http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/nas/news_feature_050206/index3.jhtml

MTV: Rakim, Nas paid you the ultimate compliment in 2004 by recording “U.B.R. (Unauthorized Biography of Rakim)” [on Street's Disciple]. What was it like when you heard that song breaking down your whole life?

“He kind of opened my eyes, like, ‘OK, people’s watching. People really know about Rakim.’ It kind of let me know where I was in the world.” — Rakim

Rakim: That kind of puts things in perspective. You got this far and somebody that you respect, somebody that’s on a high plateau, took time and showed you love. And to hear a lot of it, I was like, “Where did he get that from? How did he know that?” He does put things in perspective, man. He kind of opened my eyes, like, “OK, people’s watching. People really know about Rakim.” It kind of let me know where I was in the world.

Nas: Thanks, man. I always wanted to know how you felt about that, ’cause if somebody made a song talking about me and stuff like that, I wouldn’t know how to react. I just had to make a song about Ra ’cause if we in there making songs in the studio, let’s make songs about things that are important. The dude is important right now, so I made a song about how he inspired [people] a great deal. I used to look at Ra like, “This dude’s an alien. He’s an alien. He’s not from here.” That’s how I feel to this day.

MTV: How much research did you do for that record?

Nas: It took me a day. I went online. I was up on Rakim forever, though — you ain’t up on Rakim, then you don’t belong in rap. I was always up on Ra and I met him as a kid. I was a young teen getting into the game and I met Ra. He came in the studio by himself, put the [medallion] on the table. With the cables, two beepers — it was crazy. I [hadn't] never seen a cell phone, really. I seen them on the TV, “Magnum P.I.” and “Miami Vice.” But I never seen the big, crazy joint — the joint you beat somebody over the head with. The dude was cool then, same as he is now. This brother has always been a cool brother.

MTV: Nas, five years ago we were doing an interview, and we were talking about some of the greats: Slick Rick, Rakim, KRS-One. When did you start feeling comfortable being mentioned in the same breath as some of those people you came up watching?

Nas: You know what it’s like? You can only fight it for so long. Then, when your influence is so great on so many artists, you gotta accept it. Nah mean? God don’t give you a gift. For you, you can’t turn your lights down on your shine. You can’t dim your lights for nobody. It just took its natural course.

MTV: With the climate of rap changing now, how does that affect you when putting out new material? The focus is not on lyrics, as it was back in the day.

Rakim: I’ll answer that right quick, Nas. That’s why it’s up to brothers like me and him to keep it going. ‘Cause if we turn around and fall victim to what’s going on, then it’s a wrap. Nas is doing an album, I’m doing an album. We can make a big statement right here. When this man drops an album, they already looking for it. Nas — you know he’s gonna say something, and the same thing for Rakim. So if we stay focused and do what we do, I think everybody wants that real hip-hop back.

The fact that you talkin s**t like you so hard is hilarious. You know you wouldnt be so “italian outspoken” if you were face to face. What are you making easy? You are making a fool out of yourself with these idiotic statements. So what you know spell Nas name. You want a cookie? Get life you third class ho. Queens baby.

I understand where Ra is coming from, I am a fan of both.
Nas, meant well on dedicated this because Rakim was his Idol, so was KRS-ONE. However, Nas could’ve called up the GOD and let’em know because his info was out especially his Kids and other things.
Nas, is a humble dude but he could’ve reached out and let Rakim know that he paid Homage. I would’ve felt funny as well…but as I said “Nas meant well but a phone would been kool”.

These Dudes are too gifted and hopefully things will be at ease. I would hate The GODS to beef over something that can easily be reconciled in PEACE.

For you all you HOMO’ niggas that feel that Rakim should’nt be paid RESPECT, ya’ll should kill yaself’s because with out Rakim, there would be no Hip-Hop.
I’m glad Ra didn’t do tracks with Dre bcuz Dre would gave him wack beats like he gave Joel Ortiz and Raekwon and Dre is not all that, Word.

I said it, SO WHAT?!

Primo, Pete-Rock, Beatminers, X-tra P, Etc got hot-s**t…Dre has simple s**t that you Dumbasses suck on!!!!

Rakim ALLAH, will always be RESPECTED!

Naz

Why don’t you just go hide without a pic…at least people might mistake for a black person because the more you type, the more you ignorant you get….smh. Stop trying so hard to fit in or be something you are not. You just make me a laugh. You think know more than me because you gobbling on black d ick? Get real!

Sorry didnt want my first post putting somebody on blast. But I hate those wannabe white b*tches actin all hard. C’mon Son! You really think you hard like that? Get the f*ck outta here with that sh*t. lol

Back to the interview. If Ra felt that way then that’s his right. You have to holla at somebody first before you do there Bio like that. If you cant get at them then fall back. Not knocking Nas though. One of the best Lyricists to come out my city.

“How anyone on here can claim to love NAS & claim he is the greatest rapper of all times but yet don’t even know how to spell his name correctly?”

After further review, that sentence is grammatically incorrect. I can teach your in your own game. You ignorant trash…you think you know better? You don’t know black culture to filter in on our issues anyway. I suggest you either stay away or read without comments.

Rakim: That kind of puts things in perspective. You got this far and somebody that you respect, somebody that’s on a high plateau, took time and showed you love. And to hear a lot of it, I was like, “Where did he get that from? How did he know that?” He does put things in perspective, man. He kind of opened my eyes, like, “OK, people’s watching. People really know about Rakim.” It kind of let me know where I was in the world.

Nas: Thanks, man. I always wanted to know how you felt about that, ’cause if somebody made a song talking about me and stuff like that, I wouldn’t know how to react. I just had to make a song about Ra ’cause if we in there making songs in the studio, let’s make songs about things that are important. The dude is important right now, so I made a song about how he inspired [people] a great deal. I used to look at Ra like, “This dude’s an alien. He’s an alien. He’s not from here.” That’s how I feel to this day.

I got respect for both Naz and Rakim. I think both are wrong. Naz should have confirmed with him first for the track. Rakim is wrong for airing him out in the media when the song has been out years ago and Naz had good intentions. It wasn’t like he made the tack to disrespect him. I’m disappointed in Rakim for that.