so is If I Ruled the World
Is nas versatile enough to really be a GOAT rapper?
- Thread starter BrothaZay
- Start date
That's not a hit, for one. A classic maybe, but even still thats just one song. On top of that it doesnt really give a totally different vibe than most Nas songs.
Hit Em Up, I rather Be ya nikka and Dear Mama had legit different vibes to them.
The thing is Nas isn't relevant in real life.
Sure on this message board he gets talked about alot but in person, literally no one mentions this nikka. Maybe its different on the east coast. But from everywhere I been from Cali, to Vegas, to St.Louis to Nashville to Dallas. No one gives a fucc about Nas or mentions him.
The last person I heard mention Nas was my moms, and thats cuz she first heard Ether the day before.
Before that It was my ex, and that was bacc in 2010 and we was having a convo about hoz getting too much for divorce and Kelis was bought up
its not, Nas is only this highly regarded on the coli
If Nas isn't in your top 5, you're doing it wrong.
bytch ass boy I said I got him as number 3.
But Im not finna sit here and act like he's as versatile as nikkas like Cube and Jay Z, damn sure not 2pac
Nas is versatile but he's not appealing to multiple audiences...
Only in NY & to Hip Hop Heads on the Internet is he even remotely considered the GOAT...
Only in NY & to Hip Hop Heads on the Internet is he even remotely considered the GOAT...
drugxglory
Street Struck
Has Nas made any tracks that can make you laugh?
28 Gramz
How U Luv That???
If I Ruled The World
Street Dreams
Nas Is Like
Hate Me Now
Made U Look
Are the signature songs most casual fans know and they were all "hits" and "classics" at the same time.
But I do kinda agree with what you sayin.
Street Dreams
Nas Is Like
Hate Me Now
Made U Look
Are the signature songs most casual fans know and they were all "hits" and "classics" at the same time.
But I do kinda agree with what you sayin.
prophecypro
Hollywood North
And overseas.
Man is doing Arena shows in London and Africa.
2Chainz is bigger than Nas in the US and yet in Europe and Australia 2Chainz is opening up for Nas. How does that work?
So basically Nas isnt relevant enough in the flyover states.
And overseas.
Man is doing Arena shows in London and Africa.
2Chainz is bigger than Nas in the US and yet in Europe and Australia 2Chainz is opening up for Nas. How does that work?
So basically Nas isnt relevant enough in the flyover states.
People have different taste over seas.
Lol @ fly over states.
Florida, Texas, GA, California are fly over states?
And overseas.
Man is doing Arena shows in London and Africa.
2Chainz is bigger than Nas in the US and yet in Europe and Australia 2Chainz is opening up for Nas. How does that work?
So basically Nas isnt relevant enough in the flyover states.
Well...
Because they do less then 3 shows overseas a year. If Nas performs in Africa once then all of his fans have to see him on THAT DATE. It's different then actually touring... hell I know Indie Artists that can sell out in decent venues overseas because they're only seen once or twice...
Musically... 50 Cent is bigger overseas then he is here as well... Jessie J sold 3 Million copies worldwide & less then 100k in the states... Rita Ora had 2 Top 5 records in the UK & couldn't even get a buzz enough over here to release an album in the states...
But "Life Is Good" is only Gold WORLDWIDE & 400k of those sales are from the U.S... so he's sold less then 200k everywhere else combined...
That should let you know everything you need to know about how easier people overseas are "pleased"...
"Watch The Throne" went Platinum in the U.S. alone is around 2.5 worldwide...
Well...
Because they do less then 3 shows overseas a year. If Nas performs in Africa once then all of his fans have to see him on THAT DATE. It's different then actually touring... hell I know Indie Artists that can sell out in decent venues overseas because they're only seen once or twice...
Musically... 50 Cent is bigger overseas then he is here as well... Jessie J sold 3 Million copies worldwide & less then 100k in the states... Rita Ora had 2 Top 5 records in the UK & couldn't even get a buzz enough over here to release an album in the states...
