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Who favorited?Above the Law: Nas
by on January 8th, 2008
In this day and age of Hip-Hop, there are still artists from the "Golden Age" that continue to make hits, because they continue to stay relevant. Does these achievements give them the right to do whatever they want?
As we all have seen; the Hip-Hop of today isn't the same as it was in the past. Maybe it was because it was more about having fun, and pure competition rather than images. Days when you could pop in a tape and relate to whatever the artist is saying, whether it's hard times with your family, friends, at work or just the good times that makes you smile. Nas will be one of the few artists that will always be known for those things. From making you laugh at some of the party tracks, to making you think about life and the way you're living.
And with all of those good deeds, Nas has a responsibility to be as true as he can be to the game. But I often wonder why fans of the Queensbridge native never question the choices he's made. Hasn't he been doing what he's always spoke against for 14 years since Illmatic? Lets just go through some of the events that would have any other rapper's name dragged through the mud.
The Fashion
1. When he first came in the game, he made a name for himself in the normal NY attire. Nothing fancy or special; just a long sleeve shirt with a big jacket and some Tims on. Not saying that's how he should stay his whole career; there's nothing wrong with wearing a nice suit, which he also did. But he often spoke on being different. That's something that he's failing to do these days. We've all seen that people are suddenly in a "retro" fad. Dressing in clothes that resembles the late 80's and early 90's, whether it's Adidas track jackets, old sports shirts and hats, Reebok pumps and all types of bright colors. It seems that Nas had maybe put a foot on the bandwagon. Big rope chains from the 80's which were made popular from artists like RunDMC, LL Cool J, and Big Daddy Kane. Along with that, you can also see him with the big shades similar to the ones Kool Mo Dee wore at the same time as the others. Not saying that he conformed or anything, just that it's something he really isn't known for doing.
The Stories
Nas is confident in himself (Which he should be) when it comes to album sales. Stating that he doesn't needs controversy in order to get a buzz or sell a record. But with the last two name of his albums (Hip-Hop Is Dead; Nigger), that's exactly what he's doing. Along with interviews and statements made that fuels the hype before the album drops even more.
3. What verses were really true in the Jay-Z/Nas beef? One of the greatest beefs of all time had personal conflicts and stories all out in the open. Spilling out all information about his wife on the radio and through songs, saying that he's writing other people's lives in his stories and that he contridicts himself when he should to be conscious. Things of this nature would usually kill a person's career no matter how good or how well accepted the person is to the Hip-Hop community. Ja Rule took some of the same blow when 50 Cent came after him, and basically ended his career. Maybe Nas was just an exception.
The Switch Up
4. Just look up to number three.. You remember the beef. You know all the things that went down between the two. I'm not sure about any of y'all but if I had that many problems with one person, I wouldn't make up and be friends with him. Even if we were cool before all of that, it's just too much baggage. I would forgive him of course, but not show up on stage with him or be in videos chilling and toasting drinks. And to also be on the record label that your former rival is/was in charge of? Too many things could've happened with that. Jay could have his album pushed back until the artist just give up. (Kinda like what Joe Budden was dealing with) And to smile in the same man's face, is just surprising to me. I don't think another rapper would be accepted the same way. People screaming "You weak", "Sellout" or even worse would be expected.
5. When "Hip-Hop Is Dead" was waiting to be release, A lot of people (especially from the South) began to debate over the actual state of Hip-Hop's vitality. With that he became the unofficial poster boy, for the "Hip-Hop is Dead" movement. When asked about if the title of the album was directed to the South, he would always deny and say that it is to bring it back to the glory days of Hip-Hop. But when he is asked about the state of the game, he would talk about the younger artists that didn't show respect or think that they would just blow up over night. Which at the time, most of the music was coming from the South.
Now this may seem like I hate Nas, or that I'm dissing Nas. That's the total opposite of how I feel; I'm just pointing out things that caught me off guard, and had me looking at him in a different light. If you think that everything that he did is/was justified, you might be a Stan. But if you can look at it like me, and just see if it's right or anyway that you feel about it. Then you can just see it's all observations. The real question for me is still asked to this day.. Why didn't he catch heat from the fans?
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To me he’s turning into the things he used to protest.
he said if yous a rapper get ya money, Bitch. now look what he doing…. Rather than doing his shit his way, he went wit jay-Z to get more money, more publicity, etc. To me that sounds and looks like a nigga renigin on his word.
Dont get me wrong, no nigga out can fuk wit the N lyricaly, but what Im sayin is Wow…. Nigga you fukin up
Also, he’s doing fashion. He has always done him, but he can go with a fad at times. Nothing wrong with that. He wants to do shit thats hip right now just like the next Joe down the street.
#2 could be a planned strategy… who knows? I don’t feel so, because Nas has always caught me to be the type of artist to love making music for the sake of it, and probably would always do so as long as there are some loyal listeners, and Hip-Hop won’t get tired of him. So I guess it’s one I’d let slip
#3… not sure… #4… I agree lol, that’s kinda odd, but at the same time, some people just grow up, and don’t see reason to hold onto a grudge… personally, me, I don’t know if I’d become best friends with an ex-enemy, although I might have a truce in the future with them.
#5… I think it’s just coincidence, because if you characterize the entire South, that’s talking about artists like Ludacris and although there are a lot of snap music type artists down there, there’s a couple few who respect is still given to, because everyone knows their real… Ludacris is the easiest one for me to think of.
Get back at chall in a lil while….
