Nas Talks Jay-Z Rivalry After Winning $5 Billion Casino Bid in Queens

Nas recently addressed questions about his long-standing rivalry with Jay-Z following the approval of his casino project at Aqueduct Resorts World in Queens.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, he downplayed the hype surrounding the feud, framing it as something that fans and media often exaggerate.

“It is just a thing that some people are going to talk about,” Nas explained. “No one has any control over things like that. I still study Rakim and Big Daddy Kane. Some rap fans just like to go off on those things from time to time. That’s it.”

The proposed casino is a massive $5 billion project designed to bring entertainment, jobs, and economic growth to Queens. It will feature live table games including craps, blackjack, and poker, a 7,000-person concert hall, and a sports academy. According to Billboard, the development is projected to generate $1 million in its first year and create 24,000 new jobs for the local community.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. expressed excitement over the project, noting the borough’s win over Brooklyn in a playful reference to Jay-Z’s proposal.

“There’s a theme in Queens, and I know that Nas was a part of this: Queens get the money. Sorry, Jay-Z, we win again. You can let the Brooklyn borough president know that I send my regards to him,” he said.

Nas and Jay-Z are known for one of hip-hop’s most iconic feuds, which took place in the early 2000s. The rivalry produced some of rap’s most memorable diss tracks, including Jay-Z’s “Takeover” and Nas’ “Ether,” tracks that continue to define their legacies in the genre.

Despite the lingering fan interest in the feud, Nas remains focused on his personal growth and long-term goals.