Nia Long has been a muse for hip-hop artists for decades, but when it comes to the lyrics written in her honor, one stands above the rest. The actress recently opened up about why her favorite reference is found in Ye’s 2005 hit “Touch the Sky.”
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The lyric in question features Ye rapping, “Couldn’t keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long.”
For Long, the connection was a central part of the song’s visual history. She co-starred in the iconic music video from the “Late Registration” era, playing the role of Ye’s ex-girlfriend alongside a star-studded cast that included Tracee Ellis Ross, Pamela Anderson, and a breakout Lupe Fiasco.
“I’m going to go with Kanye’s [song] because I was in that video,” Long shared during a recent interview while reflecting on her career. “That video was iconic.”
Long has nothing but praise for the artist’s creative process during that time.
“I just think Kanye is such a visionary with his music, his visuals. He’s just he’s a very talented artist,” she added.
While she has been referenced by everyone from A Tribe Called Quest in “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)” to Chingy in “Dem Jeans,” the tie to “Touch the Sky” remains her most personal.
As she pivots into her heavy-hitting role in the Michael Jackson biopic, it’s clear she still appreciates the cultural impact of the music that helped define her status as a Hollywood icon.