I’m about to go to bed…
~Be Eazy!
but i think at the end of the day, the way nas has conducted his career is the only reason he is respected to this day…
he doesnt go after the fickle type of fans that would turn on him at the drop of a hat, or should i say blog. he didnt scheme anybody into liking his shit like these here today gone tonight rappers. he earned respect from audiences thru his MUSIC alone
i bought every nas album ever released, not because i like him as a man or the choices he makes in his business dealings, i copped em cuz the nigga is a very dope artist and makes quality music.
thats all that should matter, and thats what makes him classic…
Topic 2-4: With the stoires. You (T.Good) said that the stuff Jay said about Nas’ personal life would of destroyed any other rapper. And you used Ja Rule as an example. Well Nas is far from Ja Rule. Also Jay couldn’t destroy Nas because people that actually followed both Jay and Nas’ career knew that Jay looked up to Nas ever since his reasonable Doubt days. NAs’ influence was all over Jay’s work (just listen to RD and Vol.1) It was almost like Antonio Traver coming at Roy Jones. Traver studied Roy’s whole boxing career and looked up to him and when the time was right he finally challenged Roy. But unlike in boxing where Tarver won, Nas clearly prevailed because Jay woke up a sleeping giant. Also Jay’s one line of “you ain’t live it you witnessed it from your folks pad, You scribbled in your notepad and created your life” was a very good line but it proves nothing. Did Jay grow up wit Nas since childhood? NO. He said that clearly to discredit Nas’ street cred. How would Jay know what Nas did and didn’t do from ages 1-16? Also T-Good you said if it were you, you couldn’t of squashed a beef that was so personal. Guess what fam, Nas ain’t you. LOL He put that shit to the side because he got over it. Nas’ former girl Carmen was a smut. She just happened to have Nas’ child. She also slept wit AI and Puff. Jay would of had her child too but she had a miscarriage (Jay said it himself on “This Can’t be Life”). It happens to all of us fam, we all at least once in our lives mess wit a girl that turns out to be a hoe. Shit Happens.
Topic 5: Jay signing Nas was a good look. It was no “Jay won the war” shit, because at the end of the day it’s about rap music not business moves. Jay signing Nas was a business move not a diss record so how could Jay win the war with that? Musically, Nas destroyed Jay. Also HHID being a better album than Kingdom Come was just icing on the cake for Nas. LOL. He had a better album than the Prez. If I’m not mistaken it debuted at #1 and is now platinum too.
One more thing I think you got things confused fam. Nas saying the younger artists not showing respect was aimed at 50 Cent and Dipset who were saying disrespectful shit about both Jay and Nas. It wasn’t aimed at the South. It anything it was aimed at NY rappers. Insecure southern artists that caught feelings got offended b/c they thought it was directed at them, if they made good music, they wouldn’t have to worry about what Nas said, there would be no insecurity.
Ps: Good topic fam, it made me think. We need more thought provoking topics.
I’m startin’ to enjoy your comments more and more, and not for favoritism, but because you use common sense. I tried to focus on the article but duke was givin’ me a headache with his hypotheticals, bad spelling and punctuation, and incomplete sentence fragments and clauses.
But on the real, you put duke, T.Good, in his place; saved me from my frustrations!
fam (DA GOD) spoke on it jus about as gd as its go get…
great article tho havent seen many of these kind on here…
deeee-troit
He’s Good.
part 2. i think in todays market everbody needs controversy to sell. i mean look at 50 cent. every album he picks a beef to hype up his albums
part 3. i think in every real mans life you just get tired of bullshit and goin back n forth with another grown ass man over nothing.
part 4. i think people took it from nas cause he has never tried to be a THUG. with nas it was always about story telling and delivering from a different perspective
part 5. i think this part could be directed at all regions of hiphop not just the south. because nowadays why do cats relly wanna be rappers. for the females and money for the most part.
yo i thought this wuz a good ass article, finally something worth reading
part 5.
On top of that, Nas still managed to go plat. Nigga’s a beast.
Good comment. I appreciate common sense comments like that regarding Nas, especially from someone hailing from NOLA.
the comment u said bout ppl paid more attention to his music pretty much sums it up that was the focal of ah NAS cd we paied attention to his words….
Just to add to that comment, Nas has some NASTY COLLABOS with people FROM THE SOUTH, including: Scarface, Ludacris, Jagged Edge, J.D., Lil’ Jon, Missy, and Timbaland, to name a few.
I could care less if you did, I was just wondering. It’s still a good topic regardless.
But I respect y’all opinion and everything..
These are just my views and all of y’all are entitled to y’all own.
I’m a young dude, so it’s always cool to see some
constructive feedback and hopefully learn a little something more.
Y’all keep doing what ya doing.. I’m Out..
I ain’t mad @ that… Jokesta set u up to sink or swim, lol, hahahaha… THAT’S MESSED UP JOKESTA!! He gave you one of the most POWERFUL ARTISTS (and not just hip-hop, either) to get ya ears wet with. Since you don’t mind constructive criticism, here’s some:
1) Spell check your articles PRIOR to posting them.
2) Revise your articles PRIOR to posting them.
3) Have someone else edit or proofread your articles PRIOR to posting them.
4) REALLY think about what you want to and what you’re going to say BEFORE you say/write it.
5) I applaud you for doing something positive and commend your effort. I SIMPLY WANT you to get better so don’t be offended; just GET BETTER. FEEL ME?
I knew I was gonna get a lot of heat for it,
But I rather get it all now. I’m just starting so
I thank you for the advice..
But as for some of the people saying
“Ahh He stupid” or “They just letting anybody”
That’s really not bothering me, so continue to give me replies.
i gotta say, im not very sure on how to feel about it tho. im a big Nas fan but i have questioned some of the things he did. not to the point where i lose respect for him tho.
the way i see it, no body is perfect. people may contradict themselves sometimes and make some mistakes. that jay z thing is kinda messed up tho.
i dunno, mayb im a stan…
Why would you trash yourself based on someone else’s opinions? Would you punch yourself in a street fight? You have the right to feel how you feel and express your own opinions and you don’t have to clown yourself when doing so.
to quote on the article good speculation or som shit like that im smacked and about to sleep 7 0 tre all day
STRONG comment, my good man. All I can say is, “Well done!”
Maybe Nas is actually a skilled MC…in the current climate it doesnt matter if your real, fake or a mix of them both with hip-pop selling to the kids and taking over the radio I’d rather listen to a “real” rapper anyday that actually has some pride in his lyrical skill and wordplay.
