Hip-Hop legend Rakim is blaming media exaggeration as the source of his alleged problems with Nas over the Queens lyricist’s tribute track.
Over the past year, Rakim has criticized Nas for his Street’s Disciple track “The Unauthorized Biography of Rakim.” The song, which references Rakim’s professional and private history, struck the Long Island emcee as a violation of his privacy. Initially in 2005, Rakim praised Nas for the tribute in a face to face interview for MTV.
In a recent interview for Hard Knocks TV, Rakim Allah stood by his stance of being uncomfortable with the track. But he also added that he spoke to Nas and there are no ill feelings.
“We spoke briefly. I basically told him you know what it is and what they trying to do,” Rakim explained. “I pulled him to the side and let him know I still got love for him. At the same time it’s principles. I’ve always been a reserved person. There’s certain things I speak about and certain things I don’t speak about. I just felt violated almost that he touched on certain things I haven’t even touched on.”
Nas was heralded at the next Rakim following his masterpiece debut Illmatic. But Rakim feels the two share a deeper bond based on how he watched the Queensbridge prodigy develop before his very eyes during studio sessions.
“Nas is like my brother. He used to come to Powerhouse Studio in Queens where I did the Paid In Full album,” he said. “He used to come through with Large Professor. I feel like I know him no just of him. It’s that connection and that bond but things are going to happen in Hip-Hop…Let’s not let the media blow this out of proportion.”
Nas and Rakim have two previous songs together in the 2005 Alicia Keys song “Streets of New York,” and the 2007 Nike track “Classic” which also featured DJ Premier, Kanye West and KRS One.
Rakim is currently on the nationwide Rock the Bells tour performing the classic Paid In Full album in its entirety. He is also working a collaborative song with Stephen Marley.
