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Nas Explains Why He’s Not Outspoken on Race Relations Like Other Rappers in Open Letter

Nas’ political talk is reserved for his records. (Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Nas knows what ideal President Donald Trump represents and he wasn’t afraid to state exactly what it is in an open letter about the state of politics and race in America.

“We all know a racist is in office,” the rapper wrote in a piece published on Mass Appeal Tuesday, May 30 before seeming to indirectly touch on Trump’s immigration ban. “People can talk their s—. Comedians can sound racist. People can go through their moments of that s—. But when you have the responsibility of being president and you carry on like that, you send a strong message to people outside of your group that they ain’t worth s—.”

Nas said he focuses his attention on his Black community and speaking up about its needs and if its interests are affected by the president, that is what affects him — not Trump.

“The person himself, I’m not caught up with,” the lyricist, whose real name is Nasir Jones, wrote. “I don’t even have time for Trump or Pence. I don’t give a f—.”

Many people, Nas said, have wondered why he doesn’t speak up on issues like The Game and T.I. have done when it comes to race relations between the police and Black people. Nas answered that by saying he doesn’t need to use words to make a statement.

“You got a million people out here with a million different views and I heard it all. I talked about it all. I thought about most of the s— somebody could think of. I move through action. My music is action. What I’m giving you through my music is my actions.”

Nas has been doing that ever since he was a kid growing up during the Ronald Reagan administration and he vows to continue to let his music do the talking regardless of who takes office after Trump.

“I don’t got time for lippin’. I got time for actions,” he wrote. “Anytime I’m speaking, it’s action.

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