Damian Marley and Nas held a special forum in Washington DC last week shedding light on their forthcoming album, and reflecting on the cultural traditions linking Hip-Hop with Africa and the Caribbean. The event was streamed live from National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium, and featured a diverse panel of authors (Jeff Chang), emcees (Rakim), and, pioneers (DJ Kool Herc, DJ Red Alert, Big Youth). The entire discussion served as background for the concept of the Distant Relatives LP, which both men verified as set for March 16. When an audience member asked how artists could reach those in the streets without glorifying those lifestyles, Nas directed people to remain genuine and be wary of pretentiousness. “Just do you. If you ain’t been in the streets, what you know about it [from books and others], you will run out of it on the second song,” Nas explained. “I’m from the streets but it doesn’t stop there, that’s just my launching pad. I don’t think about how to reach anyone in particular. You can box yourself in by doing that.”