In a new sit-down, Nas reflected on his 2006 declaration that “Hip Hop Is Dead,” saying the phrase was a wake-up call for the industry at the time. He now credits artists like Kendrick Lamar and the reunited Clipse for pushing the culture forward with lyricism, vision, and cohesive albums. Nas added that today’s scene is “alive in the right hands,” pointing to a broader creative renaissance across veterans and new voices alike.
