Chuck D has spoken up in defense of Nas after Jim Jones and the hosts of The Breakfast Club sparked a debate about the relevancy of veteran New York rappers.
While appearing on the radio show last week, Jones bragged about still connecting with younger fans, despite only releasing one album in six years.
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“You know how dope it is for me to be in this game for this long and be able to make music that the youngsters that wasn’t around when I was really lit still admire and want to know who this guy is?” said the Dipset legend, who is currently enjoying renewed success thanks to his Laila!-sampling single “This Sh!t Still In Harlem.”
“I don’t see too many people from my day doing anything like what I’m doing right now. If they are, call them out. I want to see how many there are.”
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After Charlamagne Tha God began to name the likes of Pusha T and 2 Chainz, Capo clarified that he was referring to MCs from his home city of the Big Apple.
As the crew attempted to answer the question, Charlamagne and co-host Loren LoRosa both agreed that “Nas is not active enough.”
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“Let’s chat about it,” Jones replied, before suggesting that Nas’ recent six-album run with Hit-Boy was better received by older fans than younger ones.
Chuck D, however, did not subscribe to that argument and offered a rebuttal on social media.
“Active like this week? Aint @nas play stadiums in 2023 and Arenas in 2024?” he wrote. “I don’t understand this coverage or lack of. Artists seasons ain’t every year sports seasons. Whew we gotta long ways to go in culture.”
The Public Enemy legend added: “Im not disagreeing on HIS individual perception……but if Nas resonates around a planet and Mr Jones is a regional activity … wheres the measurement?
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“Ball speak Nas is NBA HOF … Jim the Ruckers Street legend .. both legit in their leagues and Games. In ball they use to say the streets styles appeal to a certain baller. Too radical for coaches. Same comparison in rap.”
Chuck concluded by saying: “Always gonna be separate conversations cause we separate generations… sometimes we must let young generations enjoy their time of discovery as long as they don’t get fooled and trapped by crime. Because as we see its the Devils Cookbook hiding the recipe lol.
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“Part of the thing is like boxing…rapping you supposed to believe and THINK you are the BEST at something. @jimjonescapo supposed to boast and brag .. and have rap ego. Its Art aint gotta be fact like sports. I stepped on any stage on Planet Earth knowing i was going to be Louder.”
Nas himself has yet to weigh in on the debate.
Active like this week? . Aint @nas play stadiums in 2023 and Arenas in 2024? I don’t understand this coverage or lack of. Artists seasons ain’t every year sports seasons. Whew we gotta long ways to go in culture https://t.co/wHo72VLFLG
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 1, 2025
Im not disagreeing on HIS individual perception……but if Nas resonates around a planet and Mr Jones is a regional activity … wheres the measurement? Whos the judge on Art here Dew?
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 1, 2025
Ball speak Nas is NBA HOF … Jim the Ruckers Street legend .. both legit in their leagues and Games . In ball they use to say the streets styles appeal to a certain baller. Too radical for coaches. Same comparison in rap.
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 2, 2025
Always gonna be separate conversations cause we separate generations… sometimes we must let young generations enjoy their time of discovery as long as they don’t get fooled and trapped by crime. Because as we see its the Devils Cookbook hiding the recipe lol
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 2, 2025
Part of the thing is like boxing…rapping you supposed to believe and THINK you are the BEST at something. @jimjonescapo supposed to boast and brag .. and have rap ego. Its Art aint gotta be fact like sports. I stepped on any stage on Planet Earth knowing i was going to be Louder…
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 2, 2025
Meanwhile, 50 Cent also took issue with comments that Jim Jones made in his Breakfast Club interview.
The “We Fly High” hitmaker boldly claimed that he could beat any of his New York Hip Hop peers in a one-on-one Verzuz battle.
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“It don’t matter who it is,” he said. “I got a real catalog. I just had a gold record last year. We can go back — I got 20 records for every year […] It’s gonna be hard for a lot of people from New York to win with Capo.”
When Charlamagne floated the idea of a sound clash against 50, Capo shot back: “Nah, I don’t wanna do nothing with that sucka. Leave him out the conversation.”
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50 subsequently returned fire on Instagram, writing: “JoMo only got one song, Ballin written by Max B. Better shut up before I have Tru Life chasing you around the city again. Fucking punk!”