Co-Sign on that whole controversy thing but I honestly beleive he wants to make a difference within the hip hop game with these statments and not just sell records…
H
Whew, I HAD to prop that JUST for that sentence… Good job, hardcorehal.
jay is a top MC, a rich nigga and a smart business man. jay lost the war to nas.
and since you were sticking up for webbie and booty in the last article you spoke on- what the fuck do you really know about hip hop anyway nephew?
nas definitely didnt win that war, that’s all jay. Nas put the rest of his career in Jay’s hands, how did nas win that war????
Nas put jay-z whole carreer on hold for a hot minute after ether. He had jay head in a vise after that shit. THAT is the war im speaking of.
As for jay signing nas to def jam how is that war? my nigga thats called peace. He was far from having any control over nas carrer. It would be different if jay had creative control over nas music but he didnt. as president of def jam all jay could have done to hurt nas is not release nas records. Which a president would not do. trust me that nas wouldnt have signed that deal if it wasnt a safe move for him.
I repeat- nas won that war. dont get it twisted- ether was that death blow.
“this was really poorly written. also, i don’t get the point of this blog.smh. really i’m trying.”
Lol, I see you and I are on the same page. But rather than just being negative and a downer, I gave duke some constructive criticism in response to DaGod calling him out up above. I mean, the kid DID put out the effort, but there was no “follow through”, you know?
- What??? I swear Jokesta’s starting to let ANYONE write editorials. First of all, Nas had the big ass QB chain since ‘95-96… Second of all, this article is filled with CLAUSES and incomplete sentences; it’s as if NO ONE EDITED IT. But hey, maybe it’s just me…
2) “But with the last two name of his albums (Hip-Hop Is Dead; Nigger), that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
- What??? Just because he named his albums those titles and a media frenzy erupted, it doesn’t mean that’s what he intentionally set out to do. It just simply shows how RELEVANT Nas actually is, when merely his “album TITLES” create pandemonium.
3) “Spilling out all information about his wife on the radio and through songs, saying that he’s writing other people’s lives in his stories and that he contridicts himself when he should to be conscious.”
- What? This is not even a sentence. I would call it a run-on but it doesn’t even qualify as that. What is this guy, T.Good talking about C’mon dude, if you’re gonna do a HYPOTHETICAL EDITORIAL about the GREATEST EMCEE OF ALL TIME, COME CORRECT.
I choose to not go on; I have a headache. I’ll respond to other’s comments. This guy T.Good needs work… I’m NOT an english teacher, but if someone needs practice/experience writing editorials, why not have him start out with someone boring like Weezy, 50, Soulja Boy, or Jeezy, and NOT Nas, damn it?
Dude made some valid points in the article, but some of it was confusing. But look at it like this Charismatic. What’s wrong with doing the article on Nas? If it wasn’t done then none of these things would’ve been questioned, or even noticed right? The purpose of the article was to be thought provoking, and it was wasn’t it? If it was done on Wayne then it wouldnt matter since yall criticize him all the time, but the almighty Nas. Who would’ve thought someone would do the unthinkable?
You just have to look at it from the perspective as someone who is not offended by any negative pointed at Nas and be a little open minded about it.
Overall good editorial, and it was thought provoking which means it achieved its purpose.
What keeps the black community down is that we refuse to grow. And we chastise our “heroes” (I consider Nas a hero) for not being exactly like the people they were when we were first introduced to them. Take Ice Cube. The realest hardest rapper ever. He grew up, let go of some of his animosity, and is now bettering his life and the lives of others both white and black.
Y’all need to get your education game up, and quit this bullshit.
I ain’t know you were from Philly!? Anyhow, yep, I’m from the inner city, too… the grimiest of all hoods, right next to yours, growing up between Camden AND Philly, were most of my fam is from. I went to Camden, ahem Iraq High School, and then to Camden County College and then Temple University and graduated in ‘04 with a B.S. in Computer Science. I now work in Air Traffic Control, testing the equipment used in all FAA regulated airports in America. So yes, we all change and our “hoods” DO help MOLD us but don’t have to HOLD us, so to speak.
I LOVE Nas and will defend him to the death. On the other hand, I LOVE MUSIC, in general… With that being said, as I promised last week, here’s my FINALIZED list of albums I purchased in 2007 and my rankings, IN ORDER of MY personal satisfaction and OPINIONS.
Don’t count:
[1.] The Score – The Fugees; ’96
[2.] The Great Adventures of Slick Rick – Slick Rick; ’88
01. Back To Black – Amy Winehouse
02. Frank – Amy Winehouse
03. The Big Doe Rehab – Ghostface Killah
04. The Dutchess – Fergie
05. Corinne Bailey Rae – Corinne Bailey Rae
06. As I Am – Alicia Keys
07. I Am – Chrisette Michelle
08. Rap-Murr-Phobia: The Fear of Real Hip-Hop – Keith Murray
09. Red Gone Wild – Redman
10. Free At Last – Freeway
11. B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story – Cassidy
12. T.I. Vs. T.I.P. – T.I.
13. The Cool – Lupe Fiasco
14. The Solution – Beanie Sigel
15. Growing Pains – Mary J. Blige
16. American Gangster – Jay-Z
17. The Makings Of A Man – Jaheim
18. M.A.D.E. – Scarface
19. Extraordinary Gentleman (Super Gangster) – Styles P
20. 8 Diagrams – Wu-Tang Clan
21. Finding Forever – Common
22. Just Like You – Keyshia Cole
23. Eardrum – Talib Kweli
24. The Real Thing: Words and Sounds, Vol. 3 – Jill Scott
25. From Nothin’ to Somethin’ – Fabolous
NOBODY CAN SAY I DIDN’T SUPPORT IN ’07… I BOUGHT all these cds.
