Official Nas Thread

[Piff Perkins]

It's politics and also the passing of time. We know the politics...Nas isn't out here doing favors or doing interviews with the people who craft opinions. He fukks with who he fukks with, and that's it. Angie Martinez, Stretch n Bobbito, etc. He's not going to The Breakfast Club to reminisce, or Ebro and Hot 97.

The other thing is time...the genre moves forward, and Nas has been looking back for much of the last decade. Hasn't had a hit or notable "song that gets play" single since 2002. It's hard to keep on people's minds when you aren't being seen or releasing albums every few years.

Same thing is happening to 50 Cent. Dude hasn't had any musical relevance in years and these kids aren't even going back to peep his music. Whereas they go back and listen to Wayne, Kanye, Gucci, etc. The less the new generation peeps you, the less you come up in general. It's up to the old heads and industry figures to keep talking about a lot of these older artists...but that goes back to the politics thing. Catch 22.

 

[Surreal]

It's politics and also the passing of time. We know the politics...Nas isn't out here doing favors or doing interviews with the people who craft opinions. He fukks with who he fukks with, and that's it. Angie Martinez, Stretch n Bobbito, etc. He's not going to The Breakfast Club to reminisce, or Ebro and Hot 97.

The other thing is time...the genre moves forward, and Nas has been looking back for much of the last decade. Hasn't had a hit or notable "song that gets play" single since 2002. It's hard to keep on people's minds when you aren't being seen or releasing albums every few years.

Same thing is happening to 50 Cent. Dude hasn't had any musical relevance in years and these kids aren't even going back to peep his music. Whereas they go back and listen to Wayne, Kanye, Gucci, etc. The less the new generation peeps you, the less you come up in general. It's up to the old heads and industry figures to keep talking about a lot of these older artists...but that goes back to the politics thing. Catch 22.

He’s the Stevie Wonder of rap

 

[kes929]

Had to go to his twitter page and show him some love for this
video.. We need more of these Ya'll must've forgot type videos
because it's been too much disrespect thrown on this dudes name.
Point blank he raps better than everybody! His catalog too crazy.

Man it's funny how i mentioned the other day in this thread to start a YouTube page to salute nas, because in many ways he is underappreciated. Its dope that he did this. We need more of this. I'm going go go salute him as well.

 

[mson]

It's politics and also the passing of time. We know the politics...Nas isn't out here doing favors or doing interviews with the people who craft opinions. He fukks with who he fukks with, and that's it. Angie Martinez, Stretch n Bobbito, etc. He's not going to The Breakfast Club to reminisce, or Ebro and Hot 97.

The other thing is time...the genre moves forward, and Nas has been looking back for much of the last decade. Hasn't had a hit or notable "song that gets play" single since 2002. It's hard to keep on people's minds when you aren't being seen or releasing albums every few years.

Same thing is happening to 50 Cent. Dude hasn't had any musical relevance in years and these kids aren't even going back to peep his music. Whereas they go back and listen to Wayne, Kanye, Gucci, etc. The less the new generation peeps you, the less you come up in general. It's up to the old heads and industry figures to keep talking about a lot of these older artists...but that goes back to the politics thing. Catch 22.

I think he'll go to all of those shows eventually.

 

[Ziggiy]

He’s the Stevie Wonder of rap

Stevie Wonder is universally recognized as a GOAT. NOBODY dares disrespect Stevie Wonder. Could you imagine the worldwide shyt SHOW that would swallow up that Lavar Ball kid had he said some shyt about “Nobody listens to Stevie Wonder anymore. John Legend has more classics”.


Nas SHOULD be on that tier. Nobody should disrespect him simply based upon the body of work and his legendary run of Mainstream success and relevance. Even if he’s not your favorite MC the respect should be given for what he’s accomplished and what he’s contributed to the culture.


It really pisses me off when people really act like Hip Hop would be anywhere NEAR where its at today without Nas. Dude has done so much for the culture it’s ridiculous

 

[Alexander Wiggin]

 

[Piff Perkins]

Stevie Wonder is universally recognized as a GOAT. NOBODY dares disrespect Stevie Wonder. Could you imagine the worldwide shyt SHOW that would swallow up that Lavar Ball kid had he said some shyt about “Nobody listens to Stevie Wonder anymore. John Legend has more classics”.


Nas SHOULD be on that tier. Nobody should disrespect him simply based upon the body of work and his legendary run of Mainstream success and relevance. Even if he’s not your favorite MC the respect should be given for what he’s accomplished and what he’s contributed to the culture.


