Nas Teases New Music & Voices Disgust Over Current State of Music Industry: ‘We Gotta Take a Stand as One’
Nas has criticised the music industry for overlooking and underpaying the artists and creators who laid its foundations. He says the culture’s history and contributions are being forgotten, and called for people across the industry to unite and take a stand.
In an Instagram letter, Nas reflected on music’s roots, from the Mississippi Delta and New Orleans to New York, and invoked blues musician Robert Johnson. He said he is working on music that celebrates hip-hop’s roots and history; his latest album, a collaboration with DJ Premier, reached No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart after its December 2025 release.
- Nas says the industry neglects music’s foundational artists.
- He is working on music celebrating hip-hop’s roots.
- His latest DJ Premier collaboration reached No. 5 on the rap chart.