Musician Nas finds his family tree in PBS series

In this Wednesday, July 23, 2014 photo released by PBS, from left, actor Courtney B. Vance, actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith, recording artist Nas, actor Khandi Alexander and host/executive producer/writer/presenter Henry Louis Gates Jr. discuss uncovering family histories during PBS’ "Finding Your Roots," 2 session at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverley Hills, Calif. In its second season, the 10-part series that traces celebrities' ancestry will focus on, among others, Nas, Ben Affleck, Jessica Alba, Tina Fey, Sting, Stephen King, Derek Jeter and chef Ming Tsai. The show premieres Tuesday, September 23, 2014 and runs through November 26, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET). (AP Photo/PBS, Rahoul Ghose)

By Associated Press July 23, 2014 2 min read

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) – When Nas became the first rapper invited to trace his family tree through the PBS series “Finding Your Roots,” he welcomed the opportunity.

But it hit him hard when he saw 1859 documentation of an ancestor being sold as a slave, he said during a panel discussion Wednesday.

“First I was enraged when I looked at the bill of sale,” Nas said. “I was like, that guy that owned property owes me some cash. My people made him really wealthy, so maybe I should find his family and talk.”

The unearthed information made him think about his ancestors’ contribution to America, he said, “and now I’m on a mission to find out more.”

His family’s story is among those told on season two of “Finding Your Roots,” hosted by Harvard University scholar, author and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates Jr. and debuting Sept. 23.