Studio Album · No. 18
Light-Years Songwriting Credits by Nas
Produced by DJ Premier · Engineered by Zeke Mishanec, Nef, Mark "Exit" Goodchild, King of Chill, Parks Vallely, Tony Dawsey
Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 15 / 15 documented
Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Nas carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Nas and DJ Premier are both credited on all fifteen tracks, which is what makes this a joint album rather than a Nas album with one producer. Premier produced every track alone, the first time Nas has given a whole record to a single producer since Illmatic came close in 1994. Most of the extra names are sample clearances rather than collaborators: Billy Joel on “N.Y. State of Mind Pt. 3”, Gamble and Huff on “Git Ready”, Lalo Schifrin on “Junkie”, and the Run-DMC and Beastie Boys writers on “It’s Time”, which samples Steve Miller Band. AZ is the only guest rapper, on one track.
Light-Years is a joint album by Nas and DJ Premier, released on December 12, 2025 through Mass Appeal. The two had worked together on individual tracks since Illmatic in 1994 but never a full record; sessions for this one run from 2006 to 2025, cut at Kaufman Astoria, the Hit Factory and D&D in New York. DJ Premier produced all fifteen tracks. AZ features on “My Story Your Story”.
Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
My Life Is Real
|
NasDJ PremierMarco Bruno | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinMarco Bruno | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Git Ready
|
NasDJ PremierLeon HuffKenneth Gamble | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinLeon HuffKenneth Gamble | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
N.Y. State of Mind Pt. 3
|
NasDJ PremierBilly Joel | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinBilly Joel | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Welcome to the Underground
|
NasDJ PremierC. Ivory | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinC. Ivory | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Madman
|
NasDJ Premier | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher Martin | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Pause Tapes
|
NasDJ Premier | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher Martin | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Writers
|
NasDJ PremierMarco Bruno | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinMarco Bruno | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Sons (Young Kings)
|
NasDJ PremierMarco Bruno | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinMarco Bruno | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
It's Time
|
NasDJ PremierAdam HorovitzDarryl McDanielsRick RubinJoseph SimmonsSteven Miller | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinAdam HorovitzDarryl McDanielsRick RubinJoseph SimmonsSteven Miller | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals)Steve Miller Band (Performer) |
| 10 |
Nasty Esco Nasir
|
NasDJ Premier | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher Martin | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
My Story Your Story
|
NasDJ PremierAZMarco Bruno | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinAnthony CruzMarco Bruno | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals)AZ (Vocals) |
| 12 |
Bouquet (To the Ladies)
|
NasDJ PremierE. Record | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinE. Record | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Junkie
|
NasDJ PremierP. CallenderLalo Schifrin | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinP. CallenderLalo Schifrin | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 14 |
Shine Together
|
NasDJ PremierArnie OliverWerner Schuchner | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinArnie OliverWerner Schuchner | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |
| 15 |
3rd Childhood
|
NasDJ PremierC. Ivory | Nasir bin Olu Dara JonesChristopher MartinC. Ivory | DJ Premier | Nas (Lead Vocals) |