire room to scream “Happy Birthday Nas” before treating the packed room of hip hop fans to his verse from “Scenario” alongside Nas. Downing half of a bottle of Hennessey, Busta then rapped along to some of his hit songs before the royalty duo treated guests to a few tunes before getting back to partying. At 4 am, Busta got back on the mic and took the crowd through a catalogue of Nas’ greatest hits, schooling them on real hip hop.

Comedian Dave Chappelle was also spotted at TAO Nightclub. Chappelle first stopped in the restaurant to wish Nas a happy birthday before taking over a skybox in the nightclub where he also partied with the birthday boy and hopped in the DJ booth to greet the crowd. Trinidad Jame$ was seen partying at a table with friends as was former NFL star Marcus Stroud and actor Dash Mihok, who also had separate VIP tables that evening.

On Thursday evening, The Source Magazine was on the scene at Nas’ New York Birthday Celebration presented by Hennessy V.S at Avenue. Nas, who looked dapper in a pink blazer, was joined by Maino, Shawn Pecas, Mariah Carey, Anthony Mackie, Olivia Munn, DJ D-Nice, Destiny Jones, Joel Kinnaman, Jen Yu of Hennessy, his father legendary Jazz artist Olu Dara and Jungle, Legendary Damon Peruzzi, Melanie Fiona, Rodney Williams SVP of Hennessy, Pusha T, Tyson Beckford, Nas’s Manager Anthony Saleh, Sessilee Lopez, Mike Will Made It, Special Ed, Q-Tip, Windsor ‘Slow’ Lubin, Barry Weiss, Ross Michaels and Estelle, to name a few.

Guests were treated to signature Hennessy V.S mixed drinks and an unforgettable culinary experience from award-winning chef Mario Carbone. Hennessy presented a special gift to Nas of Hennessy Paradis Impérial and a custom luxury watch made by Hublot. Mariah Carey gave Nas a Louis Vuitton Cigar Humidor for his birthday. The seated dinner took place on the 2nd floor of the club where we spotted spotted Q-tip and Mariah chatting and laughing by the bar. Later in the evening, the crowd made their way downstairs for the after party. DJ M.O.S. was on the turntables. “I just think it’s a miracle to be alive and life is a gift and like my man Richard Pryor said, ‘Keep some sunshine on your face.’ That’s it,” Nas told The Source about being 40.

We also caught up with Q-Tip who spoke about when he first met Nas. “The first time we met was a pretty monumental love moment…I worked on the first album…He was just cool…he’s a vibesmith, so he looked for the right vibe…My man Large Professor told me about him, well I heard him on “Barbeque,” but then Large was like ‘yo. you got to hear his stuff.’ Played it for me and I was like ‘Man, you crazy!’”

Nas’ favorite drink is the “Hennessy V.S Big Apple,” which is made of Hennessy V.S, Apple, Maple Syrup, Lime and Cinnamon.

 

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