HipHopWired has compiled 20 examples of artists who “dumb it down” to get exposure for their music.
The Nas track “You Owe Me” leads the list.
“If you ever need an index to reference that time Nas ‘fell off,’ this is it,” HipHopWired reports. “Also, LOL at this video being hidden on his Vevo account. The shame is real.”
Jay Z was not immune to making music deemed dumbed down, when he released “(Always Be My) Sunshine.”
“After the masses lamed out on the prophecy he supplied on 1996’s Reasonable Doubt, Jigga took the radio run a little too far with background dancers and a Bad Boy Records beat,” HipHopWired says. “He crashed, he burned, he lived, he learned.”
Kanye West’s smash hit “Gold Digger” is featured due to its rampant materialism.
“The college dropout went from preaching about materialism and self-awareness to conniving hoes,” HipHopWired says. “And it worked. ‘Gold Digger’ is one of the rare times when Pop and Rap music could endure a loving marriage.”
T.I.’s soulful turn on “Whatever You Like” garnered praise, yet seemed out of character for the trap star.
“Although the initial critics of the track have warmed up to it in recent years, ‘Whatever You Like’ was released at a time period when people felt Tip should have been coming out more gutter and stoic, seeing he was about to do prison time for weapons charges,” HipHopWired says.
The provocative booty-rocking anthem “Ms. New Booty” from Bubba Sparxxx and Ying Ying Twins also makes the list.
“After dropping an incredible album that nobody cared about, both Bubba and the Ying Yang Twins collaborated for their biggest hits to date while simultaneously turning themselves into caricatures,” HipHopWired says.
Despite big sales, J.Cole’s “Work Out” was not well received by the critics.
“With all eyes on him for his 2010 debut album, Young Simba thought singing Paula Abdul was the move and ended up letting Nas down in the process,” HipHopWired says.
Lupe Fiasco made the list for his entire album Lasers.
“Is it ironic that the album Lupe Fiasco renounces is his highest-selling one to date?” HipHopWired asks. “Does the buying public of Hip-Hop prefer inferior music?”
Songs from 50 Cent, Master P, Joe Budden, Ghostface Killah and Mobb Deep are also featured on the list.
To read the full list, visit HipHopWired.
For additional Nas coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
Nas is the biggest sell out in the game. Not one rapper has made more embarrassing songs than him. Hov dumbed down so he can double his dollars. They criticize him for it, but they all yell “Holla!” He also destroyed Mobb Deep so bad that they put out that “Hey Luv” crap and nobody took them seriously anymore. Hov is the king!
Your comment is idiotic and contradictory. You have no problem with Jay Z dumbing down, yet you criticize Nas for it? You might as well criticize both or you’re a hypocrite (plus, I can name at least 25 rappers with more embarassing songs like Jay Z).
Haha jay-z the biggest bitter/ corniest around remember 03 Bonnie and Clyde,or that lame ass kingdom come album
Hov never said “Hip Hop Is Dead” then turned around and made songs with Young Money, MMG and Madonna. Hov never called other people out for selling out then proceed to do the same shit himself. Hov has always been the hustler type so he goes with what will make him money. He knew deep, conscious lyricism doesn’t connect with a large audience, so as he said, he dumbed down to double his dollars. Hov is a smart guy, Nas is a broke loser. Wipe Nas’ semen out of your eyes and you’ll see it, too.
You’re just making up bullshit. Jay Z constantly claims to be about hip-hop, yet is constantly selling out every second like that bullshit flopping Tidal. And how would you know that who’s broke when you don’t have any evidence to support that claim? Do the world a favor and wipe Jay’s semen of your face and quit hating on Nas.
Get out of the past and quit hating. It’s getting old and you get nothing out of it.
steals ice-ts 99 problems. dr dres the watcher for his own album. takes bigs verse for a song, 2pacs me and my girlfriend, calls nas pop but releases trash like girls girls girls. no need to complete the essay.
haha yeah for real vevo
Remember Oochie Wally and Nastradamus?!! Those are the worst pieces of shit in hip hop history.
Nah, that’s Kingdom Come and Always Be My Sunshine.
I was expecting shit like Love the Way you Lie to be on the list too lol.
You fucker,that white rapper didn’t dumb down for sales.His music has not changed over a decade.In his music,he still displays lyrical capabilities without much production.It is due to lack of good production and appreciation for bitches and gay asses in his music,which kanye west does,that people aren’t shocked by marshall mathers.You fucking bullshit,know the diff between chorus and original lines?shitlord…
most current hip hop records could make that list nowadays. It’s gone from 1 bubble gum track for the radio to entire albums.
bottomline JAY networth 550 mill. nas is worth 17 million. #dropthemic
Nas bout to do yet another 20 year anniversary for It Was Written & you commenting on the Internet. Nuff said. Drops mic
Lou’s net worth $100. #dropthemic
All rappers who release music to make money “Sell Out”. This is a music business, alot of people seem to forget that. Mobb Deep and Nas have alot of female fans who purchase music. So why wouldnt they cater to their female fans. Owe Me was kinda wack no doubt but the bitches loved it so why the hate. And Hey Luv with 112 was fire
laaaaag@ niggas calling niggaz “sell outs” when niggas seling out.
Whoever wrote this article is a COMPLETE retard!! Most of these so-called sellout tunes are actually gutter music from back then! Jay-Z’s BEST songs with lyrical content are his radio tunes! Do some research before you post theses stupid blogs!