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1. Still on the Fence About Nas’ New Album at Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture on 23 May 2008 at 9:39 am

   [...] I still stand by my initial assessment of the first single. To lift a phrase from AverageBro, it still sounds like that special brand of Barbershop K-nowledge [...]

Comments

1. Feminist Punk! wrote:

   It seems that Nas was trying to say that we are all human beings, that we’re all in the “fight” together.

   Uh, something like that. But I guess it was poorly conveyed in the song….

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:14 am ¶

2. lowercase tasha wrote:

   I was listening to the first verse the other day, and I was nodding to it, trying to hear him out. I won’t front. Then it got to the chorus . . . “I’m a nigga, he’s a nigga . . .don’t you wanna be a nigga too” then I was like, “Oh my damn!” and I had to turn it off. So if he said something really profound in the second verse. I didn’t hear it.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:31 am ¶

3. JustPlainOl'Me wrote:

   Full disclosure: I haven’t heard the single quoted above yet, so these comments are based solely on the quoted excepts above.

   Is the problem the lyrical content, or the fact that it comes from Nas? If it is about the content, we’ve got much bigger fish to fry with some of the garbage in the Hip-Hop market today. Also, what lines are so off the mark?

   Bar 1: “Not mad cause Eminem said Nigger.”
   - Maybe he’s not upset about because he’s cool with Eminem. I always thought a bit differently of Eminem after that underground recording leaked, but Nas apparently doesn’t hold any ill will (pun not intended – true hip-hop fans will get the ill will reference in the context of a Nas discussion). Should he not share his thoughts about the Eminem issue just because we don’t agree? I’m not saying I support his stance, but it’s his stance to take. We can accept or reject.

   Bar 2: “Cause he’s my Nigger.”

   This occurrence – a black person referring to a close non-black friend as his “n*gga” – is not uncommon. I wouldn’t do it, as I don’t call any of my friends that word, but are we upset about this because he used the word, or because he used the word to describe a non-black person. If it’s the former, we should be equally upset about his early works where he uses the word just as much.

   Bar 3: “Wigger, Cracker friend”

   I’ve got nothing for you.

   Bar 4 – 5: “We all black within / We all African within”

   It seems he’s arguing that manhood began in Africa. That’s not an uncommon theme in Hip-Hop songs. I presume he tries to tie that theme into the idea that we’re all “n*ggas” because we’re all tied back to Africa in some way.

   Bar 6: “Some Africans don’t like us no way.”

   I have nothing but hearsay to rely upon, but I have often heard that some communities in Africa view African-Americans as not true kin as they have been culturally changed by the West and genetically changed by generations of procreation with non-blacks. Do we disagree with the idea that this contempt for culturally or genetically “diluted” exists, or are we just mad that Nas brought it up in his song?

   Bar 7: “A killing happened in Johannesburg yesterday.”

   I’ve got nothing for you. Thanks for the FYI, Nas.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:34 am ¶

4. Latoya Peterson wrote:

   See dnA’s comments above. I would expect a song like this from someone like 50 Cent – not Nas. It’s shockingly out of character. Or maybe I’m holding on to the past, I don’t know…

   Just Plain Ol’ Me – Perhaps Nas is trying to make a point, but I don’t hear it. I can think of other songs that I can nod to (like Mos Def’s Mr. Nigga). But this one is perplexing me. If there is a larger artistic statement, I’m missing it. It just feels like a half-ass rhyme, something he recorded on the way to do something he actually wanted to do.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:39 am ¶

5. Aaminah wrote:

   Not his finest work. Not even intelligent sounding. I mean, I’m not into him personally, but I can see the dif between the two sets of lyrics quoted. And actually, I’m with your boyfriend: if you have to bleep out that much to play it on the radio, you shouldn’t be playing it on the radio.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:43 am ¶

