Denzel Washington Counts Nas Among Favorite Rappers: 'He's a Wordsmith'

The actor also reiterated his love for Smino and Samara Cyn collaboration "Brand New Teeth."

(L) Denzel Washington attends the Los Angeles special screening of Apple Original Films and A24's "Highest 2 Lowest" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on August 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (R) Rapper Nas performs during 2025 Essence Festival of Culture at Caesars Superdome on July 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Images via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images and Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Actor and rap connoisseur Denzel Washington detailed his favorite current hip-hop acts during a visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The two-time Academy Award winner was on the late-night talk show to promote his new drama-thriller Highest 2 Lowest, that he stars in opposite ASAP Rocky.

Around the 10-minute mark of the video below, Washington raved over the "Tailor Swif" artist, saying, "I get it, Rihanna."

"He's very nice. He's handsome. He's a good guy," Washington said, adding that Rocky is a "very bright man."

This led Kimmel to ask for Washington's "top three greatest rappers of all time" since he's been known to have an affinity for artists like Moneybagg Yo and Pooh Shiesty.

"There you go. You wouldn't even know 'em," Washington joked.

The actor called Nas one of his favorites, as he borrowed the emcee's flow for Highest 2 Lowest. "Because I talk a lot. So, he's a wordsmith," Washington said.

"I'm up on this now. I was talking about it the other day. This young group...This this girl Samara Cyn and Smino," Washington added, mentioning their collaboration "Brand New Teeth."

Washington named another artist, CC Carter, who's redone "classic songs." The actor also shared that he started DJing when he was 12 years old.

When asked what song he'd close his DJ sets with, Washington joked that he was "drunk at the time" before name-dropping Lonnie Liston Smith song "Expansions."

Washington mentioned "Brand New Teeth" last month during an episode of Good Morning America when asked about his "amazing rap repertoire."

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