It's no secret that J. Cole took "disappointing" Nas to heart. Cole's adoration for his favorite rapper birthed "Letting Nas Down" off his sophomore effort, Born Sinner, out today.
On the track, Cole reflects on Nas' reaction to his "Work Out" single. Over a somber jazz beat he raps, "I can't believe I let Nas down."

In an exclusive interview with BET.com, the Roc Nation emcee detailed recording the record, and debuting it to the Queens emcee after a chance airport run-in. On his way back from a gig that featured "the most random lineup you've ever heard in your life," he and Nas ended up in the same airport.

"As soon as I seen him, I knew this was fate," he says. "This album had so many moments that let me know that I was doing the right thing, that was one of 'em."
Nas was seated behind Cole, when he played the music. "A minute into the song he's like beating my chair! Just overall he was wild. The look on his face was like honored that I would make that, and also, highly impressed. That was a huge moment for me."
Cole's Born Sinner includes the Miguel-assisted "Power Trip" as well as "Crooked Smile" featuring TLC.
Up next, the North Carolina native will set out on an intimate-venue Dollar & A Dream tour, locations of which will be announced via his Twitter page.
 

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(Photos from left: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, REUTERS/Lucas Jackson /Landov)