6. JustPlainOl'Me wrote:

   Latoya –

   I have to go and find the song tonight. I could definitely see a gripe with the song just plain being wack because it was poorly penned (weak rhyme schemes, crappy flow, lack of a theme). In my opinion, a great song shouldn’t really require fans (or bloggers) to follow up behind the artists in an effort to explain the work. The work should adequately speak for itself. it appears that Nas may have missed that mark on this one. On the surface the intelligence and rhyme scheme appears to have been dumbed down over the years. Maybe Lupe Fiasco was onto something. Maybe Nas feels the need to reach that Soulja Boy / Laffy Taffy fan base. Or maybe Nas has just lost his touch. I think I’m a bit like you: I’d like to think Nas still has it like he did in the past.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:52 am ¶

7. Amye wrote:

   I’ve heard rumors that Divine Styler wrote most or all of “Illmatic”, which would explain how Nas has regressed to, er, this in the past 15 years.

   Then again, at this stage of the game he should be able to afford a ghostwriter to help him avoid spewing such nonsense.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:55 am ¶

8. aka lynn wrote:

   being that the “N” word has taken on such contraversy as of late, I perceive that Nas is attempting to cash in on the hype, and he failed miserably…I’m personally not impressed. It’s a case of an artist trying to make a shocking come back.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 12:43 pm ¶

9. EH wrote:

   I’m not surprised. Personally I could never understand why there were so many blacks who talked about Nas like he was some kind of benefit to black people in any type of way. He’s always been a clown as far as I’m concerned.

   Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 12:58 pm ¶

10. cacy wrote:

    I haven’t heard the song but reading the lyrics may lead to different interpretations. The chorus is intriguing tho: “I’m a nigga, he’s a nigga . . .don’t you wanna be a nigga too?” I can picture lil black girls and lil black boys holding hands skipping and reciting this…

    And besides: Illmatic was FIRE! It was made when Nas was hungry. These days? No so much. He really has nothing to say…Sad but true.

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 1:15 pm ¶

11. Stank-0 wrote:

    Assuming NaS wrote Illmatic, then it seems he either tried to recapture lightning in a bottle and failed or he decided that Illmatic-ness was unattainable and went another direction. Stank-0 believes the latter. This is the latest iteration, and horrible at that.

    Someone nailed it. NaS got fame face and lost that drive. He’s eatin proper now.

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 1:48 pm ¶

12. cosmicsistren wrote:

    @EH – Can you please get out of my head!!!! I agree with everything you wrote. I guess we are the only two that don’t believe the hype with Nas.

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 3:00 pm ¶

13. Tasha wrote:

    To tackle Bar 3 because i think justplainoleme did s good job

    Bar 3: “Wigger, Cracker friend”
    Within the context of the previous and following bars should these words , originally considered insults, now also be put in the same context of Nigger? I believe is the unspoken query of this bar.

    I also have not heard the song and would like to give Nas the benefit of the doubt. I think he is deliberately pushing button and testing the flexiblity of the context in which the word is and is not considered acceptible as opposed to flinging it willy nilly. but again i have not heard the song and can’t speak to the potential or lack of artistry in it.

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 3:17 pm ¶

14. atlasien wrote:

    So the chorus is based on the I’m a Pepper song?

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 3:31 pm ¶

15. JustPlainOl'Me wrote:

    atlasien: It sounds like it. Again, I haven’t heard the Nas track yet, but an old NWA album (I think it was Efil4zaggin) used the Dr. Pepper tune in the same way Nas is apparently using it. I can still hear Eazy-E’s voice: “I’m a n*gga, he’s a n*gga, she’s a n*gga, we’s some n*ggas, wouldn’t you like to be a n*gga toooo.”

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 4:09 pm ¶

16. Arturo wrote:

    “How is it possible that you all are trying to play a song where you bleep out 75% of the lyrics?”

    What I wanna know is, what answer did the station have for that question?

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 4:09 pm ¶

17. JustPlainOl'Me wrote:

    EH & cosmicsistren:

    I guess I don’t see where you’re coming from. EH’s comments seem to be a response to an apparent belief by some that Nas is of great value to black people (with cosmicsistren concurring).

    About a year ago, I tried to come up with my list of the greatest rappers and I actually had Nas in my top 5.

