Nas is considered by many to be the greatest rapper of all time. Everyone may not agree with that, but to have such a following in the race is a statement. His lyricism is unparalleled in the hip-hop world, and the longevity of his music through all of the different sub-genres of rap is telling. Nas is still revered. A Brooklyn native, New York City is there in all his music. “N.Y. State Of Mind” is Nas’s banner song and an anthem for the city. I saw him perform live at a music festival a long time ago and I remember it vividly because it started raining and Nas didn’t care. He rapped through the rain, the crowd didn’t budge, and management waited until he was done before stopping the festival. Now Nas is coming to Ravinia Pavilion, a venue that many of the hip-hop greats pass through, and he will certainly give you your money’s worth. Don’t bother checking the weather. —Henry McGrath