As part of his press run for the 20th anniversary of Illmatic, Nas sat down for an in-depth interview with NPR.
Nas discussed making of the album, producers who contributed to it, growing up in Queens, how his environment influenced his music, his long career and much more.
Nas also spoke on a few details about his next album which is due later this year, revealing that Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and No I.D. are some of the producers he has already worked with.
“I started working with , I want to say a year and a half ago. I think it was the same year I dropped my last album, Life is Good. I started with Tim and it felt really powerful; it felt like it was really powerful. And I stepped back from it. Tim’s like, “What are you doing?” and I’m like, “I just need a minute to like — I just need a minute to take it all in, just live a little and enjoy day-by-day stuff and daily stuff I’m doing.” It’s just — I didn’t want to go back in the studio that quick. I felt like I needed to be inspired.”
‘I talked to Swizz, and we went through joints. And No I.D. and Timbaland, you know. This the only interview I’ma talk about it. Cause I know once this comes out, people might ask me about the record and, man, I just want to finish it and get it done.”
Listen to the full interview below.
Spotted at AHH