P.S. Albums I bought as gifts for others: B’day (Deluxe Edition) – Beyonce; Special Occasion – Bobby Valentino, Street Love – Lloyd; Face Off – Bow Wow & Omarion; Good Girl Gone Bad – Rihanna; Amy Winehouse’s DVD
I think that Lupe is an actual genius. He’s actually intelligent and I hate to say it (not you personally by any means) but niggas can’t pay attention to how deep his shit is and how over your head he’ll be if you don’t listen. Put you on game is my favorite rap song ever. It beat out Represent (Illmatic) for the top spot. People need to listen to him with his lyrics in front of their face so they can see just how tight the cool is.
Phenom jeans, beyond clean
little rap Isaac Asimov
Really, how many niggas even know who Isaac Asimov is? dumb it down nah, let hov dumb it down and double his dollars, Lupe will just make records for intelligent people whose taste is actually well defined.
Btw, vote in the primaries people. PLease.
Read Krush Dallas’ review… he pretty much summed it up 4 me!
I will chalk it up as maturation of a man. The things we do as youngerster change dramatically as we get older.
Now back on your points.
#1. how can you expect the man to think the same way he did when he came in the game? Do you honestly still think or dresses the same way you did just 3 years ago? C’mon B, People mature, they learn new things, see things that changes their way of viewing life. But look deep in his eyes, or his lyrics, Nas’s Foundation has not changed a bit. Yes he now has cars in his garage, a fine daughter & wiffy. The man has seen the world more then once… But trust me it’s human nature once you reach a certain age you mellow down & try to enjoy life with your loved.
#2. You said it your self the man clearly doesn’t need buzz to sell his products. See the man is on a mission, His last album just like his new is all a message. The man is educating us,…”yes Mo’fucka Hip-Hop is dead, c’mon fuck it, piss on it, lets get money” if you didn’t get that message, then I this debate will be one sided & I really don’t feel doing the back & forth.
But most importantly, I suggest you hop off the mainstream dick ride your own & wait till the N**** drops & listen to the message before you jump to conclusions.
#3. just like there’s good & bad, heaven & hell Every man in the word has an inner conflict in him. Some are greater then other to the point it’s visible. But trust me, deep down in you have an evil side to you, (or good if your evil),…or just a side that contradicts your believes. Now if you were an artist, it would be harder for you to suppress it.
Ok on that Note so Nas gives us a real positive conscious joint (I Know I Can) then gives us a hard punch you in your mouth joint (made you look),…so what, he still delivered the message to both camps, the kids in school heard him, but so did the Hustlas on the block. Pac was also like this from dear mama, to Hit ‘em up, or from Brenda’s Baby to Ambitionz Az a Ridah,…smell me? Ja rule? How can we even bring Ja & Fif in this? I rest my case
Now Nas baby mama had an agenda, why didn’t she come forward & say all that shit when she was with him? This chick was & is a jump off enough said.
#4. this is one where you might have a good point because most men wouldn’t kick with the man that banged their girl. But honestly,…look into history. Most of the greatest powerful men in history were brought down by a woman,…from Salomon, to Samson, to Bill Clinton, to Mohamed Ali, to Malcolm X etc,…we can go on & on.
I really think w/ out that Jump off, there’s no either or take over,…so lets thank that ho.
But Jay & Nas looked at the bigger picture, I’m sure they asked each other….”are you still tapin that?” answer HELL NO! I got B & you Got Kelis (both 100 times better looking then her)..so what now? “yo let’s make that move” I bet you what, Their friendship (if they have one) stings her more then anything in the world.
Snoop said it, Gz up Hoes down….& Pac said it M.O.B money over bitches ….
You CONSISTENTLY drop that real ish! Besides mine, LoL (j/m), this MIGHT be the strongest comment of the day, thus far!
very well written my dude.
I dont believe shit he say
“The rap version of T.D. Jakes prophesizing on your cd and tapes.” Jigga Man
Jay ben exposed this nigga he fake as hell he just a good story teller.
Thats cool if you aint live the stories you rappin bout, but dont be preachin shit you dont follow your damn self
Dude is a fuckin clown to me.
editorial -n: of or relating to an article stating opinions or giving perspectives
matic- good look on the school. now I wont make an ass of myself when the next editorial drops.
#1 Nas is from the 80s he was brought up on that style if he was trying to be like niggas now, he would be rockin ed hardy shirts wallet chains and a mohawk mixed wit the 80’s look
#2 Nas dont create hype to sell records, he can give a fuck about making more money he already got money he aint a greedy nigga like all these new rappers if he creates a buzz its to open niggas minds to what is really going on in the world… dont u see the media is trying to trick u into thinkin everything is all good from comercials, music videos to locking up celebs its just a way to keep your mind off the war and the depression that is coming over low and middle class america theres still alot of poverty and blacks are still in jail and now there locking up innocent latino people who are just trying to make a lil money cause they only make a lil money cutting grass painting and every other hard labor that we dont want to do and they got it all pictured like there stealing from us when there not… Nas is one of the very few rappers telling YOU the truth no one is BALLIN there all liars if u aint diddy jay or 50 u aint got no million dollars… open your eyes people fuckin duffle bag boys just came out wit a song talking bout something foreign whips nigga please… Nas creates a buzz to uplift his people his HIP HOP people the true listeners
#3 Nas is one of the realest rappers alive always speaking the truth if he says a vivid story about commiting a crime its just way to show u how he can take someone eles life story and put it into rhymes Biggie did the same thing and did way more than nas did.. does that make Biggie fake no.. Ja rule was a bitch a fucking puppet for the media he did sing alongs and said he was a murderer the whole time thats why he skirt was lifted nas and biggie are pimps not hoes dont get it twisted
#4 on the ether track i quote “What’s sad is I love you ‘cause you’re my brother You traded your soul for riches My child, I’ve watched you grow up to be famous
And now I smile like a proud dad, watchin his only son that made it” through out nas’ whole career as he got older and more mature u could see he becomes more rightoues so with that being said what would Jesus do?
