Travis Scott and Nas are both considered to be hip-hop geniuses in their own respective ways. They recently for the latest issue of Playboy for a very revealing interview.
The two rappers, 26-year-old Houston-born Scott and 45-year-old New Yorker Nas, represent two generations of rap, and both have had a major impact on the genre. During their hour-long conversation, the Astroworld MC and rap legend discussed the power of the internet and how it has impacted their careers, their influences, and the tension between art and politics.
Along with the interview, Scott and Nas took part in a photoshoot shot in a midcentury mansion in the Hollywood Hills which was laced with retro vibes.
During the retro shoot, Nas spoke about changing with the times. “I can stay me, sure, but the challenge is to stay with what’s going on,” he said. “If you look at the great ones from back then, a lot of them have four albums; they had short careers. That’s changed now. All the restrictions are gone. You can be free to make your music.”
Travis explained that he doesn’t feel “compelled to speak on political issues,” to which Nas agreed. “One thing we can’t allow politics to do is take over our mind and make us fall into their game,” he said. “What’s going on in the news could consume our lives. If that happens, life doesn’t go on. We need to continue going on.”