One of many perks of being a well-known NBA star is that folks acknowledge you at stay concert events and typically, the performers would possibly even take you on the stage with them. That is precisely what Nas did with Steve Nash again in 2011.
It was the offseason and Nash linked up with some mates alongside his girlfriend to observe the “Rock the Bells” stay in New York. Nash is a big rap fan and he actually bumps to some Nas songs. Nonetheless, the two-time MVP admitted that he by no means thought of chatting with the legendary rapper or any of the performers at that occasion.
Ultimately, a number of frequent mates received Nash backstage with Nas. The subsequent factor he knew, he was already on the stage vibing as Nas carried out.
“To be trustworthy, I went to the present with none kind of expectations,” Nash informed Grantland in 2012. “I used to be with my girlfriend and a good friend and we had some type of entry move. Impulsively, a good friend of mine requested us if we needed to come back backstage, the place the artists have been. So we went again, and it is fairly humorous, I bumped into Mateen Cleaves.
“I assume he is actually good mates with Nas, so he comes up and says ‘What’s up?’ And I am like ‘What’s up, have not seen you in a very long time.’ After which the subsequent factor I do know, we’re assembly Nas. It was earlier than his set, so we have been simply hanging out for like half an hour, after which proper earlier than he went on, Nas was like, ‘You are approaching stage, proper?’ I used to be considering I’m actually gonna remorse this if I say no, so yeah, it was fairly cool,’” he mirrored.
“A type of experiences you by no means anticipate,” he stated.
Nash has lengthy been a Nas fan
It was clear as day that Nash had numerous enjoyable on stage with Nas, despite the fact that he did not plan to be up there. In a video clip uploaded on YouTube, Steve might be seen having a good time. Actually, Nash even did his little strut dance a la Beastie Boys after Nas acknowledged his presence on stage.
Some might not know, however Nash has lengthy been a fan of Nas. Again in 1994, Nash was featured on Rap Metropolis Canada and was requested what track he needed to play. The then-Santa Clara level guard requested Nas’ ’94 hit track “It Ain’t Arduous to Inform.”
Stating the plain, that explains why Nash was very enthusiastic on stage with Nas that evening.
Nash needed to be Black
Nash grew up in Canada, however he was deeply influenced by rap and hip-hop tradition. It was no shock that he attended Santa Clara College in California.
Nash additionally as soon as revealed that he had needed to be Black ever since he was a child. Admittedly, the Corridor of Famer has been an admirer of profitable Black celebrities, which clearly consists of NBA gamers and rappers.
“The primary Air Jordan-Spike Lee business got here out once I was in eighth grade — seventh grade going into eighth — and I used to be like, ‘This world’s superb,’” Nash as soon as recalled. “After which — I imply — let’s additionally simply be actual…I needed to be Black.”
“Pay attention, all the most effective gamers on the earth have been Black. All the most effective rappers,” he identified. “? So I am attempting to emulate anybody who had one thing about them, proper?”
All informed, it is fairly attention-grabbing to find that behind Nash’s typical white man look lies a rap fanatic and a Black wannabe.
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This story was initially printed by Basketball Community on Dec 16, 2025, the place it first appeared within the Off The Court docket part. Add Basketball Community as a Most well-liked Supply by clicking right here.
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