Rap veterans Common and Nas have been good friends throughout their lengthy careers, so it was only right when the Chicago native stepped in and backed up the Queensbridge artist after he took heat from his baby mother. It came in regards to his "Daughters" track, which reveals personal incidents in her life. Common feels Nas's track was justifiable.

"I feel like in art you gotta be free to express what you need to say. That's our job. That's what we do. When you an artist, you can pour out your soul. Sometimes that's the way to get it out. I don't think it's different than what Marvin Gaye was doin', it's the same mentality. Marvin Gaye did an album called Here, My Dear. The judge said he had to give all the proceeds from one of his next albums to his ex wife that he was divorcing. So he wrote all the songs about they relationship."

Common seemed like the right person to stand up for Nas, seeing as he went through a similar situation. When he released the track "Retrospect for Life" which featured Lauryn Hill, he also received a lot of criticism because it touched on how regretful he was when his then girlfriend got an abortion. She too took exception to the news being made so public.

"I think in music, you should be able to be very personal. I know it's tough on the people that may be in the experience with you. I've definitely had the mother of my child be like, 'Yo, why you keep puttin' our business out there.' Like, when I did 'Retrospect for Life' about abortion. It's necessary sometimes and honestly, not only is it a way for me to express myself, but it may inspire somebody else to do something good."

Common continues, saying, "I've had people come to me because of those type of songs and say it changed their life or somebody be like, 'Man, that song made me decide to have my child instead of having an abortion. Something that Nas said in that song may inspire somebody to be a better father so I think it's worth it."

Nas seemed to have put all of this behind him when he hit the club to celebrate the release of his new album.