The views and opinions expressed in the following feature editorial are those expressly of the writer of this piece and do not necessarily reflect those of HipHopDX.
“There is no such thing as a record deal.“
-Tarica June, Main Topix
It’s no secret: I am not the biggest Nas fan in the world.
But I do have a tremendous amount of respect for the brother, and I count him among the dopest emcees to ever do it. That said, it is with genuine concern and great sadness that I’m about to say what has to be said.
Nas. Has. Lost. His. Mind.
In the first week of October an email claiming to be from Nas to record executives at his label (Def Jam) made its rounds on the internets. The letter is titled “PUT MY SHIT OUT!”. In the wake of initial doubts of authenticity and stubborn clouds of denial from those of us who grew up on Nas, three things have become abundantly clear. They are listed here, in no particular order.
#1. Nas is confused.
The email opens up as follows: “With all do respect to you all, Nas is NOBODY’s slave. This is not the 1800′s, respect me and I will respect you.”
If there’s one theme that Nas has championed in his catalogue, it is the notion that slavery is still very (very) real, both in the lives of black folk in America and throughout the diaspora. For more than 15 years Nas has given us gems which describe neo-colonialism and its oppressive tendencies, and its ongoing impact on the real lives of millions of starving, dying people all over the world. Better yet, skip the history lesson. Check out Distant Relatives, which was released just this year. On it, Nas and Jr. Gong lament the current state of shared oppression experienced in the States, Africa and throughout the contemporary world. In fact, much of his career has been devoted to illuminating slavery in contemporary American society. So to start off with “Nas is NOBODY’s slave” and “this is not the 1800’s” leads me to believe that something has gone terribly wrong in Nas-land. By his own admission (ironically on the first Lost Tapes, no less) he was a slave to Columbia Records.
“I’m a Columbia Records slave, so get paid,
control your own destiny, you are a genius,
don’t let it happen to you like it did to me, I was a Black zombie.”
-Nas, “Black Zombie”
But somehow now that he has a different label (i.e. Def Jam) he thinks things are different. Having the ability to choose your master doesn’t make you free.
#2. Nas is confused.
The next paragraph goes into a diatribe about how record labels oppress artists and miss the point about what the “people” really want.
Really?
Complaining about executives exploiting labor is like complaining about bees making honey. THAT’S WHAT EXECUTIVES DO. No one should know this better than Nas! The age-old cliché of rapper complaining about the industry is so familiar that it is tough to imagine any other rapper-stance. Have you ever heard of a rapper praising the industry? Have you ever heard an artist say “Fuck my fans; shout-out to my A&R for believing in me”? Neither have I. Like the token geeky white kid dancing in the video, “shots” at the artist’s own company have become commonplace, dry, and played-out.
#3. Nas is confused.
Then, the letter becomes almost nonsensical. After an (apparently brief) moment of clarity where he acknowledges the futility of appealing to an executive’s sense of morality, Nas actually proceeds to cite Tommy Mottola and Donnie Eisner as positive examples of what executives should be. Tommy Mottola? Donnie Eisner? Sheesh. I’m tempted to go into Mottola’s career of documented, legitimized immorality, but I won’t. Let me just say that calling out the industry for its problems and then pointing to Mottola as an exception is a lot like criticizing Christmas for its materialism and then thanking Santa Claus. But what I found most alarming was Nas’ version of reality. Nas threatens Def Jam by saying, (and I quote) “I could go on twitter or Hot 97 tomorrow and get 100,000 protesters @ your building..”
Obviously, this is the low point. The idea that people would protest a record company for doing anything (much less not putting out an album) is mere silliness. The record companies control the minds of the listener; they would certainly never allow such a thing to happen. Not to mention the fact that those most interested in this particular issue are the ones least likely to give a fuck about anything other than where the next season of Jersey Shore is going to be filmed. And just so you know that he’s not just playing around, Nas even refers to the Lost Tapes, Volume 2 project as a “movement”.
Really?
A buddy of mine once (passionately) tried to convince me that the Lost Tapes was Nas’ dopest, most revolutionary stuff ever, and that it was completely different than any of his other major label stuff because of its realness and its crucial critique of the “system.” He said that the music represented resistance, in a way that the corporate music industry infrastructure couldn’t account for. My response to all of this was simple: “Slow it down, Huey- you listen to all that so-called revolutionary rhetoric and then do exactly what everyone else does: take your ass to work tomorrow.”
As a matter of fact, the only thing Nas has moved people to do is be better consumers. Isn’t it interesting that this is what this whole letter is about? Nas is pissed because the label that owns him (i.e. the label that he sold himself to) is preventing “the people” from consuming a product. Is this a crime? Is this injustice? Read his movement bit a little closer and you’ll see that Nas can’t even successfully differentiate a movement from personal career ambition. No legitimate social movement I ever heard of doubled as a “very important set up piece for a career.” I believe it was the great Bob Marley who once sang:
“So soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionaries…
And I don’t want my people to be tricked by mercenaries.”
-Bob Marley, “Zimbabwe”
A few garbled rantings about Karma and magical moments aside, the email ends with one final dose of profundity. Nas exhorts his owners to “Stop being your own worst enemy” and “Let’s get money!”
At this point I’m thinking that the only thing more disheartening than Nas’ confusion about his role as exploited labor in the music industrial complex is his hopeless allegiance to it. I’m very sick of black folks trying to get ahead by playing along in a game which we’ve never won. Not ever. In fact, as soon as (through our own brilliance, persistence and ingenuity) we start to win; they change the very rules of the game.1
Imagine if instead of writing a “sorry-sir-please-be-kind” letter, Nas wrote a “fuck-you-then-I’m-out” letter. Imagine if we all stopped begging and pleading for fairness and loved ourselves enough to actually start knocking the hustle. Justin Bieber featuring Raekwon [“Runaway Love (Remix)” 
] is not okay. Nasir Jones pleading with jillionaire executives for the privilege of selling black music to white kids is not okay. Once upon a time, the music industry literally depended on artists birthed from the pain, joy, struggles and triumphs of community2. Nowadays that same industry invents, manufactures, and markets artists itself; with no community sensibility whatsoever (yes, I’m talking about Drake).
I’m not judging Nas. Lord knows I’ve done more “sorry-sir-please-be-kind”-ing than I care to admit. I’m just saying that he (of all people) shouldn’t have to play that game. Get Your Mind Right: None of us should.
1Rhoden, W.C. (2006) Forty Million Dollar Slaves: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete. Crown: New York.
2Johnson, C. (2008). Danceable Capitalism, Hip Hop’s Link to Corporate Space. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 2(4), 80-92.
after reading this (very well thought out article) all i can say is… wow
This article was not very well thought out at all! He actually sounds stupid. This writer is making judgmental statements like Drake having “no community sensibility whatsoever.” and stating that Reakwon doing a song with Justine Bieber is not okay and Nas pleading with jillionaire executives for the privilege of selling black music to white kids is not okay.” This dude obviously has not clue what music is about…music is just not for one particular race to listen to. This writer is making it seem as if hip hop has never been multicultural!
First of all I agree that the writers feelings toward Nas are a little on the idiotic side, but I agree with his Drake and Bieber comments. Drake is a fake fuckin rapper who somehow became a thug after filming Degrassi ( look that shit up kiddies) and Rae doesnt belong anywhere near that 12 year old fuckin bitch. I mean how am I supposed to take you seriously bro if you making a song with a 12 year old kid. A 12 year old white kid that the only struggle he ever been through is getting to the front of the ice cream truck line. Hip- Hop was made off the struggles of the people the feelings that they felt the world wasnt paying attention to. Thats why real hip hop aint music its art. Its an expression of the person who writes it. If I ever saw Bieber in real life Id punch that kid in his face. Hard. then break all his fingers individually with a ball peen hammer and break his teeth with some pliers and stab him multiple times and lay him in a tub full of lemon juice and salt.Amber alert that bitch. Fuck that kid.
Hip Hop is multicultural buddy but some people aim to exploit it and make money off of it (bieber the fuckin shitstick). I take that as a personal attack cause hip hop literally saved my life. so fuck bieber and drake fuckin simple simon ass muthafuckers. I wish death upon them x 3.14
I’d love to know what Nas thinks about this response lol
Ok we get it “Nas is confused.” These writers just want something to say and Nas is the only topic worthy to write about. This topic is old…move on already! Nas is not the only artist making these statements. Everything Nas does people always tends to use it as an opportunity to hate on the man. The writer already let it be known in his first statement by saying “It’s no secret: I am not the biggest Nas fan in the world.” So his views and opinions about Nas are already bias! By the way we all live in the land of confusion including this writer!
this guy has issues. nas is just an entertainer, writter, storyteller and best of all a poet. his music is a form of expression. real m.c’s like krs-one and dead presidents don’t get any air play because they speak about social issues that aren’t being spoken about. radio has stop playing music with a message but instead geared more to club bangers for the strippers. Personally, i like the music that motivates and uplifts.
I can see where the writer’s comin from on a couple of points he made, but overall i thinks Nas jus wants the people 2 hear the record, more than worrying about how much he’s gonna make from it. Dunno, that how I see it – peace ppl
man stay off nas dick ur not pussy juice and dont watch nas ever move he aint a t.v. hes a fucking rapper that people want is his music u going to deep ……….
the fans just want the music
This guys a fucking idiot….Lupe had fans protesting for his album so im guessing NAS THE FUCKING LEGEND has a large enough fanbase to assemble 100,000
Thank you hiphopdx, for proving that the title of “professor,” does not equate to any kind of intelligence.
Really Professor Carey Simms, this is what you do in your spare time? Read hiphop gossip and then try to turn it into some kind of intellectual dissertation?
The sad thing is that all your really doing, other than making an ass out of yourself, is tearing down another “brotha”and promoting that lazy sheep attitude which encourages most to just “take their ass to work tomorrow.” Your not adding anything new or interesting to the conversation.
Its frustrating to hear you make these very profound points, but then don’t expand on them and go back to the very mundane “Nas is an idiot” conversation.
Step your game up man.
This writer needs to get HIS MIND RIGHT!!!!!This article was not very well thought out at all! He actually sounds stupid. This writer is making judgmental statements like Drake having “no community sensibility whatsoever.” and stating that Reakwon doing a song with Justine Bieber is not okay and Nas pleading with jillionaire executives for the privilege of selling black music to white kids is not okay.” This dude obviously has no clue what music is about…music is just not for one particular race to listen to. This writer is making it seem as if hip hop has never been multicultural! Besides Nas’ last album ‘Untitled’ was a very social and political piece of music that touched on the “pain, joy, struggles and triumphs of community” as this writer points out in this article “that the music industry literally depended on†artists that discussed these topics in their music, well Nas has done this since the beginning and he continues to do so till this day.
can i get 10 minutes of my life back?
