Illmatic XX | Nas | Talks at Google

Nas stopped by Google NYC to discuss the release of his Illmatic XX album and have a chat with Sacha Jenkins from Mass Appeal. Click here to buy the album: goo.gl/YMFsuR
Nas is a Queens Born rapper, songwriter, actor, producer and entrepreneur. He was ranked number 5 on MTV's list of The Greatest MCs of All time and number 2 on The Source's Top 50 Lyricists of All time. Nas has six number 1 albums on the Billboard 200, same as Eminem and Kanye West for 2nd of all time among rappers.
Hosted by Alan Seales
Produced by Lee Stimmel
Video Direction by David Rosenberg
Audio by Jordan Adamson

[@ntaliyanezulu2965]

The Poet who maintained the balance between fame and originality

[@CreativeLaelAsif]

Ntaliyane Zulu yea real shyt

[@kaiden355]

Facts

[@Noob12369]

his poetry is deep he never fails, nas' raps should be locked in a cell. :)

[@GTD9002]

Nas is like the Bob Marley of rap.

[@kan50805]

@@Noob12369 it ain’t hard to tell

[@doloresmgonzalez1017]

This man is so smart, in ways you don’t even think. He can sit down in every community and have something intelligent to say but in a way that crowd hears him. He’s talking at Google here, he sat down with scholars at Harvard but he can still stand on the block and be relevant. That’s extremely powerful. He reaches across culture, race, and economic borders. He’s smart enough to observe the music industry deep enough to foresee the downfalls and knows how to avoid them. 👑

[@Ashley-de3jj]

He has a Strong spiritual insight as well….

[@nuggetz9380]

Thats why he is the goat

[@bsmi1361]

to me nas is the greatest to ever do it dead or alive.

[@crisleroi299]

THE GREATEST! Best overall MC in terms of message, lyricism, and flow.

[@brokenalgorithm]

yes for sure

[@SovietBaconPig]

I can only agree

[@ugoa.k.atbonenwaogazi591]

Is any one in question?

[@hjk3351]

Nas is #1 period. Truly.

[@wrk86]

Love it how he always choose his words wisely.

[@walterwaterz3872]

dreadstyler / With his barz, he is used to it.

[@daniegabby]

I wasn't born when Illmatic dropped, but listening to it now and to hear my mom (36 yrs old) rapping every song is amazing! This record speaks to so many generations. I love the essence of true hip-hip. Nas = Greatest MC

[@MelficeSephiroth]

That's beautiful!

[@Albanstabil]

Great Mom.

[@glamazongoddess1124]

How old are you

[@jacksoninc.4062]

If this not a cap, imma go steal her

[@fletchernorwood445]

That's amazing!!

[@bankrow]

Nas was GRANTED eternal youth. That's what you get for never selling out and staying true to the game + never complaining about it and only dissing those that deserved it. Best dead or alive by far, respect.

I really think that Nas is not only a great artist, but also a special person. I live in Austria and here Hip Hop is not actually a genre that is represented much and I don't notice a lot of things that go on in the Hip Hop world in America, since I'm too far away and the information doesn't spread on to me. So, watching this interview, watching this man talk about his life, his record, the people he worked with, and so on, this actually gave me an amazing view into the life and way of a big artist, as Nas is, and shows me how he isn't that different from anyone of us writing lyrics, writing poetry, living what is meant to be in an 'artful' way. I, too, write myself and I just find it so inspirational to hear about all the stuff he has to say, and you can tell there is a lot on his mind, and all you're catching on the radio over here is trashy commercial music, that doesn't have that depth and sense that Hip Hip actually means to represent. Finally, what I want to point out to is that it's sad that at some places, like my home Austria, you just can't get in touch with people like Nas, who with their words can change the way of thinking of a person and can bring sympathy and understanding of some kind, and that's why to me Hip Hop is a feeling that certainly goes all around the world, but, however, still 'lives' in the United States, where you have the actual access to that culture and way of living and their representatives.

[@boomelyh3llik]

illmatic will forever stand as the seminal album from the realest period in hip hop history

[@lynwilson9259]

Nas is so special. There will NEVER be another Nas.