    He can be political (”Just A Moment”), flossy (”You Owe Me”), motivational (”I Can”), ambitious (”If I Ruled The World”), or gangster (”Made You Look,” “Got Ur Self A…”). He can tell a story (”I Gave You Power,” “Rewind”) or ether you (”Ether,” “Destroy & Rebuild”). He can bring also you the essence of hip-hop through a song (”One Mic,” “Book of Rhymes”). I definitely think he’s one of the best to ever participate in his genre of music.

    That does not necessarily mean that I think he’s a saving grace of some kind for black people. I think there is a huge difference between being a great MC (Eminem, Andre 3000, Rakim Ice Cube) and being a force for the black community. Frankly, I’m torn as to whether any one individual can truly represent a positive force or benefit for black people. I think we’re too diverse to be represented by one person.

    I would be interested to hear some of the comments you’ve taken in about Nas a a benefit to blacks. I’ve heard of some of his charitable works such as keeping arts programs in schools and I’m sure there are some youngsters who were motivated by “I Can,” but I think it’s going a bit far to frame him as uplifting a race of people. I guess if I were bombarded with that type of talk about Nas, I might view him as a clown as well because he can’t live up to that standard. I’m not sure anyone in music can.

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 4:22 pm ¶

18. ill_natured wrote:

    @Latoya – You probably are holding on to the past but most Nas fans are. He’s had some great moments since Illmatic, but nothing on par with that seminal piece of art. Nas has gotten sloppy on a number of levels, but it’s his current inarticulate ramblings and lack of focus that are causing him to lose face with those of us who love him for Illmatic. I’m not necessarily offended by the lyrical content of his new song (though I understand why some people are), I’m just slightly taken aback by the buffoonish nature of Nas lately. I agreed with him to a certain extent with the whole “Hip Hop is Dead” premise, but I don’t know if I can go along for this “Nigger” ride. Nas has somehow deluded himself into thinking he’s being progressive and revolutionary, but I don’t see how anything he’s doing at the moment could be in any way helpful to the collective psyche of black America. Hopefully he proves me wrong

    Good call on the Eazy-E reference JustPlainOle’Me. Somebody knows their stuff.

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 4:49 pm ¶

19. lockedwithpatience wrote:

    Ok so in the first verse, he’s a good guy… because he used a version of “nigger” just once.

    And now since he’s using it so much in another song, still calling someone a “nigger” (just like hte first)… he’s bad.

    hmmm

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 6:15 pm ¶

20. Kendra wrote:

    I generally disagree with Nas’ callow use of the “N-word” for it could be a powerful and transformative tool if used properly in the arts and other historically informed mediums. (Also, I said could because I have not tested this theory and I don’t feel that I could at this stage in my life.)

    I’m going to take a stab at interpreting what he was trying to say in this verse. I haven’t heard his song, and I’m glad it hasn’t tortured my sensitive ears.

    1: Not mad cause Eminem said Nigger

    Like JustPlainOl’Me said before, he probably all right with Eminem as a person and MC. Of course the following line expounds on his reasoning for being O.K. with Eminem’s use of the “N-word”.

    2: Cause he’s my Nigger

    This seems to scream authenticity, or the hackneyed message of “it’s all right for me to use it because my black friends let me use it”. (As though you need to defend your use of this word with someone else’s “blackness” or personal usage.) That’s just an on the surface observation. But to the ones that aren’t familiar with Nas or even remotely interested in the history of the “N-word,” such an interpretation is possible. Of course, maybe he’ll discuss what the “N-word” actually means to him.

    3: Wigger, Cracker friend

    This seems to reflect recent trends in affectionate titles that relate to the Black Community, and consequently the Hip-Hop Community (which has broadened over time). It reminds me of groups desiring the mythical “coolness” that comes with being “black.” Of course, I’ve learned that this idea of “coolness” is somewhat diluted in American culture, compared to its more cultural and social relevance in Africa.