#5 Nas loves the south his father was from the south when the east owned the industry like the south does now nas was the only rapper to put people on from diffrent coasts on his second album he puts Scarface on a favor for a favor and when the east and west shit was goin on nas made a song wit DRE thats just to show nas is a fan of real nigga music no matter where u from…
Im From the south im From Florida and still live here in the Deepest of the south Scarface himself has a track off his new album made called Get out my face where i quote “thought i might of hung it up for good got tired of ryding beats… for free said fuck it imma goin coach a team play some golf and smoke my weed poke every other day do some groups and keep these haters out my mutha fuckin face but this shit didnt go the way i plan im caught up in a cross and if i leave they wont respect the south cause niggas soft TALKIN BOUT WHATS IN THEIR MOUTH talkin BOUT THEIR CARS and HOUSE and that aint what we all about we out here workin in a drought BOUT That Paper BOUT that cabadge out here hustlin till we grab it Pimp for Pimp you silly rabbit yous a boy without a tablet so your intellect so when niggas comming u show em outter space catching bricks and weed and Ace so get the fuck up out my Face”
.ps. mobb deeps’response,if any, shouldnt count based on their wackness
Nas is da best lyricist in the game, so what if he and jay ended there beef, they both made sick songs on each toher albums, imagine biggie and pac made made up, u wuld be dissin dem too?!?!!
Plus if we all go back to when Ether dropped that was when the death of a dynasty Roc A Fella begun, he dismantles a whole label by hisself real talk!
talking about the dressing thing…i think its fair to say that a man should be allowed 2 dress however he please (even jigga aint been wearin none of that baggy clothing this days), it should be acceptable (jim jones shit is just not acceptable its gay…tight shit damnnn)
and naming the album HIP HOP IS DEAD made alot of these rap cats wake up…..PS the new album NIGGER gotta be dope…cuz like the previous 1 people would want to kno what he is talkin about
the only thing which he did wrong was making up with jigga (i mean it is good 4 hip hop cuz we get to hear them spit verses on the same song) but i will never get bk with a nigga after that kinda heated beef…shit was said
ok i dont believe any of that bullshit i just typed but u gotta admitt i’d make a good lawyer
- He was apart one of the greatest beefs in hip Hop history that didn’t turn violent(thank you)
- Illmatic is one of the greatest albums of all time
- His conscious and social commentary…I hate it when he was dat mafiaoso shit, although the Firm waz a tight album
- He still doin his thing despite what all these under 30 morons are yellin at him.
I think a lot of people forget that rap artists are equipped to be actors. The art of storytelling is that in itself so I wouldn’t be mad at a rap artist for telling stories (whether about him or not) as they aren’t perpetrating. I do like the maturity shown between Jay and Nas, because a lot of these young cats have no type of elderly guidance in what they follow most (hip-hop), so if they have them for an example they may have a better idea about how to deal with things. I would even go so far to say that was good just for the hip-hop community, and that Jay and Nas know they have that influence to show the community maturity and a business move in one fell swoop.
The other things are a little superficial for me to care as much about, but it was nonetheless a good really good read.
If you could prop the editorial I would.
Some of the biggest artist in history have made their place in hip hop creating songs that contradict the other or doing publicity stunts. 2Pac was one of the greatest artists all time but he would make a song about great black people and the next would glorify thug life. He would have a intelligent tv interview one day and the next month you could catch him on tv spitting at a videocamera.
Even Jay Z another hip hop great was guity of publicity stunts and two faced shit. How you goin sample Nas shit for a lot of your early work, which was most influential, and then say he wack because you hit his girl. That was weak. Now you go after him to sign as an artist. So basically you contradicting all the shit you said about him before. You really do admire dude and love his flow.
As far as publicity stunts and contraversy goes…that fade to black shit made people that usually bootleg their music go buy one maybe two copies of The Black Album. The fact that he was coming back to save hip hop boosted his Kingdom Come sales even more than what they would have been.
What it realy boils down to is once you’ve become what Nas is (one of the all time greats) you can do whatever the fuck you feel like and its not a big deal. He earned it.
give me names, n don’t say weezy he dnt cum close!!!!!!!
dnt’ say jay-z he cool n everythin but da man has way 2 much hype n lil overrated (tho american gangstar was sikk)
1)Nas IS the dude that brought that retro look back into the mainstream. What rapper you knew that was doing that look before he brought it back out?
And even if he didn’t…when did it become a bad thing to switch up your style?
2)I’ll give you this one, simply because I don’t know Nas, and can’t prove that he’s NOT doing those type of albums just for the sake of controversy.
But I will add that with the exception of HHID, he’s plat every time he drops. So it’s not like he NEEDS to do something like this to generate buzz.
3)The oldest shit ever. Listen, you show me a person who says they’ve never contradicted themselves ever, and I will show you a liar. To throw an example out there why has no one asked Jay-Z if it was ‘Big Pimpin’ or ‘Hey Papi’? ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ or ‘Excuse Me Miss’?
‘Fuck All Night’ or ‘Me & My Girlfriend’?
Bottom line is, EVERY person does it, EVERY artist does it, YOUR favorite rapper included, and it’s nothing new.
Why the criticism here seems to be limited to Nas, I’ll never know.
….And how much of Jay-Z’s diss rhymes towards Nas were really true?
And why is this is even relevant?
4)I think you took this “rap beef” thing a lil too hard. These dudes were beefing on wax. BOTH publicly stated numerous times that it wasn’t on a level where if they saw each other, something might go down. I repeat, this was NOT real street beef.
So with that said, I can think of at least 4 million reasons why he would do business with Jay.
Let’s cut the bullshit here. You would make peace with anyone if the money is right. And you could care less if dude did fuck your baby’s moms.
5)This is a very poorly thought opinion at best. It sounds like your questioning Nas for not co-signing your OPINION about what he said.
That’s crazy.
If dude says he wasn’t talking specifically about the South, then that should be good enough for you. It’s not like there was a shortage of East Coast MC’s dropping wack shit at the time anyway (MIMS, Lil’ Mama, the “Chicken Noodle Soup” kids, etc).
