The only problem I have with this is that you did a song with Nas. So you never thought to maybe look into the history of the guy you were working with? You just jumped on a track and said f-ck it? Wouldn’t you guys know about a rappers music before you collaborated together? Also he’s maybe too old to not know one Nas song.

Fivio Foreign Sparks Debate After Admitting He Can’t Name a Nas Song Despite Collaborating With Him

Brooklyn drill rapper Fivio Foreign recently stirred up hip-hop debates after admitting on the Artist 2 Artist Podcast that he couldn’t name a single bar or song from legendary Queensbridge rapper Nas. The comment quickly gained traction online, with many fans calling out the disconnect—especially since the two artists have previously collaborated on music.

In the viral clip, Fivio clarified that he wasn’t disrespecting Nas as an artist:

“I’m not saying that. The man is wack, not a legend. But I can’t sit there and say a Nas bar to you or a song.”

The statement raised eyebrows because Fivio has worked with Nas before, most notably on the track “Spicy” alongside A$AP Ferg from Nas’ Grammy-winning 2020 album King’s Disease. For many fans, this makes his admission confusing—how could someone share a record with a rap icon and not take the time to explore his catalog?

Hip-Hop Fans React

Reactions across social media were mixed. Some defended Fivio, arguing that generational gaps in hip-hop naturally create disconnects between artists and their influences. Others, however, felt his comments revealed a lack of respect and homework for someone of Nas’ stature.

One fan wrote:
“How do you collaborate with Nas and not know even ONE of his classic tracks? That’s wild.”

Another added:
“It’s not about knowing every lyric, but you should at least know the history of the man you’re standing next to.”

Too Old Not to Know?

What really amplified the backlash is that Fivio, at 34 years old, isn’t from a generation completely removed from Nas’ prime. Nas’ influence has stretched across decades, with timeless albums like Illmatic (1994), It Was Written (1996), and Stillmatic (2001) considered mandatory listening for hip-hop students.

Critics argue that even if Fivio wasn’t a die-hard fan growing up, he should have at least familiarized himself with Nas’ discography before collaborating with him. As one commentator put it:
“That’s like doing a track with Michael Jordan and admitting you’ve never watched him play basketball.”

The Bigger Conversation

This moment highlights a recurring generational divide in hip-hop. Younger artists often draw more from contemporary influences than classic figures, while older fans expect them to respect and acknowledge the legends who paved the way.

Whether or not Fivio meant any harm, his comments opened up a conversation about how much responsibility today’s rappers have in knowing hip-hop’s history—especially when directly working with its icons.