Nas has been in the Hip Hop game for over two decades, all because he hasn’t fallen out of love with rapping. During an interview with Muve Music while at SXSW, Esco explained how many people think they’re relevant just because they exist, but that he stays important to Hip Hop because he focuses on being honest with himself.

“So many people think they’re relevant because they’re still alive. That’s not the case. Just because they stay alive, doesn’t make you relevant. Your music should mean something, and that’s what I always try to do. I don’t work hard on anything other than being me, and if that resonates and they say that’s relevant, that’s official. I get that question from so many people, ‘What makes you so relevant today when they’re not relevant?’”

Nas had released his latest single “The Don” the day before the interview, speaking on the immediate effect that it’s had on New York and U.K. markets.

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“‘The Don’ dropped last night in New York and the U.K. It’s been really big. It’s just about music and the business and showing a lot of little guys out there that you can still say what you mean, feel free to do whatever you want to do and be happy. I just feel good to wake up and say, ‘I want to make music and somebody wants to hear it.’ It feels good that I still want to make music. That’s it. I don’t want any other accolades. I love that I love the music so much that I still want to continue make it.”

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