BTS bandleader RM used a moment during the group's concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday 2 August to publicly acknowledge hip-hop veteran Nas, who was in the audience. Calling Nas the "King of New York" and the artist who "dominated my whole teenage [years]", RM described performing in front of his long-time idol as "a really strange and wonderful feeling", underlining a personal connection he has spoken about for years, including a 2021 Vanity Fair interview in which he named Nas his biggest artistic influence.

The gig was the second of two MetLife shows on BTS's ARIRANG World Tour, which continues through the United States and Canada into September before moving on to Latin America. RM also posted a backstage photo with bandmate Suga and Nas, which the rapper reposted with the caption "AMAZING SHOW". The tour supports BTS's 2026 album ARIRANG, a three-week Billboard 200 No. 1 that produced the Hot 100-topping single "SWIM"; the band has said the record will not be submitted for Grammy consideration, following its announcement that it wants music judged without regard to region or language.