Nas uses music for therapy

Nas says music is "only real way" he can "get things off" his chest.

The US rapper said he has no interest in living a celebrity lifestyle and likes to keep himself to himself, so he can fully concentrate all his energies into making music.

He said: "Music is what people know me for. And yeah, personally, I'm kind of private I think. So music is the only real way I get things off my chest.

"I'm not really going to make enough of an effort to be there at the right places all the time. You know, to be the biggest celebrity.

"But I do care for making music and I do love making music, you know? That's the difference."

The 'Nas Is Like' rapper also spoke about his focus on keeping his sound and attitude fresh, and that while he wants to be competitive, he feels it is a waste of energy to argue with other rappers.

He added to website thevine.com.au: "Unlike any other art form, hip-hop artists tend to stay fresh and move on.

"But with hip-hop artists the whole thing is competitiveness and staying fresh. So that competitiveness makes an artist want to continue to prove that he's number one.

"So if you're one who gets caught up in what people are saying, time will pass you by and before you know it, you'll be forgotten. You've got to keep growing because it makes no sense to get caught up thinking about something that, in five years from now, only a select few people will remember anyway."

Nas is presently on tour in Australia.