So I guess I’m a ‘Stan’ now huh? Smh…
You need more people T. Good….
I think you have completely missed the point here. The subject is not whether Jay-Z has failures of his own that would make him as vulnerable, or anyone else for the matter…the subject is whether Nas’ fans will or will not support him regardless of his shifts. Your leap of logic here is strange at best. Simply because ALL rappers at some point contradicts himself doesn’t make it okay for ANY rapper to contradict himself. Your assumptions are wide and are left unproven. You glamorize and hypothesize but don’t prove anything. For instance, you could think of 4 million reasons why Nas would do business with Jay…but right after this you say, “Let’s cut the bullshit here. You would make peace with anyone if the money is right. And you could care less if dude did fuck your baby’s moms.” So there really aren’t 4 million reasons…just one huh? If it’s not the dough only, please give us another example within your 4 million reasons…
The other less than appealing approach to your comment is your comparison of rappers and how thru their music they’ve contradicted themselves. For example, you take Jay’s Fuck All Day and Me & My Girlfriend…Excuse Me Miss and Big Pimpin…etc. Again. The comparison is weak here. Jay may have shown a softer side but not necessarily a glariing set of contradictions which hovers over Nas. From Oochie wallie wallie to Black girl lost is more of a striking contradiction because he’s almost personifying both songs…and since Nas has prided himself and his fans have always enjoyed him being “true” to the game…the authentic one…this is the where Nas credibility begins to collapse. Then he makes moves in his personal life which only amplify the dissatisfaction.
Again…don’t confuse the topic here for what it’s not. It is not about, “all rappers fuck up…why can’t Nas…” This editorial, in my view is about Nas and only Nas along with his combined moves as an artist, person, business man, etc. Once you begin to focus on the topic at hand…you’ll notice you’ll change your story quite a bit…and let it be emphasized…to have your wife fucked by what was your enemy and is now your ‘boss’ is not cool in anyone’s book. I don’t think any stable-minded Nas fan will hold this to be acceptable…and if so, holla! If your old lady is worth it, we can work something out and I can become YOUR boss!!!
-My dude, you completely missed the point here. The point is simply, that every human being, rappers included contradict themselves in some way or another.
Yet, for some reason, the criticism has been pretty much limited to Nas. The only evidence I need to support that argument is this blog.
Whether you agree or disagree is irrelavant.
You’re just countering my opinion with yours, which you’re fully entitled to of course.
I’m not out to change any minds here.
Regarding the money he got from Def Jam, I can’t say if he had any other reasons outside of that. Again, I don’t know Nas personally, so anything would be pure speculation.
However, I pointed the money out because it was the most obvious reason.
But apparently not as obvious as I thought…
///The other less than appealing approach to your comment is your comparison of rappers and how thru their music they’ve contradicted themselves. For example, you take Jay’s Fuck All Day and Me & My Girlfriend…Excuse Me Miss and Big Pimpin…etc. Again. The comparison is weak here. Jay may have shown a softer side but not necessarily a glariing set of contradictions which hovers over Nas. From Oochie wallie wallie to Black girl lost is more of a striking contradiction because he’s almost personifying both songs…and since Nas has prided himself and his fans have always enjoyed him being “true” to the game…the authentic one…this is the where Nas credibility begins to collapse. Then he makes moves in his personal life which only amplify the dissatisfaction.///
-Haha. You wilin’.
Jay’s “softer” side? Weak comparison? Give me a fucking break. You gotta be a female, not to mention an obvious Jay-Z apologist. You really need me to quote Jay proclaiming himself the “realest” out – no, the “realest ever?”
Then going back and saying that “it’s only entertainment?”
Don’t get me wrong here, I AM a Jay-Z fan, but when it comes to the subject of rappers contradicting themselves, you should stay FAR away from trying to paint Jay as some kind of exception. You will lose BAD here.
The only reason I used him as an example, is because:
1)He was already mentioned in the article, and…
2)Because he’s the only rapper I thought of offhand that has a career comparable to Nas’s (longetivity-wise).
“From Oochie Wally to Black Girl Lost”….what are you talking about? In my last post, I gave you a laundry list (though limited to the realm of misogyny) of Jay’s contradictions, and the only thing you have to counter that is TWO Nas songs?
And that Nas’s contradiction is more “striking” than that of Jay, who put most of the songs I listed on the SAME ALBUM?
And while I’m thinking of it, tell the class what exactly makes Jay a more credible person than Nas again?
Because you’re a Jay-Z fan and you said so?
Are you serious? Oh shit, I think you really believe yourself here…
Do yourself a favor so you don’t look like a complete ass in the future – do a little homework before you get up on that soapbox.
I would start with checking the track listing for Blueprint 2.
///Again…don’t confuse the topic here for what it’s not. It is not about, “all rappers fuck up…why can’t Nas…” This editorial, in my view is about Nas and only Nas along with his combined moves as an artist, person, business man, etc. Once you begin to focus on the topic at hand…you’ll notice you’ll change your story quite a bit…and let it be emphasized…to have your wife fucked by what was your enemy and is now your ‘boss’ is not cool in anyone’s book. I don’t think any stable-minded Nas fan will hold this to be acceptable…and if so, holla! If your old lady is worth it, we can work something out and I can become YOUR boss!!!///
-Nah, my girl isn’t into girls. But if she was…if you can book her, you can have her. And if we can do business to the tune of a few million, holla.
…But before you pursue all that, you should check your history fam:
1)They weren’t “enemies” in the sense you’re implying. I can’t say enough that by both their admission, it was not real beef. Your ignorant rebuttal suggest that you have a hard time accepting this. Had Jay-Z shot Nas’s house up or some crazy shit like that, you would absolutely be correct in your assessment of Nas here.
But it wasn’t that serious.
2)Assuming you’re the insecure, jealous-bitch type who thinks they can control who their ex-bitch is fucking…then nah, I suppose caking up with Jay wouldn’t be cool.
