but if that's the case, these are some weird ass promo techniques

http://www.thefader.com/2018/04/24/kanye-west-ebro-radio-show-i-love-you

he did say he was chopping samples from the 'sunken place' before all that Trump hoopla:
https://allhiphop.com/news/kanye-west-i-ve-been-chopping-samples-from-the-sunken-place-D9-6ajB5NE6jASrU3Zq6Eg/?full=1
so i guess in a way this is all deliberate

Thing is Nas doesn't have to put out music for financial gain anymore. He made it big investing in companies over the last 10 years or so. Anything weak he puts out can only taint his legacy. That's probably why he is in no hurry to release that album.

If Ye is focused and is truly pumping out high quality beats, the joke would probably be on all of us come june. It's only 7 tracks each, but for a Ye solo, Pusha, Teyana, Ye & Kudi AND a Nas project that's already 35 hot beats needed. I don't know... i don't see it happening, also marketing wise they would all be competing against each other as well.