Nas is calling on artists to respect the origins of Black music and stop following trends in a new open letter reflecting on the culture and the people who shaped it.
On Thursday (Oct. 15), Esco shared a message looking back at music’s history and highlighting legendary artists whose contributions have been overlooked, exploited, or forgotten. He also stressed that artists should recognize their cultural influence and unite to celebrate the legacy of the music.
“For the past year I’ve been watching so much happen in the culture while working on music,” he wrote. “I think about how it started, I think about the Mississippi Delta to New Orleans to New York. I think about Robert Johnson at the crossroads, how he changed music, and how we can’t even find his grave. Sometimes I look at all artists, creators and executives the same way. The music game forgets or doesn’t compensate the foundation. Our greats have been stolen from and ripped off of.”
He added: “We can’t keep creating music for the sake of a ‘trend.’ We have to remember the purpose and our contribution and how many things we created. Where’s the love for each other at… We gotta take a stand as one. It’s time for a celebration of the music. No Knowledge of self is certain death! It’s time to address it.”
Nas signed off with “BLAK MUSIC 2026,” underscoring his call to honor and celebrate the Black artists and musical traditions that paved the way for generations of music.
Check out Nas’ full post below.