Take off that anti-Nas glasses for a second and think about how stupid you sound right now.
It takes only common sense to see how DUMB you’d be for not taking millions of dollars because you want to save face in the eyes of a few naive fans, over a broad you don’t even mess with anymore. You strike me as the want-to-beat-your-ex boyfriend’s-new girlfriend-up type just because she has “your” man.
Sad fam. It really is.
Last, I suggest you re-read my comments, and think critically without cherry picking quotables to blow out of context. It may work against the garden variety dumbass around here, but not ya boy. I never said Nas wasn’t guilty as charged. I have no problem conceding that T. Good had (a few) valid points.
Unfortunately, as I proved in my first post, the bulk of his argument fails when actual logic is applied.
As does yours.
Try again.
The tweaking of your statements to now try to fit the foot into the shoe won’t work. If people read your statement, you’re trying to get personal…shit is funny to me homie…you cute with your words though so I’ll let it be. Your half responses don’t provoke a rebuttal and while I enjoy a challenge, I need something more than your posthumous comeback cause your explanations are off…since I don’t have time to go into surgery and dissect both of your statements together, I will put on the gloves and cut a few of your statements open just so that the class can know that there is no merit to your what you say, regardless of the prose.
Let the games begin:
There is no suggestion, explicit nor implied that Jay-Z is invulnerable nor guilty of contradicting himself. The point here was to use your very own example for the purposes of informing the public that Nas is not solo on this one. Whether on the same album or not, Jay-Z (since you brought him up) is not perceived as a contradiction because his hallmark was clearly to be one way over the other. So to reduce this to a common denominator, I love my girl but I talks to other bitches. Meanwhile, Nas prided himself on not being this way. So because of his self-proclaimed and self-affirmed position on this issue he put his neck out by making the songs he did because none were personal, merely categorical in nature and therefore widely applicable. And while I have my Nas anit-glasses on, let’s also discuss your off…again…The premise of the article was to bring out the point that Nas is escaping criticism where others get bruised…yet you go off on strange tangents about others doing XYZ? No one is feeling you homie. If I’m a Jay-Z apologist then that makes you a fucking Nas blind enthusiast.
But to iterate so that I can impart some degree of wisdom to class…Nas is a fuck-up (glasses-off) and their is no rescuing him from his stupidity. Now if your claim to glory is going to be the same (well Jay z did it too…) then don’t bother extending yourself to place your intellectual stamp on statements that will need legs…cause I’m chopping them at every opportunity.
To temporarily conclude your court jestering, I’ll take your last statement an suggestion and toss it right back at you…you should re-read the intial editorial, then read your fucking planetness statements, then re-read what I wrote, then re-read your rebuttal so that you can talk to your girl about bringing some of us boys in listed here to the yard…cause I swear you think you Nas and she’s Kelise! Either way, homie, go get me a beer fucking your girl while you video tape it is making me thirsty.
B-E-Z
Goddy-X
So because of his self-proclaimed and self-affirmed position on this issue he put his neck out by making the songs he did because none were personal, merely categorical in nature and therefore widely applicable.///
Oh shit, you were serious.
Aight shorty, here’s your chance to dead my argument once and for all.
Tell us, your above statement is supported by what exactly? You don’t know Nas. You don’t know Jay. And even if you did, when did you become the official interpreter of Jay-Z’s music?
The only questions I have regarding that are:
1)Who the fuck are you?
2)Who made your opinion law?
…and
3)No, seriously, who the fuck are you again?
Your argument is completely pathetic it’s bordering on comedy. You (again), are attempting to dismiss the facts I provided as “blind enthusiasm” for Nas, while attempting to inject your opinion as fact.
You sound like Fox News now fam.
When I crushed T. Good’s argument, I gave facts. when I destroyed your earlier argument, I gave facts. You can try to gloss it over all you want, but the FACTS remain clear.
And no amount of recycled, bullshit reasoning will change that.
The rest of your little e-tantrum doesn’t even deserve a response. If you think Nas is stupid, or whatever whatever, cool with me. He very well may be.
The thing about that is, I could care less.
He makes hot music, and I support that. And his integrity as an artist has NOTHING to do with how he dresses, and who he does business with.
How this here even made it to press is beyond me. If you actually read it versus blindly co-signing it because it happens to be about an artist that you don’t care for, you’d see it has shit relevant to do with…anything.
Especially when 99.9% of the game is guilty of the same.
It doesn’t matter who this article would’ve been about, my position would be the same.
So with that said, this is where it ends for me. Unfortunately from this point forward, you will be talking to yourself. I would suggest you go back to playing in the yard with the rest of your “in listed” homeboys.
You got nothing for me junior.
Besides, what more can I say?
So I appreciate your silence…I won’t take it as capitulation, since I know you’re back home thinking about this and sooner or later, you’ll join me…
With that said, go get me that beer…I said I was thirsty!!!
im listenin to Rakim in my player …im from the south
i listen too what is real to the ear….Like From New York to Cali…by Rakim…through back shit…
some niggas dont even know what im talkin bout …
this is why Hip Hop is Dead….
Niggas not learnin …..they playin us through the paperwork with these record labels…feel me….
VIOLATOR ALL-STAR DJ’S, DJ JAM X & WEB
22 EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL CUTS!!!!
COPY AND PASTE THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD….
http://www.zshare.net/download/72304356b897e2/
For years the only thing people could say about Nas are:
1. “Poor” mainstream album sales.
2. Contradicting states or conflict song themes.
3. The ending Jay-Z & Nas Feud.
4. Lastly, Hype during album release
Okay! Now to proceed with destoying these topics.
1. Funny, Yeah Nas doesn’t sell tons and millins of records. However he does sell a consistent amount. In fact if one would go through his album sells he is actually selling just as much the other rappers out today.
One of the reasons why he states HIP HOP IS DEAD (which went platinum). When compared to the other Cds out, he’s selling just as much! (Ex. T.I. vs T.I.P., The Inspiration Both went…what do you know, Platinum)
So his albums sales aren’t a problem especially in todays Hip Hop industry. Nas doesn’t have to adjust. However 50 Cent…he can kiss going 12X Platinum away and deal with barely going platinum.
