Rapper Nas has spoken out about the Chicago, Illinois street fight which claimed a 16-year-old honour student's life last week (ends25Sep09), insisting the incident was over nothing and gang warfare is "played out".
The hard-hitting hip-hop star took to his blog to post his reaction to the tragedy, which cost teenager Derrion Albert his life after the Christian Fenger Academy High School student was attacked by a group of Chicago gang members after wandering into a fight.
Graphic cell phone video footage showing the teen being knocked unconscious by a plank of wood and his skull being stomped by gang leaders as he lay motionless on the ground appalled America when it hit Internet sites over the weekend (26/27Sep09).
And now Nas has lashed out at the senseless death, stating, "Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the loss of a love one was never cool.
"We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, Fila’s, and name plate chains. Deaths over 'he say she say!!!!!' 'I’m from This block or I’m from that block,' or 'my moms n pops is f**ked up now the whole world gotta pay!!!'
"I remember feeling like I was the hardest n**ga breathin (sic). And I couldn’t wait to prove it. 
But let’s think. What r we really proving (sic)?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state, feel your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.
"You have the ability and mindpower to change the way we are looked at. Look who’s watching us young warriors, look who’s throwin (sic) us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down... We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world.
"When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS... and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other... May the soul of this young person find peace with the Almighty. I’m with you young warriors. You’re me and I’m you. But trust me! You are fighting the wrong war."
He concludes his missive with, "This s**t sucks!"
Four youths have been charged with Albert's brutal death.