Nas On Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind”

The Wall Street Journal caught up with Nas and in between talks of Distant Relatives he shares his thoughts on Jay-Z’s New York anthem.

WSJ: In 1994 you put out a song called “N.Y. State of Mind.” Jay-Z recently had a huge hit with his anthem “Empire State of Mind.” What did you think of his track?
Nas: It’s just keeping that whole thing alive—this New York thing. There are a lot of people complaining about New York hip-hop, about it not being what it was, and he stood up and now we have another anthem to be proud of.

WSJ: Do you think you’ll write another New York anthem anytime soon?

Nas: I don’t know. I think [Jay-Z] pretty much handled it. Of course, I’m always gonna talk about New York—it’s the greatest city in the world. But I’m not in the studio making a New York record now to one up anybody, no.

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  1. Bigger says:

    Nas is the man… “Been There Done That” type of answer. Classy

  2. blaqscorpio says:

    Good answer

  3. Redrocboy says:

    Esco lets go!

  4. […] the world. But I’m not in the studio making a New York record now to one up anybody, no. Spotted: RR Share & […]

  5. webstar says:

    Nas has been so peaceful lately. Good answer though.

  6. Shady-Aftermath says:

    Nas made NY state of mind II…and it failed

  7. Chris says:

    How did it fail?

  8. thomas says:

    NY State of Mind Pt. II is ill… so is Part 3 w. Rakim and A. Keys.

  9. REAL TALK says:

    Nas don’t sweat small stuff like this becuse he has been there and done that. Nas is a grown man and gives respect although the haters and industry dickriders do their worst to try not to give him his respect!

  10. I love how these cock suckers were over there tryna start ridiculous beef and Nas just brushed it off. Good work Nas!

    http://thisiswhyubroke.wordpress.com
    “Because credit crack is wack”

  11. King JuggaNott says:

    Damn….it ain’t even been a fucking year since Kelis and the her Lawyers blew Nas ass out and here it is Nas is bumming drinks off niggas. Look Slick Rick even loaned the nigga his first Rope Chain….”Damn Homie….in the 90’s you was the man homie…..what the fuck happened to you?”

  12. King JuggaNott says:

    Look at Jay….you know that nigga been hanging with the Jews..he ain’t even give Gods Son his OWN drink….he broke him off a percentage of one that he’s going to keep for himself. SMH

  13. clos1881 says:

    @shady aftermath shut the fuck up @king jugganot shut your jug ass head up lame ass

  14. Young Sha says:

    LOL @ the pic.

  15. QUEENZ says:

    What a stand up guy? You fucking haters have to hate on something right? NY State of Mind II was the shit, maybe it was too gutter for you lames, no R&B chick on the hook dummies. Peace to the God Nasir, still bumping that Distant Relatives 24/7. Btw, these interviewers pray for Nas to say something sideways about a rapper when they pose him these questions but you can’t bait a nigga like him. Great answer

  16. Realniggashit says:

    I keep telling nigga Nas is not the king of NY because he don’t want to be the king.

  17. yaboitone says:

    @jugganot,
    u bumbass hater. its kinda obvious that they BOTH have an alcoholic drink in there cup and jay has the juice they are using to make a mixed drink. thats the thing about a hater. they find a reason to hate even when it doesnt exist.

  18. Wow. says:

    Nas deserves more success. It honestly should be him in the spotlight not Jay. Jay is good, but not as good as Nas. True shit. Why in the hell would he even get with that nasty STD Kelis bitch. Crazy.

  19. mac DIESEL says:

    GOOD ANSWER FROM NAS!!!! THESE INTERVIEWERS ALWAYS WANNA BAIT A NIGGA FOR SOME CHEAP GOSSIP!!!! NAS AIN’T FALLIN’ FOR THE OKIE DOKE!!!! U DUMB FUCKS!!!!

    DON’T HATE ON MY OPINION!!!!

  20. webstar says:

    there are some idiots I swear…first, that pic was like 2 years ago & Kelis was actually sitting next to Nas but is cut out of this pic.

    Second, whoever said New York State of Mind failed should have no authority to ever speak on Hip-Hop matters again.

    3rd…lets be honest, Jay bit Nas’ New York State of Mind idea just like he bites lots of other things from other people…Nas has NYSOM pt. 1-3 and one of them has Alicia Keys & Rakim on it…go figure Jay would do Empire State of Mind with Alicia on the hook.

  21. Interscope Employee says:

    The picture is hilarious

  22. blaqscorpio says:

    lol @ Wow, what stopped him from getting that success? I’ll tell you what, DUDE IS/WAS LAZY!

  23. BIG L would murder ya favorite rapper! says:

    TO ALL THAT SAY JAY BIT THIS FROM NAS: 1st off two young ladies from BK wrote the song and it hook and somehow somebody gave it to JAYZ.
    2ND. jay liked it and ask would they be down and the 1 chick said that her voice is similar to Alicia Keys, so can you get her to do it.
    3rd. the only thing Jay did was write the 3 verses and payed for the whole song.

    STOP THE HATE ON JAYZ THE GREAT!!!
    Alot oF dudes should be glad BIG L aint here cuz he would have tore any nigga out-ANY!

  24. asfawsdfsdf says:

    UM I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE NAS RAPPING OVER THE BEAT NOT SPEAKING ABOUT IT :[

  25. King JuggaNott says:

    @ Yaboitone……dude…can you tell a fucking joke (other than when you look in the mirror) when you read or see one? You cats are so fucking lame…what the fuck are you defending? Get a new fucking word…”HATER” got damn nigga….and the other nigga doesn’t even need me to respond to his illiterate ass.

  26. Cooper says:

    I know nas came out a little before jigga but jay z is fucking king and will be for ever “not only in nyc but he’s hip hop saver so ather he’s go yall gonna ol him a favor”and i know yall gonna get mad but its many people in the world that agree with what im sayin but may not have the time to say it so i did took time to let yall know what i think and i relly dont give a dam who dont like what i said im just keepin it real like yall when yall say wayne ,nas and shady is tha best but their not……..luv you jay a.k.a king b.k.a king shawn corey carter

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