Ludacris believes he had the best verse on Nas’ “Made You Look (Remix)” — and has reminded fans exactly why.
The Atlanta rap legend posted a video on social media on Tuesday (January 24) after catching win of fans debating about who came on top on the heavyweight collaboration between him, Nas and fellow guest MC Jadakiss.
Luda sought to end the argument once and for all by reciting his show-stealing rhymes word for word in an effort to jog the memory of those who may be sleeping on his contribution to the track.
“Man, I picked up my phone today and saw that the Luda fans chose violence and I’m loving every minute of it. So let’s add to the debate online about the ‘Made You Look’ song, the remix, the verses just in case they missed a line or something,” he said before diving into his verse.
“I’m from the school of hard knocks, sneak peeks and low blows/ Where X’s mark spots and kitchens mark O’s / Where love’s gon’ getcha, hate is gon’ snitch ya / And fingers squeeze triggers like boa constrictors.”
He continued: “It’s the Mr. Luda, Jada and Nas/ And our bullets give you a deep-tissue massage/ So hear the song and dance while I make these ends/ You never stood half a chance like Siamese twins/ They shooting! Look in the barrel!/Then he made the front page of the Miami Herald/ Or Chi. Tribune, nozzles with silent doom/ We in that A-Town Journal as violent goons.
“You should print my information, quote my rhymes/ And keep me in between these New York and L.A. Times/ I’m just a victim of society, it’s ‘Cris the Menace/ With mo’ shit out on the streets than evicted tenants, Luda!”
The remix to “Made You Look” dropped in 2003 just a few months after the release of the original, which appeared on Nas’ sixth studio album God’s Son. Nas, Ludacris and Jadakiss famously performed the song at the former’s Made You Look: God’s Son Live concert at New York City’s Webster Hall that year.
The original is arguably one of Nas’ greatest lyrical performances, if not one of the grittiest records in his decorated catalog. The Salaam Remi-produced song peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains Esco’s third highest-charting track behind “I Can” (No. 12) and “Street Dreams” (No. 22).
Irv Gotti is among those who still hold “Made You Look” in high regard. During a recent appearance on the Earn Your Leisure podcast, the Murder Inc. founder crowned it the “best Hip Hop record” of all time. recently heaped high praise on “Made You Look,” crowning it the “best Hip Hop record” of all time.
“‘Made You Look’ may be the best Hip Hop record. He has the best Hip Hop album and the best Hip Hop single. The best Hip Hop record might be ‘Made You Look,” Gotti declared.
When one of the co-hosts asked if it tops Nas’ 1996 hit “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill, he replied: “‘If I Ruled the World’ isn’t even in the fucking sentence! [It’s a] great record, immortal, iconic; it ain’t on the fucking list as the greatest Hip Hop record!”
Revisit “Made You Look (Remix)” below:
Luda been underrated..check out Hip Hop Quotables from him if you haven’t heard it.
I never understood why Luda never got his credit. He gets brushed off as a joke rapper based on his singles kinda how people try to do eminem without knowing the full catalog. Luda is a beast
friend or foe 8ball mjg big mike mac mall e40…was the best group track ever
First off, the defining point in this debate is the fact that Godson DIDN’T HAVE TO SWITCH UP his verses from the original in order to hold his weight on the remix. That alone tells you that even though he was up against lyrical titans in Jada and Luda, THERE WAS NO THREAT!! The original track was already a CLASSIC with NO FEATURES. That alone means Nas provided the jet fuel for Luda and Jada’s Fire verses! Respek to them both. Some of best Lyrical gods the game has ever seen. They all killed it.
Nas’ verse on the remix was completely different from what he spat on the original:
“Yo, I grasp the ratchet, the blicky, the biscuit, the burner
The heat, the toaster, they twist you, you meeting your owner
The banger, the hammer, the flamers, I aim at the cannons
And can you, manhandling you, you’ll be famous, I’ll cancel you
And cut, that’s the end of your movie
Pretending you actin like you and your mens’ll come shoot me…”
It was actually harder than anything he said on the original version. Don’t look at the video posted on the article. Look up the actual recording.
Webster Hall should go down in hip-hop history as one of the best performances ever seen. The star studded lineup, the energy in that room, the unity and love shown is still moving to this day. Respect to the dudes who did the visuals coz they work speak for itself. Jam Master Jay, Nas, Jada and Luda. Queens, Yonkers and ATL on one platform. R.I.P Jam Master Jay
Ludacris‘s first was hard as hell but I don’t know about singing. It was the best verse. Be easy. This is Nas we talking about. Jadakiss also was great as well. Nobody had a weak Verse.
Factz!
Luda’s argument is a carry over from his beef with the industry not giving him his flowers as a top tier lyricist. He’s also been known to turn down features. Nas gave him a guest slot. He jumped right on it coz he knew the joint was already on fire. The original had more shine than the remix. That puts the weight of his verse at a perfect compliment level as opposed to a replacement.
These great MCs made history together. It would be sad to see them turned against each other for the love of clout. God forbid.
Let’s not get it twisted. This ain’t no Jay and Em on Renegade situation.
It’s easy to like all of the verses for different reasons. Luda with his humorous metaphor laced punchlines, Jada with his witty street certified flow, Nas with his intuitive poetic story telling verses. A perfect mix for remix by any standard.
Wonder what Jada gotta got to say about that. Luda gone get it from Will any minute! LMAO
Luda, Jada n Nas both OG’s in da game. All dey verses was fire!
Made U Look dropped the same week as God’s Son in Dec 2002 not in 2003. Thats why Nas says Friday the 13th my CD drop on his verse.