Nas Interviews Slick Rick at Tribeca Festival for the Release of His “Victory” Visual Album

Slick Rick and Nas shared candid conversations about the project and its creative journey. Shot across London, France, the U.S., the U.K., and Africa, Victory is a 30‑minute visual album executive‑produced by Idris Elba and executive‑co‑helmed by Rick himself  .

At 60 years old, Slick Rick reflects on coming back stronger than ever: “Victory is all about perseverance, storytelling, imagination, and evolution,” he said, underscoring how the visuals deliver a cinematic layer to his legendary narrative style  .

Nas, who re‑teamed with Rick on one of the album’s standout tracks, chimed in: “Slick Rick and I have a long history of working together … he has been such an influential figure in hip‑hop culture”  . Their on‑stage camaraderie offered both nostalgia and a look toward the next chapter of storytelling in rap.

Victory is Slick Rick’s first full album since 1999’s The Art of Storytelling, marking a 26‑year hiatus  . Created over four years, it blends hip‑hop with reggae, house, and cinematic visuals—a true expression of cross‑genre Black artistry  .

Nas also praised Idris Elba’s role, calling it “a gift” to hip‑hop and crediting Elba’s production vision with the album’s bold, narrative-forward identity  .

The New York premiere was held on June 12 at Tribeca (following the London debut at SXSW on June 7) and coincided with the release of Victory on June 13 via Mass Appeal and 7Wallace Records  .

Slick Rick’s return with Victory is more than a nostalgia play—it’s a statement that visual narrative albums remain a potent form of artistic expression. With Nas and Idris Elba by his side, Rick reclaims his throne as the genre’s premier storyteller, showcasing that age and legacy aren’t limits—they’re depth.