Nas and 21 Savage have joined forces on a new song following the Slaughter Gang rapper’s controversial comments about Nas’ relevancy.
Released late Tuesday (November 29), “One Mic, One Gun,” finds the two Grammy-winning MCs putting on a public display of unity while bridging a wider generational gap within Hip Hop.
From Queensbridge to Atlanta, Nas and 21 run a two-man weave over bouncy, triumphant production from Hit-Boy, trading complementary verses throughout the almost three minute-long track.
A repentant 21 Savage kicks things off by walking back his previous remarks about Nas, declaring: “When you turn a legend, no such thing as relevance.”
The Her Loss hitmaker goes on to refer to him and Nas as “the Capo” and “the Don,” while stating his intentions to follow in Esco’s footsteps, both as an artist and businessman.
“My net worth like eight-figures, I’m working on getting me nine,” he raps, before adding: “I ain’t going against no legend, n-gga, I’m trying to be next in line.”
Nas, meanwhile, reminds listeners about his status as a G.O.A.T. in the rap game while touting some of his recent accomplishments, referencing his N.Y. State of Mind Tour with Wu-Tang Clan and King’s Disease trilogy with Hit-Boy.
The 49-year-old also thumbs his nose at the culprits who burglarized his Los Angeles home earlier this month: “They just ran in one of my cribs and took what? I replaced it (Haha) / Two Caucasians up out of their faces / Most of y’all assumed that they was black, it’s exploitation / They ain’t know that I see everything, invested in Ring.”
Elsewhere, he urges 21 Savage and Kodak Black, who have sparred in recent weeks over 21’s comments about Nas’ relevancy and a potential Verzuz battle, to mend fences before closing out the track by saying: “Two kings… We’re sending love to the whole culture… 21, Esco… Mass Appeal, Slaughter Gang… This shit too easy, king.”
“One Mic, One Gun” was announced just hours before its release, with Nas sharing the cover art on Instagram along with the following message: “Only way we moving is with love, respect and unity. The foundational principles of hip hop. Excited to collaborate with my young brother and I hope more artist use turbulent moments and turn them into a time to make new art. That’s what it’s about.”
The song comes after 21 Savage questioned Nas’ relevancy in the current rap landscape during a Clubhouse call shortly after the release of the Queensbridge MC’s latest album King’s Disease 3.
“I don’t feel like he’s relevant,” he said amid a discussion about veteran rappers. “He’s not. He just has a loyal-ass fanbase and he still makes good-ass music. But relevant? Nah.”
21 later clarified his comments on Twitter, writing: “I would never disrespect nas or any legend who paved the way for me y’all be tryna take stuff and run with it.”
However, that didn’t stop the flood of negative reactions, with the likes of Hit-Boy, Kodak Black, Fivio Foreign and Michael Rapaport criticizing his statement.
Even Nas himself appeared to respond to the controversy by posting a photo of himself on Instagram along with a caption that read: “LOVE,” accompanied by a crying face emoji.
Following the release of “One Mic, One Gun,” Hit-Boy shared a video on Instagram capturing Nas’ initial reaction to hearing the beat in the studio. In the clip, an amped-up Nas yells out “hold up!” before saying into the camera: “I think we’re gonna kidnap the rap game for a little while.”
“Nas called me a few days after KD3 dropped and said ‘cook a joint for me and 21,'” Hit explained in the caption. “this was his reaction first time hearing the beat.”
This deserves no negative comments whatsoever. Take notes…nothing wrong with being the bigger person and trying to bring unity
Agreed, 21 savage a good dude for letting Nas get on his track. Dudes been underground for years, nobody even knows bout his new album. Glad the popular cats can share the limelight a bit.
And that’s why Nas is a legend. We’ve had GOAT status rappers going at young rappers for a couple decades now over perceived and actual disrespect (KRS-One / Nelly comes immediately to mind). Who else would shake it off, reach out, and craft a slight into art?
This is a true OG move. He’s been working with almost everybody from the new generation. It’s fascinating.
This was a industry move not a OG move. Doing a song with him doesn’t take away the disrespect that was already laid down, just because he walked it back because fans got on his head doesn’t change it. A OG move would be to go do a song with somebody you think is talented, that may not have a strong following or fanbase that shows respect to the ones that paved the way, to help grow their presence in hiphop. But that doesn’t work because that artist doesn’t have a big enough following or he is not mainstream. Nas is extremely dope and the king disease collection has been really good, but Nas did this because it creates a story and dude just drop a album with Drake that was hot on the charts. Entertainment is about illusion. This song was a business move, and it’s ok to know that and still rock with the person because you like their work, but some of y’all are so easy manipulated and believe everything these people say it’s wild.
Nas needs to be doing records with talented mcs not clowns like 21. Acting like he represents the young generation is a joke. Him and Russ are the same age. rather hear Nas with Russ who has bars not 21 who is an embarrasement when forced to rhyme lyrical words
Russ is as lyrical as 21. Both not so much. Still love this collab. Stop hating. But agree that Nas needs to collab with the likes of Kendrick, JID, Cole, Denzel Curry etc.
Dope
And it’ll forever be remembered as the worst feat Nas ever allowed on a track
Bigger goal tho
O yea, I forget hiphop is the most childish stars ever who “beef”. I love hiphop, but in this day n age the shits just sad and cringe
This shit got a bounce to it. Dope song
21 just didn’t fit on this song, no matter what the goal was. It actually does him a disservice because it just further elevates the notion of the non rapping ability. You can unite and show respect to each other without doing a song. Should have been a complete Nas song, production was on point this would have fit perfect on his next project.
Hip hop isn’t as fun without some kinda beef going. A diss track or lyrical ass whoopin’ to teach the young kid woulda been nice.
21 just didn’t fit on this song, no matter what the goal was. It actually does him a disservice because it just further elevates the notion of the non rapping ability. You can unite and show respect to each other without doing a song. Should have been a complete Nas song, production was on point this would have fit perfect on his next project.
Doesn’t surprise me that Nas does a song with 21 savage. The newer generation is rewarded for ignorance and being disrespectful.
Beat was banging subject matter was supreme but the follow thru was awkard. seem like
the chemistry just wasn’t there like it was forced.
Nas should have kept this one for himself could have showed unity by just sending a IG shoutout or something no need for a wasted track.
You niggaz is weird. The song is dope. If you don’t like that Nas collaborated with him, so what. You can’t tell Nas what he should or shouldn’t do. Well, I take that back, you can say it, but don’t nobody give a fuqq about your opinion. Beautiful move.
Overall song is cool but it’s brutal trying to listen to 21 Savage he can’t rap! But if he is going to be showing legends respect than I’m all for it.
Savage BODIED Nas on this track lmaooo. Nas on that eminem rapping rap BS. Nobody wanna hear that, hence the album sales of both artists proving so. Sl21 savage ftw. Nas washed up n a one trick Pony. Only old ppl listen to that ish.
Quit ya Crying,… it can only get you but so far.Lmao yo, Nobody upvoting your wackass attention seeking comment says it all here.21 savage is Garbage Truck Dumpster Juice corny.
Why can’t today’s rappers leave the beef and team up..