Nas Celebrates 20 Years in Hip-Hop, Interviewed by Tyler, the Creator in New XXL
Nasty Nas covers XXL‘s November 2011 issue, hitting newsstands nationwide on October 25…
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This is a special year for Nas, who has a few anniversaries to celebrate including the release of his first verse ever. The Queensbridge poet, who’s gearing up for the release of his 10th solo album, Life Is Good, helped to pioneer shock rap with his timeless breakout verse on 1991’s “Live at the Barbeque,” with lines like “When I was 12, I went to hell for snuffing Jesus.” With that in mind, XXL recruited a new controversial MC, Odd Future’s frontman Tyler, the Creator, who’s a longtime Nas fan, to interview the veteran MC for the November issue’s cover story.
Who would have guessed the two rappers would have hit it off so well. Throughout an in-dept interesting conversation that lasted over an hour-and-a-half, Nas and Tyler touched on a variety of topics including: music, religion, family, decision making, drugs, the Internet, and even Star Wars. But it all started with Tyler telling Nas, which of the rap vet’s CDs he likes best.
“God’s Son is my favorite album by you,” Tyler said. “And my second is probably Street’s Disciple,” he continued.
“Get the fuck outta here,” Nas responded.
Awkward and quirky exchanges aside, the discussion quickly picked up with the 20-year-old Tyler asking Nas for advice.
“You, Em, Jay, Snoop, like, you guys all started when you was exactly my age,” Tyler said. “The fact that you guys are still here makes me just always think, like, Fuck, could I?”
“Oh, you definitely can,” Nas replied. “Someone like you is, you’re interesting, for a lot of reasons. So someone like you, you can’t wait to see what’s next.”
And the topics continued to get deeper as the conversation went on.
“Are you, like—this question might catch you off guard, but I ask myself this—like, when you wake up, like, are you happy,” Tyler asked. “Like, are you satisfied how everything turned out?”
“Dawg, I was naming my album Life Is Good because of how happy I am about how happy things have turned out,” Nas answered. “Sometimes I may wake up and wish my kids were living with me. That’s the only thing, you know what I mean? Our loved ones that are not around no more, like my mom. That’s the only thing. But other than that, everything is great, even when I’m alone. Even when there’s no one around.”
Along with the massive story on Nas—which includes a story on the Queens rapper reflecting on the 20-year, 15-year, 10-year and 5-year anniversary of his respective milestone releases, “Live at the Barbeque”, It Was Written, Stillmatic and Hip Hop Is Dead.
XXL’s November issue also has an interview with the undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige where 20 different MCs including Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Wiz Khalifa and DMX, got to ask the R&B legend anything they wanted.
In addition, the forthcoming issue includes a roundtable discussion with Maino and a handful of the industry heavyhitters, for the Brooklyn MC to ask advice on the eve of the release of his sophomore album, The Day After Tomorrow.
XXL’s November issue also has features with 2 Chainz, Yelawolf and Styles P, a review of Wale’s first LP for Maybach Music, Ambition, and much, much more.
Be sure to pick up XXL’s November issue, hitting newsstands nationwide on October 25. —XXL Staff
Nas did not help pioneer “shock” rap. Please stop just talking for the sake of talking.
Anywayz, I am really feeling Nas new single “Nasty”. If that is truly a sign of things to come Nas is about to hit his 3rd wind.
you’re an idiot
you are not feeling the single Nasty because your ear is not for Hip Hop..it is for the BS that is out here…corny ass dudes with tight pants…that is cool..more great music for the real lovers of the music and culture!….WAKE UP!
True.. Those are the same dudes that sound like bitches whining when they rappin
F@CK THAT TICNITTY bitch-nicca … if u listernin to soulja boi o them wack new rappers … Nas is the homie “the nicca came out wit illmatic his 1st album with no guest app and source mag gave it 5 mics” did u get that 5mics bitch #believe dat ….. the only rapper fighting bubble gum rappers “poet” “music that saves the nation”"that educates”
Nas didnt help usher in shock rap? “when I was 12 I went to hell for snuffin jesus” might seem light to day, but in ’89 that type of shit was a shock, “Im waving automatic guns at nuns” – ’90, two of Nas’ most popular “shock” rhymes and many more you just gotta go listen bro
yes he did, he started stuff like tht before big l and co took it up
Damn, that cover is fucking great.
oh no… Nas likes Tyler? Im excited for Nas.Com to come out! Nas & Common
Tyler won’t be around in 2 years. That’s just the truth.
Wow you must be a psychic. The dude’s been getting bigger and bigger since 2009 and has a lot of creativity building up and he won’t be here in 2 years because you don’t like him? Oh my god, you’re magic!
This is the first time im hearing about this dude…he looks like a fool