Rapper Nas sat down with CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and others to talk about his latest single, “Daughters.” The 38-year old father of two admitted that even though his 18-year old daughter, Destiny never thought he was a bad parent, he always felt as though he wasn’t there enough for her as a father.
Nasir also talked about how there’s a difference between raising a girl and a boy, the accidental birth date error at the beginning of his music video, “Daughters,” as well as how the conception of his daughter affected his music. And of course, the question about his continued use of the N-word came up:
ON HOW HIS DAUGHTER MADE HIM MINDFUL OF DEROGATORY WORDS:
[Before] my language about women, things, life, was a little crazy. So for a minute, when my daughter was born, I thought I couldn’t write anymore. Because she’s going to hear this stuff from her dad. So I started to make records that I thought she could listen to. I had a record called “I Know I Can” years ago and that was pretty cool. And she liked it. That was my way of giving back.ON WHY HE CONTINUES TO USE THE N-WORD IN HIS MUSIC:
It’s street corner language. As I get older, the need for me to use it in my music is not so much as it used to be. But it’s like young language, young street corner music that winds up on the radio. And it speaks to a lot of young people in their language. Gotta be authentic.
Nas did end the interview by shouting out and wishing his daughter Destiny, a happy 18th birthday…and of course he got the date right this time around. *smiles* Peep the interview down below.
Great Interview Nas!
Awe Nas! That was sweet! Love the interview! Keep up the good work! One of my favorite rappers!
Nas is a mature and cool dude I wonder what went wrong in him and Kelis’s marriage? Either way I just hope he don’t get with Nicki Minaj
I’ve always loved NAS, this just confirms everything. Well spoken, well versed and handsome as all out doors!
i was wondering about that Birthdate! LOL because my Dad (rip) and Nas have the same birthday in Sept. and when i saw the date in the video i was thinking like DAMN Nas and his daugher have the same birthdate?! LOL! ….but yeah i figured that was really her in the video at the END.
AND EVERYONE KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIGG*R AND NIGG@!! COME ON JOURNALISTS! SMH……..
Nas is my dude and he is a great artist the song its a very great song I can agree with him on rising a daughter
love nas!
Dear Nasir and all others applicable,
Please stop using the word “nigger” in music and polite conversation. You are no longer on the street corner. You are a known music artist. You have acquired a certain level of success. And, more importantly, you are a father. Grow up, evolve and do better.
To continue this level of ignorance only emboldens others to do the same. I can’t even enjoy hip hop or rap music in mixed company (meaning with non-black mates), without being verbally assaulted multiple times with “nigger”. Stop it. It’s embarrassing.
Signed,
Black Men of the World