But "Life Is Good" is only Gold WORLDWIDE & 400k of those sales are from the U.S... so he's sold less then 200k everywhere else combined...
That should let you know everything you need to know about how easier people overseas are "pleased"...
"Watch The Throne" went Platinum in the U.S. alone is around 2.5 worldwide...
prophecypro
Hollywood North
This is where he gets prevented from being the actual GOAT. That he never had the mass appeal of a Jay, Eminem, Pac
At the same time this is the most arguable point you could make about his career. He had songs that were memorable and even crossed over for a time there. He's had hit albums and singles at some point in his career. But I've also felt like he's released records that should have bigger.
Like to me Hate Me Now and Made You Look are anthems. And he's had commercial records which I thought could have bigger for him.
Sometimes I think its less of his ability as a writer and more as his perception as an MC . A lot of radio DJs still look at Nas as the hip-hop street guy and might not embrace when he does a collabo with say Game and Chris Brown. At the same time, hes ghostwritten records that were regular on urban radio (I Need a Girl apparently) and big crossover hits (Getting Jiggy with it). It makes me wonder if he still ghostwrites or has been tempted too.
But one thing that's happened as time has gone by and more people get into Hip Hop, his case to remain in the top 10 of all time has been soldified by the fact he's still a good lyrcist which while only one part of what makes a great rapper is also something thats easy to erode with some rappers and he's maintained it. Plus his body of work is getting more shaped up.
I do gotta call BS on the whole relevancy thing and who bumps what where. I still see and hear people who bump Nas overseas within hip hop circles and amongst East Coast fans or fans of lyrical rap. Yes the mainstream to casual fans dont but then you can get into a debate about how much Hip Hop they listen to regularly or if it matters. One thing is for sure he's been able to stay relevant by carving out a niche and he's been able to tour.
Like I mentioned, its weird: He doesnt have a platinum or gold record or a hit and yet this is the first time he's doing arena tours overseas. How does that happen? Its weird that 2Chainz who is bigger than him and is all over the radio is considered the warm up act for Nas at a 20,000 seat arena in London (a big music market and a well known arena).
Stuff like that and pop and hip hop culture being more fragmented in an internet era probably helps his case a little (plus I guess it doesnt hurt when CNN crowns you and makes a case)
But again, Im not saying Nas is the GOAT or can be because of the very restrictions others have argued. But I think you can compelling argument about why he belongs in a top 5-10 with people bigger than him or with more Mass appeal cause he's still that good enough. And in a 35 year old genre to still be top 10 in a 20 year career is kinda amazing.
At the same time this is the most arguable point you could make about his career. He had songs that were memorable and even crossed over for a time there. He's had hit albums and singles at some point in his career. But I've also felt like he's released records that should have bigger.
Like to me Hate Me Now and Made You Look are anthems. And he's had commercial records which I thought could have bigger for him.
Sometimes I think its less of his ability as a writer and more as his perception as an MC . A lot of radio DJs still look at Nas as the hip-hop street guy and might not embrace when he does a collabo with say Game and Chris Brown. At the same time, hes ghostwritten records that were regular on urban radio (I Need a Girl apparently) and big crossover hits (Getting Jiggy with it). It makes me wonder if he still ghostwrites or has been tempted too.
But one thing that's happened as time has gone by and more people get into Hip Hop, his case to remain in the top 10 of all time has been soldified by the fact he's still a good lyrcist which while only one part of what makes a great rapper is also something thats easy to erode with some rappers and he's maintained it. Plus his body of work is getting more shaped up.
I do gotta call BS on the whole relevancy thing and who bumps what where. I still see and hear people who bump Nas overseas within hip hop circles and amongst East Coast fans or fans of lyrical rap. Yes the mainstream to casual fans dont but then you can get into a debate about how much Hip Hop they listen to regularly or if it matters. One thing is for sure he's been able to stay relevant by carving out a niche and he's been able to tour.