NIGGA, GET YOUR BLACKASS OUTTA HERE
“the label that owns him (i.e. the label that he sold himself to)” – Whoa. You peep that?
The only thing more confused than Nas (supposedly) is this aritcle; I don’t think I’ve read a less thought out, poorly researched, poorly argued, piece in a long time. And if there even was a ‘game’ to play Nas certainly would not be one to play it.
BRIAN SUCK YOUR GAY DADDY DICK AND KILL YOUR UGLY MAMA
Im A Big Nas Fan… But This Dude Has A Good Point… And If Nas Reads This And Is Really About The People… He Would Think The Same And Probably Rewrite That Letter…
Overall some good points, but not very well articulated. The quote with Drake at the end is real – even if these kids today are just gonna call him a hater…
“I love hip-hop, I just hate the niggas in it”
You’re a dick.
Yet Again Nas Prevails!!!!
What A Loser This Writer Is….
Shame on the site too for letting this go down!
The person who wrote this article is an asshole. They should not allow him to write on this site again. nothing new they have had hate for nas since he was nine with swede tims and balley’s on. It’s all good though karma is a motherfucka! He will get his. I heard it from Nas!
We Just Want Music Man!!
Real Music!
Peace’
HAHAHAHAHAA
NAS CAN PLEASE ETHER ALL THESE IDIOTS AND SNAKE AZZ RAPPPERRSSS!!!!
“It’s no secret: I am not the biggest Nas fan in the world”
Oh… I think your opinion MIGHT be biased.
That makes your whole argument flawed and sound retarded.
NAS THE ILLEST!!!! DONT F**K WITH HIM
THE GUY WHO WROTE THIS IS A MUPPET!
Ha. Nas sold his soul when he did that deal with jayz. He tricked nas and told him to sign with defjam n then he left def jam cuz he had a deal with def jam and columbia and got himself a bigger deal. funny 50 cent just sed it how u gonna have a 15 mill dollar marketing deal and nas didnt blow on that album he got measley sales jay z went gold in his first week. And got a crazy deal doing that one for you two for me shit. And nas is stuck nas aint no buisness savvy dude basically so he just fucked for now. Man nas like that stupid dude that can shoot you. but you survive and destroy his whole family
Forgive me for writing this article for I don’t even understand 1% of Hip Hop culture but work at a website called hip hop dx dot com!
For a professor you’re not incredibly bright are you Brian? Nas was merely expressing the thoughts of most artists today that feel that their artistry and creativity is shadowed by a record company budget and what aims to make money for the white community. Big Boi felt the same way when they wouldn’t let him release another Outkast album. It’s understandable by nature that you would want to keep hip hop alive with the originality and the power to put dope music out anytime you want the way people did when hip hop first came out, and for the record working for hiphopdx does not mean you know anything about hip hop one bit, its just a goddamn job and you’re not doing it well by making articles about a man who has done more for hip hop in a day than you have in a lifetime coming across as a wack ass so called professor…
that’s clearly not the guy who wrote the article.. he’s joking with that haha jesus how can u not see?
Basically the writer is appearing to say what Jay Z said a long time ago during their feud, Nas has contradictions, but what human doesn’t. To judge his character and email so harshly seem really out of place and to be honest seem like a writer who’s been waiting to pounce on Nas because he isn’t a fan. Kinda petty it seemed.
@ Writer:
IM not even reading this bullshit. All Nas tries to do is make good HiP Hop and all (most) if yall writers wanna nit pick on Nas for every little thing he does.
Why?
By the amount of Nas Haters on the Web Ill assume your another camel Warrior(No Jab at Jay justhis blind enraged stans).
Thrid, How confuse is Nas when Lost Tapes now has a release date for Dec 21 2010.
One last thing I read the Supposed Nas letter In question and you know what it sound like the frustration of any true artist.
You should of Titled this as Def Jam and Atlantic Records(LUPE) are confused and get off Ppl’ S Dick.
I was actually gonna read your bullshit but I smelled that same aroma when you hear ppl constantly tearing down Obama!
http://www.soundclick.com/showtimeny
^^^ dats real shit you wrote right there!!!
“The idea that people would protest a record company for doing anything (much less not putting out an album) is mere silliness”
im pretty sure the only reason lupes album is being released is because of people protesting for his album to be released…
These boule ass scholars say the darndest things,LMBAO!
WoW,you killed him off real fast…good shit!
HIPHOPDX SHOULD DROP BRIAN SIMS. This guy must be trying to create a buzz. He contradicted himself to to dig deep into Nas’ songs. Nas had a valid point in addressing Def Jam. Artists have been successfull at protesting record label i.e. LUPE FIASCO. Coincidently the Same rap styles. We all know labels are trying to promote music that will enlighten the people. If Nas was on some dumb as Gucci Mane, Wacka Flocka shit, Def Jam would never try to shelf his music. Nas should go indie. I will always support him. BRIAN SIMS should go write for a local newspaper.
Oh boy to think someone can write an editorial dumber than Nas letter.
Hiphopdx please remove this “foolywang” its an embarrassment to the site.
This is wack because, most, rappers contradict themselves when comparing lyrics in their catalogs. Some of them even do it on the same album. Most rappers record off of emotion. What’s a lifestyle today, won’t be a lifestyle tomorrow. Shit, we all flip flop. I think Nas needs to understand that until he becomes success as a business man, he’ll never be happy as someone’s artist. Stop signing contracts and go indie when you get the chance (if it’s all about artistry.
I get pissed of when people talk shit about NAS when they really dont even know what hell they are talking about… hes old school he does his shit differently he is the ILLEST to ever spit..
Good article. Nasir has long since gained the clout to and fanbase to operate independently– his inability to operate a successful business is a travesty for someone who is capable of creating such amazing art. Continuing to rely on the major label system to “get hip-hop” is a joke– Money is the only language these people speak, and Nas ISN’T going to make them money releasing a bunch of unreleased songs.
Note:
For those who actually believe Wasalu will release an album in March 2011, or that your “protest” helped bring that about, I hope you aren’t saving up your lunch money. Lyor Cohen is a lot of things, but he certainly isn’t going to let a few stanleys bully him into releasing something thats not going to make him money– that release date was to silence you all, and fell into the mousetrap.
JihaD
fuck da faggot dat wrote dis shit…n dx for posting it….
nas=goat
prof Brian carey,we can see that you are educated with your sophisticated choice of words, but where are you going with this and what are you gaining by expressing mass amounts of hate towards one of the most positive and influential artists in the industry.you have serious issues man.you sound like your racist although you claim to be black.I have never posted a comment on this site until reading your blind views on nas..You should be fired from whatever job your currently working at.You certainly owe nas and nas’s fans an apology for this article.
I agree with Nas 100%. Nas is not bugging. I expect the lost tapes 2 to come out. Why? BECAUSE THATS WHAT I WANT!!!!!!!!!!
ok so here are arguable the greatest/most successful rappers of all time: Nas, Jay-z, eminem, pac and big. the average rap life is 2 albums so its rare there few acceptions to that. to survive past this you either A.) put out classic material to be played beyond your shortened career(big and pac) B have tremendous talent(nas) C)have the talent and business savy to back it up (jay-z)
No doubt nas is one of the greatest but you have to put yourself in a position with your own money to be your own boss. Jay-z did this by creating his own label roc-nation so he could take as much time for his albums.Eminem did so by being selected by dr dre and then creating his own protege to take over the game(50 cent)Nas just lacks the business smarts to succeed in the $ category
The professor is mistaken is his gripe about Nas. When Nas went to Def Jam, it was a choice made to go to a record label that had a hip-hop background. The move was necessary to ensure that his music (provocative and revolutionary)was understood and supported. LA Reid, which the e-mail is addressed (amongst others), was one of the suitors encouraging Nas to sign with Def Jam. So in a sense, his e-mail was sent with a feeling of betrayal. Gotta get all the facts right before you bash the brother. in my opinion, Nas should went to Atlantic Records. Whatever the case may be, Nas is the greastest lyricist of all time. Peace.
i agree with this editorial. Nas is an idiot.
GIVE US YOUR ALBUM WITH DJ PREMIER, you liar.
This is absolute garbage! What man would waste their time to completely hate on another man? Especially a man who has inspired the lives of millions through his poetry. Yes Nas contradicts himself often in his music, but as he once said “to be human is to be a contradiction” We are all creatures of emotion. That’s what separates us for animals. One day you might wake up feeling like you want to change the world, the next day you might want to just chill, fuck bitches, smoke weed lol. It’s life! Point is who are we to judge anyone? Look in the mirror first!
Co-sign ^
It’s always somethin goin on but check me out on youtube THE GUITAR PLAYER FOR THIS DAY AND AGE. MANY ARTISTS USING LIVE BANDS NOW SO CHECK ME OUT ON YOUTUBE BRYANTC1000. CAN PLAY ON ANY BEAT OR FOR ANY ARTIST.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bryantc1000&aq=f
DC MARYALND VIRGINIA ALL DAY!! I wanna be seen and heard by the right ppl ALL AROUND and get some work in,collab, tour ect.
Get @ me leaving.carter@gmail.com
my dude you gotta stop. Nobody’s checking that shit. Stop spamming the site.
Carter quit with this shii already. No one wants to hear your weak ass music.
i understood it was almost accepted fact that nas didnt write that email in the first place. the good points made in this article dont do shit for me but reinforce that. and hate the dude writing it because he only wrote that because he saw an opportunity to chastise nas, its obvious he has some hostility towards him for one reason or another, and took it.
this is stupid (the article)…1. lupe fans threatened to protest and it got him a release date and 2. drake invented himself and rap doesnt always have to be about ruff lives in the hood and hard times…that would make rap a one trick pony. 3. wtf are you blabbing about.
Bro, lupe’s album got pushed back 5 months. is that really a successful protest
honestly man, nas acknowledge’s the fact that mottola and eisner were shady ass dudes. don’t twist the article.
Just some know-it-all that obviously has something against Nas.
First of all, he’s looking too much into a letter. This is hip-hop music, not English class. He’s over analyzing his languag.
He knows that the message is DEF JAM is being stingy about releasing essential albums.
Record companies went platinum more when they took risks with releasing multiple projects. Now they are only dong projects with guaranteed success. It wasn’t like that in the past, and it’s stupid that it’s like that now. Tommy Mottola would at least release the f’n albums. It’s nothing about morality. By Nas saying he’s not a slave, he means that he’s a pioneering artist that shouldn’t have to compromise his artistic integrity to release an album guaranteed to sell.
This dude is full of it. Saying I go to work the next day after listening to the Lost Tapes, I do the same when listening to Public Enemy or 2pac. GTFO. Why is this stupid editorial on the front page of hiphopdx? Dude needs to dunk his head in Biz Markie’s toilet water.
