On Sunday night, as tens of thousands of ARMYs gathered at MetLife Stadium for BTS's second consecutive show on the ARIRANG World Tour, leader RM took a moment to single out a legendary figure in the crowd. The rapper, born Kim Nam-joon, expressed his admiration for none other than Nas, the iconic hip-hop artist who has been a major influence on his life and career.

“I want to shout out to the artist who dominated my whole teenage [years],” RM said on stage. “King of New York, big Nas is here tonight!” The crowd erupted in cheers. RM continued, “Thanks for coming. It's a really strange and wonderful feeling to be able to perform in front of your teenage idol.”

After the show, RM shared a photo on Instagram Stories featuring himself, bandmate Suga, and Nas backstage. The “Street Dreams” rapper reposted the snapshot with the caption “AMAZING SHOW.”

Key Facts

• RM shouted out Nas during BTS's MetLife Stadium show on Sunday night.
• RM called Nas his “teenage idol” and thanked him for attending.
• RM and Suga posed for a photo with Nas backstage, which Nas reposted on Instagram.
• BTS is on the ARIRANG World Tour, with two shows at MetLife Stadium and more U.S., Canadian, and Latin American dates ahead.
• The band will not submit ARIRANG for Grammy consideration.

A Decade of Admiration

RM, whose stage name originally stood for “Rap Monster,” has long been open about his reverence for Nas. In a 2021 video for Vanity Fair, his BTS bandmates correctly guessed that Nas was RM's biggest artistic influence. At the time, RM said, “He's been my idol for a decade.” He praised Nas's lyrical prowess and voice, even spontaneously rapping a verse from “N.Y. State of Mind.” This moment was widely shared by fans and underscored the deep connections between hip-hop and K-pop.

In interviews, RM has explained that Nas's music helped him navigate his own identity and ambitions. He has quoted lyrics from “The World Is Yours” and “One Love” as guiding mantras. His desire to bring Nas to a BTS show is a full-circle moment that many fans have dreamt about. The fact that Nas attended and appreciated the performance speaks to the global reach of BTS's music, as well as Nas's openness to new audiences.

Nas’s Enduring Legacy

Nas, born Nasir Jones, has been a cornerstone of hip-hop since his 1994 debut album Illmatic. Often cited among the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, Illmatic established him as a storyteller with a distinctive voice and poetic precision. Over the decades, Nas has released numerous acclaimed projects, including It Was Written, Stillmatic, and more recent works like the King's Disease series, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2021. His influence spans generations, and his status as the “King of New York” is undisputed in many circles. His collaborations and business ventures, including his role as a partner at the venture capital firm Queensbridge Venture Partners, have also solidified his legacy beyond music.

Interestingly, Nas is set to be honored with the BMI Icon Award at the 2026 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. This recognition adds another milestone to a career that has inspired countless artists across the globe, including K-pop stars like RM. The convergence of these two worlds—BTS's massive global fandom and Nas's foundational legacy in hip-hop—was on full display Sunday night, creating a cross-generational moment that fans on both sides won't soon forget.

BTS’s ARIRANG World Tour

Sunday's show marked BTS's second MetLife performance of the ARIRANG World Tour. The group had previously performed a World Cup Final halftime show at the stadium in July. Following the New Jersey dates, BTS will continue traversing the United States and Canada through early September, before heading to Latin America. The septet—comprising RM, j-hope, Jin, Jung Kook, Jimin, V, and Suga—embarked on this nearly yearlong tour in support of ARIRANG, a 2026 album that spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The record also spawned “SWIM,” a Billboard Hot 100-topping single. The tour has been praised for its ambitious production and the group's ability to connect with fans across continents.

The MetLife shows were part of a larger, meticulously planned tour. The setlist included hits from ARIRANG as well as fan favorites from previous albums. The production featured state-of-the-art visuals, elaborate choreography, and moments of intimate interaction with the audience. RM's speech about Nas was one of several memorable moments during the evening. According to fan accounts, the reaction in the stadium was overwhelmingly positive, with many concertgoers turning to each other in disbelief. The moment also trended on social media, with fans sharing clips and captions about RM's “nerding out” over his idol.

Hip-Hop’s Influence on K-Pop and BTS

BTS's roots in hip-hop are well-documented. The group debuted in 2013 with the single “No More Dream,” a song that incorporated rap verses and themes of defiance against societal expectations. RM, along with Suga and j-hope, form the rap line of BTS, and they have consistently cited American hip-hop artists as key inspirations. RM has mentioned Nas, Eminem, and Kanye West among his influences, while Suga has often referenced Epik High and other Korean hip-hop acts. The synergy between K-pop and American hip-hop has grown stronger over the years, with collaborations and mutual respect becoming more common. RM's shout-out to Nas is a testament to this cultural exchange.

Grammy Decision and Global Ambitions

Despite the album's commercial success, BTS announced in late July that they would abstain from submitting ARIRANG for Grammy consideration. The decision, according to the group, came from a desire “that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.” This follows the Recording Academy's announcement of a new best Asian pop music category in June. The band's choice has sparked conversations about representation, genre boundaries, and the global nature of music. Many industry observers noted that BTS's decision could be a pivotal moment in how international artists engage with Western awards institutions. Others argued that the new category, while a step forward, may not adequately address the systemic biases that BTS and other non-English-language acts have faced.

The Grammy abstention and the Nas encounter together illuminate a pivotal moment in BTS's career. The group is navigating a complex landscape of commercial success, critical recognition, and artistic authenticity. By honoring Nas, RM is tapping into a lineage of hip-hop that values raw talent and storytelling. At the same time, BTS's decision to step back from Grammys suggests a reorientation toward a global fanbase that doesn't require Western validation. These developments will likely define the next chapter of BTS's evolution, both as musical artists and cultural ambassadors.

Source: MSN News