Here we are on the hottest day of the year and I’m reflecting on the hottest gigs I’ve ever attended. One of them, on a night like this, was by Nas at the 100 Club.

It didn’t help that he came on late – very late – so we had to swelter down there in an un-air-conditioned cellar packed to the rafters. It may be the hottest venue in Britain – I remember a similar situation for Alice Cooper and The Specials there. But nothing like Nas.

In truth it was a slightly underwhelming gig, as it tends to be when you’re hot and bothered and after all the wait what you get is a man in a suit walking around the stage rapping over a backing track and trying to liven things up now and then by telling us to “make some noise.”

But still. Nas is a hip-hop legend. Illmatic is a hip-hop classic. And this new tune, reflecting on his fame after 30 years in the game, shows he’s still got it. And some.

Enjoy the sunshine and take his advice – Slow It Down.