Whilst working on his new album, the rapper has said he will use the late singer as an inspiration.

"I look at Michael Jackson, and before he passed away, I can only imagine the pressure he had to live up to for the next moonwalk," Nas told MTV.

He added: "And the reality is physically, he wasn't able to live up to that. I would have loved to see him come up with the next level, without even dancing, just using his creativity. It's all about evolving and that's what I want to do, evolve."

Meanwhile, Nas and Damian Marley have announced details of a UK tour, which will take place this year.

(by Holly Frith)