Nas Wins Queens Casino Bid After Jay-Z’s Times Square Proposal Rejected

Decades after their legendary beef, which produced tracks such as “Ether” and “Takeover,” Nas has scored another win over his former rival Jay-Z.

As reported by Page Six, a board unanimously voted on Thursday (Sept. 25) to approve the $5.5 billion expansion of the Resorts World Casino in Queens, which was backed by Nas. The Illmatic rapper partnered with the groups involved in the expansion bid back in June this year. “The future is not something you wait for,” he said in the video announcing his partnership. “It’s something you build… We’re committed to Queens, and in Queens, the future is now.”

The project is also being backed by former NBA star Kenny Smith, who revealed that a sports and media complex will be founded as part of the expansion effort.

“On behalf of the entire Resorts World team, I want to thank the Community Advisor Committee for recognizing the impact we will have not only on Queens but all of New York City and State,” said Genting Americas East president, Robert DeSaliva. “We are incredibly grateful to the large number of residents, partners, and supporters who touted this project, without a single person speaking against it. This is a testament to our mission—solidified over the last 15 years—to be the best neighbor possible here in Queens.”

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As reported by TMZ, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards took the approval as an opportunity to reference Nas’ feud with Jay-Z. “Sorry, Jay-Z, we win again,” Richards joked.

The news comes a week after Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s efforts to bring a casino to Times Square were rejected following a six-member community advisory committee’s meeting. They came to a 4-2 decision on the $5.4 billion proposal, which was being led by SL Green Realty Corp., Caesars Entertainment Inc., and Hov’s Roc Nation. The project, if it were to have been approved, would have seen Times Square welcome a sprawling 150,000-square-foot casino that included four restaurants, a hotel, and a theater.

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