    4: We all black within/We all African within

    This reminds me of the idea that all people originate from Africa. This idea is not limited to the Hip-Hop Community, of course. I recall the Museum of the African Diaspora (MOAD) in San Francisco, where this concept rang true in many displays. (You should all go there if you have a chance to.) So, I believe he uses this to justify his usage of the “N-word” in relating to Eminem and just about any one else on this planet. On a similar note, I think that one could imply that he wants us to believe that using the “N-word” in vain is useless because we are all just that: “N-word”s. Saying the word in vain could be tantamount to damning yourself. I don’t like his phrasing or his usage of the “N-word,” but I see what he might have been aiming for in his message.

    5: Some Africans don’t like us no way

    I’m familiar with this idea, and I do have African friends. I suppose the feeling is relative, at most. I’ve heard that Africans mourn for the people lost to the Slave Trade, and some may wish to distance themselves from us (or at least, from African-Americans . . . and maybe not every else in the African Diaspora). Of course, what does this have to do with the words up there? Is he trying to say their their ill sentiments are useless because they’re the same as all of us? “N-word”s?

    6: A killing happened in Johannesburg yesterday.

    I don’t know what he’s trying to do here. He may be leading to some feeling of guilt or sadness at the loss. Or maybe he’s going to expand into how useless it is to stress over people that you don’t like because we’re all the same. I don’t know. I haven’t heard the song.

    ((I’m not sure if I gave my information for the first post, so I’m posting another copy. If I made a mistake, please delete one of them.))

    Posted 23 Apr 2008 at 11:20 pm ¶

21. gandalf mantooth wrote:

    The song is clearly lacking. Mos Def copycat NYOIL is taking Nas to task for stealing the idea for the song from him. I like NYOIL, but dude how could Nas have possibly stolen such a time worn idea as “reclaiming language?”

    I was never sold completely on Nas’ legend status. I can’t give props to someone who mangles English as much as he does on the reg. I have warmed to him over the last few years, however. He wants to be all things to hip hop, I think the guy has issues with being disliked. He can’t stand being dissed by cats who want hardcore, can’t stand being dissed by “conscious” rap fans (and KRS-One), and of course would like to make as much money as possible in the game.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 4:11 am ¶

22. china blue wrote:

    I’d d like to second the ‘good call on the Eazy-E reference’. See also ‘Niggaz 4 Life’.

    I’ve not heard the Nas track either, but from what I’ve read of the lyrics, I knew it sounded familiar. Now I can’t get the Dave Chappelle ‘Niggar Family’ sketch theme tune out of my head, either.

    Actually, to pick up on JPOM’s analysis:
    “Bar 6: “Some Africans don’t like us no way.”

    I have nothing but hearsay to rely upon, but I have often heard that some communities in Africa view African-Americans as not true kin as they have been culturally changed by the West and genetically changed by generations of procreation with non-blacks. Do we disagree with the idea that this contempt for culturally or genetically “diluted” exists, or are we just mad that Nas brought it up in his song? ”

    Being Afro-Caribbean/Black British, I can tell you there is also a little froideur between Africans and those of us of Caribbean – particularly Jamaican – descent, and I think you hit the nail on the head as to why.
    Being called a ’slave baby’ by Africans isn’t unheard of. Neither is a West Indian person referring to Africans as being ‘Bubus’ with a ‘Bubu’ language.

    So no, I don’t disagree that this mutual contempt exists at all. It’s something that’s worthy of exploration; I just wish Nas had articulated it better.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 4:51 am ¶

23. islandgirl550 wrote:

    Nas used to be in my top 5 MCs… “Life’s a Bitch,” is a classic!!! But NAS is just inconsistent. This new song is nonsense and I am an “Illmatic” fan wishing for the old days.

    He really should have stopped with “Ether.” He sooooooooooooooooooo killed it!!!

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 6:54 am ¶

24. kd wrote:

    I think being offensive was the point.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 7:34 am ¶

25. gatamala wrote:

    I’ve heard rumors that Divine Styler wrote most or all of “Illmatic”, which would explain how Nas has regressed to, er, this in the past 15 years.

