Ever since J. Cole came on the scene, comparisons have been made between him and Queens Rap legend Nas.
In an interview with VIBE, the two emcees spoke about what the comparison mean to them.
Nas explained that he didn’t pay too much attention to the comparisons. “I wanted to make my own opinion,” he said. “I was like, let’s hear what he’s saying. He’s his own man, and I listened to it from that point of view. I wasn’t looking for me in him.”
“I been inspired by tons of people; he’s been inspired by tons of people,” continued the New York emcee. “When we do what we do, we sound like us. To me, Cole sounds like Cole. There can be some things I listen to and I wonder if I inspired that or if it’s something I would’ve thought of or would’ve tried to rhyme or whatever, but that’s him. That’s a great compliment that there’s someone who likes what I do—because this dude is nice, so you’re bigging me up.”
Cole admitted that Nas was a huge influence for him, but added that Nas wasn’t his only Rap blueprint. “Shit, it’s like of course you’re gonna see hints because that shit in my DNA. I studied him so much, it’s always gonna spill out some way. But it’s a lotta niggas in my DNA, just like there’s a lot in him. You see Kobe do a fade-away and you be like, ‘Okay, that’s Jordan.’ There’s hints of everybody in these guys’ game, but what makes me my own man, what makes him his own man is that we develop. You gravitate towards what you like. I studied Eminem; he wasn’t studying Eminem. He was studying niggas that Eminem was studying, so he already had his DNA settled.”
The interview also addressed lyricism in 2013, and whether it is experiencing a “renaissance” period.
“It’s heading into another golden era,” claimed Cole, who compared the difference between the current Hip Hop landscape and that of 2006, when Nas released a controversial album. “It might not be there just yet, but it’s getting there. Look at the options you got right now. I remember around the time Hip Hop Is Dead was coming out, I knew why you was saying it. Rap was a fucking joke. It was a singles-driven market. But even when I was unsigned, I knew with what I was doing that this was gon’ turn around.”
“I didn’t know at the same time that Kendrick was somewhere studying, going hard,” said Cole of K. Dot, a contemporary who released a verse going at a slew of emcees (including Cole) on Big Sean’s “Control.” “Drake was somewhere studying, going hard. Niggas is getting back to caring about rapping again. And really taking this shit seriously, clowning niggas that’s wack. There’s a real divided line of niggas that can rap and niggas that just can’t. And you can get your money and it’s all good. We still respect you and we gon’ play your song. But when you look at these guys, way different.”
Earlier this year, Cole released “Let Nas Down,” a track where Cole lamented recording the single “Work Out,” which disappointed Nas. Nas responded by recording a remix to the cut.
NAS LOST
NAS LOST
NAS LOST
How?!
Nas been going for more than 20 years and still is. So how is he losing?
Nas is a walking L.
lol Nas is a walking L. Damn Nas is dope but its true. My boy always says Nas is boring and intelligence has nothing to do with it. I don’t consider Nas the King of NY for those reasons. J.Cole is just as boring
where did he say he was outshined
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J cole and Nas have almost nothing in common lyrically. J cole is such a simple minded as stan. He music isnt bad but he swear like his shit be so deep when really its simple.
COMPLETELY AGREE
Exactly like Nas.
^^^nothing like Nas, half a retard
J cole is fuckin boring get of his nuts
And so is Nas.
My comparisons:
– Nas wack beats and outdated rapper
– J. Cole overrated and boring as hell and wack beats
COLE CANT PRODUCE HIS SAMPLES ALWAYS SUCK
You stupid and retarded as fuck !!
i have respect for j cole and he is ok, but he is nowhere near Nas at all. Theres no comparsions whatsoever.
No comparison at all. Its just to create hype. Nas was recognized by many as a hip hop prodigy at 18. Cole is 28, still trying to find his way. Cole has talent, but was not blessed with a natural gift to emcee like Nas.
There are some rappers who are naturally intelligent (Nas, Mos Def, Lupe, Ghostface, Jay Electronica) and some rappers who try too hard to sound intelligent (J Cole, Kendrick, Canibus, Ras Kas) I don’t think the two groups of rappers should ever be compared or crossed over. I don’t like how they’re promoting this J Cole/Nas thing and I can tell Nas isn’t feeling J Cole as his successor. I hope it ends here, and we don’t see J Cole on any of Nas’ albums in the future. I’m not impressed
Tell me more about how you know what the fuck Nas be thinkin’
j.cole with jay-z why would he be nas’s successor if any thing he the next kanye west
considering kanye put out two of hip hops worst albums
808’s and heartbeats and yeezus s
RAP GAME PRETTY BORING TILL BIG SEAN DROPPED CONTROL
RAP DIED IN 2006 AND ITS ON TS WAY BACK TO REAL LYRICS
SUBJECT MATTER DOESNT MATTER
BUT THE BARS HAVE TO MATCH
MAKE RAP MORE TECHNICAL/AUTHENTIC
FUCK DRAKE AND FUCK MADDCITY
rap died after pac and biggie, bigl and big pun died!
they are nothing alike j. cole sings for bitches!
Your retarded! You must praise the radio, but hey fuck face why don’t you take the time to listen to his mixtapes & albums instead of radio singles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCGNTO0qaVc
Go listen to j cole the warm up mixtape & Friday night lights. Turn on that sideline story album and born sinner