For the past month, the rumor mill has been afire with the notion that Nas was asked to be on two of the most popular rap CDs out now – Jay-Z’s Blueprint III and Raekwon’s Only Built For Cuban Linx II.
The rapper was questioned on these rumors and other news by PunchBowl Blog in a recent interview at Orange Rock Corps show in London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Nas initially sidestepped direct questions after being asked about the rumors of his musical inclusion on Jay and Raekwon’s albums.
“I love what Jay-Z’s album, Raekwon’s album are – my favorite rap albums. I think they have made Hip-Hop serious again and I’m just…I feel great about the whole world now because of those two albums.”
When questioned further about whether or not he was supposed to be on “Empire State of Mind” with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, Nas offered a terse response. “What’s your next question?” he asked. refusing to answer.
He didn’t answer if he was supposed to be on the albums, but Nas did say both were “very inspiring” both had “his head spinning.”
Nas said that he hoped his delayed Distant Relatives collaboration with Damien Marley could be released this year. He also suggested that next year would yield a new Nas solo album.
Nas also said that he was a candidate for the presidency at Def Jam, but it never came to fruition.
See the whole interview from Punchbowl Blog below.