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People were stunned and saddened after seeing the chilling video of the fatal beating of 16-year old Chicago student, Derrion Albert. A cellphone camera caught footage of the honor student being hit over the head with a 2×4 and then being punched, kicked and stomped to death. The boy’s tragic story touched the hearts and minds of millions and apparently made it’s mark on the Hip-Hop community as one of the most respected and prolific artists of our time is speaking out about the incident.

Nas penned an open letter to the youth involved in the incident for Global Grind. Young Escobar reflected on his younger days seeing senseless violence and attempted to relate to the children he deems as “young warriors.”

Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the lost of a love one was never cool.

Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling, that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one. But….

We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, Fila sneakers, and name plate chains. Deaths over “he say, she say”!!!!! “I’m from this block or I’m from that block”, or “my moms n pops is Fawked up now the whole world gotta pay”!!!

I remember feeling like I was the hardest “n*gga” breathing. And I couldn’t wait to prove it. But let’s think. What are we really proving?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.

In one of the realest parts of the letter Nas brings up the plight of racism in our world and the people that “love to see them down.” He also mentions the classic street movies that glamorize and sensationalize violence saying that they “left theaters years ago.”

You have the ability and mindpower to change they way we are looked at. Look who’s watching us young warriors, look who’s throwing us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Loving to bury us in the ground or in jail where we continue this worthless war on one another.

Young warriors…. We are WASTING more and more time. We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world. Cuz this movie left the theaters years ago, Juice, Menace, Boys n the Hood , Blood n Blood Out, Belly!

He ends the letter with a question to the youth and a statement that sums up the whole situation, “This Shyte sucks.”

When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS….and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other.. May the soul of this young person find peace with the almighty. I’m with you young warriors. You’re me and I’m you. But trust me! you are fighting the wrong war.

This Shyte sucks !!

-Nas

This letter from Nas further solidifies him as one of the realest in the game. It shows that he cares, he stays on top of the news and he’s actually trying to make a difference.

Much respect to him.