Wow!! am really suprised that a real professor can be so dumb…remember Katt williams said ” aint nothing stupid n funny like a smart dumb nigga”, are u even a real professor to take time and literaly write an article about Nas being a human being and u put it in a negative context. I ddnt knw that professor can be really stupid sometimes…word to Brian Sims ” go lick some fag’s golf balls in a public toilet” or better yet “go lick Plies’s dick u idiot”…I think am smarter than this mathafucka…
Brian Sims how about u get your mind right and get that dick out yo mouth…Mafaka telling Nas to right a ” sorry-sir-please-be-kind” letter, nigga what ???fuck u n Def Jam execs.
Ppl like Brian Sims are just dick riding critics, how does nas’ letter affect him to the point that he has to write an article making nas look stupid. Take care of your own life asshole and write bout things that are more uplifting instead of bringing down rappers. Its like if i were to write an article bringin down souljah boy, WTF is the purpose!
typical know it all taking things too literally and out of context.
What a piece of shit, I always loved the editorials of HipHopDX but seriously this is the dumbest thing I have ever read on DX. What is the whole point of this?
Hating a$$ writer, trying to bring down the next man. No one said Nas is perfect but I’ll be damned if he hasn’t inspired millions of people across THE WORLD. So what he isn’t business savvy, life isn’t all about money. all we want is the music, Nas’ business decisions are his personal biz. If youre lookin for business moves look at Jay-z or 50. Nas is an artist at heart, thats what he does. He doesn’t sell his soul for money. The writer is just jealous that he will never have an ounce of the influence Nas has had across the globe. Nas is from the projects and not highly educated and this Brian Sims is educated and he is “confused” as to why Nas has more impact than he ever will. lol, don’t be mad BRIAN!!
“Nas is a rebel to America”
We will ALWAYS resist the slave owners.It will only be played out to house coons who have sold out. the struggle continues,. Hip Hop!!
Nas dropped out and educated himself, thats where its at
It’s pretty obvious that this dude (who’s supposedly a professor) does not like Nas…he even says that in the first sentence! At the end of the day, it’s JUST A LETTER. If anyone else was in the same situation, they would be just as pissed. Nas is actually passionate about his work, but this “professor” doesn’t understand that and he’s over-analyzing this shit.
and who the fuck are you?
siding with the label, shittin on nas, shut the fuck up kid.
these faggots gettin on a soapbox to preach their irrelevant view on things is the type of thing hip hop could live without. you didnt have this in hip hop pre internet. now every blogger from here to there got something controversial to say. everyone know whats best for nas. nas drops classic work. time and time again. fights through label BS, delivers dope, and lames like this further complicate things. hip hop culture is fuckin dead. this guy writing the blog knows everything nas doin wrong, what have you done for the culture kid? you break? you write? you graff? you support? nah, you just write your nothing thoughts with ill intent, like a coward.
professor? youre a fuckin blockhead, shut up, hip hop is dead dropped in response to people like you.
The writer gave Nas his props as one of the best emcees to ever do it so before you get defensive, realize that he is addressing certain issues with the music industry & not just attacking Nas. He’s using Nas’ situation as an example to show how bad things have gotten. And he’s right…
“Justin Bieber featuring Raekwon [“Runaway Love (Remix)” ] is not okay. Nasir Jones pleading with jillionaire executives for the privilege of selling black music to white kids is not okay. Once upon a time, the music industry literally depended on artists birthed from the pain, joy, struggles and triumphs of community2. Nowadays that same industry invents, manufactures, and markets artists itself; with no community sensibility whatsoever (yes, I’m talking about Drake).”
That’s 100% truth & if you can’t see it then you’re likely part of the problem. Most of these comments so far just reinforce the points that dude is making.
STFU what a white kid buyin a hiphop record is a problem? eat a dick if u think thats the truth
Who listens to Nas, as well as being a fan of Jersey Shore? Your idea of who Nas’ fan base is, is seriously flawed
Professor brings up valid points but still, Why won’t Def Jam release these Albums, not just Nas’s. Joell Ortiz, Game, Redman, Juelz Santana, Chamillionaire, Saigon, the list is almost endless and the releases are being delayed by years not months with no real answer to why????? except for politically corrects answers like “buzz” or “Marketing”. Big Boi had one of the top albums this year and was delayed like 3 fucking years. Lupe is one of the best Artist in the decade and he can’t get an album out! Good Reason or not for delays aside, it must really suck to not release your own music when you believe in it. All while almost talentless pop artists in comparision real to get annual releases with a shitty product backed by major marketing.
Look I think you made some very valid points, but you’re wrong about Nas’s fan base. I am a huge Nas fan and I have never watched Jersey Shore. The only thing I know about Jersey Shore came from last week’s episode of South Park, where they prove that Jersey Shore is full of douchebags. Anyways, I think Nas didn’t handle the situation as well as he should of, but you guys have to understand that if you made a dope album and the record company you worked for wouldn’t put it out-you’d be pretty pissed too. I think Nas should’ve met with the executives face to face, instead of emailing them and risking a leak along with a public feud.
haha you kinda just played right into this guys hands
“i dont watch jersey shore idiot, i watch south park” hahah
might sound funny, but South Park is actually some intelligent shit…
in contrast to jersey shore
Idiots watch Jersey Shore, and definitely don’t listen to Nas. Guidos listen to Southern Dance hip-hop they play in the sleazy clubs.
Smart people watch South Park for the most hilarious, politically incorrect social commentary on television.
Anonymous has no point. Probably watches Jersey Shore himself.
The majority of the comments here sound like their coming from high school kids who didn’t read the entire article or were unable to comprehend the point behind it.
This is not an article bashing Nas. Hell dude even says he has respect for Nas as being on of the dopest emcees. This article is attacking the record labels, media, and other corporate controllers who determine who makes it and who doesn’t, which record drops and which doesn’t. He just uses Nas as an example to try and point these issues out, and the e-mail is a great way of doing so.
this guy is a idiot. He has missed the point of Nas’s entire letter and is obviously angered at the industry in the same way Nas is.. however hes not in the industry therefore he has a outsiders perspective.. and a few skewed one at that.
x2
THIS GUY IS AN IDIOT. HE MUST BE FREE AND DOESNT WORK FOR THE MAN. THIS STUPID ARTICLE BLASTIN NAS WAS PUBLISHED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE “MAN”. ARE YOU A PROFESSOR FROM HOME??? DO YOU TEACH CLASSES ONLINE FROM YOUR COACH??. CHANCES ARE YOU WORK AT A SCHOOL. WHO OWNS THAT SCHOOL? EXACTLY. KEEP IT UP AND NAS CAN HAVE YOUR ASS DISMISSED! NIGGA GOT POWER. AND NAS FANS DONT WATCH JERSEY SHORE, OUR MINDS ARENT THAT SIMPLE
No, your wrong about Nas in a major sense. This guy pointed out some true shit about Nas. Let’s get this paper, man what kind of revolutionary movement type shit is that. Nas like to talk about inequalities in the system, but mostly ones that affect him in his own selfishness. In the end he’s just mad cause the corporate world is making the money that he wants to make. He wants to make Jay money and wants to still claim to be all about this influential relevant topic, but I don’t think he really gives a shit about that stuff anyway.
Nas had chances to make Jay money. If you knew anything about him you would have known he turned those opportunities down.
@sharksbreath: I think not. Nas has made stupid decisions as far as his “opportunities” go. A big example is when he was gonna go to Murder Inc. right after releasing QB’s Finest on NAS & ILL WILL RECORDS. Even Jay-Z had to school him before he made that dumb move, and I’m glad it never happened.
There’s nothing wrong with being confident your album will make money. The record label CEOs only speak in money, and Nas was just trying to speak their language so they’ll RELEASE THE F’N ALBUM. He wrote the letter frustrated cause they won’t put the album out. Record labels have never been this stingy.
Nas is an artist, not a businessman. I’m about the best artists, I don’t worship the people that make the best business moves. You guys are riding with the businessmen.
DEF JAM AINT RELEASIN THE ALBUM CUZ KANYE GOTTA DROP, SO DOES NEYO, RIHANNA, THATS 3 PLATINUM PLAQUES TO CLOSE THE YEAR OUT. UNFORTUNETLY SHIT GOES THIS WAY. WELL SEE NAS NEXT YEAR UNLESS JAY PUTS IN A WORD 4 HIM
Def jam is’nt dying, it’s just not hip hop, people just continue support the big labels and look for them to tell them whats hot..the guy is right these labels now control what you listen too whats goona top the billboard with a kind of a self manufactured version of with a genre packaged off as real hip hop
Dude u confused,
what do u listen to what do u want to listen to,, “The record companies control the minds of the listener; they would certainly never allow such a thing to happen”,, what u smokin r u seriosely dissin Nas for tryin to fight for rights of da himsel (nd da People) nd Def Jam leaking a Confidential letter to the Public,, r u serios nd u think we really free r u free?? im so sorry for u do u want to get a record deal do u work for them r u trying to get a reaction, does many comeents = many readers R we Really free what u smokin dude Who controls what u listen to and so sorry u lost go listen to them tapes nd u will get it
Just tryin to get a REaction
Playing wit our energy
prof dont paly wit pple minds
just to get a reaction
or r u using this to see how many pple dig Nas music nd whether its worth realisin from Commercial stand p[oint not a creative Message Music 1
enuff alreadyyyyyyyyyyy!!
This guy is right. I’m not knocking Nas. Nas is a rapper I can listen to, I can’t listen to 95% of this new garbage shit, don’t even click play. But he says a lot of things in that letter that as this guy pointed out, make him appear very dumb and misguided and confused. Nas can talk about important topics, but at the end of the day the ones that are actually doing things to support those things are the ones that matter. Doesn’t matter if you want to talk about injustice all day, if your playing the same game as anybody else.
So who are those ones that you are talking about, big dawg? Who is actually supporting “those things”? Who’s doing more than just talking about injustices on wax?
Immortal Technique builds shelters in Afganistan and just invested his money in Peru by buying some land. Also holds debates with the youth, regardless of if he has an album out. Mos Def is active in the community. RZA and GZA have local chess tournaments for the youth in NYC.
Nas led a protest against FOX News. Some proceeds from Distant Relatives are going to build a school in Africa. But that doesn’t really matter, not every rapper has it in them to do the whole Bono charity thing. Nas is an artist, not a Saint.
Nas isn’t a saint. And it doesn’t matter if there aren’t many people doing the big movements in comparison. But I’m just saying, Nas earned a lot of respect from his fans in terms of putting him above other rappers. but sometimes you gotta sit back and see those comparisons to 50 cent, mans want paper and to fine tune their image.
