Snoop Dogg seemingly engaged in some revisionist history when recounting an incident between 2Pac and Nas – at least that’s the claim from Young Noble of the Outlawz.
During an interview with The Art Of Dialogue earlier this month, Noble respectfully confronted Snoop about his recounting of their encounter at Bryant Park in the 1990s.
“What I find unappealing is how, over the years, that exchange has changed all these various narratives,” he started. The reality is Nas approached – there were around seven of them, while we had about 30 or 40. He didn’t miss a moment. He didn’t pull in his head. He strolled over. He wished to speak with Pac. The reality is it was as gangsta as it could be. He approached them and they engaged in a discussion. Pac was all sweaty, while Nas remained calm. The cheesy stuff, however, are all the incredible wild tales that follow. Twenty damn years later, everyone has a crazy tale about what occurred that night.
“[Nas’] sibling Jungle [speaking on], ‘I was ready to shoot 2Pac.'” He wouldn’t have escaped the damn park! They were encircled. There was nothing they could do. Anyone can be outnumbered. There’s nothing remarkable about that. There was no victory in this scenario. Thus, the incredible wild tales that I have heard throughout the years. I’ll begin with Snoop Dogg. Only love for Snoop Dogg. He shared an outrageous account.
“When Kendrick […] mentioned to Snoop, ‘I wish it was the edibles’ – I wish it was the edibles at that moment.” Since he had a wild take on the narrative, similar to how Nas depicted Pac being cornered and everything. However, in Snoop’s defense, he did not arrive at this park with Pac. Snoop arrived in his car, but his security did not. I believe all the guys we had with us were outside the venue – all our Jersey guys. Those guys can’t enter the awards. They were outside waiting for us to exit. In my view, I’m thinking that perhaps Snoop doesn’t realize all these guys are actually aligned with 2Pac. They are not with Nas.
“Therefore, in his defense, I will state that.” However, he recounted a fantastical version of the tale. A long time has passed since I witnessed what he mentioned, but […] it seemed as if Nas could have easily ended it for Pac with a mere snap of his fingers. […] Among them all, Snoop’s account was definitely the least accurate.”
You can listen to the entire story below.
In 2020, Nas commented on Snoop Dogg’s recounting of the incident after the West Coast icon had presented his perspectives in an episode of Untold Stories of Hip Hop with Angie Martinez the previous year.
“I’ve heard Snoop share the story several times, but he got a few details wrong,” he started. “He mentioned that ‘Pac approached me.” Find peace, ‘Pac. However, he was in New York, and there was a lot of tension rising, wasn’t there? And no one was truly present. I believe he had a confrontation with Jungle, my brother, during the award show [1996 MTV Video Music Awards]. I spotted him backstage and said, ‘You do your thing’ and he replied, ‘And you do yours.’ I thought, look, I realize it’s a bit amusing [laughs]… he was just about to give out an award, so he couldn’t really stop and chat with me since he was about to go on stage.
“While I’m walking backstage, I spot him and I say, ‘Hey, go ahead, do your thing’ and he replies, ‘And you do yours’ because he understood my stance wasn’t entirely loving given the rumor of Makaveli’s return.” I was eager to discuss the temperature with him, but my brother and others encountered them and the Outlawz — big shout out to the Outlawz — and exchanged some words or something.
As Nas went on, he remarked “this is a longstanding tale” yet proceeded regardless.
“At that moment, it was essential for us to tackle the situation since it was in the city and we needed to attend to our responsibilities,” he stated. “There was a great deal of tension.” They were in New York with their chests out, acting confidently and making Death Row gestures, so we had to approach them.
In the end, both sides engaged in a discussion that eased the quickly rising tension between them.
“We had an awesome chat, dude,” he remarked. “He clarified that he believed I was insulting him on the track ‘The Message.’” He believed I was insulting him, and I heard he was insulting me at clubs. [Pac was the] final individual that crossed my mind while I composed that song. I was just going after everyone. Thus, he believed that.
“He said, ‘Hey Nas, we’re like brothers, man.’” “We’re not meant to experience this,” and I responded, “That’s exactly what I mean.” We intended to resolve it in Vegas, so I was there while he was in the hospital, hoping for his recovery. “Rest peacefully, ‘Pac.”
