Synopsis

Nas presents himself as a futuristic street prophet in a stylized, science-fiction setting. Performing directly to the camera, he moves through dark, metallic environments filled with glowing screens, surreal imagery, and fast-moving visual effects. The video emphasizes his transformation from "Nasty Nas" and "Nas Escobar" into "Nastradamus," while luxury cars, money, and confrontational poses reinforce the song's themes of power and status. Objects appear to push toward the viewer, giving the performance an intentionally exaggerated three-dimensional feel.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was promoted as the first 3D music video to premiere on MTV. Its stereoscopic effects were designed to be viewed through special glasses.

• Tower Records distributed "Nastradamus" 3D glasses as part of the promotional campaign. The tie-in became one of the video's most memorable marketing details.

• Nas debuted the video with Carson Daly on MTV's "Total Request Live" in November 1999.

• The song was the first single from Nas' fourth album, also titled "Nastradamus," released in November 1999.

• The production by L.E.S. uses a sample from the J.B.'s track "The Monorail Express." The same source had previously been used by EPMD on "Let the Funk Flow."

• The lyric "You wanna ball 'til you fall, I can help you with that" was widely interpreted as a shot at Roc-A-Fella rapper Memphis Bleek, helping intensify the New York rap tensions that later involved Jay-Z.

• The video was later included on Nas' 2004 DVD compilation "Video Anthology Vol. 1."