    *clutches pearls*

    hmmmm that could explain his participation in oochie wally

    I’m worried about Nas, maybe he’s under a lot of stress…

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 8:32 am ¶

26. cosmicsistren wrote:

    @Plainolme:
    I don’t think that Nas is of great value to black people at all. I was talking about him as a rapper. I just didn’t buy into that Nas was the greatest. I still don’t. The way you write maybe you could teach me something.

    I remember when he had that beef with Jay Z. He wanted to have an effigy(sp) of Jay when he was performing for a HOt 97 concert. The station wouldn’t let him do it. He got mad and started going on different radio stations talking crap about Hot 97, Funkmaster Flex, etc. Then all of a sudden he changes his tune and goes back to the station and was talking about kissing ass. To me I didn’t really like him after that.

    To be hones with you Plainolme I have fallen out of love with rap. Nowadays I hear “dey know”, “drop and give me 50″, ” I’m the biggest boss that you’ve seen thus far”. The rap music today is garbage.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 9:03 am ¶

27. Natalie wrote:

    Nas lost me when he and Kelis wore that hot mess they called provocative couture at the Grammy’s. How do we go from “I Can” to nigga this nigga that being every other lyric? This is why the music business is full of triflin’ people. Anyone can get on the radio… no matter what the content is. This absolutely explains why my loyalty lies with satellite radio and NPR. At least I have far more options.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 9:50 am ¶

28. Spiffany wrote:

    I’m with you, comicsistren.

    Contemporary rap music is nothing but diluted, regurgitated nonsense. It’s shite. The discerning rap fan has to go way underground to find anything remotely inspired or thought-provoking. Artists like The Coup, Immortal Technique, and Spank Rock keep me from losing all faith in the genre (also, mainstays like Talib and Mos rarely disappoint, and Nas, Jay and Em have their moments, I suppose). Unfortunately, quality, (mostly) underground artists rarely have the huge label support that would facilitate more frequent releases than every 2 or 3 years. In the meantime, tired and hungry fans are forced to languish in the desert of cookie cutter rap and subsist on dry, lifeless rhymes like “Wigger, cracker friend/We all black within.” Not saying that that’s not a valid perspective – but where’s the artistry, where’s the passion? Where’s the lyrical dexterity that made you proud to go out and defend hip hop as an art form and challenge anyone that doubted its relevance? I hate to say it but based on Nas’s downward spiral, and that of so many once-greats like him who’ve grown stagnant and complacent, the naysayers might be right with regard to the current hip hop landscape. It isn’t relevant right now.

    …Still, I’ll always defend rap for the same reason I’ll always defend Kool-Aid: I was raised on it. Maybe it isn’t particularly “healthy” and although these days I pretty much stay away from it, it will always hold a special place in my heart.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 10:24 am ¶

29. JustPlainOl'Me wrote:

    cosmicsistren:
    I was directing my prior comment to you because you seemed to co-sign EH’s comments. I think Nas has (at times) shown signs of being one of the best rappers ever. I know that is VERY subjective. I just wanted to clarify the difference between being a great rapper and being good for black people. They aren’t mutually exclusive, but definitely don’t go hand-in-hand. One of the reasons that I’m not sure where I am as a fan of Nas is his inconsistency (”You Owe Me,” “Oochie Wally”). However, that seems to be a trait fairly common with some of my favorite rappers: Ice Cube (”Get Off My D*ck and Tell Your B*tch to Come Here”), 2Pac (where do I begin), Eminem (stop making songs for 13 year old boys). Even KRS-One has been called out for inconsistencies. That’s why I may be leaning toward Rakim as my No.1, but my list seems to change by the day. Apparently, I’m inconsistent too.

