Nas to Perform at Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals in Las Vegas

Nas confirmed as headline performer during the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal games, bringing together elite basketball competition and live music entertainment in an unforgettable December event. This performance highlights the growing cultural crossover between sports and music — and why this year’s Cup is capturing global attention.

Nas Headlines Amazon Music Presents: In the Paint at NBA Cup Semifinal

Legendary rapper Nas will take center stage on December 13, 2025, as part of Amazon Music Presents: In the Paint during the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals in Las Vegas. The performance will take place at T-Mobile Arena’s Toshiba Plaza, nestled between the East and West semifinal matchups, and will be featured throughout the live broadcast on NBA on Prime Video. WBLS

Nas’s set comes at the perfect moment — the day after he drops his latest project “Light-Years” with DJ Premier, marking a major milestone in his musical journey and building excitement among both hip-hop and sports fans. Black Enterprise

Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals: A Sports and Entertainment Powerhouse

The Emirates NBA Cup is the NBA’s premier in-season tournament, designed to bring heightened competition and fan engagement to the regular season. The 2025 edition culminates with semifinal games on December 13 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas before a championship matchup on December 16.

This year’s Cup tournament features a packed schedule of group play and knockout rounds. Teams that advanced to the semifinals include contenders like the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs — showcasing the depth and unpredictability of this innovative NBA format. basketballnews.com

How to Watch and Access Nas’s Performance

Live Viewing

• Amazon Prime Members can access the performance when it starts at 9:30 p.m. PT / 12:30 a.m. EST immediately following the semifinal games.

Streaming Options

• The full performance will be available after live coverage on:
  • Prime Video
  • Amazon Music channel on Twitch
  • Amazon Music app
    — making it easy for fans worldwide to tune in.

This multi-platform approach ensures that Nas’s performance reaches both sports audiences and music lovers, expanding the event’s cultural footprint. The Source

🎶 Why This Performance Matters

Nas is more than a performer — he’s a cultural figure whose work, from Illmatic to today, has influenced generations. His collaboration with DJ Premier is especially meaningful, as the duo helped craft some of hip-hop’s most iconic tracks like N.Y. State of Mind and Represent early in his career. Black Enterprise

This performance isn’t just a halftime show — it’s a strategic fusion of music and sport that elevates the Emirates NBA Cup beyond a traditional in-season tournament. The move reflects broader trends in entertainment where live music and major sporting events now combine to build fan engagement and cultural buzz.

More Than Basketball: A New Era of Live Events

Since its inception, the Emirates NBA Cup has been reshaping how fans experience the NBA regular season. Originally hosted as a neutral-site event in Las Vegas, the semifinals bring star power both on the court and off. NBA.com: NBA Communications

This evolving approach — pairing elite athletic competition with exclusive music performances — signals a future where sports events are immersive cultural platforms, attracting diverse audiences and creating new entertainment ecosystems.

On December 13, 2025, Las Vegas becomes the epicenter of both top-tier basketball and insightful musical artistry as Nas headlines Amazon Music Presents: In the Paint during the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals. Whether you’re tuning in for the slam dunks or the lyrical mastery, this event promises unforgettable moments that bridge sports and music in innovative ways. WBLS