Source: WENN

I may not be fluent in the lyrical prowess that is Nasty Nas, the Esco to Escobar (I’m working on it), but I’ve heard enough from the Queens-bred rapper since his divorce to recognize the man is hurting — and growing — and that for him, life without his ex-wife Kelis is not good.

A big part of me believes Nas’ intention behind his latest LP was to send the message to the world, and mostly to his ex who is caught out there somewhere, that life is in fact good for the newly divorced father of two. And on one hand I do believe he’s good, he’s learning from his mistakes and taking responsibility for his actions as a husband and father, and growing into a better man by the day. But on the other hand, it’s so clear that his “I’m good without you” attempt is somewhat of a fail because he can’t help but talk about Kelis every time he gets a chance and I love it.

Earlier this year, in an interview with VH1, Nas said posing with Kelis’ infamous green wedding dress for his album cover made things fresh again in his mind and every move he’s made since the cover release has proven that. Just a couple of weeks ago when Nas performed “Bye Baby” at the Rock the Bells concert in Jersey, the song ended and the rapper randomly said, “man I love that girl.” It was like his stream of consciousness didn’t compute that he was having an emo moment in front of thousands of people. He was being unabashedly genuine about his love for that girl and I have a feeling every time he performs that song he’s reminded of just how much he really didn’t want to say bye to his baby.

Any woman who’s been cheated on, done wrong by a man, or broken up with someone they love, knows regrets and saying I love you and I miss you are never enough, and the same goes for Nas. I don’t think he and Kelis should get back together just because he feels bad without her, I see the potential for a future together again because of the growth he’s displayed since their separation. Complex asked Nas a series of questions about what he’s learned since becoming a single man again and he told the mag, “The biggest lesson I learned is respect…trust…no infidelity. I at some point got pissed off during the relationship and strayed. And I wouldn’t do that again. I would be all good.” And perhaps the greatest sign of a changed man is that he’s finally realizes there is life beyond T & A. He also told Complex the aesthetics for what he finds attractive in a woman have changed for him, as his new definition of a so-called bad b***h, could be “a younger woman, in her early 20s, but wise beyond her years. It could be a woman in her late 30s, who’s cool as hell, smart, and has great motherly qualities—or has great motivational skills, or is a powerful mover and shaker in her own career…” In other words, he’s no longer seeking validation in the form of a video chick, and once any man of his calibur crosses that threshold you have to stand up and applaud, or at least let out a mild, “thank you Jesus.”

Unfortunately, what could possibly be the snag in this whole reunion I’ve dreamt up in my mind is Kelis. Understandably, we haven’t heard her say anything about her divorce, but the one remark she did make on Nas using her wedding dress for his album cover demonstrates the beauty of this pair as a couple. In a radio interview, she said:

“My feelings about it are not really relevant, but you know at the end of the day Nas is an artist. And for whatever it’s worth he’s one of the greatest, and especially for what it is he does.

“So for me, I feel like especially for someone in hip-hop to kind of be genuine and honest, whatever the honesty is about, I think it’s awesome.”

Any woman who would walk around in a jacket with the n-word plastered on the back and be down with you exposing all of her issues in song for the sake of artistry has to be some type of soul mate. What was so dope about Nas and Kelis was their high level of creativity. They are both uninhibited when it comes to their musical expression and I think it makes perfect sense for their creative minds to collide and make magic outside of the studio. Of course, that’s not enough for a sustainable marriage, but it’s clear from the soul-searching that Nas has done that he realizes the battles he was facing and the mountains Kelis may have yet to climb, like her daddy issues, and he understands that those personal obstacles have to be tackled before they can have a harmonious union. My only question is what are you two waiting on?

Do you want to see Nas and Kelis get back together?

Brande Victorian is the news and operations editor for madamenoire.com. Follow her on twitter @Be_Vic.

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