Common Names Nas As His Favorite Rapper

    Common most recently collaborated with Nas on the new single “Ghetto Dreams,” but his respect for the Queens, New York native runs deep. Speaking with MSNBC, the Chicago, Illinois rapper named Nas as his favorite rapper, explaining that his lyrics will stand the test of time.

    “I would say Nas, that’s my favorite rapper. It’s tough, because [Jay-Z] is one of the greatest and many can argue,” he said, “but Nas is so poetic with it and I feel like his lyrics, you can write them down on paper and they will last for time. It would be like literature that we read.”

    Common most recently released his memoir One Day It’ll All Make Sense and is currently recording his upcoming album The Dreamer, The Believer, which will hit stores this fall.

    RELATED: Common Speaks On The Book Writing Process, E-Reader Trend

    52 thoughts on “Common Names Nas As His Favorite Rapper

    1. Common is absolutley right, in fact Nas’ “N.Y. State of Mind” is one of the few rap songs in the Anthology of African American Literature. He along with Biggie’s “Things Done Changed”, Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message”, etc. are IN A BOOK STUDIED BY COLLEGE STUDENTS. LONG LIVE HIP-HOP!!

      1. Nas is aiiight but Lonnie has ZERO credibility on any fucking subject. Gil Scott-Heron dead is 100 times smarter, funnier, more insightful than this prick is alive.

    2. Taste and preference is subjective, so everyone has a different take on hip-hop’s GOAT, but I feel there’s a sheep-like mentality when people compile these lists. Nas’ a worthy contender for the title, although I’m more partial to MF Doom, Cube, Big L, Inspectah Deck, KRS and Kool Keith. New cats in the game capable of joinin’ this illustrious list are Invincible, Homeboy Sandman, Blu, Ill Bill, eLZhi and Jay Electronica if he ever gets round to releasin’ an album.

      1. Mf doom? its been a minute since i last saw Vaugn mentioned on any list.Truth b told few ron his level when it comes to word play cant stop listening to trap door,drum stix,sofa king

    3. did Common really say that or was it ** HIS WHITE GHOST WRITER **?

      Fucking numbnuts think he’s some ‘great lyricist’ (he’s not) and yet he has to hire a WHITE BOY to write his bullshit book (that nobody– let alone black youth– will read.)

      Shut the fuck up Lonnie and make “Universal Mind Control II,” which if your true level.

      1. Lot’s of entertainers get Help writing their books it is nothing new. It is only new to retards like you who don’t READ. And you say nobody will read his book but guess what I am a young black male who HAS and is reading his book, SO stop hating cus its not a good look. If nobody is gonna read his book then why is he a New York times bestseller?

    4. Nas is definitely top 3 of all time! Right now in 2011 Jay-z has become one of the most overrated rappers in the game. Post Black album Jay sucks! Get over it haters!

    5. Lonnie hires WHITE ghost writers– this asshole has ZERO cred on any subject.

      Tell us how you didn’t write a book again, Lonnie?

    6. If you like storytelling and substance there definitely isn’t any greater. He can also spit raw rap good as well. Only think letting him down are his beats. 3 of my favourite albums (it was written, illmatic and stillmatic) came from nas. People all have their favourite mc’s though. Eminem for the energy he brings, lil Wayne for production and fun..whatever. I don’t mind Wayne and eminem…they bring something else to the table and who am I to judge and take an elitist stance.

      1. lil wayne doesn’t produce. its most times the executive producer on the LP and a combination of the label and reps telling lil wayne what his sound should be on the album…beat choice and solid beats are left for the mixtapes nowadays

    7. why the fuck does a “writer” like Lonnie claims to be need a GHOST writer, let alone a WHITE boy– like black folks don’t have a difficult time enough as it is?

      Lonnie was, is and always will be a fraud, worst “conscious” soul, r&b or crapper ever but oooh, he sho’ make guilty white folks feel a lil’ better.

      every verse from every Brand Nubian record >>>> this douche.

    8. if Lonnie could read, he’d read Nas, is that what he’s saying?

      Maybe that’s why Lonnie needed a WHITE GHOST WRITER?!

      Dipshit.

    9. krs 1
      eminem
      nas
      black thought
      big l
      big pun
      pac
      big
      wu tang
      ll cool j *if it wasnt for all those slow shit* still goat
      crooked i
      royce
      lupe _new artis pick

      thats my list n order

    10. Funny thing is both Common and Nas are my two favorite rappers period. I was too excited when they did that Ghetto Dreams track. Both of them are very lyrical. Nas’ flow doesn’t get boring unlike some of these rappers out here. I can listen to his past albums Over and Over and never get bored. I like Common’s music because it doesn’t sound like anything else that is being put out right now.

    11. What does it matter if he has a ghostwriter? That’s a ridiculously common practice for biographies. And if he’s white? Christ, are we really going there? Hip Hop helps brings races together and actual positive hip hop expands the mind to an even greater degree so take that ignorant and negative shit out of here!

    12. Nas
      Biggie
      Black Thought
      Rakim
      Andre 3000
      UGK
      Jay-Z
      Raekwon
      Method man
      Ghostface killah
      Guru
      Kanye
      Big L
      2pac

      Best new artist – Big K.R.I.T.
      Most slept on – REKS

      1. Kanye DOES belong into EVERY SINGLE Hip Hop list. Best discography ever.

        Props for mentioning Reks, but Vakill is even better.

    13. Yes, it is possible for an artist to make political or topical statements in their songs. There is a rapper named Nas who has numerous songs that speak of today’s society, and the realities of life. One song I remember when I was younger was, “If I ruled the World”. This song made statements concerning slavery, but also the lack of true freedom in today’s culture. Today Nas still makes music that educates today’s society, but the rap that makes little sense is getting more attention. Some start off just as Nas looking to add meaning to life, but once their overlooked they turn to what’s popular. Yesterday, while watching the Grammy awards Nas was overlooked again, but the expression upon his face was that of peace and humility, because he still has his dignity. The thing I love about Nas, is the fact that no matter how much he has been rejected by certain people in society he remains to be consistent in what he believes. In my heart he cares for the people to much to see them go under a scope of ignorance

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