I can’t believe how much this guy wants to hate on one the greatest to ever do it. This joker talks so much shit in this article. Jersey Shore? are u fuckin serious? Raekwon with justin bieber not ok? like someone before me said that song is clearly more aimed towards a bieber type audience. And to me, u should never be discouraging younger generations from finding out about these older hip hop artists, cos their the best ones. i could go on an on.. an what u mean ‘Nasir Jones pleading with jillionaire executives for the privilege of selling black music to white kids is not okay’ U the one whos lost his mind man not nas. Nas sells to blacks, whites an probly chinese too. So ur sayin that if u white u not allowed to like hiphop music? fuck do u think u are man u need to step into the year 2010. Im white what u guna do, I dont live in the burbs, i aint rich, An i aint guna go force myself to listen to music i dont like just cos u think whites should listen to strictly whites, blacks blacks etc. Hiphop speaks to me get a grip son. NAS GOAT
real hip-hop is for those who LISTEN, it doesn’t matter what race you are. real shit
“It’s no secret: I am not the biggest Nas fan in the world.”
Once you make a statement like this. You lose all credibility.
Agreed 100%
nas will mess with this “professor” in his next album… he alway fucked his critics.
Nas and 2pac are easily the most overrated rappers ever.
Tupac is never overated, your a fag
Really? Who’s better than Pac and Nas?
I’m just waiting for “Anonymous” to say something idiotic like “Kid Cudi.”
NaS is the GOAT you dumbass, go listen to drake or some other whack shit
lil wayne
yeah yo tupacs overrated cause he creates so much hype for himself right?! your fuckin dumb to think Mr. shakur is overrated
Bottom line: Nas is looking for the easy way out of his Def Jam contract and Lost Tapes 2 is the best card he can play. Def Jam’s not hearing it because they already gave him a Greatest Hits CD… two CDs out of four without any effort is kind of unreasonable from an executive standpoint.
Yes, the first Lost Tapes was a great CD (a top 5 LP in Nas’ catalog for me at least), but as a Nas fan I would want an original and relevant-to-the-times album, not older material. Save that for a mixtape.
No, that’s not the bottom line. He wants to release The Lost Tapes 2 for his fans and his repetoire. They gave him The Greatest Hits CD cause it’s guaranteed sales. TO say that The Lost Tapes doesn’t have any effort is unreasonable as a fan.
He means that something new and up to date and more importantly created during his contract and not some prior work that Nas has built up, would be more worthwhile for the record label this being his last CD release in their contract.
Great Op-Ed piece. Well written and well thought out…I dont, however, agree with your opinion, and personally think you should stick to doing interviews, unless your editor made you do this, in which case your are simply a puppet, and the blasphemous sins you have committed here are forgiven.
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” J.C.
this shit was wack. I want those 10 minutes of my life back
Let’s be real…it was more like 20 minutes.
this doc. is wack. get m.e. dyson to comment. you hold not weight.
true that! 100% co-sign. I would love to read what Dyson has to say about this.!
we dont even know that the gawd wrote this letter. fuk up outta here with this babblin azz professor. the black woman is gawd!
Say What?? this was a waste of time!
Fuck all that nonsense, Nas is one and still is one of the best MC’s out there. If the label is holding on to his shit, let it out. This is the kind of shit that is killing hip hop; sitting on dope material while the wack/ gay shit continue to get constant play brainwashing the masses. If hip hop wasn’t such a big ass EGO issue among the artist; the artist themselves should get together and form their OWN major distribution service and leave the pencil pushers sitting behind their desk wishing they were a creative. Fuck you Brian Sims
Aight, read the whole thing. I do not understand a point here. IT’s Nas askin for a more than likely “nice” album to come out in a time of shitty poppy music. I LOVED Lost Tapes Vol. 1. Why is this writer talkin “Black folk” and “White kids”. It’s just ignorant to be a writer and to be talking down to not only his own people but a kid cause he’s white and enjoys Nas. I’m pretty sure any man of any color should enjoy Nas.
“I’m not judging Nas.”
– “Nas is confused.”
“I’m not the biggest fan of Nas.”
– “But, I count him as one of the dopest emcees to do it.”
Talk about inconsistency in an analysis.
You know what else irks me about your analysis? The racial tone to it. “I’m very sick of black folks trying to get ahead by playing along in a game which we’ve never won.”
What exactly did you lose? Name some facts to support your statement.
I have to agree with others who commented. I hardly understand the point of this analysis.
Poorly written.
This was the wackest article in hiphopdx history! I’m still trying to figure out what the he’ll the author is talking about. Hiphopdx NEVER use this author again!!!
Prof Carey – U must teach womens studies
Nas said it best in his letter:
“The #1 problem with DEF JAM is pretty simple and obvious, the executives think they are the stars. You aren’t…. not even close. As a matter of fact, you wish you were, but it didn’t work out so you took a desk job. To the consumer, I COME FIRST. Stop trying to deprive them! I have a fan base that dies for my music and a RAP label that doesn’t understand RAP. Pretty fucked up situation”
-This also perfectly describes Prof Carey.. u madam are a straight ass clown!!!!!
That email was probably fake to begin with…this article is kind of a moot point. Shouldn’t mr smarty pants have addressed that issue?
this mail is fake, peep this, it states in d letter dat lost tapes came out in 2005,lol.last time i checked it came out in 01/02. WTF.
DX what the hell is this I’m reading comments trying to figure it out and I’m still confused!! Professor Brian Carey Sims needs to get a life.
a couple of paragraphs in and i knew this writer was not bright at all…sit down man.
I think the professor is the one who is confuse,is just a letter ,Nas is trying to play daf jam to get his money up.what is confusing about that
“Nasir Jones pleading with jillionaire executives for the privilege of selling black music to white kids is not okay”
where the hell did this come from?! race had absolutely NOTHING to do with Nas’ letter, and I understand that a majority of hip-hop records as a whole are probably bought why white kids, but this is NOT what Nas was thinking or trying to do at all. It’s the privilege of getting his music out to his FANS, the ones that loved the first Lost Tapes and the rest of Nas’ catalogue and want to hear more music from the man…it doesn’t matter what fuckin color their skin is.
should white kids feel like they can’t buy Nas’ music? even if they didn’t grow up in the same conditions that he may have, or have the same color skin that he has? if they truly enjoy his music and his message and think his album is worth their hard earned money, should they not support his music and buy his album? this article is bullshit
HOT BEATS @ MRCONCEITED .COM
HOT BEATS @ MRCONCEITED.COM
Someone please tell the professor to shut the hell up and mind his own damn business. The email that Nas supposedly sent to Def Jam executives is indeed ignorant. However, that does not diminish the fact that Nas has the right to earn a living in his most skilled profession. If Nas feels that right is being prohibited, then he did the right thing by addressing the issue. The professor is probably one of those guys who is constantly pushed over in life and too afraid to fight back. You gotta stand up for something in life. Nas’ intentions are in the right place….However, he simply must find more appropriate ways of articulating his displeasure with Def Jam. You can’t be upset with Nas for that!
Really!? Brian Sims stop being a little bitch and write something positive or worthwhile…
How can people like this guy be serious. They constantly preach “EQUALITY” and then they still play the race card. I mean c’mon what do you have against white people buying real hip-hop? and if it isn’t about color of the skin like everybody preaches, then why does he care if its mostly white kids buying nas albums. It probably isn’t true either, NaS has a diverse fan base with all races included. This dude is really ignorant and needs to realize that there is ONE RACE- THE HUMAN RACE! PEACE & LOVE TO ALL….AND WAKE UP! DON’T LET THE BLIND LEAD THE BLIND!!! WAKE UP TO THE TRUTH PLEASE!!!!!
This is literally the stupidest, most unrealistic, nonsensical piece of garbage I’ve ever had the displeasure of reading. Talk about confused, this moron likes to talk about how other people should conduct themselves, and then proceeds to make a confused asshole out of himself. If I ever see Brian in the streets I will dickslap some sense into him.
Calling Out All MCs!
Need Some Soulful Beats??
Check Me Out At Soundcloud.com/whyesproductions
If Your Interested Please Contact Me.
WhYes Productions_ Real Hip Hop Is Still Alive
ok “professor” let’s concentrate on more relevant issues rather than a letter that no one even knows if Nas wrote or not to def jam execs, eh ? your not judging nas yet you write multiple paragraphs criticizing his motive on getting a soon to be classic released.. you know mr. professor that nas has every right to fight for what he believes in and what he is best at so why not let him? it is common sense too, if the execs dont release the album then they are neglecting themselves from making money, not just nas because people WILL buy this shit, no matter how much you think they wont or how much or many ppl dislike nas, the shit will sell.. your use of big words and invalid philosophies on a brilliant artist is shameful on your part, imagine columbia records denying to release illmatic or it was written.. does Nas not have the right to voice his opinion on the matter? let’s focus on more relevant issues professor and not about a measly, diminutive letter, that’s pathetic on your part, and it’s quite clear many ppl agree w me.. Nas Will Prevail
It’s confusing, to say the least, to read Mr. Sims acknowledge that there’s absolutely no evidence the letter actually came from Nas (and it likely didn’t), and then spend the next 1,000 words writing as if there’s no question Nas was the author. If one of his students were to turn in a paper founded entirely on a deeply flawed and perhaps completely untrue premise I can only imagine he’d fail them.
I assume that if it’s revealed that the letter was a hoax he’ll write any equally lengthy letter apologizing to Nasir.
cosignee, dis letter is apparently fake. In it, its states dat lost tapes came out in 2005,last time i checked lost tapes came out in 2000/2002.
Somebody fire this man
seriously, fire this faggot. i already seen that hiphopdx is a corporate bitch by all the drake promotion they were fucking us in the ass with last year, but now they even have trash write all this bullshit for fans to read? go fuck yourself hiphopdx. 2dopeboyz>>>>>>
i actually agree with what he’s saying whether nas wrote the letter or not. established black artists should consider looking for distribution and handling their own business instead of being salves to these cut throat execs that couldnt care less about them. if they’ve managed their money corrcetly then this shouldnt be that big of a deal. if you;re established you can create your own website, promote your ish, you can get spots on major networks bc you;re already well known. just run your own ish but we are lazy, even the rich ones. we refuse to manage our lives. we need others to step in and “assist” even though we know they do ot have our best interests at heart. like the writer said we have NEVER won at their game and we NEVER will.. seek independence from them
fuck this bitch ass proffesor hes the one that is confused nas is one of the greatest to do it, that faggot drake dosent deserved to be metioned in the same sentence as nas am out WU TANG FOREVER LIQUID SWORDS 2 THE RETURN OF THE SHADOWBOXER!!!!!!!
Professor Brian Carey Sims is a CRAB IN THE BUCKET ASS NIGGA!!!!! I C U WHEN I C U!!!!
this article reminds me of Mina Jasarevic piece on Drakes concert in canada (lacks hip hop knowledge and all around plai awful coporate bullshit). people you have no idea what there talking about when it comes to hip hop industry.
lol smh Hip Hop DX you were the best site 2 years ago but y’all need to step it up.