[@KoolIsKeith]

Nas is so relaxing to listen to. I think he should narrate audiobooks, haha. Congratulations to Nas, celebrating 20 years of Illmatic.

[@Eastpointe]

Exactly!

[@WandileChamane]

this guy makes me understand hip hop, the intellect behind it, the message, mosdef, talib kwali etc, the music moves you and yet educates you, i will never stop listening to old school it calms me down, i become at peace

[@FinessedAnalyzer]

Why must people always consider Nas to be "high as hell" during his interviews? Can't he just be a naturally laid back individual?

[@LouManahtii]

check me out harriet drugman real rap shit

[@haroo86]

exactly, or his tired from travelling as well. Getting up early, you know

[@tr1ck321]

or that's how he presents himself during interviews so that he is more at ease

[@MrLeSa95]

Nas is a very laidback person.He's like this in every interview

[@blah9664]

Hell yea..I be wondering that too...like that man just stay high ...smh

[@crisleroi299]

Damn. Nas is like 40 and he doesnt look a day over 30. What kind of kush is he smokin? Greatest MC of all times dead or alive.

[@Thedetoxman]

How to Eat The Live Book is the name of his Diet. Same with Rakim, & Common.

[@markb9907]

+Cris LeRoi It's a huge relief to see I ain't alone. Too many people underrate Nas.

[@KenTheAdventurer]

You mean he's like Iron Mike, messiah-type

[@alaza61]

How many times we gotta say it??? BLACK DON'T CRACK.

[@DIGIHENDRIX300]

#rockstargimmedat kush lol

[@WestAucklandRhymes]

Nas' response to why rappers are more entrepreneurial than other artists is fucking amazing. nas is a true gentleman, rapper and intellectual - a trio of things that not many people can claim to be

[@jideolu1612]

Fucking Right!!

[@stollinroned5090]

+WestAucklandRhymes Thug dressed like a gentleman

[@d.shereelife377]

Nas smooth calm demeanors is refreshing.. he brings this soothness to ya soul..

[@TinoMiller]

This interview was -Awesome -Inspiring -Educatuonal -Historic and -Uplifting Never knew NAS had came this far on his own and as a humble guy who made it from the projects .. #Incrediable ..

[@Earth_2_CC]

Nas is THE MAN. The only rapper I would love to sit down and have a conversation with!!!

[@ElikyaNgoma]

Chasie C only though? not Lupe? (that's mine but definitely not only)

[@Earth_2_CC]

Maybe not only but Nas is the first that comes to mind. Lupe is awesome, I cant say I know enough about him though . A few others that come to mind are Andre 3000, Common.

[@ElikyaNgoma]

Chasie C good choices! Definitely Andre 3000 but it would be solely on music. Lupe, it would be on his world views (he's really a Nas protege since Nas was his biggest influence and you can see that, but with his own style).

[@ElikyaNgoma]

***** yes, 50 cent too! I love his Breakfast Club interviews, and interviews period because he throws in small gems that could go a long way!

[@Crunchysopa52]

*Emcee, but yo I hear you lol.

[@jojosaylor8996]

Nas fashion is so fresh and clean

[@tokugawabushisamurai9226]

NAS the greatest of all time

[@blah9664]

Long story short...you gotta love nas man. The dude is a cool laid back humble cat...and crazy on the mic. Definitely a livin legend... in my opinion...the G.O.A.T.

[@chaunt100]

NAS is the best of his generation AND YES THAT INCLUDES JAY Z AND EMINEM

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

They really weren't in his generation. Jay-Z partially was. Nas' prime was Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Mobb Deep, Wu Tang Clan, Snoop, ATCQ, and more.

[@chaunt100]

Jay Z has been around longer than Nas-check Hawain Sophie old Jaz Records. and ran in the same circles as Biz and Kane.

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

chaunt100 Not true in the case that he has been around longer. Nas started recording when he was 15. Anyways, I knew that because he was a "hype man" for Kane during concerts but I mean the prime of there careers, which for Jay-Z was around like 1998-2002. Nas prime was basically 1994-1997 or whenever It was Written came out. That is what I meant.

