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SNL and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan and rapper Nas have been friends for ages, and it turns out it's for good reason.
Morgan recently described finding out that he and Nas are actually relatives after appearing on the PBS show Finding Your Roots, which helps celebrities, especially Black celebrities, dig into their genealogical backgrounds.
Nas had also appeared on the show before Morgan's appearance, and the show discovered the link between the two while researching Morgan's heritage.
Speaking about the matter on the "Connect the Dots" podcast, Morgan told the hosts:
“The last question he asks you, he says, ‘We want to know who did this show that you’re related to. Mr. Morgan, will you turn the last page?'"
"And guess who’s sitting there? Nas. Me and Nas is third cousins on my mom’s side."
Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, has gone by several professional names in his career, including Escobar. Morgan referred to him as "Esco" in reference to this earlier name.
Morgan told the podcast hosts how far back his and Nas' bond goes.
"Me and Esco was always tight before that. I did a show years ago on Comedy Central, a special called ‘One Mic,’ that was for Nas’ mom, that just passed away."
"I named my special ‘One Mic,’ so me and Esco always been tight.”
Morgan went on to describe how his dear friend responded to the news that they are more than friends.
“I called him up, and I say, ‘Yo Esco,'" He said, ‘What up, Tray?’"
"I said, ‘Guess what? I just did ‘Finding Your Roots,’ me and you related.’ He started crying. I started crying."
"And I said to him, ‘If you ever need me, I’m there, cuz.’”
People online were deeply moved by Morgan and Nas' unlikely story.
@big_business_ I love that they already had a bond because it makes it more special that their cousins. It\u2019s weird when u find out random strangers are ur relatives— (@)
Morgan said that his experience on Finding Your Roots was deeply meaningful on a level beyond just finding out one of his best friends is his relative, giving him "knowledge of self" and saying that he "did a lot of crying" over the moving experience.