Amen!
the nerve of this asshole and hip hop dx criticizing on one of the ONLY real artists out here right standing up for what he believes in against this labels who don’t give a shit about you.
Nas has been my favorite lyricist for longer than I can remember. He’s had more influence on me than any other artist. With that said, I have to admit that IF the email really came from the man, this article is not that far off the mark; perhaps merely poorly articulated.
Don’t misunderstand, I WANT Lost Tapes 2 to be released. I don’t even have a problem with him lobbying Def Jam to make it happen. But what I have noticed is that Nas makes very little sense when he opens his mouth for anything other than rhyming (and sometimes even when rhyming). And this email would fit right in with that pattern. I remember writing an email to O’Reilly in support of Nas when he was all over him for being a “gangster” rapper, and tried to explain how ridiculous that notion was; that Nas was one of the most sophisticated and innovative voices in music today. Then I read Nas’ response to the situation, sounding like an ignorant fool. I felt embarrassed for him and that I had attempted to stick my neck out for him (not like anybody read the email, but on principle). Sometimes I have trouble believing the same man that I hear speaking is the same man that wrote countless timeless verses. He comes off unintelligent and intellectually confused, veering from revolutionary rhetoric to ignorant bravado, all the while trying to sound as gangster as possible. In person, he comes off as if he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He may just be smoked out a lot of the time, I don’t know. But if this is a faked email, the hoaxer knows Nas pretty well. Because that’s exactly how this reads; contradictive. I don’t know if it means he’s lost his mind like this dude says, but it definitely IS frustrating to have to defend your favorite intellectual rapper when he does nothing but come off half retarded when he opens his mouth.
It’s not like he doesn’t have a point. They SHOULD release this material. There’s no reason not to. But how many flimsy tangents can he jump to? The Mottola reference is just laughable. And I understand his modern slavery sentiment, but does he really think that’s the way to approach his boss/master if he really wants his shit released? The man’s been making his point articulately in rhyme for 20 years. But in real life he can’t seem to do it without sounding like a fool. That’s my issue.
I forgot how to read whut a fagget, kyike would say. Thanks.
haha…
If this was in person, you’re throat would be worth a dollar-fifty
Nas is GOD.
I don’t disagree with everything you said in this article, but you’re clearly a racist.
No man, whether black, white, hispanic or asian “wins” in the end in this system. And to delineate your struggle any differently than any other person regardless of their race, sex or religion means you’re playing into “their” hand. Racial dissension is another strategy used to divide the masses. The less time that pseudo-Black Panthers and Dumb Rednecks spend finding the fault in one another, the more time they can spend moving forward as a people.
You’re not stupid obviously, grow the fuck up.
True words.
without Nas, Hip-Hop is Dead.
What you just said is just utter shit.
Nas should have known better. He, like so many others, has plenty of game and skill when it comes to pimping and mackin Black women and calling them bi*ches and ho*s, but is getting pimp slapped around by the record label as they control his career(even if he did not pen this letter). He has his own self to blame for any situation in which he signed a contract. Talented lyricist but poor judgement…
Not sure where the reference to Justin Bieber or selling to white kids came from? As long as you are authentic with your craft and don’t change your style to market to the masses (Black Eyed Peas) who cares. At the end of the day, these so called Hip Hop ‘pimps’ aren’t pimping, and they need to be aired out for their whining and complaining.
When’s the last time you heard Nas talking about pimping and calling women bitches and hoes? GTFOH.
This dude is a fool. When was it ever looks down upon to write about whats on your heart, in the intro. Paragraph he related Nas opening words to slavery. This nonsense, its simply given em there due respect. I applaude Nas for always being true to himself most artist the majority scared to be original they just go with the masses probably blindly.
“It’s no secret: I am not the biggest Nas fan in the world.”
That’s all I needed to read to know that this dude is full of it. This editorial is obviously charged by his hate for Nas. He makes some good points but at the same time the whole article just sounds like he’s reaching. Reading too much into Nas’ letter if you will. I’m moving on….NEXT!!!
ETHER EVERYONE NAS ! MURDER THESE SNAKE AZZZ RAPPERS!!!
ESCO BLESS FLOW MAA BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!
Nas UR GOD
Prof. Sims is looking WAY too hard into this. Nas, as anyone else would be, is frustrated that he is in the situation that he is in. It’s not an effective e-mail, but the man was frustrated, and to be honest I don’t think Nas thinks anything will come from it.
Ok, he had me until this bit: ” Justin Bieber featuring Raekwon [“Runaway Love (Remix)” ] is not okay. Nasir Jones pleading with jillionaire executives for the privilege of selling black music to white kids is not okay.” What kind of racist, black supremicist garbage is this. The author claims to know Nas’ catalogue but then attributes an ethnicity to music by calling it “black music”. There is no such thing only music, and I find the fact that he knocks the Justin Bieber collaboration to be reprehensible. What is the goal of the so called movement if it is not to create an intergrated, mutually respectful, and multi-cultural society. This dudes title should be stripped. If he could of kept that last bit out, the article could have remained a thought provoking, insightful piece, but he bodied himself by broadcasting his own biases and ignorance while trying to degrade the passions of the one and only Nasir Jones.
It’s not really a racist statement dude. Pandering to the pop audience which is predominately white only hurts the art form in the long run. Making a song with Bieber, who I personally think is a talented singer, is nothing but a marketing technique for both camps. They want the crossover money period. It’s not a race thing it’s a money thing. The writer’s spot on.
Spot on a pile of s**t. Nas is trying to get THE LOST TAPES 2 released. What’s wrong with trying to push the executives to release an album that’s not at all pandering to the pop audience?
I’m 100% behind this article. If Nas really did write that letter – he is confused.
The only thing I don’t fully agree with is the comment about Drake.
The author has to realize that the material conditions of HipHop music (music in America in general) has changed because of technology. The internet is a community in it of itself. The membership of facebook and myspace is larger than some countries.
The value of an unorganized HipHop culture and community does not weigh well against an organized business industry that can now push any artist they want to the mass (good or bad).
In the old days – rappers came up through both HipHop culture and their communities. Dues were paid in that way until you made it up to the regional and maybe the national scene.
That has change with Souljah Boy and Drake. They represent the new rappers that are pushed by the industry and not necessarily validated through local HipHop culture circles, actual communities or regions.
The scene has changed. Nas should just give the album away like Prince and make the $ through touring – instead of begging Def Jam.
Touring and the internet is the new scene. Nicki Minaj made the $ through touring and usage of the internet to get her music out.
New times and new methods are here.
It doesn’t matter if new times and new methods are here. Nas tours all of the f’n time. He wouldn’t make money if he released it for free.
What’s your problem with Nas trying to get Def Jam to release a Lost Tapes album? Why should he be attacked for being frustrated the label he’s signed to won’t release his record?
By riding with this author, you’re standing up for the men in suits, not for hip-hop artists.
well I see why Nas can be pissed. But let’s be real here. Nas, you signed that contract. Now you gotta abide by it now. No record company is fair to decent rappers after a certain amount of time. In my opinon Nas is more lyrically soulful that Hov. If anybody remembers ‘Ether’ they know that it is the greatest diss of all time. Nas is not the only one who’s in a twist with the record label. Look at the LOX, who’s been under Bad Boy and Interscope. Haven’t put out a group album in 10 years now. They may complain but they don’t bitch about it. They do everything they can to do what they need to. Overall Nas, either take that 200,000 grand or find label that will work with you and get out of the def jam. Def Jam feels that you’re too old and you won’t sell cuz people now think you’re wack. They are wrong. they based their decisions on who they have in their camp that’s selling and/or what people tell them they think is true. But it’s they day where wack does sell (Drake, Nicky, Waka, etc.). Fuck them over, Nas, and let em know you’re one of the greatest.
To be honest, I am a big nas fan but, when i read the first line of the letter when it “Leaked” I was appalled by his grammar… “With all do respect”? “Due Nas, DUE”.
It certainly sounded like the ramblings of a man who had been emotionally charged, and ill advised, by whoever was surrounding him in the hours leading up to him hitting that send button… perhaps it was one of them buffoons whom he dictated it to, whilst they typed… who knows.
With that said, he should have threatened to release it as a free mixtape if they refused to release it… do what Prince did in the UK; put the album out for free with a national newspaper and then make money off of the shows… record company can’t eat off of show money, unless they’re putting it up or they own the publishing.
A lot of people criticised the author on here but, let’s look at it this way… many people disliked George Bush but very few authors gor criticised for lambasting him in the press so why should this writer be criticised or unvalidated because they were honest about their stance?
They didn’t ether Nas, they highlighted a flaw, something other artists have highlighted in the past about Nas and something Nas addressed himself.
In the words of Tony Blair… Of course I changed my thoughts during the time I was in power, I am human and sometimes things will happen which will change your view.
Doesn’t that apply to us all?
It’s what Nas puts out to the masses that his fans tend to judge him on but, with so many fans and the hope of picking up some new ones along the way, he needs to ensure he is on point because if a kid sees someone they up to making errors all the time they may just see it as ok to be that way… plus he got kids, if anything he should be raining the bar for them.
First off u can get the fuckin names george bush and tony blair out the same paragraph as NAS. george bush an tony blair are devils, heartless war criminals. Puppets who have the worst intentions for the people. Second u need to do ur own research an open ur eyes to the real truth about what goes on in this world, cos by the sound of ur comment plus mentioning those two as examples u seem like the A-level politics type who all only believe what there told in class and are blind to the truth.
Seeing that Nas was not an English Major, it doesn’t matter if he spells due as “do”, “dew”, or “doo.” It’s the message that counts. This is hip-hop! Vernacular is used all of the time!
It hasn’t even been confirmed that the letter was from Nas. But if it is from Nas, it’s not your place or the author of this article’s place to judge Nas’s business with his record label.
For someone who dislikes Nas the author sure has a lot in common with him…pseudo-intellectuals who want to be powerful, meaningful speakers but can’t organize their thoughts into any kind of coherent whole.
Brian Simms HiphopDX went out of their way to separate your thoughts from them in the opening statement. I have never seen that done on this site. And when I read that I knew that you were not Credible because for them to separate your opinion totally that means they think your opinion blows too and they’re wiping their hands of the mess, and HiphopDX you can’t allow your website to print and pay for over opinionated articles and start the bullshit with that statement to save face. Shame on you guys.
I love Nas and I knew it was a mistake for Nas to leave Columbia. Jay-Z was like I can get you guys Nas, he brings in Nas they do a couple of songs and Jay jumps ship. If the grass is so green at Def Jam why did Jay leave. Smarten up Nas, get out of your contract and go independent. They’ll get your shit out, you’ll be appreciated, and no A&R red tape bullshit.
Bro, DX makes that statement in all of their Editorials. It’s standard.
