In April of this year, Kelis went public with accusations against her ex-husband and son’s father, Nas. In a video conversation with Hollywood Unlocked, the songstress detailed physical and mental abuse she endured at the hand of the legendary rapper. She also accused Nas of having extramarital affairs.

Although Nas released an album in 2018, he has remained quiet on the subject of his ex-marriage. Tonight (September 6), the MC broke his silence and charges that Kelis has physically abused him, and has misled the public. Traditionally guarded, Nas let it all out in a public forum.

Kelis Accuses Nas Of Physically & Mentally Abusing Her (Video)

In seven Instagram posts that do not contain images, Nas penned a letter that states that he never beat his ex-wife. The rapper does admit making mistakes in the marriage. However, he accuses his ex of manipulating the media and their son. He also details accounts of her abuse to him and his daughter from a previous relationship. One of the most respected MCs in Hip-Hop also makes a plea to see his son, Knight.

“I am speaking from the heart as a man who has had enough,” Nas says in his first of seven Instagram posts. “Today I got a call from Essence about my ex wife doing another sad, fictitious story. Nothing surprises me anymore, including this. This is what your life has come to, sis?Exploiting some people’s real struggle and pain…just to get at me….to get attention? Fame? Another fight against men? We are a human family and we should be better examples for our son. Why is there even a issue for me to have time with my son? A son needs his father. [There are] so many absentee fathers out here and here I am being attacked by your accusations simply because I got us in court to help fix this the custody matter? Why did I have to take you to court to see our son? Why when I win the joint custody (which is a win for both of us and our son, it helps us with both our schedules) why do you feel that’s an attack on you? Is it control? Why do you need to have control over my life? Because we’re not together? Then why? Is this being rewarded and praised by people who are being taken advantage of by you and your lies?” Nas goes on to praise families that work through challenges.

Escobar Season Has Returned. Nas Reunites With Karl Kani For A Clothing Line

In that first post, he also writes, “I’m a mild mannered God-fearing very fair human being who tries his hardest to please everyone. It’s my nature. I’ve seen this too many times before And there was times I thought Kelis my ex wife was not this type. This is the type of antics that deceive people and people mistakenly call it strong. [It] seems I always had more belief in you than you do for yourself,” he writes. Nas accuses Kelis of mistreating Destiny Jones, Nas’ daughter from a previous relationship. “I instilled strength in my daughter who you were already so jealous of and treated poorly. [You were] being jealous and verbally abusive to a little girl.”

In the second post, Nas acknowledges some transgressions during the marriage, but details 2018 abuse that he has suffered at the hand of Kelis. “Women are the essence of life. I cherish them. My strength is given to me from my mother. I am everything she taught me to be. I was raised in a single home by a single woman. I am a very proud Black man. I shouldn’t have ignored the signs from your your first song and video, “I Hate You So Much Right Now.” But I thought you was beautiful. You came into my life at a time I was grieving from my mom’s passing. You was a friend. Because of that I wanted to marry you. And I did. And we had a big lavish wedding. Overall, there was too many good times. I have to say I wasn’t the most faithful husband. I was immature. I’m sorry about that. But you bumped your own head sis. Why do I have to live [through] a constant divorce? It didn’t work out. Life goes on. I’m not coming back to you. [You’re] married and I’m happy for you and I’m a extremely happy Black brother out here trying to make a difference for my kids and the next generation of young people who see me as huge inspiration in music, art, business, education and so on.” He continues, “After 10 years of keeping my silence during a decade of dealing with very hostile behavior and verbal abuse and even your stepfather holding you back from one of your physical violent attacks on me right outside your house this year while trying to pick up our son while he watched from the window, it was my weekend and you denied me that because your parents were in town. I just went home. This has been my life for my son’s entire life. Even our son wonders why you treat me the way you do?”

In the third post, Nas continues his statement: “There’s some seriously crazy things I won’t i disclose for our son’s sake. Because you keep my son from me I’ve been going [through] lawyers to stop you from this bullsh*t. I’m tired of it. I’m tired of you painting a bad picture of me. I’ve been tired of it but you never seem to get tired. I even had to be in a relationship with you again after we separated just so I could see my son and I am just tired.” Nas returns to the divorce proceedings that inspired much of his Life Is Good album. “Back then you asked me why didn’t I stop the divorce from happening. I tried! We are too different. Some things aren’t meant to be. We were meant to be so that we could have our son. Nothing more. You didn’t like that. I prayed for your peace of mind for years because of your uneasy soul. I still do. I guess some things take time. You definitely don’t know me now and probably never knew me. You make up this image of me that’s not true but it’s funny because it’s really you describing yourself. You made up stories about me and claimed i did things that you did,” he says, presumably alluding to the physical and mental abuse charges.

Nas then calls Kelis “a jealous wife,” whose antics—including turning off the MC’s phone, he says, hurt business. Nas also says that Kelis’ behavior is what caused her music career to lose momentum, despite 2000s prominence.

DJ Green Lantern Makes A Slick Remix To Nas’ Biggest Song Of 2018 (Audio)

In the fourth post, Nas doubles down on the accusations being false. “The altercations you speak of are no more different from what most normal couples go [through], but your exaggerated version is unjust. Whenever one is constantly attacked the instinct is to restrain that person or defend yourself to prevent escalation. In hindsight now my advice to young men out there in a situation like that is to run at the very first sign of verbal abuse or physical. I [heard] you said terrible things about me. It makes me feel sad how heartless you can be.” Nas appears to state that Kelis used this opportunity to align with a trend in women coming forward that is dishonest and thus disrespectful. “You play with strong women’s struggles like they mean nothing. You’re taking advantage of a moment in time where women who are fighting for their lives to get justice and be treated fairly and you just looked at it as an opportunity to get ahead. Like abuse is a game? Like tearing down your son’s father is a game. You have a son! Why are you still competing with me by telling him bad things about me. Guess what sis, he has eyes and ears and [is] smart as ever. I don’t have to say anything. I think he knows what’s really good. You will not stop me from fighting for my son.” Nas illustrates some of the abuse at home, “You tell him God doesn’t love his dad because his dad doesn’t go to church.”

Nas continues, listing his financial support for Kelis. He also criticizes the timing of her April interview being three weeks after a threat surrounding the couple’s custody battle. “I finally got our custody together to work with both our schedule [through] court, while leaving court you tell me your gonna get me back for fighting to see my son and three weeks later you’re on camera doing an interview about ‘your truth.’ Interesting timing,” he writes. The NASIR creator also declares that his taking any kind of abuse from Kelis “ends today.”

Nas Speaks On Kelis’ Thoughts About The Life Is Good Album Cover (Video)

In what appears to be the second to last post, Nas explicitly declares that he never hit Kelis. “I do not beat women. I did not beat up my ex wife. Stop. You got beat up in court. How much money do you want? Do you want me to relinquish my rights to see my son is that what you want? Just tell me. After all the tweets and posts you made [through] the years disrespecting me and my family I still have love for you as the mother of my child but I am done with this.”

In the final post, Nas signs it with his full name. He thanks his fans, and declares that this issue will never be addressed again. “This is my truth. And I don’t care what else she has left to say unless it concerns our son. This is the first and last time I’m addressing this.”

Kelis has not publicly responded to these posts.