Legendary New York rapper Nas paid tribute to some of the greatest black musicians of the 20th century in an open letter as part of Google Arts & Culture's Black History Month celebration.

Nas, like many rappers in the 1980s and '90s, was influenced by R&B, jazz, funk and soul to create his own musical legacy.

In his letter, he revealed that he was introduced to music at an early age.

"We had oodles of instruments at the family crib, many of them with origins in the Motherland," Nas wrote. Through the blues, he learned about the black struggle and the importance of knowing black history— both the struggles and triumphs.

"Our music has been a relentless advocate for our story, which plays a crucial role in the American narrative: Red, white and blues, baby," he continued. "I would realize — through the education I received from my parents and my own travels — that Robert Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan and Slick Rick were one in the same."

"Native storytellers who shined a light on our purpose preserved our legacy and, without question, rocked the house. The conversation never stops and we all continue to push it steadily along, through our arts n crafts and even within the way we speak."

His powerful words were transformed into a video infused with classic images of some of the artists he mentioned. Watch it above.