Additionally – although Drake is pushed by the industry – there are community sensibilities in him because he has endorsed GREEN JOB Campaigns through his concerts. Particularly focusing on employment for urban communities. I have to put that out there because – to me – that puts him in the realm of Dead Prez, Mos Def and Talib Kweli when it comes to practice. Moreso that Nas. I don’t see Nas supporting any community work or social justice movements – EVER!
It’s not Nas’s responsibility to be Bono of U2. Nas is an artist. It’s what he says in his art that impacts culture. Drake’s from Canada and supports green job campaigns. Big deal! Proceeds from Distant Relatives goes to building a school in Africa.
drake’s money is unfortunately waaay bigger than nas’. he got too much. he probably dont know what to do wit it all. so fuck off. nas deserve to keep whatever he get. look at yourself, dick, frontin like you wouldn’ keep your mealticket all to your own selfish self. or at least 90% of it. you the type that would do community service just for the credit. like drake at a concert. who knows who’s really giving back in the real world where it matters with no cameras
plus drake got that canadien t.v. money from that degrassi shit. birdman probably make him give some money away
@eddiemurphy.. ‘drakes money is way bigger than nas” are u serious??? Nas gone platinum on every record except hiphopisdead an untitled that went gold. He’s gone 2x platinum 3 times. Drake gone platinum once. Make no mistake, Nas sells records.
This guy is the most intelligent hater i’ve come across. He came through as if he had strong points. well done Brian, stay real boy
he makes some sensible point in the article, but to go off on how nas is crazy and then not even have a clear sense of direction in his own writing is pretty pathetic and stupid. the writers on this site are getting worse and worse.
FUCK the haters nas is THE man, he the king of hip hop and def jam lucky to have him. let the man do what he wants if lost tapes 1 was ill then we wanna hear lost tapes 2 asap.
And for those dumbasses who sayin he made spelling mistakes this aint no english lesson what you want him to write “to whom it may concern” and “yours sincerely”.
Dont question nas’s english man he more lyrical than any rapper that ever braced hip hop
Dude get off Nas dick and stop treating celebrities as god.
There are hundreds of MC making good or better music than Nas.
So seriously wake the fuck up, you delusional fuck.
Whoever wrote this article is a damn idiot & an obvious Nas hater…get a life! Its not even that interesting, half way through I stopped givin a fuck about what U were sayin & started thinkin about this project Nas is urging the label 2 put out…I with him…PUT THAT SHIT OUT!!!! FREE THE MUSIC & SHUT THESE PUNK ASS JOURNALIST THE FUCK UP!!!
In addition to whoever wrote this article, whoever read this article and ACTUALLY BELIEVED NAS WROTE THIS LETTER is rediculously un-intelligent. If you actually ever listened to any of his music or interviews you would know he doesn’t even speak like this. It doesn’t even make sense, considering NaS doesnt have a twitter and has stated several times he doesn’t even use computers. Nothing in the letter makes sense with anything NaS has ever said. This was obviously some obsessed fan, or hater (like the dude who wrote this article) that was trying to pull a prank. People love to throw dirt on NaS when they think he’s down because of his divorce and child support nonsense. Dont worry he will surprise once again with another classic and all the same people bashing him now will be back on his bandwagon. FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO WRITE ABOUT THAN A FAKE LETTER! STUPID ASS
In addition to whoever wrote this article, whoever read this article and ACTUALLY BELIEVED NAS WROTE THIS LETTER is rediculously un-intelligent. If you actually ever listened to any of his music or interviews you would know he doesn’t even speak like this. It doesn’t even make sense, considering NaS doesnt have a twitter and has stated several times he doesn’t even use computers. Nothing in the letter makes sense with anything NaS has ever said. This was obviously some obsessed fan, or hater (like the dude who wrote this article) that was trying to pull a prank. People love to throw dirt on NaS when they think he’s down because of his divorce and child support nonsense. Dont worry he will surprise once again with another classic and all the same people bashing him now will be back on his bandwagon. FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO WRITE ABOUT THAN A FAKE LETTER!
In addition to whoever wrote this article, whoever read this article and ACTUALLY BELIEVED NAS WROTE THIS LETTER is rediculously un-intelligent. If you actually ever listened to any of his music or interviews you would know he doesn’t even speak like this. It doesn’t even make sense, considering NaS doesnt have a twitter and has stated several times he doesn’t even use computers. Nothing in the letter makes sense with anything NaS has ever said. This was obviously some obsessed fan, or hater (like the dude who wrote this article) that was trying to pull a prank. People love to throw dirt on NaS when they think he’s down because of his divorce and child support nonsense. Dont worry he will surprise once again with another classic and all the same people bashing him now will be back on his bandwagon. FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO WRITE ABOUT THAN A FAKE LETTER!!
In addition to whoever wrote this article, whoever read this article and ACTUALLY BELIEVED NAS WROTE THIS LETTER is rediculously un-intelligent. If you actually ever listened to any of his music or interviews you would know he doesn’t even speak like this. It doesn’t even make sense, considering NaS doesnt have a twitter and has stated several times he doesn’t even use computers. Nothing in the letter makes sense with anything NaS has ever said. This was obviously some obsessed fan, or hater (like the dude who wrote this article) that was trying to pull a prank. People love to throw dirt on NaS when they think he’s down because of his divorce and child support nonsense. Dont worry he will surprise once again with another classic and all the same people bashing him now will be back on his bandwagon. FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO WRITE ABOUT THAN A FAKE LETTER!!!
Lol, yeah, thats exactly what Nas said in his letter, He sarcastically said he “could” go on twitter etc etc to get a following, he didn’t say he had twitter in the letter.
Ok, point #2 for the dumbass:
Even the dude who wrote this article stated it became nonsensical…..”Then, the letter becomes almost nonsensical.” THATS BECAUSE IT IS NONSENSICAL.
Once again, anyone that knows anything about NaS knows that his departure from Sony/Colombia was not a good one. You can go look up articles on google right now of interviews where NaS wanted out of Colombia BECAUSE OF Tommy Mottola. So why would he praise him now??? He wouldnt….
cosignee, a lot of peeps nowadays are too excited to get on a blog and post rubbish. This letter is faker than a 5000 dollar bill.Come on peeps, somwhr in this letter it states dat lost tapes came out in 2005,lol. last time i checked, dats some bogus shit.lol. But d world is filled wit stupid peeps now who dont hav a brain to think.
I’m not gonna sit here and write a thesis paragraph explaining what should be done in the game. At the end of the day, the future of this culture is not in the hands of the journalists, it’s not in the hands of the critics, it’s not in the hand of the labels. At the end of the day, WE are the ones controlling the destiny of hip hop.
Stop buying into mass media consumerism and start thinking for yourselves.
dude is a racist nas hater…why write an article jus to say someones confused? it’s like if this guy write his articles (crap) and no one is willing to publish it. im sure he’d be doing the same thing if it something that other people wanted to read and he wrote better that 90% of journalists out there. this guy needs to jus shutup and quit the hatin’, listn to nas and u’ll want him to drop his new music.
“I’m The Most Criticized Artist In The Game.â€-NaS
Nas always smacks his critics in the face with FRESH baby powder because he always prevails!
Regardless if Nas wrote this letter or not…he got the people talking! And that is what Nas does best…GET THE PEOPLE TALKING/CONVERSING! Nas is way smarter than people give him credit. When he said “Hip Hop IS DEAD” he got the people talking because there were other artists who stated that before Nas and NO ONE even cared. When Nas named his ‘Untitled’ album he got the people talking and other artists attempted the same thing and NO ONE even cared! Today Nas interview is posted on damn near every site discussing “That Hip hop Is Too Young For A GOAT†again Nas got the people talking and others have said this in the past and NO ONE even cared. Nas is a TRUE artist he provokes thought and regardless if you like him or not he damn sure knows how to get the people talking and writing letters about him. And for those talking about Nas not being a business man…LOL! I won’t even go there but I will leave you with this quote: “I Never Tell How Real I Keep It Because It’s The Best Kept Secret.â€-NaS
if I was feeling energetic I’d actually read the other comments – but I’m not – so I’ll go an state what was probably said – Nas has a $50,000 child support bill homie, and your calling him a slave to the label??? LMAO! He’s GOTTA get that money, because, you know, kids cost $50,000 a month – LOL
Yo!!!Homie who wrote this shit!!! ur the 1 confused obviously u come from a different world and to sit a write or stand u really have nothing better to do!!!! Heres a phrase (SHUT THE FUCK UP)!! HE was stating how he felt and not whats actual dummy
this is the dumbest article i have ever read. who ever wrote it should not be writing at all. you are disrespecting a legend and not some old ass nigga im talkin bout the nigga that destroyed jay z…don’t fucking forget who the fuck nas is bitch!
Thank you
That is just utter shit, then why Nas day Hip Hop is dead if he collaberated with Lil Wayne?
Am sorry, but I seen other artist that is more intellectual and better than Nas.
Beside the album “Hip Hop Is Dead” is nothing more than a publicity stunt and thats is complete shit tactic coming from him.
SpikeyJamez, he can say hip-hop is dead and do collabs with whoever he wants. Marilyn Manson can say rock is dead and still make rock. You’re taking it too literally, and if you’ve “seen other artist this is more intellectual and better than Nas”, it obviously didn’t rub off on you.
fair enough
I only skimmed the article (I gots shit to do). Still, the author seems to be on point.
Nas is one of my favorite rappers of all-time. Further, I am a hip-hop head (I was even in a rap group and still freestyle). But my praise for Nas says less about him than it does about the rap game. The rap game is so bad (especially when you compare it to poetry-proper [i.e., not spoken word or even a guy like Gil-Scott Heron]) that rappers can without intention say contradictory things and still be considered lucid. Nas IS smart compared with other rappers, but he does not seem like a smart guy. Measure him against a BigLaw lawyer, a university scientists, sunday morning talk show host, etc., and he seems puerile.
Illmatic was a classic because it had a lot of SHOWING not so much TELLING (which is great for art). Compare a guy like Saul Williams on most of his records or Black Thought on the roots last three records or Jay-Z on American Gangster to the aforementioned professionals, and you’ll see that they are smart and thoughtful writers.
It really does not take a ton of work to think through and work out contradictions, poor phrasings, poor imagery, etc.
While Nas is in my top 5 rappers list, let’s not lionize him as a philosopher or brilliant social theorist.
Dont normally respond to hater shit like this but the writer of this piece seems confused from the jump off . How can u start by acknowledging to not be a Nas fan then go on 2 praise him in the next few lines then proceed 2 rant on about his clear message to the record execs. His references to contemporary slavery in his rhymes are meant to empower us all to ‘NOT BE SLAVES’ so him declaring himself to not be 1 is in line with evrythng he s always preached. If you ask me, Professor Sims is the confused one.