[@chaunt100]

i hear you, but Jay's prime begin around late 95 and you cant discount summer of 96-reasonable doubt and in 97-in my lifetime, and streets is watching movie and soundtrack as well. Anyhow i still give the edge to Nas.

[@eeceec4893]

Sam Alexander

[@angiefromChi]

Nas, and Rakim #Greats !

[@fonfobells]

this guy is not aging at all

[@DrawQuick2014]

Black don't crack

[@bilalounees5778]

+DrawQuick2014 BLACK DON'T CRACK!!!!

[@ernestclaggett3138]

Nas has stood the test of time.

[@mrm8509]

Doesn't matter whether or not you even like hip hop music.. Nas' performance and display of a special talent on Illmatic is undeniable

[@ev0lution1]

i respect Nas in so many ways.. Mad love!

[@matthewmann8969]

Illmatic, It Was Written, Stillmatic, God's Son, And Life Is Good all classic bangers

[@GidenUltimus]

Illmatic was released today (April 19th) 23 years ago in 1994, man even now every song is timeless and it's heavily changed my perspective of hip-hop for the better. Nas had it all back then and it's great that he's still going, very respectable.

[@rgjr1977]

Nas,One of the best ever...

[@4raxx20]

I hate wen people are saying who inspired them & they NEVER mention Big L... One of the greatest of ALL TIME!

[@akatsuki_silva]

i got the wildstyle always been a faul child my gunz go boom boom youra guns go blau blau

[@theartofz6957]

+Kenny Lafortune he created horrorcore and was the punchline goat

[@brandonl8545]

Eminem was inspired by him, not too many mc's took L's style cause it was unique. It was just raw punchlines with an untouchable flow and delivery. The man did a lot in his short career, which he could've definitely been a true legend if he hadn't been shot. Nas on a radio interview actually said he was scad of Big L. I believe he said something along the lines of, "how am I supposed to compete with someone like that o there (referring to L)." He had mad respect for him.

[@johndez5213]

Traxx Why does everybody have to be inspired by Big L? He was super dope but damn some MCs probably didnt get influenced by him.

[@IlladelphB]

Nas is the very definition of Hip Hop. His longevity. His creative, allegorical rhyme schemes no one can match.

[@southeastglock]

Liked before I even watched it ! Str8 Legend !

[@johnauner5139]

Am I the only one that thought that Biggie was only bigger than Nas because his raps were more simple?

[@craigdiascd]

+Avery Cecil No not at all - you make sense and I've always thought this too. You can relax and walk down the street and recite Biggie over and over (I've done it!) But Nas you need to be in a certain frame of mind to even think about his classics and recite them. He's a legend full stop. G.O.A.T

[@johnauner5139]

C Dias I love walking down the street and saying the lyrics of Memory Lane. Lol.

[@craigdiascd]

+Avery Cecil that's a walk on a simply slow day!! :)

[@craigdiascd]

+DjBLaKSponge Nas Is Like - is a club hit!!

[@markb9907]

+Avery Cecil It's so rewarding to go on the comment sections that just have Nas fans, always smart thoughts. I've been trying to convince people forever that Biggie was overrated and never even remotely touched Nas. He wasn't bad but he was just simple and had a lot o flaws as well.

[@christianclarke2113]

awesome interview, thanks for posting!

[@originalRAS]

"The streets wanna know, what is ur beauty regimen?"

[@progressivelife12]

Nas is so humble #treal ... need more of that

[@Mookaron]

I'm loving this video, I've been looking at it for 1 hour 30 mins now.

[@jaydasidney]

he's so inspirational, literally one of my biggest idols.

[@BNWK2ATL2004WORD]

It's always great to hear from real lyricist I'm a 70s baby so I remember good music from true hip hop artist from the beginning and what's being played on the air waves now is ridiculous it's no thought put in to the craft anymore so I don't bother to listen! Much respect to pioneers like nas. ..

[@laksirigunasekera6878]

MY Favorite RaPPER of ALL TIME !!!!!!!.. SMART, SLEAK, AND HELL OF A STYLE

[@33Kellymc]

Good Interview!!

