Nas has teamed up with Google Arts & Culture to celebrate Black History Month by paying homage to the icons and movements that changed history.
In a new clip, Nas pays tribute to Black musicians and storytellers who made and continue to make history, touching on how those people influenced him as an artist.
The video includes images of Nas’ father, Olu Dara, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, and more as he reflects on their legacies. The video also features music composed by Grammy award-winning jazz trumpeter, Keyon Harrold.
Along with the video is an open letter from the rapper, who writes, “Our music has been a relentless advocate for our story, which plays a crucial role in the American narrative: Red, white and blues, baby…We are here. From the beginning. For forever. From science labs to spaceships, from jazz riffs to higher consciousness, we continue to rise.”
Throughout the month, Google Arts and Culture will feature influencers sharing stories of their own as they pay tribute to the legacy of Black pioneers. Google will also be adding more resources to its extensive online collection of Black History and Culture, which you can check out here.
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