Thu 10 Jan 2013
Nas Reacts to Being Named ‘The Greatest Lyricist of All Time’ by CNN
Posted by Mikey Fresh under interview , videos[20] Comments
CNN’s recent article where they crowned Nas as The Greatest Lyricist of All Time caused quite of bit of conversation on this blog (everywhere else, too). It got heated, and probably won’t be settled any time soon. With that said, did you ever wonder what Nas thinks about the title. Well, last night Angie Martinez spoke to Nasir about what how feels about it. He was honored and couldn’t disagree, but remained humble. Check it out at the 5:30 mark.
“I don’t know if I’ve done my best. I think what’s next to come is crazy because the zone I’m in now is so right, that I’m just happy to be in this place to make music. I don’t know what just got into me but I love it. And, I’m a take advantage of the zone I’m in when I’m recording the next record. I feel like Ali.”
Watch the interview after the jump…
Related:
Debate This: CNN Calls Nas “The Greatest Lyricist of All Time”
Watch: Nas on His Musical Legacy, Fatherhood, Writing Process and More (Video)
January 10th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Shouts to Info – Hey Boo.
But yo,
I [don't] like where he’s at right now. He’s too soft, too conscious, too commercial, too happy.
I wonder what his daughter looks like.
I’m out
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V Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Well that was random lol.
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Hollywood Lo -- Southside Memphis, that is. Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
Hey yo, V
His daughter’s a cute girl,too. You gotta love google.
Fuck, I love google.
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bobby Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
its called maturity. every rapper from his generation is like that now. why rap about guns and hoes forever?
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Hollywood Lo -- Southside Memphis, that is. Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Like Nas would say, “To each his own.”
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Chase Greene Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 11:01 pm
You can’t be a successful rapper, born in 73′ and not have matured. He’s been there done that! If you think this grown man turned soft, its cause ur just not mature yourself. If u want a new gangster then go listen to trinidad james. One can’t get in the game in 94, BLOW UP then stay the SAME way in 2013! EVERYBODY CHANGES. ITS CALLED GROWING UP.
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Dre*Ali Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Hollywood Lo….it very sad that you “dont like (NaS) where he’s at right now” because he is being “conscious and happy”! I truly hope this is because of your age and lack of wisdom! Their is no greater feeling than PEACE and if you have ever experienced you would appreciate it tremedously when you saw it reflected out in the world! So I to wish you PEACE, WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING! Great post Info… very inspiring to see one of the Greatest MC still being relevant and not talking any dumbness!
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Hollywood Lo -- Southside Memphis, that is. Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
You know … like I stated in the latter response, to each his, or her, own.
… At the end of the day, [metaphorically], some niggas is on the side of the “Force,” and some niggas represent the “Dark Side.”
I’m entitled to my own, guinuine opinion; wouldn’t you agree?
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calm77 Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 5:07 pm
There is no greater feeling then peace…I dig what you saying my friend.
PEACE!
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Uptop Don Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 5:31 pm
His daughter was at the very end of Daughters video, when she drove off on Nas
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Hollywood Lo -- Southside Memphis, that is. Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Don,
… Didn’t catch the video or listen to song yet, because it sounds a little too positive for my taste.
Any song with a title like that, won’t get a click from me – there was no songs like that on Illmatic; he wasn’t writing songs to his little daughter back-in-the-day, he was writing kites to his homies in the “Pen.”
I’m not taking much away from Nas, because at moments he looks genius. But as of lately he looks lost and immature – [not] mature, Dre *Ali, and bobby (with a small “B”).
Personally, I’ve lost a lot of respect for him.
Maybe in another 10 years, or if he’s assassinated, or if somebody gives the CD to me for free (because I won’t even waste the download time and space on it)… I, then, might check out LIFE IS GOOD.
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Uptop Don Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
ahhh damn! what can i say except u missin out! its not all positive Nas on there (he damn sure aint got no “I know I can” tracks on there)…its some ignorant Nas on there too…but yea itll never be Illmatic again! u askin for too much…cant go back to the mindset of 19,20 yr old project nigga lol cmon now! but hey to each his own! life is good is dope and should score him his first grammys if these fools are on point with theirs
January 10th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
As a teenager in the 90s’ from Nigeria ; I listened to rappers like Nas and meditated in their lyrics every day. Now guess what? I became one of the best Rappers to come out of Africa and I have visited the whole world and currently based in the United Kingdom with some couple of millions in my bank account
All I’m trying to say is that if you appreciate junk or micro wave rap you may end up as a junkie. Rappers like Nas, Snoop Dogg, Tupac , Biggie, Wu Tang, Jay Z, KRS 1, Ice Cube etc helped to give most African rappers a strong Rap foundation to build our own rap culture from.
Thus, it’s very scary that the new crop of Rappers in America have not imbedded the school of thought of these legends. It’s really shocking that the new rappers of today don’t even care about lyrics any more, they don’t see biting another rappers’ style or rhymes as a crime no more. Well thanks to Nas and other real heads as I can confidently say the REAL hiphop has moved to Nigeria. It’s so funny how Nigeria always comes into the picture
But if you doubt me; then ask about Festac Town, in Lagos State Nigeria. That’s the Mecca of real Hiphop right now. We were all schooled and mentored by the lyrics of the above mentioned legends.
Peace I’m out.
Salty Dogg
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Dre*Ali Reply:
January 11th, 2013 at 2:21 am
Hey Salty Dogg…if thats how you came up on your Hip Hop I would love to hear what the product of that sound like!…where can I get a listen?
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January 11th, 2013 at 12:48 am
i will bet that the new album he is about to record be released in april 2014. any one wanna take me up on it ? i honestly want it to drop in early fall , but i doubt it. i’d wait if he takes his time , does it right with his beat selection , and lets people hear what the best lyricist of all time sounds like. i also think some where jay-z is mad. and he got kanye and his other producers cooking heat. i think 2013 gonna be a amazing year for music.
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Dre*Ali Reply:
January 11th, 2013 at 2:25 am
Hey man if his next joint can top “Life is Good” I can wait until 2015! He has some much great past material that could hold me down for 2 life times! NaS is like one of a very select few MC’s that has SONGS better than artist whole entire musical catalogs!
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January 11th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
NaS deserves it brO he’s my favorite lyricist of all times it is what it is just don’t question Jay about it lol
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Hollywood Lo -- Southside Memphis, that is. Reply:
January 11th, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Jay?
Who?
Ooooooh. You mean “Lefty” … from “Donnie Brasco” – the guy who let the rat into the organization.
Yea, he might have something to say about that.
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January 13th, 2013 at 10:10 pm
COntroversy? why? Who is better honestly? I love BIggie, but he was out for two years heavy and killed. Pac, dead. From Wu Tang, Ja, DMX, 50, Dre, Snoop, Nas has maintained his sexy, his lyricism, his credibility and his relevance without having to be a mogul or cash cow to be worshipped. People are simply into him as a person, as an artist, as a man and nothing else. He is truly your favorite mc’s favorite mc. Don’t fight it, embrace it. Nas is the greatest! Point blank and a period.
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January 14th, 2013 at 7:55 am
@Salty Dogg we aint heard of you in Africa though! Am a hiphop fan/writer/activist from Uganda. Where ya music at? Don’t get me wrong, doug!
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