1992 was a pivotal year for the rapper Nas [ tickets ]. Although thrilled to be signing a record deal with Columbia at the age of 18, he was also mourning the death of a friend. Willy "Ill Will" Graham, his neighbor in the Queensbridge housing projects in New York and his first musical partner, was shot and killed by a gunman in May of that year.

Two years later his debut album “Illmatic” hit the streets to critical acclaim, thanks in part to the producers on the mix-- Main Source [ tickets ], Large Professor [ tickets ], Q-Tip [ tickets ], DJ Pete Rock [ tickets ], L.E.S., as well as the voice of fellow rapper AZ [ tickets ].

In a reunion of sorts, the latter was in attendance along with Large Professor, Busta Rhymes [ tickets ] and his brother Jungle's group, Bravehearts [ tickets ], on Friday night (12/26). Performing along side Nas at his annual holiday show in NYC, fans were treated to a phat set list including songs "Phone Tap," "Life's a Bitch," "You're Da Man," "Arab Money," "Put your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," and "Live at the BBQ," not to mention fireworks.

LiveDaily's Boston-based contributing photographer, Peter Keeling, was at the show, and here are some of the photos he took.