    Spiffany:

    I think it’s unfair to use such broad sweeping generalizations about “contemporary rap music.” In fact, I’d go as far as to say that you’re mistaken. You actually mention artists who show that this isn’t true (Immortal Technique for example). It seems that your gripe (which is a gripe that I share) is with the Hip-Hop that is pushed on us my TV, radio and big corporate record labels. Most of THAT is rubbish. But contemporary Hip-Hop includes Living Legends, Jean Grae, One Be Lo, The Coup, Paris, Little Brother, Boot Camp Click, J-Live, Blueprint, Pete Rock, Vakill, Common, Roots, Killah Priest, Ras Kass, Lupe Fiasco, Foreign Exchange, Outkast, etc. Most of the good stuff isn’t marketed by the big dogs in the industry. It seems unfair to put down the whole genre based solely on what gets played on radio and TV. I hate it when people like Oprah or Bill O’Reilly do that.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 11:21 am ¶

30. JustPlainOl'Me wrote:

    Spiffany:
    I get that your post was mainly directed at the mainstream display of rap music and not all rap music. I just wanted to make sure that chimed in in defense of the underground stuff. Again, you did so yourself (RE: Coup, willingness to defend the genre, identifying the label headaches of underground artists), but I wanted support that view. I wasn’t sure if that came across in my post.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 11:24 am ¶

31. Spiffany wrote:

    @JustPlainOl’Me:

    Agreed! I should have used the term “mainstream” rather than “contemporary” since, as you pointed out, contemporary just means current and there are numerous current rap artists that continue to push the boundaries and breathe life into the genre. And thank goodness for them.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 12:31 pm ¶

32. JustChaz wrote:

    First-time commenter, long-time fan of this blog.

    Anyways, props to JustPlainOlMe for holding down this discussion. The dismissive reaction to Nas’ song has really irked me since I heard it.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 2:26 pm ¶

33. Latoya Peterson wrote:

    JustChaz –

    Dismissive reaction in terms of what? The song itself or Nas’ skills as an emcee?

    I’m disappointed because I expect so much more. This song feels like “Black Republican” all over again.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 2:34 pm ¶

34. cosmicsistren wrote:

    @justPlainolme and Spiffany:
    I loved your comments. I have heard some of the underground artists you mentioned but not all. I would be curious to get your opinion on the group The Strange Fruit Project. I only heard one song from them and that was two years ago. The only rap I listen to is old (Troubleneck brothers, All city crew, old raekwon and ghostface, the barker brothers – only one songfrom them).

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 3:52 pm ¶

35. JustChaz wrote:

    Latoya-I originally meant the song, because I believe every rapper’s skills tend to diminish with age, for various reasons.

    dnA was pretty dismissive in just calling Nas crazy, and that’s seemed to have been half the sentiment online regarding this song. I can’t disagree quick enough, because Nas may have half-baked ideas, and it should be illegal for him to do interviews unless he writes them down in rhyming couplets first, but the man both knows what he’s doing, which is creating a dialogue about a particular subject through shock and pushing buttons. I guess what I’m trying to say is, Nas has ALWAYS done things like this, from saying things like, “waving automatic guns at nuns,” to wanting the original artwork for his debut album to involve him putting Jesus in a headlock (”when I was 12, I went to hell for snuffing Jesus.”-Nas on “Live At the BBQ”)! Some of this stuff is done for shock, and braggadocio, some of it is planned.

    I guess another thing that irks me is those rhymes are taken out of context. I heard the whole song, and there’s a lot of things that are thrown in there, some I agree with, some I strongly cosign.

    But my question is, why do you expect more, and what was your issue with “Black Republicans?”

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 4:53 pm ¶

36. Angel H. wrote:

    *just finished reading Nas’ lyrics…

    I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

    *goes off to listen to Nas’ “I Can” and tries – in vain – forget this ever happened…

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 4:57 pm ¶

37. ilana wrote:

    Wow. Beyond the lyrics being offensive and weird, they’re just… well, “sub-par” is putting it kindly.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 6:00 pm ¶

38. jvansteppes wrote:

    This reminds me of the day I paid attention to the lyrics of Kanye’s Goldigger song.
    Defending Eminem is simply inexcusable and I’m reminded of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction rant about dead niggers intruding on his morning coffee. White people don’t need to say the word. It isn’t a right, end of story. Perhaps he and Nas should go into a basement somewhere and yell the word at each other until Eminem gets it out of his system.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 9:23 pm ¶

39. Latoya Peterson wrote:

    JustChaz –

    Hmm, I expect more because it’s Nas. Like I said, if 50 Cent came out with a so-so rhyme over a so-so beat pretending like he was making a social statement, I would understand. But with Nas…it’s like his flow is better than this, his rhymes are tighter, his mind works at a higher level. So this was disappointing. I am nursing a hope that this lackluster opening single that is really a carefully considered lyrical attack on the different ideas he just throws into the song. But then again, it could be false hope.