QB 4 LIFE
dont say your not judging nas
this is kind of rediculous in the same way you accuse nas of being rediculous
that’s some top-notch hating right there
hey its the writer from womens weekly haha crack up
This is the upper echelon of hating right here… I think you (the author) are confused that your title (“professor”) is synonymus with credible or relevant….
The worst thing about this article was the last paragraph where he says “I’m not judging Nas”. At that point I was more confused then how the article portrays Nas. Who are you to criticize someones (Nas’) opinions? I’m surprised hhdx allowed this haterfied attempt at journalism to be posted. smh
This article is full of confusion and contradction. This professor is more confused than Nas.
i agree with this guy below. but opinions are like assholes everyone has one
do you like titties? big bootys? drugs? jackass pranks?
check out the new hiphop booty webshow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEwG5BCujS4
I’m not going to waste too much time replying to this article; all I have to say is that its fully of shit!
I get what the professor is saying but no one goes into any situation thinking they are gonna get screwed. When I get a new job I go in thinking this place is gonna be better then the last but then again that’s what we thought about the previous job.
If you love hip hop check out eihill.com
Peace–
Wow!! It’s a good thing that my boy, B. Sims, started the whole thing with “I am not the biggest Nas fan in the world” because he is certainly hyper critical of Queensbridge’s finest MC. Unfortunately, his later admission of “respecting the brother” reads as a backhanded compliment. You know; like when you say, “Larry Bird played basketball good for a White boy.” To say that you respect somebody and then go about the business of displaying extreme hate is…interesting at best. But let’s look at the comments:
Well, if “Nas is confused” then B.Sims might be just as confused about what Nas was trying to say. The deconstruction of Nas’ comments using a text-centered approach is very limiting and doesn’t allow space for the main theme of the “diatribe” to reveal itself. Yes, Nas–as an employee of the record label and like all of us with jobs in this capitalist society–lives an existence of pseudo-slavery. As a matter of fact, if Brotha Sims would’ve read/listened to “Black Zombie” carefully, or at least read/listened to the next line, then he would have clearly seen that Nas’ “admission [that] he was a slave to Columbia” is meant as a caution to future rap aspirants. He completes the verse by warning future MC’s, ” Don’t let it happen to you like it did to me, I was a black zombie”. The past tense usage of “was” clearly categorizes what Nas means about his servitude at Columbia. He’s stating the obvious: the only ones in a capitalist society who don’t live in some form of servitude are the owners, and as an employee of the label, Nas accurately positions himself with the proletariat and not the bourgeoisie. B. Sims bastardizes this point by omitting the main line from the verse. As a matter of fact, in “Black Zombie”, Nas goes out of his way to discuss the hypocrisy and dichotomy of being the generation that was:
Scared to do it for ourselves ‘less we see somebody doin it first
We begged, we prayed, petitioned and demostrated
Just to make another generation – black zombies
Throughout the joint, Nas drops jewels like this. He openly tackles the conundrum and enigma of folk who have been “in a spell for more than fo’-hundred years”. “Black Zombie” is a call to action for himself and the rest of us and is not an example of Nas “choos[ing] his own master”. On the contrary, Nas admits that having a “master” is an unavoidable part of being a recording artist.
His mention of Mottola and Einer in the email only champions those two as being visionary capitalists who saw that Nas’ talent and ability to reach the streets/masses superceded the whims of commercial radio and they chose to support an artist in which “they believed”. He states, “They didn’t give a fuck about what any radio station or magazine said….those dudes had me”. This doesn’t mean that Nas lacks an understanding of what Q-Tip proudly announced almost twenty years ago with his “industry rule #1080…record company people are s-h-a-d-y” lyric. Let’s remember that every record label executive’s pathway to success is littered with the potholes and lost careers of a littany of artists who were misrepresented, not marketed properly or dropped for more than nefarious reasons. Nas’ email never identifies Mottola and Einer as either positive role models or solid individuals. He simply accurately describes them as being more in tune with their artist and his/her fan base than whether or not the Fox’s, V’s, Kisses or Jam’s were gonna play their music. Nas has since his debut been an artist with the ability to move units without major marketing schemes or radio play which is why the subject line of the email emplores LA Reid to “Put My Shit Out!”
If Nas is confused, then I don’t know what my homie, B. Sims, is??
Sims’ own “diatribe” against Nas omits several key facts. First, even Sims admits that he has personally “done more ‘sorry-sir-please-be-kind’-ing than [he] care[s] to admit.” E tu, Brute? That is, did he really just admit to the same thing for which he spent considerable effort and energy villifying Nas? Did he really say that he “grew up on Nas”? Well, if either point was true, then Brotha Sims would’ve considered the real point of Nas’ email. That is, he believes that LA Reid and other Def Jam execs long to be in the spotlight and throw shade on any artist that doesn’t acquiesce and allow their musical careers to support the execs’ personal aspirations for superstardom. This is also a long-standing debate within Hip Hop music/culture.
Those of us either informed or old enough to remember Suge Knight’s rants at the MTV Music Awards many moons ago know this to be true. Some record execs are unsuccessful artist whose careers never took off–see the rap group, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As a result, they bought into the old adage of “if you can’t beat em; join em” and took jobs in the recording industry that allowed them to become the executioner of careers. In short, like the French doing the darkest days of the revolution, prisoners became wardens and executioners. Nas’ email accurately places LA Reid in that camp. Sims misses that point.
Furthermore, it appears that Sims’ own sense of history is a lil off. Like alot of folk not born in the fire of oppression that spawned Hip Hop, Sims views Hip Hop’s past with rose colored lens. This myopic view of the culture comes from a lack of a true understanding of its history. I almost jumped into the computer screen when I read the following line from Sims’ comments:
Once upon a time, the music industry literally depended on artists birthed from the pain, joy, struggles and triumphs of community2
Upon learning of its source, I was even more concerned. The author of the aforementioned quote works as the Program Officer of the African Region for the American Center for International Labor Solidarity which is an “allied organization” of the AFL-CIO. More importantly, the American Center for International Labor Solidarity has for years been criticized as a proxy agency for foreign policy through its close work with US AID and the World Bank. As a matter of fact, a close reading of the essay from which the quote eminates uncovers several gems that support Nas and not Sims.
Even though the quote used by Sims is inaccurate, I’m glad that he referenced the essay. The quote is wrong simply because it is…well, wrong! I would like to know exactly when that “once upon a time” was? When did the music industry ever “depend” on artists to be created in the way suggested by the quote? Robert “Blue” Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Chuck Berry, et al, were “birthed” in the way talked about by the quote, but they were only “accepted” by the music industry when real profits were made from their creativity. To suggest that the author means for this quote to be used to discuss Hip Hop’s commercial development is ludacrous and I’m not talking about the MC from Atlanta! Dr. Johnson’s own words discount this misinterpretation. The Abstract clearly states that the commodification of Blackness “predate[s] the hip hop era”. In short, Johnson goes on to explain the ways that he sees changes in Hip Hop’s commercial development as:
The political engagement that occasionally made its way onto the airwaves or
video music shows via Public Enemy, X-Clan, Paris, and others was eliminated
seemingly overnight. (91)
If Brotha Sims had actually “grown up on Nas” then he would have seen Queensbridge’s finest MC as part and parcel of Johnson’s comments and would not have misused the aforementioned quote.
Finally, I am appreciative of my homie’s comments. I’m glad that he chose to weigh in on Nas’ email if for no other reason than to start a serious, critical dialogue about the things that ail our culture. Unfortunately, his own views stem from the same colonialist approach for which he criticizes Nas. As one of my boys once said, “it’s hard to deal with a black man from Chicago who is actually a Cubs fan. Anybody who knows anything about Chicago knows the Cubbies are the “northsiders”; representin’ old white/uppety Negro Chicago while the Black Sox rep the Southside; crusty, dangerous…real!” Well, I don’t know much about Chicago. However, I know a lil about Nas and baseball affiliation notwithstanding; I appreciate Sims for challenging us all to think/write/act critically whenever Hip Hop and by extension Black culture come into question!
Peace–
Bryon D. Turman
Lecturer of Humanities, Composition and Hip Hop
Dpt of English
NCA&TSU
Jeebus Cristo…get a life professor.
Actually WSJ, you need to get a life. I think Mr. Turman wrote one of the most intelligence responses to an article I’ve seen on the web. And I couldn’t agree with him more.
HipHop DX,
This email is coming from a Nas fan from Botswana, Africa (Google it…lol). I was looking for a way to contact you, but I couldn’t find one, so I took the closest email address, the one that dealt with media. I hope you forward this to the writer of the editorial and I personally allow you to do whatever you want with this message (including forwarding it to Nas too…lol).
Well to get to it… I feel that the writer has no understanding of the role Nas plays (or is trying to play) in young people’s lives. Nas has had such a great impact on youths (and I speak about Africa here, can’t speak for the world) that some of them actually live by his code. By this I’m not talking imitating, I mean principle.
This man practically gave up the life of a superstar (listen closely to ‘Carried the Cross’ and ‘Not going back’), to teach most of us that art can be practiced without necessarily having to kiss ass (excuse my french). It is my belief that the album ‘It was written…’ was the point at which Nas had been put in a pool of Rappers… that could be seen by the change of subject matter in his music, the change in production, and of course, the change in appearance. After three failed albums (only because of the poor arrangements of songs), I believe the man repositioned himself, and started to understand that he, and only he could really decide where his art was to go, and where his heart was. With the following few albums, we saw Nas slowly reclaim his throne, and the respect of his fans. Presently, Nas is in a league of his on in more ways than one. The one being the fact that he has full creative control over his music (enter the situation Lupe was in recently).
The above was just to paint as picture as to why the man probably felt the way he did when he wrote that email (that’s if he wrote it..lol).
Now, to comment on the editorial:
1. Nas, in trying to tell us that slavery is very real is also trying to tell us to rise up above it and take control of our own lives and destinies, hence the ‘Nas is NOBODY’S slave’. you’d expect Def Jam to know this by now… In the quoted lyrics from ‘Black Zombies’, he is simply trying to tell us to learn from is past mistakes… I’m sure he has learned from them too… hence the line ‘I was a black zombie’.
2. Of course he has to say that the record labels oppress artists… I mean you make that point yourself. Should he then go on to say that this is unlike the label. I believe Nas has always operated on the basis on mutual respect. Let him do his thing, and he’ll leave you alone. Most people ignore other artists that rant about majors (even GZA is ignored), but if Nas says you’re treating artists bad, I think the world (or most of it) will listen… That last about praising the industry is simply just childish and a lame attempt at making a non-existent point.
