Ahead of the Grammy Awards coming up later in March, Financial Times sat down with Nas for an all-encompassing interview regarding his historic career, shrewd business ventures and the New York legend even provided commentary on what he thinks about today’s iteration of Hip Hop.
As far as the modern generation of rappers, Nas isn’t knocking their ability, but their output isn’t exactly “keeping him up at night” recounting lyrics in his head.
“I appreciate what’s out there, but there’s no one keeping me up at night,” he explained. “I hear a new rap record and think it’s great, but I don’t listen to it the next week.”
If there’s one rhymer that caught his ear, it was fellow New Yorker Pop Smoke. Nas is even open to the idea of one day hopping on a drill beat.
“We were happy to see that young king come up,” he said of the late rapper who was killed in February 2020 at the age of 20. “He was a breath of fresh air. The drill movement in London, Chicago and New York is really exciting.”
On Wednesday (March 3), Billboard announced Pop’s posthumous debut Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon earned a 17th week at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, which marks the longest stay at the apex since 1990.
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Nearly 30 years into his Hip Hop journey, Nas continues to adapt with the times even with all of the previous success he’s enjoyed. His 2020 King’s Disease album is nominated in the Best Rap Album category at the 2021 Grammy Awards. It would mark his first Grammy trophy if he pulls off the victory. He earned a nomination for HipHopDX’s Comeback of the Year as well.
“The business is hard and not many artists make it,” he said in a message directed at aspiring creatives. “But as long as you keep your soul, so long as you are happy knowing you contributed something positive to the atmosphere, then you can’t lose. No one gets out unscathed, you know. There’s going to be some turbulence, but you’re here to make music, change lives and help people.”
The words of a legend can never set you wrong. It’s easy to tell that he’s at a point in his career where nothing phases him. Salut the King Nasir. God Son for the win!
not even kendrick who is light yrs ahead of him
Light years ahead of Nas? Hahahahahaahahahahahaha
Come on Batty Boi killa, you’re actually stating Kendrick’s better than Nas? How old are you young king?
Nas’ worst song is 1000 times better than Kendrick’s best. Stop playing.
You have to be 5 years old!
A 5 year old would not think Nas is better than Kendrick. Stop playing!
Sorry…
Because you were born yesterday , don’t mean u think otherwise hahha you were owned , stop acting dumb , nas is always going to be better
Because you were born yesterday , don’t mean u think otherwise hahha you were owned , stop acting dumb , nas is always going to be better
Kendrick’s first album is over a decade old. He’s 33 himself. He’s not exactly a new generation rapper.
You know nothing about Nas and his whereabouts! He gives you no Lead! The Firm
Nas wasn’t knocking anyone. I personally give newer rap a chance but I’m not really into much of it myself. I do appreciate the hustle of the new generation. Musically, I just can’t connect. I like how he has class. We need more like Nas. He’s definitely in my top 5!
You know jay z ethers him to this very day
Lmao the whole term “ethering” comes from Nas his Jay Z diss called Ether. Wtfym
You wish!
You are retarded with no brain , nas fucl and killed jay up and even jay couldn’t sleep and he was a nas fan from day one lol
Kendrick is not new to the rap scene, Nas is a fan of Kendrick. No new school rapper is doing bits of Nas’ calibre.
Nas sucks. The only reason he keeps making albums is because Kelis has him by the balls paying out the ass for child support hahahaha nas will never be top 10 or even top 20. Homeboy is trash!!
You represent the poison that’s invaded hip hop. Soft ass trolls who have no love for it and instead of respecting it, say stupid dumb shit bc they really don’t fit in.
If Nas sucks then every rapper before and after him sucks! Period! Nas is the GOAT.
nas is a goat. gayest of all time.
nas is a goat. gayest of all time. horrible rapper though
Look at the face that just said this ridiculous a$$ COMMENT ??? Can’t even take that TMZ talk outta his mouth. Dumb a$$ millennial. Lil do he kno NAS is IN his favorite mummble rappers top FIVE! #FUKUKNOBOUTHIPHOP
he is just simply telling the truth
I agree King Nas!
Love Nas man! The last real MC alive and that is is official.
Nas was right more than 10 years ago; HIPHOP IS DEAD!
You tell that reporter Nasir! Music today is trash!!!!
He ain’t say that at all
He deserves One million grammies if possible comparing Nas with Any Rapper is disrespectful but since industry is bought with money Connections And cabal am not surprised that he has never bagged grammy before dammmmmmmn am speechless (That Uncle Name Is Rap) i don’t even know what to call him
Hey bro!! Every white and Arab female want lips like his, gahhhdammit
Proud of Nas. Amma die heart fan man. Peace G.O.A.T. Nigeria loves U.
