Among all the rap lyrics where she’s been name-dropped, actress Nia Long particularly has love for a classic song by Ye.
Long, who stars in new musicial biopic Michael, told BlackTree TV that her favorite lyric about her belongs to Ye’s 2005 single “Touch the Sky,” where he raps, "Couldn't keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long.” The song appeared on Ye’s sophomore album, Late Registration, and Long co-starred in the music video as Ye’s scorned ex-girlfriend. Also appearing in the music were Tracee Ellis Ross, Pamela Anderson and an early Lupe Fiasco, who was featured on “Touch the Sky.”
“I'm going to go with Kanye's [song] because I was in that video,” Long said around the 4-minute mark of the video below. “That video was iconic.”
“I just think Kanye is such a visionary with his music, his visuals. He's just he's a very talented artist,” she continued.
Like fellow actress Halle Berry, Long has been referenced in multiple rap songs like A Tribe Called Quest’s “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)” and Chingy’s “Dem Jeans.”
In “Touch the Sky” the 24-time Grammy winner played Evel Kanyevel, based upon late 1970s stunt daredevil Evel Knievel, who attempted to jump across Grand River Canyon in 1974. At a $1 million dollar budget, the Chris Milk-directed visual was one of the most expensive music videos ever made. Despite its investment and full-fledged production, “Touch the Sky” was snubbed out of all categories at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