3. Nas was talking about their business relationship. It is stupid to think that an artist of Nas’ caliber would talk about such people in their private capacity. Nas himself is not a saint. I believe that Nas is trying to say that if he had managed to work with those two and release some of the most memorable albums in hip hop, then Def Jam would know better. Furthermore, I could refer the writer back to the battles Nas has had… He went one on one with Hot97 (boycotting the summer jam because they wouldn’t let him crucify Jay-Z), He was at odds with both XXL and the Source (and he was on the cover of XXL burning their magazine), recently He fought Fox news, and even had a petition signed outside the Fox news building!!! So yes, all Nas has to do is say the word, and I’d fly to New York and protest outside Def Jam studios (if Lupe can do it, how devastating will it be for Def Jam if Nas does the same?).
The writer is obviously not up to date with his current affairs, as Lupe Fiasco’s fans (thousands), including Def Jam former executive Lyor Cohen, protested outside Atlantic Records offices to put his (Lupe’s) album out. Therefore to call that silliness is an insult to Hip Hop and it’s listeners, and also confirms the fact that the writer is ignorant and should have shut his mouth.
Lastly, the Lost tapes is a movement… No one had ever done what Nas did in the first installment. We have been dying for him to do it again. So, for him to just announce it is probably bigger than any announcement in Hip Hop (saying this, I thought of Wu Tang’s announcement of their reunion, Dr. Dre’s Detox, Raekwon’s Cuban Links 2 and more). Anybody who gave ‘The Lost Tapes’ a listen was definitely left begging for more. So, yes, it is a movement… and remember that it is not an album.
Note also that Nas simply wants to put out music, good music. All the politics I believe just bore him. If he’s eating, and the music is out for us to listen to, then he’s cool. Why has it taken this for Nas to blow up like he has. That’s because Def Jam is putting him in a pool of artists (like interscope did with Rakim, and Rae, which they dearly paid for, as Cuban Link 2 would have probably outsold Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 had more copies been distributed) with label commitments and deadlines. Remember, Nas is ‘Never on schedule, but always on time’ (‘Unforgettable’, Hip Hop is Dead). He also understands that to us, his music is like food. We need that, and he wants us to have it. Again, the quote from Bob Marley makes no sense at all. Note also that, for Damien Marley to chose to make music with Nas (not just a song , but an album) must mean that the Marleys accept Nas a revolutionary and not a mere rapper.
What the writer fails to understand, and what Nas illustrates perfectly, is the reason for Def Jam existence, MONEY. Nas is a money maker, that is the reason why Def Jam agreed to sign him. They needed a ‘revolutionary’ voice, that would also make them some money. All they had when they signed Nas were mere rappers and singers. Nas brought ‘the people’ to Def Jam, and gave them credibility in the world, the real world, the physical world where gutters run with polluted effluent filled with feaces, my world.
So yeah, Nas, I believe is saying,’I’m Nas, you can make money off of Lost Tapes 2′, so do this thing. You’re here to make money, I’m giving you the opportunity, so make it!!!’.
3. We’ve watched you and yours play along in the game you’ve never won. We have also watched people that came, spoke out and died to tell you that where’s there’s a will, there’s always HOPE. Indeed this is something the writer does not comprehend, as he takes the stance of someone who has already lost the war. Think of Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and many more. They all knew change would come, just not in their lifetime. If they had done nothing, most of you and yours wouldn’t be where you are.
Wake up Mr. Sims…
Black entertainers are entertainers, Black music is music, and Hip Hop is a movement, not a black movement. The sooner we start to accept this, the sooner we start break the walls that are keeping us boxed in. Black people, especially in the U.S. have been classified all their lives. Even to the point of being called Black or African Americans, you’ve never heard of European Americans, or Jewish Americans.
I believe it’s the same with music. Black music has always been put in a certain category and has always been associated with certain things (most of them negative). What Raekwon, Kanye, Diddy. Nas, Jay, Lil’ Wayne, Lupe, Kweli, Common, OutKast, K’Naan, Will.I.Am,etc… are trying to do is break those boundaries and tell the world that ‘Wu-Tang is for the kids’ (O.D.B – who saw the vision).
Artists are people who have lives, dreams and goals. For most of them, it’s a struggle. They have to eat, clothe themselves, and take care of a number of people. Music is music, and as much as it is a medium used to communicate struggles, it is also a way to put a smile of the faces of a people that have suffered for so long (take a trip to the Congo and see how people dance in the rape capital of the world).
In conclusion, the writer’s hypocrisy is revealed in his first and last paragraphs. To say that you’re a Nas fan and to fail to understand him as a man, a brand, a legend, an icon, and a movement is to lie to your readers. Similarly, to say that you’re not judging Nas, after all the fingers you’ve pointed at the man is also lying to you readers. You’re not a writer, you’re an opportunist trying to get your name out at the expense of another man. You need your get your mind right, but first, you need to wake up Mr. Sims.
Thank you,
Eddy Mihigo..
can someone explain in simple english what this article was about?
why is nas mad on his label?
what is it he want to do?
My english aint that strong so I didn’t understand the article and who is the person who wrote the article?
hey man fuk u and yur wanna b correct ass! I mean if we all want to we can critic evertthing and dissect everything….including u!!! Nas is both a bizness and an artist so at times hes diff hats to sport BUT dont think yur turnin the lights on OLE UNCLE RUCKUS ASS cause im sure yur babymama can breakdown the science on yo geekquad ass too!!!! RIQRUDEbeats@Youtube fool
No wonder Nas collaborate Lil Wayne and saying Hip Hop is dead.
This article was very dissapointing…. you exoect to be treated fairly once u leave the last place of employment, so to me this guy needes to leave Nasir alone.. infact everyone needs to jus “LET THE LATE GREAT VETERAN LIVE”!
*expect
*needs…. lol typing way to fast
Obviously this guy dont know Nas…people try to attack Nas by twisting his work and words…just like people do Bible verses.
Nas to me was and always will be like an older cousin. A family member. For a dude that loved hip-hop and only wanted to make 1 album to get away from the stress in Queens, he sure did give a lot of understanding. I’m 10 years younger than Nas and a lot of stuff he wrote was from a “just watch position”, the Visualizer. Him and AZ.
Tupac asked for me to ride…Nas said just watch..Both are powerful..Pac wanted me(the listeners) to be soldiers directly meet the enemy with the The Hate they Gave…Nas wants us to watch then show the world what he has shown us…IF YOU EVER READ THE ART OF WAR..ITS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATTACKING ONE’S BODY/MIND OR THE HEART. In the aftermath we wear the message that Pac gave us and they still see “NIGGA” no matter who you are, you cannot get in that BOX..I know I work at the WORLD BANK..AN EXPLOSION OF Cultures(Contractor workers). In the aftermath of Nas’ ideas we integrate while still holding opposition.
A Conservative Democrat, A Liberal Republican. Hold Peace and War at the same time..Create deception…seem irrational to your opposition…attack their HEART and FORCE them to BELIVE. MORE IMPORTANT FORCE OTHERS AROUND THEM TO BELIEVE..MAKE IT COMMON LAW IN SOCIETY..I AM A NIGGA AGAINST SOCIETY. Thank you NAS for teaching me how to fight WAR. THE GREASTEST WARS are almost never Physical. EX: LIFE IS WAR
Beautiful…simply Beautiful. I’m feelin like you’re my distant relative…and you are lol but I’ve said a lot what you mentioned here and even though I’m not a “big reader”, The Art of War is very influential to me. I live my life based on such logic as “intelligence is to know what others don’t know. brilliance is to see what others don’t see” and i respect your brilliance. Especially the brilliance of that first paragraph. I’ve been preach that point every since middle school lol. thank you
This guy is salty because of the Nas line on Lost Tapes vol one…”The slang I use upsets college professors” lmao…once he heard that, it was on. Go get that tenure!! hahaha
Wow. No offense but I’m not feeling this article at all.
I’m a Nas fan but I would have to agree with you. I am tired of all these rappers complaining about their labels, what did they expect when they signed? Did they think they would be the exception, labels have fucked black artists from day one and it won’t stop till we get our own.
Not really understanding the logic in bashing an artist for venting publicly…
But whatever makes you feel good lol.
seriously the guy who wrote this shouldnt have wrote this. He totally missed the point of Nas email to def jam. The whole point is def jam has lost fact of what they once were..a HIP HOP label. The still make money but they have hired people who have a more R&B vision than the Hip Hop vision it was created to be. I wont defend every move and decision by Nas but you can tell when he left to go to def Jam he was thinking he was going to true hip hop label that would give him an bigger push than columbia would or did. In short he assumed and he paying the price for it. Yeah he spoke alot of knowledge about being a record slave but what the hell that gotta to do with Def jam holding his albums hostage and giving him a budget even Neyo would laugh at? This writer basically as he puts it “is not a Nas fan” and he used his spot to just take a shot at someone he dont like. Stop reading so hard in a email and take it for what it said before you write this half ass critique.
Co-sign…Don’t care how all them other haters feel bout Shyne, he def said that shit right bout L.A Reid [who was all about R&B…featuring Outkast & goodie Mob with clever but R&B-ish rhymes]. 90’s Rappaz r being resurrected, individuals, groups, whatever. What ‘r they goin’ back in the booth for…sum Pop-ish raps & shit, fuck dat. We need raw Hip Hop & Rap music tellin’ street tales, hunger pains & all that struggle coz that still exist man! I think this “new Hip Hop” being tried out is str8 up WHACK! but lets leave it for the average 13-21 year old. Scarface, Premier, or any real old school Hip Hop artist business minded with an understanding of industry politics would be suitable in running the whole Def Jam movement. Def Soul on its own please
Lame-ass writer…u the one confused
oh yeah tell this lame use spell check also before you submit a article. anyone co-signing this lame needs to drink oxy clean and die while playing The Lost tapes in the background…at least hear a real hip hop album before you leave this earth.
The story behind this message is that Nas wants to release The Lost Tapes 2 but Def Jam is telling him that The Lost Tapes 2 will not count toward the 7 albums Nas signed for in his contract with Def Jam. He has a right to be angry.
go fuk urself dude. y u hating on nas. hees done so much for music not just the rap game. i want to hear lost tapes. a big rap star like him deserves a bigger budget than the one propsed by def jam. look at what happened to lupe. the label wants to put out musci they want not lupes personal choice
You say “The idea that people would protest a record company for doing anything (much less not putting out an album) is mere silliness.”
Ask Lupe Fiasco fans if this is mere silliness, I’m sure you’ll get a different answer than the one you seem to believe is silly.
If Lupe wanted his music heard he’d leak the album himself, but he wants to also get paid like every other artist signed to a big label. Nothing wrong with that but if its bout getting the fans the music one click of the button would do that. And he is always free, like Nas, to go Indie, have more creative control and get money especially from tours with their Names alone. Folks wanna dismiss this as “Nas hate” but shit is true: these artist wanna get paid like everyone else. Its not just music to them, its a damn job to get some of the white man’s money to spend lavishly and tell you how niggas killing niggas without making true “movements” to slow it down