It really pisses me off when people really act like Hip Hop would be anywhere NEAR where its at today without Nas. Dude has done so much for the culture it’s ridiculous

Honestly I don't think rap works like that, outside of a small group of artists. Stevie Wonder is held in high esteem for a variety of reasons, but one of the biggest is that he has multiple hit songs. He has 10 songs that went #1 in the entire country, and countless top ten hits. Rap doesn't really have artists who come close or surpass those types of numbers outside of Kanye, Hov, and Drake (and Em if you want to count him). Those are really the only artists I could see comparing to Stevie Wonder.

Nas is a great artist and one of the greatest rappers ever, but he doesn't have the hit records to put him in that type of relevance. That's not even a knock, it's moreso an acknowledgement that hip hop has a harder time reaching those levels. We don't have a Stevie, Prince, Whitney etc type rapper...and the people who come closest boils down to a very small list. I'm pretty sure DMX has more hit records than Nas and he's not in that convo either.

It's a shame that rap isn't appreciated the way other genres are. Technically, Jimi Hendrix is a one hit wonder in terms of hit songs...yet his influence/sales/regard/etc are thru the roof today and people keep revisiting his music. Rap is so focused on moving forward that pioneers get overlooked or outright disregarded. Imagine what 80s rap fans feel when they see GOAT discussions that almost never mention LL, Kane, or Rakim. Going forward every generation is going to end up feeling that way about their greats, whereas the GOATs remain the GOATs in rock, r&b, pop, etc. Nobody is out here slandering or ignoring Madonna or Michael Jackson, for instance.

 

[Robbie3000]

Honestly I don't think rap works like that, outside of a small group of artists. Stevie Wonder is held in high esteem for a variety of reasons, but one of the biggest is that he has multiple hit songs. He has 10 songs that went #1 in the entire country, and countless top ten hits. Rap doesn't really have artists who come close or surpass those types of numbers outside of Kanye, Hov, and Drake (and Em if you want to count him). Those are really the only artists I could see comparing to Stevie Wonder.

Nas is a great artist and one of the greatest rappers ever, but he doesn't have the hit records to put him in that type of relevance. That's not even a knock, it's moreso an acknowledgement that hip hop has a harder time reaching those levels. We don't have a Stevie, Prince, Whitney etc type rapper...and the people who come closest boils down to a very small list. I'm pretty sure DMX has more hit records than Nas and he's not in that convo either.

It's a shame that rap isn't appreciated the way other genres are. Technically, Jimi Hendrix is a one hit wonder in terms of hit songs...yet his influence/sales/regard/etc are thru the roof today and people keep revisiting his music. Rap is so focused on moving forward that pioneers get overlooked or outright disregarded. Imagine what 80s rap fans feel when they see GOAT discussions that almost never mention LL, Kane, or Rakim. Going forward every generation is going to end up feeling that way about their greats, whereas the GOATs remain the GOATs in rock, r&b, pop, etc. Nobody is out here slandering or ignoring Madonna or Michael Jackson, for instance.

There is a silver lining to Hip Hop not living in the past. I feel it’s what has pushed the music and made it the number genre in the world.

Each generation of Hip Hop takes ownership of the music and creates a sound for their generation without too much regard for how the old school feels. Which for better or for worse, creates a different sound and keeps the music evolving.

I don’t want kids in 2019 going back and fronting like they get Kool Moe Dee like how white kids be fronting like they get the Beatles in 2019. I mean you can appreciate the old school, but I feel a lot of fans of other genres give props because they feel like they have to give props.

And this is coming from a “stuck in the 90s nikka”.

 

[Life is Good]

Honestly I don't think rap works like that, outside of a small group of artists. Stevie Wonder is held in high esteem for a variety of reasons, but one of the biggest is that he has multiple hit songs. He has 10 songs that went #1 in the entire country, and countless top ten hits. Rap doesn't really have artists who come close or surpass those types of numbers outside of Kanye, Hov, and Drake (and Em if you want to count him). Those are really the only artists I could see comparing to Stevie Wonder.

Nas is a great artist and one of the greatest rappers ever, but he doesn't have the hit records to put him in that type of relevance. That's not even a knock, it's moreso an acknowledgement that hip hop has a harder time reaching those levels. We don't have a Stevie, Prince, Whitney etc type rapper...and the people who come closest boils down to a very small list. I'm pretty sure DMX has more hit records than Nas and he's not in that convo either.

