VT Update: Nas Strikes Back at Bill O'Reilly

Despite Bill O'Reilly's concerted effort to get Nas booted off the Concert for Virginia Tech event, which took place on September 6, the QB legend went on to perform at the ceremony. The show was dubbed "a big hit" by ABC 13 (watch the video). Prior to the concert, Nas took some time to respond to O'Reilly's remarks that he shouldn't be a part of "Concert for Virginia."

"He's a racist," Nas told MTV News. "Everybody has a marketing plan; his marketing plan is racism." Esco also pointed out that O'Reilly's gimmick reeks of exploitative journalism. "It just shows you what bloodsuckers do; they abuse something like the Virginia Tech tragedy for show ratings. You can't talk to a person like that."

Following some parents' outrage over Nas' inclusion on the event, Fox News comentator Bill O'Reilly spotlighted the issue on The O'Reilly Factor, calling it an abomination. "Having a rapper who trades in violence perform at Virginia Tech insults the victims, the university and the entire commonwealth," said O'Reilly, who also referred to the rapper as "Gangster Rapper Nazz."

Fortunately, the organizers were able to see that O'Reilly's prejudiced views hinders him from not only mispronouncing Nas' name but from seeing the big picture. Simply put: If you're looking for a "gangsta rapper" to demonize, Nas is not that guy.