Common might be considered one of Hip Hop’s greatest wordsmiths, yet even he recognizes the influence Nas’ lyricism has had on the culture as a whole.
On Tuesday (August 1), Men’s Health published an interview with the Chicago native in which he reflected on Hip Hop’s arduous journey and the role the Queensbridge rapper played in bringing it to where it is today.
“I remember being at a performance and then walking outside of the show, and this dude came up to me, and he said, ‘Common, I really love your music. I want to tell you that your song “Retrospect for Life” made me decide to have my kid,’” he began, illustrating the importance of writing songs that people can connect with.
“I wrote that song because I had been through that experience,” he continued. “And there was a moment when I was on the way to the abortion clinic, and the mother of my child decided, ‘We can’t do this again,’ because this was after already having one abortion. Let’s figure out whatever we have to do. That situation showed when you receive experiences from a place of truth, it just resonates in a different way.”
He then circled back to the person who opened the doors for artists like him, saying: “That’s why we related to when Nas talked about what he talked about on Illmatic. He experienced it, and the way he told it was just beautiful. In ‘One Love,’ he talks to his boy in prison. That’s one of the greatest songs ever written.”
Check out Common’s interview with Men’s Health below:
This isn’t the first time the 51-year-old MC has credited Nas with changing his outlook. Speaking to the Bridge Podcast last year, Common said of God’s Son: “His mentality was on a whole other level, so it just made me start thinking on a different level. Illmatic is one of those things, it was like, okay — and I was probably 20, 21 — that was like life changing for me.”
The rap veterans have collaborated twice over their careers. In 2004, Common and Nas were featured on the remix of Jadakiss’ “Why?” alongside Stypes P and Anthony Hamilton. A few years later, in 2011, Common dropped The Dreamer/The Believer, which featured Nas on the track “Ghetto Dreams.”
The pair were even in talks to do a joint album, Nas Dot Com, which Common spoke about with NME in 2019.
“We actually talked about doing an album together,” he told the outlet. “We were gonna call it Nas Dot Com, but we just never buckled down to do it. We never really sat down and started working on it. And to be honest, a lot of my time and focus was on finishing films.”
No. 6 and no. 1 on my top 10 list. Thought we were gonna get an album after that Ghetto Dreams joint.
I didn’t expect an album simply bc I don’t think Common is capable of rapping on the same level as Nas. Common is an amazing MC but Nas is a God Tier MC and lyrical giant, respected from all arenas. Common is better at being Common on a solo project and for that we respect 🫡 him
I’d rather see another Distant Relatives album than any other Nas collab album. Him and Damien Marley sounded unreal together.
For real! That should’ve been Nas’s first Grammy. Instead they give it to him for his weakest album since Nastradamus.
I need either Nas and Az or my most requested Nas and Rakim collab album
You clearly never listened to common! Total disrespect! That joint album would more substance than the last 20 yrs of hip-hop combined!
Facts!!
Is Common a Legend? I’m on the fence.
A Chi Town legend if nothing else
Both you and Jesse James sound a little bitter hate in y’all text give that man his respect chumps.
I’m just asking the question punk, you’re the hater.
@ The enforcer No hate. I fuck with common. Chi town legend isn’t a bad thing but I don’t think he is considered a legend in the universal sense.
Bullshit,but Nas won’t do an album with AZ smh I could figure out why
those photos really don’t fit well with the description in that tweet….
Love nas , common is awesome too shout to nore!!!
I get Common point. It’s all love but fact is he know Nas got more joints than “One love” on more albums than “Illmatic” that speak to his spirit. Godson whole catalogue filled with classics with deep messages that speak to the people.
Common has made some great albums throughout his career. ONE DAY… is his best for me though.
Represent is my favorite Nas song of all time.
I think Naz and Common wouldn’t put out nothing if it wasn’t fire. There styles are different but the same.
But someone else I would like to hear. A naz and krs one on something. These too intelligent minds. Would make history.
Ain’t no time like the present! I would love to hear a collaborative effort between these two distinguished gentlemen. Their perspective is greatly needed for those who lack maturity and those who don’t. They would influence the future world, most definitely in a positive way!
I second that motion
I second that motion!!
I can see Nas doing a collab album wit a few but my top 5 of I think of possible would be 1/Tupac, 2/Scarface,3/Rakim,4/Big Pun, now 5 is kinda hard I have quite a few in mind for the 5th spot and they are Eminem,DMX, Ja Rule and Jadakiss, Beans, Lil Wayne, Big L, D.O.C., Ice Cube,Andre 3000, Styles P,Kanye or Ye,AZ, T.I.,Juvey, possibly The Game or E-40 and Bun B and that’s it give me some BIG LIKE AND PICK WHO U THINK