    I didn’t like Black Republicans for a similar reason – I expected much more of a Jay-Z/Nas collabo. More depth, better flow…beat was cool. But it only lasted a few weeks on my MP3 before I deleted it to make room for other stuff. Me personally, I lean toward lyrics, beat, and flow in that order – that tends to be what I like. So, there are certain tracks that I expect to like and find myself not liking. Maybe my expectations for emcees are too high?

    I’d like to think not, but I’m not sure. Either way, I went back and listened to the track again after the first round of conversation – still standing with disappointed.

    BTW, Arturo, the radio station helpfully told my boyfriend “You can listen to the full version on our website!” So no, he didn’t really get an answer.

    Posted 24 Apr 2008 at 11:05 pm ¶

40. Korolev wrote:

    Well….. it is very true that the human species evolved in Africa. No qualified anthropologist would ever argue with that. We originated in Africa – the skeletons are there for anyone to see (in a museum, of course).

    His choice of words are poor – but basically he’s saying that everyone is part of the human species, regardless of race, which according to modern genetics, is the correct perspective.

    Bad choice of words, sure. But his message is good. I wouldn’t necessarily say we are “all African within” anymore than I would say we are all “European within”. I would say we are all “Human within”.

    But yes, the birthplace of humanity is Africa. Humans migrated everywhere else.

    Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 12:14 am ¶

41. JustPlainOl'Me wrote:

    cosmicsistren :

    I have heard many good things about Strange Fruit Project. I must admit that I haven’t heard any of their work yet, but will try to check them out. I’m always looking for new (or new to me) good Hip-Hop artists. One thing that I must confess (and hope to blog about this weekend, perhaps during the NFL draft) is that I am bi-polar about my Hip-Hop preferences. I generally love heady Hip-Hop (Common, Immortal Technique, Mos Def, etc.) but I have a confession. I have moments where I really like the Ignorant Sh*t as Jay-Z would say. There are times when I want to hear a Snoop song about smoking trees (”Let’s Get Blown”) and I’ve never smoked in my life…not even cigarettes. It doesn’t hurt that some of the most ignorant songs have some beats that I absolutely love. Perfect example: Ludacris’ “Move B*tch.” Maybe I should just try to track down the instrumentals. Hopefully I’ll touch on this more soon. (Also, my wife and I now have a daughter (7 mos. old) so my perspective may change soon.)

    jvansteppes:

    “Defending Eminem is simply inexcusable and I’m reminded of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction rant about dead niggers intruding on his morning coffee. White people don’t need to say the word. It isn’t a right, end of story.”

    I don’t think Eminem’s use of the word is excusable, but I will provide a small defense. It’s my understanding that the incident Nas is referencing is an underground recording that Benzino, formerly of The Source magazine, dug up as part of his Eminem smear campaign. This recording was apparently made before Eminem was known by anyone in the music industry and I believe he was, generally speaking, still a kid. He allegedly used the word in an angry tone when describing a black ex-girlfriend. I spell this out because I think some people are under the impression that Eminem is currently running around using the word in front of D-12, G-Unit or Dre. I don’t think that is the case.

    With that being said, his use of the word back then wasn’t cool. But I know I said and did some very dumb and hateful things (a) as a kid and (b) in response to a broken relationship. Within that context, I can still support Eminem as an artist (but he still needs to stop making songs for 13 year olds). I don’t think Nas is saying that he wouldn’t care if Eminem said that today. I think he’s saying I’m ok with Eminem because he’s my friend and I won’t disown him based on the comment he made years ago. IF Nas is saying that he would be cool with Eminem saying it now,….we’ll I’ve got no explanation for you.

