Although it’s been three years since the release of Nas’ last solo album Untitled, the veteran rapper has remained relevant in music industry, making headlines for his collaborative album Distant Relatives with Damian Marley and most recently for criticizing FOX News. And now the Illmatic rapper is opening up about his upcoming 10th album, recorded with rising singer Frank Ocean and explaining why he loves being a father.
In interview last week with billboard.com’s The Juice, Nas admits that Untitled, which didn’t fare as well as previous efforts on the charts, was a bit of a creative misstep. But with his new album, which is still untitled, he hopes to express his joy in making music.
“I can look back at my last record, and I know that some songs didn’t belong there. I really over thought it,” said Nas. “I don’t wanna be like that on this record. I wanna be able to play this record after it’s done and be like, ‘I did it.’ ”
Nas explains that this time around his album will be free-flowing when it comes to concepts but explains that he is inspired by the latest generation of emcees.
“I love Odd Future, Wayne, Drake, ‘Ye [and] Rick Ross. It’s something that threatens my position or it makes me question what I’m going to do next. What kind of impact do I want have now that I’ve been in the business this long,”
The rapper recently told the theboombox.com, that he’s reunited with longtime collaborator, producer Salaam Remi, and that he’s already recorded with Odd Future singer Frank Ocean.
“We were working. I like Frank Ocean. He’s a really great new artist. We were just working; we will see what happens with the music,” said Nas.
Besides his love of music, Nas also discussed his love for his children and explained the joy of being a father.
I love life,” Nas continues. “What else am I going to do? There’s nothing that gives me the charge that I get making music. I do a lot of other things on the low, but I’m mostly proud of the music. My kids are my everything. I got the best kids in the whole world. My daughter is at the age where she can call me up and tell me what she thinks about Beyoncé’s new video and what she thinks about Wiz Khalifa and we can talk about it all. My son is walking and talking and he’s no joke. I got the best kids in the world. I walk around every day very blessed.”
What do you think of Nas’ plans for his new album and his comments on fatherhood? –nicholas robinson
