Nas In XXL Magazine

In Nas’ recent interview for XXL Magazine he speaks about his remarkable 20 year anniversary in Hip Hop and being considered an elder statesman in the game. He also touches on what influence he has had on the hip hop culture. Check the Excerpts Below:

How do you feel about the word “Ether” transitioning from being your song title to becoming slang?

That’s what hip-hop has always been. We have our own. It’s a culture thing. It’s a community thing, but it’s also a young people thing, and it’s also, it’s just the way. It’s the way things are. That’s how it’s always been in hip-hop.

You also had the “Black Republican” joint with Jay on the album. What was that session like?

It was a party. Not like tons of people. Easy party. That was actually us warming up to working together. We never got a chance. Maybe I over-thought it. I needed the beat. I mean, we needed the beat to be crazy. We wanted Dre to do it, then we wanted ‘Ye to do it. And I had a timeline and shit. It never would have came out, so I go back to the thought of, “This is rap music. This is bangin’ on the lunchroom table and makin’ a freestyle, so, don’t over-think it. Here it is. Take it, guys. This is what it is.” We wanted to get off a crazier joint, but never got around to it.

[XXL Magazine]