    Posted 25 Apr 2008 at 10:59 am ¶

42. Hajj wrote:

    Its hard to compare Nas’s earlier albums to his more recent work, which for the most part is anti-intellectual garbage. Even the hooks are outdated and sloppy in comparison. I think Nas does in fact believe that ‘hip hop is dead’ and he thinks that adding some controversy will revive it. I don’t think so…

    Posted 26 Apr 2008 at 12:15 am ¶

43. burma shave wrote:

    Most of those commenting are doing so soley from the above quoted lyrics. Is this song crude? Yes. Is this song one of Nas’ best? I dont think so; but you cant entirely dismiss what I believe is the point he is trying to make. We all know that the word nigger is bandied about in popular hip hop. Most of the young people who hear they’re fave rappers you it so frequently take no offense to the word unless the person saying it said it in an angry tone. I’ve seen all white, hispanic, asian and black kids use the world to address each other. Its they’re insta-street cred. I think what Nas is trying to say with this song is that it isnt just a word to use when addressing your friends. It has very real significane. After listing all of the types of niggers, Nas says: “They like to strangle niggers, blame a nigger, shot a nigger, hanging niggers; still you want to be a nigger too”. Is Nas’ album and song title sesationalism? Yes. Is Nas’ using controversy to sell records? Yes, but to wholly dismiss it I think is a mistake.

    Posted 27 Apr 2008 at 2:13 am ¶

44. lechatnoir wrote:

    the N word is the only word you write with numbers and it will still retain its power. He said in this on interview that he wanted to take the power away. We have had it before the official burial of N word then a book with the title N*gger. I didn’t see anything hat could benefit us coming fom it.

    I hope they pre-recorded the bleeps because it must be tedious to do that “manually” and live on top of that. they are all on “auto-censure-mode” for the first time lol!.

    So Nas is saying that “some” Africans are hating .the common interpretation from both west indians and african americans will be AFRICANS do NOT like US anyway. 2 posters here seem to agree , if you guys think Africans have no love for you then please just stop talking ABOUT an TO africans altogether. Can we fill those divorce papers now ? Because it seems the N word makes a difference between a black from the WI and an african.

    Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 6:50 pm ¶

45. Devin wrote:

    ok, all these people talking this, and that talking about i don’t use that word i can’t believe he said that, that means they don’t know enough about nas to understand his frame of mind, whats he’s been through. you can never listen to a true artist such as nas with a closed mind, because his word play( if you’re not hood) will leave you after the first bar if not sooner. one guy started nameing nas tracks this one meant this, these two tracks represent that. nall bro you can take yo wanta be ni**er a** back to the burbs. everyday a racist white preacher gives a service about nigger this nigger that where are all the outspoken black people then. i’m from the south, the only time i hear nigger is when its a whole lot of white people and they outnumber the blacks, then we go handle it, they teach you in school : sticks and stones can break your bones but words can never hurt you. we use words to express ourselves, for pete sake nas’s dad was a jazz cat back in the day, he paid his dues and if he wants to express him self like a nigger on the street who was street educated, power to you. most these folks on here from up north so they don’t know about modern day lynching and fighting off triple k. oh and two things why is it when white people say nigger on tv or some radio shows its allowed to go over the air, but when black people say nigga not nigger you hear bleep. and my last thing<<<<<Africans in africa really i mean really don’t like blacks or african-americans because were not FROM africa…hello….

    Posted 02 May 2008 at 9:15 am ¶

46. amazinstrength wrote:

    for those who feel their opinions count

    why take offense to “nas” using the word nigger
    when the majority of songs being played
    on radio uses the same term (out of term) everyday.
    nigger only means ignorant and wether you
    directly or indirectly understand NAS motives
    for labeling his album and debut song nigger
    you should all wait for Nas to publicly explain his objective. The very reason that one should
    take offense to his project, shows exactly how
    thought provoking Nas really is.

    Posted 27 May 2008 at 8:19 pm ¶