10 Things We Learned From The Nas Reddit Chat [PHOTOS]

Outside of the work he has put in through his vast music career, Nas is generally a man of  relatively few words. On the 20th anniversary of the classic album Illmatic, he chatted with fans about a host of topics that gave us a better understanding of the Queensbridge MC.

Through a very streamlined comment system on Reddit, “TheRealNas” answered numerous questions regarding his catalog, future plans, performing, and music overall.

Though he was brief at times with his responses, Jones didn’t duck any glaring inquiries that left us stuck. Amongst the many things we learned was who he really ghostwrote for, his take on the Illmatic vs It Was Written debate and his greatest encounter with a fan.

So we present the 10 things we learned from Nas’ Reddit chat in the following pages. Let us know which was your favorite in the comments section.

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Photo: Instagram

“Getting’ Jiggy With It”

Contrary to popular belief Nas did not ghostwrite Will Smith’s “Getting’ Jiggy With It” from 1997. “Alright, let’s clear this up once and for all. I hung out with Will in the studio,” says Nas. “And watched him write it. It was a fun studio session, and I said a line or two or three to him. It wasn’t that serious. Will Smith wrote that song. But seriously, I watched him have fun making that record on his own, and Will is a true MC.”

“Rewind”

For years it has been said that Nas was inspired by the film Memento when he crafted “Rewind” but he cleared that up. “When I worked on ‘Rewind,’ I was actually in the studio with no ideas, and I didn’t want the studio session to go to waste, so I guess I was just trying anything, and I didn’t give it much thought when I started it, but as I started to finish it I knew it was cool.”

Fans

On his most interesting fan experience: “At least once a year, a fan will tell me that one of my albums helped them find a reason to not commit suicide and to go on. That’s powerful. I’m humbled. And it scares the sh*t out of me too.”

“Where Are They Now?”

Nas on all the Rap pioneers remixing his nostalgic track: “That was unreal. That went over people’s heads. Thank you for listening to that. That meant a lot to me to get that done, and I appreciate everyone of those guys and those female rappers that cared to jump on that record. Sh*t like that never happens.”

Classic

On when he knew Illmatic was classic: “I guess when I played it for my guys in my neighborhood, they told me it was a classic. Really surreal moment.”

Jay Electronica

Of course people asked if he is pushing Jay Electronica to finally release his long delayed debut album: “I tell him almost every day.”

Lyricism

Jones responds to comparisons to Bob Dylan and details how he goes about penning songs: “When Donnie Einer at Columbia called me “rap’s Bob Dylan” in the early 90s, I thought he was crazy. But I was Mr. Dylan’s label mate at the time. And I thought it was a great compliment. It’s different every time. Piece by piece sometimes. Other times it’s done quick, sometimes it takes months.”

Remixes

On remixes of his work: “I was not down with it originally. I didn’t want to do that. But I was happy it happened afterwards. I like the “World is Yours” remix by Q-tip and the “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” remix by the Large Professor. Those remixes I love.”

Desirable Collaborations

Nas surprised many people when he listed Bishop Nehru as someone in Hip-Hop that he would like to work with. 

Influence

Nas cites “One Mic,” “New York State of Mind” and “A Queens Story” as his most influential records. Do you agree?