Nas is familiar with the pressure of producing another classic after shattering debut expectations. In a sit-down with Complex, Nasir Jones offers up some helpful advice to Kendrick Lamar who is readying his sophomore project.

“It’s super important, but don’t let that get in the way of creating. Don’t,” he explains. “It’s like, “Yo, you know you’re like one of the most important guys out here in the world, now go make an album,” That’s a lot of pressure to have, but so what? Just say to yourself, “So what? Yeah, I’m that dude. I got music to make.”

In the comparisons of good kid M.A.A.D city to the legendary Illmatic, the Queens MC reveals that the two albums cannot be compared to each other. “No, it’s not a fair comparison to me because Illmatic represented a different time and a different expression for different reasons,” he said. “The times inspired the sound of that—the climate of the music business, the rap game, the industry, the year, and life in itself. It’s not fair to Kendrick’s album either because his album is a brand new expression that represents these times, the sound represents what’s happening now, he’s changing things today.”

The rap veteran also sat down with PBS’ Finding Your Roots host Henry Louis Gates, Jr for a riveting experience diving into his family’s ancestry. During the presentation, Nasir Jones discovers a portrait of the man that held ownership of his family members.

“This is the face my ancestors looked at everyday,” he said. “And now I’m looking into their world.”

Check out the trailer for the PBS special returning September 23 on the following page.