In a recent sit-down with XXL magazine to remember the impact of It Was Written 15 years after it’s release, Nas spoke on working with Dr. Dre in the midst of the East v. West era, being the first rapper to work with Lauryn Hill and R. Kelly, and the song that started his beef with Tupac

For “Street Dreams” what was the process like to clear the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams” sample?

Oh, they took everything. They took everything. Word. For real.

Did you ever get a chance to meet Annie Lennox or did you get feedback from what she thought about the song?

Not really. You know, that song is such a huge record. I’m glad that it did get cleared, that’s all. I admire them. I admire her. It’s all love. I don’t think… I may have met her years later in passing, but it’s all love.

That song also partially led to ‘Pac taking issue with you ’cause he had the same track onAll Eyez on Me that he released that same year. What was your reaction when you heard that ‘Pac accused you of taking the same track?

See, I was always into ‘Pac early before his controversial side blew up all over America and the world. I was already into his music. I saw him as a kindred spirit, I saw him as a brother, so it was like beefin’ with your brother. Not even beefin’, it felt like, your brother over there’s a little mad. This is an issue right now, so you gotta deal with it.

to get a better understanding of this beef, listen to both tracks

TUPAC – ALL EYEZ ON ME

NAS – STREET DREAMS

what do you think? did Pac have reason to be angry at Nasir?

click here for the rest of the sit down