[@WellnessWhirlwind-]

So humble

[@queens2nd2none]

Great interview!!! I didn't even know Google was in on the 20 year celebration of Illmatic, this was an awesome listen. I loved how Nas really broke down who influenced him and how they would inspire him and help him to not make the same mistakes they did... what an introspective interview... "Kool G Rap had to love it or I failed"... WOW!!! Have you seen this Prime P , Chandra Stovall , Su-Neeta Elke, Mel Dee, Kiara M. Crichlow

[@karlmauzoul9868]

The God

[@suraiyaa2046]

One mic still gives me chills even to this day... Love Nas 😊

[@TinoMiller]

My buffed at 52:18 which ssucks cause its not coming up anymore .. But to hear everything that wen down and his experiences .. I can relate to all of it and dont get me wrong but NAS really has the focus of any rapper right now besides JayZ .. He knows what the rap industry needed and what he could have converted to get out of it all ...

[@TheIcpfan23]

Suraiya Ashraf one mic wasnt on illmatic

[@suraiyaa2046]

dominic hocutt I know but it's my favourite

[@bluemgk69]

by far one of the best if not THE BEST Nas interview i have seen in all these years!!! that *"slapping the bass" part killed me lol, *reference to the movie "I love You man" if you aint seen it!

[@deniselindsay7889]

I love this young man so much I love his style I am 50 years old and I respect him. You are so blessed love you my son god bless you and your family always I would love to meet you my son 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘

[@jideolu1612]

My Idol

[@iysisrose]

NaS = G.O.A.T !

[@jkolaWOLE]

+iysisrose no doubt

[@eddiesille9628]

Second to Pac...

[@iysisrose]

NEVER, NOT EVEN CLOSE !!! DA GOD WOULD RAP CIRCLES AROUND SHAKUR !! R.I.P PAC !!!

[@travelinman]

+iysisrose Nas is a better lyricist.

[@travelinman]

True. And PAC is the best as far as what he talked about. But lyrically PAC is not on Nas's level.

[@andrewcooper7657]

Yo nas how are you its been a Long time since i saw you in london cant wait because you are one of the greatest of all time

[@brooklyn2125]

I have so much respect for Nas. Not only is he fine and sexy as hell, he has a good head on his shoulders and is very intelligent.

[@Burst644]

I love how Nas has so many songs with such complex lyricism yet his delivery is so smooth

[@saifhasan4481]

Nas is one of the greatest to ever touch the mic

[@nasireloursson9561]

nas nas nas great nas a legende nas; busta rhymes have some stories to tell too like how did he make that album genesis that album was crazy buh his jus too crazy to be tellin his stories like nas do. nas his the chosen one i mean every rapper gives nas respect from 2pac to 2016 rappers

[@dariuswilliams6683]

The only Rapper I look up to intellectually!!!! What I respect about Nas he just him’ & not ashamed Of where he comes from!!! #Nas the G.O.A.T !!!!!! 💯💯💯💯

[@theriversexitsense]

he is a genius. unquestionably.

[@MelindadelosSantos]

Love that jacket! :D

[@ttucker10466]

My Nasir!!!❤❤❤❤

[@just2getarep785]

Nas is aging very well, he still looks like a guy in his 20's, it's crazy. He must lead a real healthy life.

[@lisamurphy7527]

Nas So Supreme Heart Mind Soul Spirit!

[@KD_SWAGGER]

Nas is cool, calm and collective. A lyrical poet that is one of the greats. 💪🏻🎶

[@Mr_Morals]

My favorite MC...that flight jacket is hot!

[@hasun54]

King Nas!!!

[@philllove528]

I love Nas and he even got a sense of humor

[@smirror6964]

Keep going back to this interview! Love Nas❤️ One love! 🙌🏾

[@kingj3300]

nas is to intelligent for the kids off today if he came back forreal he'll be underated thanks to the trash on the radio n the sad thing is ima kid from this genration

[@anonanon69]

YOU WERE BORN IN THE WRONG GENERATION WEREN'T YAH, KID?

