My friend Scott Cohen and I went to the NaS concert at the Nokia Theatre - Times Square tonight. i was skeptical about it - to be honest. Oftentimes rap shows that consist of 1 MC and 1 Dj - though true to the essence of hiphop -- are not terribly interesting. the sound never seems to be right - and the mc just kinda walks back & forth for 2 hours. boring. BUT this show was nothing like that. NaS has magnificent stage presence. He kept it interesting infusing breakdancers & wardrobe changes to chroncile the years he has been in the rap game. Also, his dj, LES, warmed up the crowd by playing a great mix of my favorite 1990s rap hits and seemlessly took the us from one NaS classic to the next during the show. Finally, there was a mini-FIRM reunion when Cormega & Foxy Brown took the stage to do 'Affirmative Action". In conclusion, despite the new NaS album title... HIP HOP is not DEAD. (or as Borat might say... HIP HOP IS DEAD -- NOT!)