2. Yeah so what? Black Girl Lost, You Owe Me… Oochie Wally, I Can. When was it madatory for a rapper to stick on ONE subject. People by nature are complex beings which are reflected by Nas’ complex lyrics. Its the simple minded rappers whole JUST make club songs, or JUST make a certain type of songs. Hence there SIMPLE lyrics!
Afterall, Yeah I disagree with things Nas does. Just like I disagreed with 2Pac’s nose ring. Or the Game’s Buttefly Tatoo, Or Kanye’s attire! seems like were WAY to critical of Nas. As Tupac said: “You can’t make a song about 1 type of girl, some are good some are bad, and thats shown in the songs I create” (Duh! keep ya Head Up, Brenda’s gotta baby, wonder why they call you bitch, just like daddy, white manz world, how do you want it) Need I say more.
3. LOL! you people are too funny!! “Nas won the battle Jay won the war blah blah blah” you looking way too much into it. There was one battle one war: Ether Vs. Takeover,
unfortunately for Hov he lost. He knows it. We know it. In a battle you can talk about someones lifestlye album sales…personal life. But in the end it comes to what you do on the track PERIOD. Ether won the battle/war.
Nas signing to Def Jef DID NOT mean Jay won the war it meant they both grew up. And they both reconize each others talents. Thats the respect they have for each other. Imagine Jay signing cam or Jim Jones and it being just as big as when nas was signed. Never! the respect isnt there!
And for you people saying nas signed himself to def Jam and Jay-Z’s the boss so Jay wins. Your totally idiotic. Get over it, Hov has. Stop looking for ways in which you can say Jay-Z won. And keep in mind Jay is NO LONGER the CEO of Def Jam. So so much for that.
4. Nas needs hype to sale? are you crazy? No. Hype is when you dis a maltitude of rappers for entirely no reason just before your release date. Nas felt Hip Hop was in decline (for what ever his reasons were) So he made an album about that TIME and MIND frame he was in. Just like STILLmatic signifies his return to roots (since us earthlings called him old and used and irrelevant) It reflected the TIME and MIND frame he was in. JUST like God’s Son he dropped at a time where he lost his “mother” whom he repeatedly refers to as an “Angel” or “God’s Bride”. Hence the title GOD’S SON. Thats the TIME and the MIND frame he was in!!
So its no reason not to assume the same about NIGGER. Its not nearly a conicidence that the concept developed furing the period of Imus’s comments, Jena Six, Rap was being critize for its content reguarding woman, and use of the word. Even a BET special was on TC “Hip Hop Vs. America”. even prominent black “leaders” (ha) have critize rappers.
Not to mention they were trying to BAN the word.
This album serves as Nas’ response to this. And his testimony to defend him and other artists. Its simply the TIME and MIND frame he’s in.
Hype? Nas doesn’t need it. After all he never sales too much anyway?
…right?
PEACE!
1. krs-one
2. rakim
3. kool g. rap
4. redman
5. big daddy kane
6. nas
7. l.l. cool j.
8. common
9. kool moe d.
10. jay-z
and second son if you dont have big in yo top 10 u loss all credability and to have Jay under LL you gota be fuckin kidin me as a LL fan what have you thought about his latest work… one word GARBAGE. you got no scarface in there. that top 10 is for the trash can, i mean theres one thing to show some love to the retro hip hop but to say Jay aint in the top 5 come on, that niggas music stands the test of time man every album even his worse albums you can listen to 5 years later and still feel that shit. you got no ice cube in there nigga trash that bull shit heres a list that isnt biased to the retro hip hop age
1.Jay-Z
2.Big
3.Ice cube
4.Kanye
5.Dr.Dre
6.M&M (i dont even like white rappers)
7.Scarface
8.T.I.
9.nas
10.Lupe
10.b jeezy
Ill validate any and every artist on here, you cant give me any other artist wit a better body of work than any i put up here
which i think the topic is rappers living their ryhems.
first you have to take acount the time things where said. to say that Jay contradicts himself by making big pimpin, and excuse me miss. is wrong, during the time of big pimpin thats his true emotions at that time thats how he felt. On reason Jay is my favorite artist is because when i listen to his music i feel like im getting his honest emotions and feelings. Now to say at 37 he should still have the same attitude towards relationships that he did at 29, discounts maturing, and growing as a person. Which he and every one should be alowed to do, and not chained down by their feelings of the past.
And think about has Jay made any song like big pimpin or girls, girls, girls. NO cause thats not the life he’s livin any more any song talkin bout women and he talks about him and Beyonce
Back in high school me and my niggas would fight over some group of niggas lookin in our direction for too long, at that time shit that was bein real, but low and behold go to college for a semester and you cant help but laugh at how dumb that was. does that mean im contradicting myself. No i just grew up, i matured, found a more civilized way to behave, hell that shit we used to do is was apes lions and gorilas do go look a gorila in his eyes long enough see if it dont rip yo head off.
And lets be real alot of shit jays put out has happend
“Ima rape def jam till im the 100million man.”
Hell Jay-z gota kid im still waitin on what he’s got to say about that. after all in vol.1 that shit would never happen, hell it seems that we think rappers dont live life just like the rest of us its rediculous.
I can respect Jay cause he does him fuck what other people try to say he does him.
And another issue is that for the first time there are still artist making relavent music and still in the light of the public, we havnt had almost 40 year old rappers b4 that are still relavent. how many of you will stand by some shit you said 10 years ago, and let that shit control how you act today. One thing i dont wana hear is bull shit like Kells i dont wanna hear about yo shit load of hoes while yo 50 year old ass got a wife and kids. his recent lyrics have no reflection of his life, if i want random dumb shit to consume my attention ill look at lord of the rings, or go get some fictional based book out the library. But im a real nigga and i do real things, like real shit.