[@ktxed]

kids these days and their defective keyboards

[@kharyrobertson3579]

I love Illmatic and the re release but to me it just exemplifies how stagnant the industry really is. There has been no social or musical progress in the rap industry, period, that is why we still have to resort to the old greats to get quality music.

[@qballluciano2523]

^^^^^^^Thissssssssssss

[@tochiRTA]

exactly. Sonically I think Clams Casino is the only new producer that can measure up to the great old ones (even though Clams body of work is so miniscule). But overall, there's no new rapper that really saying anything mindblowing

[@kharyrobertson3579]

First of all nothing you listed even compares to the social message that people like Nas and Tupac were talking about. Even worse everything you mentioned is nothing more than the pop culture overthrow that has set back hip hop. There are your Immortal Techniques and Pharoh Monches, but they aren't as prolific as Nas is or was. You are an ignorant troll. If you have an opinion there is a better way to state it than attacking someone else's.

[@magmatizem]

Khary Robertson What about Lupe?

[@ivam98]

Khary Robertson there will never be another nas, so don't even compare. Every era in hiphop is diff, its not meant to be the same. There has been progression.

[@abdullahagac7704]

I am from İstanbul and presenter is right I can feel lyrics of illmatic I love every song in album I like the energy

[@BAMADAN]

That's a wicked jacket💪🏾

[@soulbrown7838]

my fav rapper

awesome.

[@qc9197]

Classic

[@tebashumba6092]

Dope

[@rodneymann2118]

I like this eposide

[@MrBnyce78]

I know everyone thinks Illmatic is a classic album and it is but Nas has released other albums that are classics in their own right. It Was Written, The Lost Tapes, Untitled were all insightful albums as well. Nas has consistently released insightful lyrics.

[@ethanwright9523]

That idea with Thief of Baghdad at the end was dope. I hope Nas does that.

[@derrickwilliams5314]

#I'm a recovering addict #Been around for a long time #Know it when i hear it and see it #Nas is floating #On cloud 99

[@mankgabeerickphatlane2113]

when are u gonna bless us here in the motherland(South Africa ) with your presence? i believe you have no idea as to how many fans u got here.

[@rosefaceFGC]

YO! That Tech N9ne reference took me by surprise! collab soon!

[@WellnessWhirlwind-]

Salute

[@JAYMORPH]

LOL @The Guy's Voice Shaking; Asking The Question About Beef/Competition. Great Interview Though.

[@supaman5363]

The Goat.

[@richardasante3815]

Mad respect for Nas

[@Prodigyqb1]

Mobb Deep!!

[@Aviator30]

Nas True King 🤴

[@pkaydennis]

ONCE i get a foot in. i gotta take it all

[@adamtaylor1210]

Genius

[@shergillbert1257]

playas playa

[@uokere]

Hi thought's on "The proof that America works" is probably the most powerful statement in this talk.

[@fletchernorwood445]

Nas is the coolest MC on the planet!! His youth is immortal

[@STEINYY]

Yo that jacket is tight son!...yahhh meeeaannn?

[@marcedwards2464]

Nas the 👑 king

[@93rising51]

I heard DJ Premier originally gave that "Waiting for the world to end" beat to Nas, but he turned it down so, he gave to Rakim and Rakim used it for "The Master" album and killed it.

[@tochiRTA]

if so, that's a great trade. I love Premo, and "Waiting For the World To End" is a dope beat and song, but it's pretty weak compared to stuff on Illmatic

[@93rising51]

tochiRTA Very true but, Nas could've really used it for Nastradamus

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

Rahim Muhammad Rakim da greatest doe.

[@johnathanamooamoo486]

Xll ✌️🌍

[@pkaydennis]

at 51:15 .i dies. he was like WE KNOWW!!

[@StayInspired100]

New Nas Documentary entitled WHO AM I is amazing - view it at our channel

[@STEINYY]

Yo nas that jacket is tight son!...yahhh meeeaannn?

[@portugueseangolanhaitianam2366]

wow

[@FreedomLocs]

This is Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones 👑💯

[@Jack-zl7cb]

Fresh coat

[@ethanwright9523]

48:00 this dude is so nervous xD

[@NZA2]

lol google asked surprisingly great questions, though