NAS is definitely telling the truth KING’S DISEASE best rap album I hope ?? he wins this time
Akthesavior, Denzel Curry, Mick Jenkins Dot Domo, Joeybadass, Issa Gold, Mavi, are some of the new artist holding down the essence of HipHop imo.
Nope! Never heard of them because all sound the same.
You got Brooklyn in your name but never heard of Joey Badass smdh
You are a 5 year old kid! Bye! Speak facts or do not say anything at all.
Because Joey Badass is a terrible rapper! I don’t give a rats ass where I am from. If it is trash I am not listening!!!
I dare you to actually listen to them and say that again.
Nas had one of the worst selling rap albums of last year, how is he not feeling pressure from new artists?
You are not getting the point! This is what he is talking about! You will take record sales over quality work. Get the bag generation but career will be short. King Disease is nominated for a Grammy. Now tell us why? Where are the new generation’s albums? Do you get it? Quality over sales fool. This is why Nas is so relevant all these years. Think about it before you write or speak on a topic!
Nas is trying his hardest to recreate Jay Z’s blueprint. Kanye produced albums, No I’d produced albums and now Hit Boy smh Esco will always be number 2 to Hov. It took him almost 30 years to release a album independently on his own label
Not hearing you bruh! You are just writing. You are going down to a comparison topic now. You are lost in the conversation. Furthermore, if you think Jay’s Blueprint album is better than illmatic, you are dumber than I expected! Sorry
What?
Lol one of the worst selling albums. You’re telling your age son.
I have no idea what his album sold, but Nas has already sold 30 million records globally, he has nothing left to prove. Most rappers will never sell that many records. Nas doesn’t care about sales anymore, his last lp dropped on his indie label with no major label partnership.
You are the most dumbest idiot , i have ever seen on this platform and how do you cope at home and it shows your have no brains or probably you are 12 , u serious need to be cursed out , cuz u are dumb and I don’t the kind of work to describe you with , it is pointless for me talking about nas with u
How many rappers survived hip hop for decades? Only Nas and Jay Z… Nas is so correct with his statement. Pop Smoke is the only one I feel was different and sound incredible. It was like when 50 Cent first appeared on the rap set. We all feel you Nas!!! This new generation Z sucks!!! Think about this before you respond to this!!! Name a rapper in this generation will be like Nas or Jay Z just in rap music alone? We are only talking about rap music ok! I’ll pick quality over sales anyway. Longevity wins! One hit record won’t!!!
The millennial era of rappers was the last decent era in hiphop. I’m not the biggest fan of artists like Drake, Kendrick, Tyler, ASAP, Cole, Meek, Big Sean, Cudi, Wale etc but their music was at least passable. These gen Z rappers are terrible and all of them are shooting each other to death or overdosing on drugs. Hiphop is dead at this point.
Hiphop ain’t dead Nas still alive
I have been feeling Nas as the best rapper after 2pac. motherfucking Grammy been giving wak rappers their awards and now that Kanye has peed on Their trophy they gonna recognize the real. Fuck Grammy Nas is still the G.O.A.T even if he never won a Grammy
Nas was always the best rapper alive.
As you mature, you see why he is the GOAT. Even when Tupac and Biggie was alive he was the GOAT.
Why would he, they all suck
I since nas haters
Nas has been in this rap game for 4 decades!!! 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. Folks, we are talking about true and real rap music here!!! 4 decades… Nas is incredible!!! Folks, think about all the rap greats and your top 5 dead or alive. They are no longer in the rap game or dead! Think about that stretch and run for Nas. If he is not in your top 5 it is pure hate or you just don’t no much about rap music! Nas is the King of rap! Besides Jay Z, I don’t see anyone that you can compare with this run and lyrically! Remember we are talking about decades of rap music!!! All your one hit wonders are gone! Old and new generation… Give Nas his flowers people!!!
Nas is the original sound of real soûl rap, if there is such à thing. He style is so Black like à Marvin Gaye song, you feeling it deep down in the soul of blackness, the pain, pride, and Joy of being à part of the original folks’…May God Bless Nas the King of Rap.
Nas stand alone, jay z can’t touch NAS. Nas is a man of wisdom of self knowledge…jay z don’t have a clue about self knowledge. Don’t get me wrong now, JZ music is nice to listen to, but, Nas teach in his rap songs about life wisdom in other words, it wakes you up to à higher consiousness, like 2pac music.