The last thing Lonzo Ball needed was more controversy.
The No. 2 pick in this year’s NBA draft and new Los Angeles Lakers star has been stuck in the eye of the storm his father created around him since he reached national attention. To let LaVar Ball tell it, his son is already comparable to LeBron James and Michael Jordan. In fact, LaVar has gone so far as to say he would have beaten Michael Jordan in 1-on-1 back in the day. He also said that his son would sign for nothing less than $1 billion dollars over 10 years, and that he would only play for the Lakers.
Lonzo has been mostly quiet through all of this, but his father’s unbridled audacity has turned many against the 19-year-old. Lonzo only made things worse when he recently slammed Nas in favor of new-school rappers.
During the first episode of the reality series Ball in the Family, Lonzo’s family told him to listen to “real Hip Hop” (an arbitrary phrase, but we’ll get to that).
“That’s not gonna happen,” he responded. “Y’all outdated, man. Don’t nobody listen to Nas no more. Real Hip Hop is Migos and Future.”
Let’s get this out of the way; Lonzo’s comments are asinine. One might think that since he enjoys rapping — there are plenty of videos as proof online — that he might have taken an interest in the genre’s past, and be respectful to its legends. But for those who don’t know, apparently including Lonzo, Nas is considered by many to be the greatest rapper of all time.
He doesn’t attract attention like he used to, but DJ Khaled, one of rap’s most prolific and popular personalities, set aside a song for Nasty Nas on last year’s Major Key. Its title? “Nas Album Done.” That’s right; Khaled set aside an entire track to notify the world that Nas had a new album coming, and the internet was ablaze with excitement and speculation. So, no, Nas is not outdated and people still listen to him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPgxN2OvauA&t=4s
What Lonzo should have said, and possibly meant, is that nobody from his generation listens to Nas. And for the most part, he’s right. The kids listen to pop rap, trap and mumble rap. Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, and, as Lonzo said, Future and Migos dominate their earbuds. I recently spoke to a kid who told me as much. I was in Pittsburgh last week talking to a student at Carnegie Mellon University. The conversation turned to Hip Hop and he brought up Lil Uzi Vert’s Luv Is Rage 2.
“Nobody cares about lyrics anymore,” he said. “It’s all about entertainment.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by student-athletes I used to interview and converse with as a sports writer in Indiana. Trap rappers are their norm and Drake is their pop superhero. J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar are their badges of honor to display proudly when old heads criticize their musical preferences. Songs like Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” are the realest to them. To be clear, the term “real Hip Hop” is as ridiculous as “fake news.” As opposed to what, fake Hip Hop? The genre has many different sub-genres, styles and sounds that fall under rap’s massive umbrella. One isn’t any more or less authentic than the others. The latest sounds are simply what these kids identify with most.
Lonzo may have all eyez on him in the City of Angels, but he’s still just 19-years-old. Sure, Hip Hop’s past is more accessible than ever before with streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL. However, the constant barrage of new music means most listeners aren’t likely to search beyond what’s in front of them. They’ve been conditioned by what they hear on the radio or at parties. This is their sound, and it’s comfortable. Past generations are no different. I’m 26 and recognize the 90s were Hip Hop’s strongest period. But, my favorite rap comes from the 2000s because I prefer the chipmunk soul and early trap beats. There’s nothing wrong with that, just like there’s nothing wrong with kids enjoying “Mask Off” more than “The World Is Yours.”
The hoops prodigy’s comments don’t affect Nas negatively. In fact, it may only spur his loyal fan base to support him with more gusto when his album, rumored to drop this year, finally arrives. Lonzo’s comments might even pique the interests of younger heads and make them check out this old dude named Nas.
Many Hip Hop fans and artists have attacked Lonzo for his comments. Nas’ manager even said Nas has never heard of Lonzo. But Nas himself hasn’t spoken about it and doesn’t seem to be sweating it. So if QB’s Finest isn’t worried, we shouldn’t be either. Ease up on Lonzo.
I think the real problem is that ppl seem to confuse relevance with talent or skill. Hence words like “hot” or “poppin”. Or phrases like ” they killin it right NOW”. Relevance fades no matter who you are, but if you’re a true artist devoted to your craft then it shows in your work.
