Hip-hop is having a huge year in 2025, and Nas is once again proving why he’s one of the most respected voices in rap. As fans continue celebrating his iconic feature run, a new moment caught everyone off guard: his surprising shoutouts on De La Soul’s new album.
When a legend like Nas speaks, the entire rap world listens, and this verse has sparked fresh conversations about the culture’s future.
I wanted to explore this moment because it shows how hip-hop continues to evolve while still honoring the artists who push it forward. When a veteran MC uses his verse to uplift the next wave of stars, it highlights a powerful connection across generations of rap. It also shows how seriously Nas takes his role in keeping the art form strong.
This article breaks down what Nas said, why the shoutouts matter, and how the artists he mentioned, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and SZA, are shaping today’s hip-hop landscape. If you follow rap closely, this verse is a moment worth paying attention to.
Nas surprises fans with shoutouts to Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and SZA
Nas appears on the 11th track of De La Soul’s new album Run It Back! and instantly grabs attention with a set of unexpected shoutouts. According to HipHopNMore, who obtained the snippet early, the Queens legend proudly salutes three artists dominating today’s charts. He raps:
"“Since the 80s, 90s, and 00s? How sick it was, how did it slip? / Now it’s just Doechii, Dot, and SZA with the most powerful hits / Leon Thomas, Shaboozey… only Black artists on top of the charts.”"Nas
For longtime fans of hip-hop and rap lyricism, this moment carries weight. Nas rarely throws out casual shoutouts, so when he does, it signals respect. Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and SZA have all carved distinct paths in the music world, and hearing their names from a rap icon gives even more credibility to their impact.
Kendrick Lamar has often been compared to Nas throughout his career, especially because of his deep storytelling and lyrical detail. That connection only grew stronger after Kendrick released “Man at the Garden,” which many fans saw as a modern reflection of Nas’s classic “One Mic.” The shared respect between them continues to influence rap culture in 2025.
Doechii is also having a standout year. She became the third woman in rap history to win Best Rap Album, rising quickly with the success of her hit single “Anxiety.” To hear her name next to Nas’s praise shows just how far her influence has grown.
Meanwhile, SZA remains one of the biggest voices in modern R&B and hip-hop. She and Kendrick wrapped the European leg of their massive Grand National Tour in August, making them one of the most talked-about duos in music this year.
Nas continues to push hip-hop culture forward
Even though Nas’s verse feels fresh, it reflects the current moment in rap perfectly. All three artists he shouted out are shaping the sound of 2025 in their own ways. Nas recognizes their work isn’t just a random name-drop; it’s his way of acknowledging who is carrying the torch.
His feature run this year shows he’s still deeply connected to hip-hop while staying aware of the new generation’s power. And for fans, this verse is another reminder that Nas remains one of the strongest voices pushing the culture forward.