NaS is the goat, but no way would i record a song as an ode to him... and who cares if NaS don't like workout... song is dope, but dope or wack, no artist should be in the studio worrying about if NaS likes their music or not unless NaS is signing their checks...
and this is why todays music is as wack as it is.
do you think for one minute Nas wasn't making hiphop in his prime not trying to impress the old heads that killed the mic before him? of course he was.
see that new kid mentality of "i dont care what yall old heads think" is the same reason this gens music SUCKS in general(it is getting better. finally).
you have to pay homage to the past, in addition to trying to make your mark but make darn sure the dudes you grew up on would call you dope. thats how you know for a fact you're ready to be at that level. not cause your label paid for you to look like it. not cause a few fans are hyping you up and you're trending today on twitter. but because your music is that good.
Old head rappers are fans just like me and you. you should try to impress them.
its BIg Brotha part 2. even the beat has a similar cadence. and that song was hot to for what it was.