That’s because black millineals are opposed to thought, nuance and anything that reminds them of their blackness
If Lonzo grew up in New York he wouldn’t had said that. Simple and plain. Also I don’t know why people care so much. You have your own ears and opinions yet you’re going to take the comments of a 19 year old whose claim to fame is putting a cylinder inna hole to heart? Who cares? Since when was Lonzo an authority in who listens to what? I listen to both of them but guess what: 10 years down the line, Nas’ music will still have cultural relevancy and like all the trap rappers who lack in lyrical ability will fade in the sunset.
Nas broke he foreclosed on a tiny 3 bedroom house in Atlanta Google it . And he a lame greatest rapper in New York is even a lie
Nobody’s listening to no square ass nas
Strong Username To Post Ratio
It’s about the music not money smh
Dude and his family are corn balls. I never knew they had a reality show. But most of them shows are fake like them. I don’t like him personally or as a player. Like he gonna be better than Kobe. I pray he is Magics second epic failure since becoming team president. He has thethe ugliest jump shot I ever seen. That won’t work among the NBA elite.
I’m surpriaed they didn’t launch their own channel.
Lonzo Ball is better than Jordan and Lebron. Micheal and Lebron are outdated.
What would you expect? That’s what he’s supposed to say, his ugly ass is apart of this dumb down generation that like bums like Yatchy, Uzi Vert and all that other garbage. I’m sure his retarded ass father didn’t raise him listening to real artist and lyricist like Nas so…
Millennials are destroying America in general. Nothing but little pussies
This just shows how much the media has brainwashed and dumbed down these recent generations
Lol ok guy. Nas ain’t popping in your Beat headphones but in my Audiotechnica’s I got Nas, Mos, jay, common, The Roots, A tribe called quest, lupe, Anderson paak, chance, kendrick, cole, logic. Maybe you should put the lil uzi down and give em a try. Might learn a thing or 2…
Black people always hating on other black people. SAD!
Everyone’s black, so expect it to happen. Get of skin tone, you’re falling for the brainwashing.
PULL UP TO ANY CLUB OR EVENT PLAYING NAS AS LOUD AS YOU CAN WITH ALL OF YOUR WINDOWS DOWN AND WATCH THE REACTION. YOU WILL GET YOUR SO LAME LOOKS #FACTS
So is right only ny clowns listen to broke ass nas
Same reaction you get walking around in Lonzo’s dead sneakers…
Well well well. Little uneducated hood rats think they know what their talking about regarding the kulture of Hiphop. You idiots if we follow your direction and disrespect those who come before us we want be able to take the kulture to the next level. Which is a Hiphop city.
He wasnt even born when Nas hottest ish came out so I dont expect him to know how Nas impacted the game.. Most young dummies with no knowledge of rap history will say the same thing.. Nothing new! Move along
HipHop is somewhat of a newer genre, as compared to Rock or others. Nas is my favorite rapper of all-time, but I wouldn’t expect a 19-year old to necessarily listen to him, and acknowledge his greatness. One comparison that I can make is that I am not a fan of The Beatles, but i know they are legendary. I think their music is boring old pop music with corny lyrics, and i would rather listen to newer rock. Nas (and other artists from the Golden Era) have become semi-irrelevant, especially to teens and kids in their early 20s. While i’m excited for a new Nas album, i can understand why a young kid wouldn’t be. HipHop has finally come to a point where artists like Nas, Wu, Jay, etc, have become “old school”, there is nothing wrong with that point-of-view. a 19 year old can’t relate to a 45 year old rapper.
Very leveled response. I Fuck with it
Bru you gotta mess with Revolver, I was NOT a beatles fan, but that album is amazing, that album is basically where sampling came from, sooo cuffin dope.
Although what you’re saying is 100% on point… the major difference is your ability to acknowledge the greatness of an artist you didn’t listen to. Understanding the groundwork they put down that lead to music you would eventually listen to.
We understand Ball didn’t listen to Nas, so he would have no understanding of his groundbreaking position in HipHop. The problem is he, (like many other young boys and new artist) don’t pay homage. All 90’s artist did was pay their respects to the artists before them. Grand Master Flash and the Furious 5, Eric B & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Bambata, Kool Herc… they were all shown the utmost respect from Nas, Jay, DMX, Outcast, Mobb, Gang Star, Tribe. These young boys have no idea where they’re going because they have no understanding of where they came from. The only real artist out there that are making real noise are the ones with better understanding of the genre. Drake has cited his respect for Jay-Z. Cole is the biggest outspoken Nas fan, and Kendrick with NWA & Snoop.
