"I don’t only mean superstar": Nas heaps praises on Kendrick Lamar, calls him Hip-Hop's "North Star"

Nas only has praises for Kendrick Lamar. During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Nas when asked about the comparison between Hip Hop is Dead and Lamar's Watch the Party Die, said:

"We all as artists love this art form and have our opinions on it. Kendrick is one of the brightest stars we've ever seen, and I don't only mean superstar, I mean like the North Star - I think he's one of those."

He also added:

"Out of all the artists in this business, there's some that's not here for the art. When we see those people that are not here for the art damaging it, you're huring the future of the art. So I think artists like Kendrick are going to speak out."

More about Nas and Kendrick Lamar's friendship

Nas' recent comments on calling Kendrick Lamar, Hip-Hop's "north star" is not the first time the artist has praised Lamar's music skills. In 2022, Nas released King's Disease where in collab track with Hit-Boy titled First Time, Nas talks about falling in love with music the first time and reflects on the first time he heard about Lamar:

"Since when did rap leave me so suspended in air / Since Kendrick entered the atmosphere, '09, I was there / On La Cienega, my n**ga from L.A said there's a n**ga from Black Hippy / I was just happy to witness history."

In 2012, he called Lamar's debut LP good kid, m.A.A.d city one of his favorite albums from that year:

"No disrespect to nobody else in rap music, but Kendrick Lamar. I'm really happy about this record. I needed that. His record reaches you. It gives hope."

He had also publicly congratulated Lamar on his announcement to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. In an Instagram story at the time, Nas said:

"Congratulations to my brotha @kendricklamar. Can't wait to watch the party die!!!!!"

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Kendrick has also praised Nas on many occassions and attended his 50th birthday celebration. Earlier in 2013, while speaking to Vibe, Lamar said that he originally planned to involve Nas in his good kid, m.A.A.d city album and specifically add his vocals to track Sing About Me and I'm Dying of Thirst.

Lamar said that he "never really got a chance" to reach out to the rapper since he was "so wrapped up" in getting the "music done, samples cleared." He also called Nas "a genius."

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