Nas says his focus is now on his music and kids

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Nas says he's focusing on music and his children after striking a deal to dismiss a civil-contempt charge against him.

A Los Angeles judge dismissed the contempt allegation against the rapper on Monday after he paid nearly US$50,000 in child support to his estranged wife Kelis.

Kelis' attorney sought the contempt charge earlier this year after Nas fell US$200,000 behind on child-and spousal-support payments. He was ordered in December to pay more than US$51,000 a month to Kelis and their infant son.

She filed for divorce last May.

In a statement released yesterday, Nas says, "All I want to do is make music and raise my kids. Nothing else matters."

Both musicians have said they're working on new music.

Nas has a daughter from a previous relationship.