Nas Co-Signs Azealia Banks and Meek Mill

You know you’ve made it when Nas is mentioning your name. The hip-hop legend is bestowing praise on two young rappers, one he calls the “total package” and the other who is giving the streets a voice.

While A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Electronica all have Nas’ respect, he singled out fellow New Yorker Azealia Banks. “I fuck with that ‘212,'” he told staging-rapup.kinsta.cloud of the 21-year-old’s breakout single. “She has incredible star power, you can see it already. I think we need that. To come across the total package in this game, you need more than just a hot 16 and not everybody is blessed with the total package. She has it.”

According to Mr. Jones, another artist who has “it” is Meek Mill. “I got my eyes on him. He’s the next one to take this shit over. I’m rooting for him,” said Nas. “There are no more street orators in the game, who are fresh off the block and can tell us currently what’s going on. So you gotta appreciate him. We have to support Meek Mill’s movement because he’s talking about real life and if we don’t support that, then what are we doin’?”

Nas was recently in the studio with the Philly MC, recording for his upcoming debut Dreams & Nightmares. “It’s amazing,” he said of their work together. “I say out of everybody that’s new I listen to him and I feel like he’s doing what we need. I’m dying to just kill it on his album.”

He also has love for Meek’s Maybach Music mentor, Rick Ross. “I respect Ross’ business acumen and I respect his music. I fuck with his shit,” said Nas, who collaborated with Rozay on his upcoming album Life Is Good.

In addition to releasing his 10th album on July 17, Nas will play the Rock the Bells festival later this summer.

–D.L.