Hailed as one of the most accomplished lyricists of all time, Nas is still going strong after over twenty years in the industry. The rapper and actor first appeared on the scene in 1991 and made his official debut in 1994 with the instant classic ‘Illmatic,’ still considered one of the best hip hop albums in history. With eight consecutive platinum albums and over 25 million records sold, Nas is expanding his Latin fan base and recently made his way to Brazil and Chile. Having achieved such longevity and prestige it’s only fitting that the respected artist joins Hennessy, the world’s best-selling cognac, in the popular Wild Rabbit campaign. We joined Nas in Sao Paulo to witness first hand his collaboration with Hennessy as he follows on the footsteps of Martin Scorcese and Manny Pacquiao as the new face of the brand.

HOMBRE: Let’s start from the beginning, how did the association with Hennessy come about?
Nas: I’ve been a big supporter of Hennessy for years. I always talk about it in my music. We talk about the cool things in life and Hennessy has been a part of that. We’re in the same world, so it’s right that it would finally happen. It took a while for me to do anything because I don’t do things with a lot of brands but Hennessy is honest to whom I am. Honest to most of my peers. It’s a part of my world and always has been.

H: When you first began, over twenty years ago, you were talking about Hennessy, and now here you are as a spokesperson for the brand; did you ever imagine that would happen?
N: No. But then that’s a yes and no answer because in rap music you speak things into existence. I think in life you can do that also and I’m a big dreamer. I always look at things as though anything is possible. But there was that moment when I could not see this far. Back when I first started I couldn’t see it happening, I didn’t think about it honestly.

H: What makes Hennessy your drink of choice?
N: It speaks for itself, it always has.

H: What is your Wild Rabbit?
N: Just going to get it. Just going out there and don’t let anything stop you. And that drive came from my parents and that drive came from me being a parent now.

H: Performing at Lollapalooza here in Sao Paulo and then going on to Chile, what makes a Latin American audience different?
N: This is my first time playing a Latin market and many people are not this lucky to travel the world and come to so many amazing places. The Latin market is new ground for me. But the connection has always been there apparently, because the audience knew my stuff. And they knew my early stuff which was the most impressive part of the show to me. It just shows you how far music travels and how it transcends, how it translates. People relate and it’s just a beautiful thing.

H: You’ve become a hip hop icon, what advice would you give someone who admires your career and legacy?
N: That if you really work hard you can do anything. That sounds cliché but it’s the truth. Hard work really pays off. I worked hard for a very long time and I never thought that I would be around this long in music. And what I can tell people who look up to me is to pursue your dreams, give it all you got and strive to be your best. Strive to be number one and don’t be surprised one day when you wake up and you are number one. It can happen to anybody.

H: What would you say is the factor that has maintained you at the top for over twenty years now?
N: I just know that I’m like anybody else, it doesn’t get to my head. I love music and I put the music before me. It’s not about me, it’s about the music. I’m just a child of music and when that’s your focus, you never get ahead of yourself. The music will last longer than I do.

H: What’s next for you?
N: I want to get closer to the communities that I come from. The Queens all over the world. I want to give back. Foundations and then some. I don’t ever want to forget where I come from. I always think of the ones that have so much potential but never get a chance because of things that are around the neighborhoods where I’m from. So anything I can do to be some kind of example by coming back, that’s my future.

H: Do you consider yourself a role model now?
N: Even if I didn’t, others would. I don’t have a problem with that. There’s nothing I can do. I take that on and sometimes I make decisions based on that. Because I know that kids are watching. I’m not perfect., I’m not a saint. I’m honest, I’m real and if kids watch me make good decisions in my life, then I did my job.

H: Who inspired you?
N: The earliest rap, and when I say early I mean ‘81, 1982; the guys that were coming out when I was a kid, all the way up until I got on in the 90s. From Afrika Bambaataa, to Run DMC to LL Cool J. You can’t leave out Michael Jackson and Motown Records and what they did. All those things seemed bigger than life to me. And then my father, he played a big part of it also.

H: How do you feel about joining Martin Scorsese and Manny Pacquiao as part of the Hennessy Wild Rabbit campaign?
N: It’s amazing, it’s a nice diverse crew that I’m in. Scorsese may be the best director in the world, and Pacquiao is an amazing fighter. To be in that company is a great thing.

HOMBRE’s Editorial Director with rapper Nas