21 Savage Responds to Backlash About His Comments on Nas' Relevancy

Noting that he would “never disrespect” Nas or those who came before him.

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21 Savage has responded to fans’ backlash regarding his recent comments on the relevancy of Nas.

Taking to Twitter to briefly address the situation, 21 shut down the notion of him disrespecting a veteran like Nas and all those who came before him. “I would never disrespect [N]as or any legend who paved the way for me,” he tweeted, “y’all be tryna take stuff and run with it[.]” Several users rallied behind him, with some trying to give an explanation of what the I Am > I Was rapper actually meant; fans clarified that 21 most likely understood the term “relevancy” as an artist who often gets played on the radio or in clubs, but there was also users who pointed out Nas’ run of classic albums.

21 made the comments in a recent Clubhouse conversation and it drew flak from several fans. “I don’t feel like he’s relevant. I just feel like he got a loyal fan base. He still makes good music,” he said. When asked about his definition of relevance, the rapper replied, “Mostly connected or appropriate to what’s being done to be considered.”

Both 21 and Nas just released new albums; 21 and Drake‘s Her Loss opened at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard 200, while Nas’ King’s Disease III with Hit-Boy was met with critical and fan acclaim.

In related news, Nas and Hit-Boy lead the week’s Best New Tracks alongside Rihanna and Stormzy.

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Sophie Caraan
Sophie Caraan Managing Editor

Sophie Caraan is the Managing Editor at Hypebeast, where she sets the editorial direction, standards, and output strategy for the HQ team. With a decade of editorial experience, she brings both a storyteller's instinct and a strategist's eye — spotlighting the figures and movements that shape the culture across a multitude of lanes. Her tenure is marked by high-impact conversations with the likes of RZA, Mads Mikkelsen, CORTIS, Erling Haaland, Kasing Lung, NIGO, and more.

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