20 year old man here. I idolize Nas. The fact that a guy of my generation says what lonzo does doesn’t mean we, as a collective, don’t listen to old school hip hop, I regularly listen to Nas, Tribe, OutKast, Mos Def, Jay-Z… as well as a bunch of great new artists like Cole or Kendrick, and others like Kanye that emerged between these two gens. The fact that this guy, Lonzo, disrespects Nas is not a thing of my gen, it’s him as a musically ignorant individual.
no it does not show HIP HOP”S generation gap. it shows you that there has always been mainstream rap cats that are not real Hip hop heads. Fam even in the 90’s not everybody fugged with Black Moon or Mobb deep… its always been that way.I bet dude dont listen to Joey Badass neither notice he did not say J cole either he said Future Migos . he is a pop rap dude not HIP HOP CULTURE dude..like in the 90’s you had your pop rap cats and then you had your Big L , Gang Starr cats .. but I am a Lakers fan and I rock with Ball. lol not his musical choices tho
But u listen to Asap, french, Dave East, Nicki Minaj, remy, fabolous, a boogie with da hoody, troy ave, young ma, cardi b, don Q, playboy carti, GS9 just naming a few and say New York hip hop dead…. since hip hop started we here and always gonna be here never dead
Thanks 4 proving my point idiot. The article was about NAS and his name nor wu tang mos def ect… are on your list but they’re so called Real Hiphop. Never heard anyone on that list referred to as real hiphop. Which proved my point NY Hiphop is Dead
Lonzo Ball? never heard of her
GZA’s verse from wu-tang clan’s reunited!!!
REAL hip-hop lives forever!!!
Fuck this punk! Earvin Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Michael Cooper & Byron Scott are “real” Lakers!
you young mfs don’t know shit, hip hop was never about ‘whats poppin’. Illmatic took a decade to even go Gold, it was never a commercial success. Im glad these young cats listen to walk shit, I don’t want wack mfs anywhere near real hip hop. Leave the real to the real and the wack to the wack,
This kid really got some balls to talk wack shit bout Nas.
Where I come from, getting visuals is habitual,
You’re more safe walking on hot coals in rituals
I splash the paint on the wall, formed a mural
He took a look, saw the manifestation of it was plural
Rhyming while impaired, dart hit your garment
Pierced your internal streamlined compartments
Just consider the unparalleled advantage
Of a natural disaster that’s impossible to manage
Ease up on Lonzo? Are you kidding? There are two primary problems, first; homeboy easily dismissed one our legends as not being “real hip-hop” which is a thing to differentiate an authentic element that come from the purest form, such as a diamond. And wouldn’t you want to know the difference? Part of the “real” argument is acknowleging someone who has over come the odds and is connected to the current struggle of their people. Second, Lonzo has a platform, so his opinion could be influential to his generation, older heads are just here to give a little game and try hold onto the essence until your gimmick, I mean faze is over.
~ Audi 5000 G
Man for all the hype around this guy he better have the best career in the history of sports. I have a feeling he’s gonna be the next Sebastien Telfair or Darko Melitic.
When you are ugly you will say anything.
-Herman Munster looking boy
Nas GOAT….. MF
When it’s all said and done, nobody from this generation will be spoken about the way Nas is. Nobody.
NAS A “STUMBLE RAPPER” LISTEN TO HIM ON KHALED SONG AND OTHERS. HIS BARS FOR YEARS HAS NO SWAG. 2 MANY WORDS IN A SENTENCE
Nas raps better than you write.
Your sister’s clutch game with my sack is indescribable
NY RAP SAINT DEAD LOX STILL HOLDING IT DOWN
this kid was not even born when illimatic came out..97 baby ..FOH~!
“just like there’s nothing wrong with kids enjoying “Mask Off” more than “The World Is Yours.” That sentence hurts my soul. I can’t even begin to understand how sick it must’ve been to be a teen in ’97. Illmatic 4 life
2000’s hip hop is mostly forgettable, it’s got worse since.