EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Nas Says ‘Hip-Hop Has Died Many Deaths,’ Doesn’t Get The Respect It Deserves [Tuner]

“Hip-hop has had many deaths,” he said. “First was when it changed from the park jams and went to corporate America. It became a business, then there was an element lost.”

“Anybody can be a rapper, but not anybody can be a classical artist.” He made the point that there’s no respect for the art form. “Hip-hop, everybody’s allowed to come in it, because it’s a street thing,” Nas said. “I heard someone say, ‘Frank Ocean hip-hop artist.’ He is, hip-hop loves Frank Ocean, he’s our brother, but [he’s not a hip-hop artist]. Miguel is not a hip-hop artist,” he said. “Trey Songz is not a hip-hop artist. They’re singers.”