Queens MC Praised For Longevity, Commercial Success
6:00AM ET January 7th, 2013
Contributor : Stephen Willis
A Rocky Williform Company

CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin has named Nas the "greatest lyricist of all time." As he has done consistently over the years, the Queens-born rapper downplayed the praise, saying that he feels its still very early to start making such proclamations.

"It's wayyyyyy, way, way too early in our lives," explained Nas. "It's great to put a list together, but don't take it too seriously because your list won't matter 10 years from now or 15 years from now. It'll be a different list."

"Don't blame me; blame our wonderful country, America," explains Nas, regarding his subject matter. "And you can't even blame America. It's life. Blame life. I talk about life, and I make universal music with an American style -- and that's what I do."

"I know one thing: People put too many labels on music," he added.