Nas is running a record company, putting out his own albums, spearheading businesses, about to launch a casino, and go on tour. He’s one of the busiest individuals in Hip Hop. I think it really just comes down to Nas giving hid energy to those in his direct vicinity assisting in helping him in whichever endeavor he’s focused on in the moment. We hadn’t seen Nas and Raekwon together in YEARS before he dropped an album on Mass Appeal. Same for Nas and Ghost. Nas and Slick Rick. Nas and De La Soul. Nas and AZ. Its a timing and priorities thing.
Nas paid Hit-Boy fairly even though he was in a horrible publishing deal, this by Hit’s own admission. Those six albums they did together helped Hit get out of that deal as well. Nas helped Hit Boy just as much as Hit helped Nas. Without those Nas albums Hit doesn’t get his third Grammy award or his nomination for Producer of The Year.