Like I mentioned, its weird: He doesnt have a platinum or gold record or a hit and yet this is the first time he's doing arena tours overseas. How does that happen? Its weird that 2Chainz who is bigger than him and is all over the radio is considered the warm up act for Nas at a 20,000 seat arena in London (a big music market and a well known arena).
Stuff like that and pop and hip hop culture being more fragmented in an internet era probably helps his case a little (plus I guess it doesnt hurt when CNN crowns you and makes a case)
But again, Im not saying Nas is the GOAT or can be because of the very restrictions others have argued. But I think you can compelling argument about why he belongs in a top 5-10 with people bigger than him or with more Mass appeal cause he's still that good enough. And in a 35 year old genre to still be top 10 in a 20 year career is kinda amazing.
prophecypro
Hollywood North
Well...
Because they do less then 3 shows overseas a year. If Nas performs in Africa once then all of his fans have to see him on THAT DATE. It's different then actually touring... hell I know Indie Artists that can sell out in decent venues overseas because they're only seen once or twice...
The past 5 years he's done extensive touring overseas which has probably helped his profile. He never did that pre-2003. Already in the past 8 months he's toured Europe 4 times and he's headling a stage at Glastonbury (Not the mainstage but the Village Stage is a key one).
So the argument that he only does a few shows doesnt work, he's actually in demand and thats why he keeps coming back.
Part of the reason he toured with Damian for 2 years was because they kept getting festivals and venues overseas wanting. Same deal even with Untitled and HHID. He was doing too many shows to a fault. Part of it is because he has Rock the Bells but also to his credit, he has been trying to build an overseas profile.
I dont think 50 is as big as he once was overseas though, like I dont hear him doing festivals like he once did. Now part of that is that he hasnt released an album in years now but its not like he's coming to do shows off hand anyway. He went from doing Wembley Arena when Get Rich or Die Trying to doing the HMV Apollo (think Best Buy Theater in NYC) when Curtis came out (Heck 50's last album sold about the same as Untitled and lets compare the commercial prospect and gaps of both albums)
Its interesting you bring up Jessie J and Rita Ora because I think for some people in the US they are big enough even without the album sales or a US distirbution to relase an album. That's part of the argument about how its hard to define whats popular anymore. They stay on the radio and can eat off or like rappers can tour because they are demand.
Its probably better for them to still be big overseas seeing as most popular music in the US seems to be imported back to the states at all time now (Dubstep, Indie rock, UK soul etc)
But "Life Is Good" is only Gold WORLDWIDE & 400k of those sales are from the U.S... so he's sold less then 200k everywhere else combined...
That should let you know everything you need to know about how easier people overseas are "pleased"...
"Watch The Throne" went Platinum in the U.S. alone is around 2.5 worldwide...
I havent seen the numbers for Life is Good worldwide but if hes gone gold overseas thats a good thing (Heck even 400k is a good look in 2013
) because usually the bulk numbers for worldwide album sales are from the US (btw try even finding a record store overseas in 2013
its fukked up whats happened in the UK after HMV closes they wont be any and thats considered a big music market)Jay and Kanye are Jay and Kanye though. No one's arguing they're not bigger. They culturally huge, frankly Im surprised they havent sold 5 million and they would be diamond in the everyone eats era. But this is more about how Nas has been able to still be in demand and relevant without needing mainstream US outlets (Radio or big sales). You gotta admit, its impressive for Nas to still be a headliner in 2013.
Like I wish Chuck D, BDK, Rakim had preserved this kind of legacy. Wu-Tang SHOULD be doing this too, Snoop kinda does. So I think for Nas still get big shows like he does overseas and still being on best of lists still is pretty impressive.
dora_da_destroyer
Master Baker
Nas's fans and critics wouldn't let him be versatile, so blame yourselves. People were mad he dropped if I ruled the world and made shyt like oochie wallie. Now they use the same argument against him when judging GOAT status "we'll he never had such and such type hit" dude can't win. In any case, Nas is still the GOAT 