It's a shame that rap isn't appreciated the way other genres are. Technically, Jimi Hendrix is a one hit wonder in terms of hit songs...yet his influence/sales/regard/etc are thru the roof today and people keep revisiting his music. Rap is so focused on moving forward that pioneers get overlooked or outright disregarded. Imagine what 80s rap fans feel when they see GOAT discussions that almost never mention LL, Kane, or Rakim. Going forward every generation is going to end up feeling that way about their greats, whereas the GOATs remain the GOATs in rock, r&b, pop, etc. Nobody is out here slandering or ignoring Madonna or Michael Jackson, for instance.

What does having number 1 songs or hot songs have to do with slander? Every artist gets slandered. Including Stevie, Prince, Whitney, Madonna & Michael Jackson, Jayz, Eminem, and Drake.

The problem with hip hop truly is the fans who think so low about the pioneers & what makes a hip hop artist/emcee relevant is reduced to how many hot or number one songs they had in their career. Nas don’t need to be respected by the “Lonzo type” music listeners of the world that only value you if the artist’s music makes them dance. These types of low level thinkers are not on Nas level for him to be appreciated by them at all.

Nas is appreciated by the Ivy League Institutes, Black Professional Scholars who write books about his talent and request his presence on their panels bc they appreciate his contribution to hip hop. Nas is appreciated by those who are the decision makers building the Universal Hip Hop Museum that Nas & his company Mass Appeal will have a a major part in shaping for the culture. The artist that so many deem important today won’t even be remembered 30 years from now. Nas legacy is beyond having a number 1 song. Nas is shaping the future of hip hop and his name is and will be stamped in books, fellowships, museum & the archives of historical institutions for future generations to research & read about.

 

[Life is Good]

There is a silver lining to Hip Hop not living in the past. I feel it’s what has pushed the music and made it the number genre in the world.

Each generation of Hip Hop takes ownership of the music and creates a sound for their generation without too much regard for how the old school feels. Which for better or for worse, creates a different sound and keeps the music evolving.

I don’t want kids in 2019 going back and fronting like they get Kool Moe Dee like how white kids be fronting like they get the Beatles in 2019. I mean you can appreciate the old school, but I feel a lot of fans of other genres give props because they feel like they have to give props.

And this is coming from a “stuck in the 90s nikka”.

Evolving is not for the worst. It’s suppose to go from a simple to a more complex form. Hip hop today is just the opposite. But what do you expect when the very people who suppose to respect the art form of hip hop say that they don’t want kids today to “get Kool Moe Dee like white kids be fronting like they get the Beatles.” That explains why “Kool Moe Dee will NEVER have the legacy or respect the Beatles still have today. I see why it was so easy for others to control hip hop bc we the listeners/consumers that hip hop was meant to inspire don’t really respect it or the artists of the past that made it possible for the next generation to live off of it today.

 

[Pop123]

Nas doesn't toot his own horn, he is super humble, I think that plays a part in why he is still relatively underrated after all these years. In rap it's almost required for you to toot your own horn, even when there's no horn to toot, pause. Think about how many times Jigga and Lil Wayne and virtually everybody else has tried to convince us that they are the best instead of just letting us naturally decide for ourselves. Think about how rappers publicize any and everything they do that becomes successful. Nas doesn't partake in that stuff, if he did more people would echo the same sentiments.

 

[Piff Perkins]

What does having number 1 songs or hot songs have to do with slander? Every artist gets slandered. Including Stevie, Prince, Whitney, Madonna & Michael Jackson, Jayz, Eminem, and Drake.

The problem with hip hop truly is the fans who think so low about the pioneers & what makes a hip hop artist/emcee relevant is reduced to how many hot or number one song they had in their career. Nas don’t need to be respected by the “Lonzo type” music appreciators of the world that only value you if the artist’s music makes them dance. These types of low level thinkers are not on Nas level for him to be appreciated by them at all.

Nas is appreciated by the Ivy League Institutes, Black Professional Scholars who write books about his talent and request his presence on their panels bc they appreciate his contribution to hip hop. Nas is appreciated by those who are the decision makers building the Universal Hip Hop Museum that Nas & his company Mass Appeal will have a a major part in shaping for the culture. The artist that so many deem important today won’t even be remembered 30 years from now. Nas legacy is beyond having a number 1 song. Nas is shaping the future of hip hop and his name is and will be stamped in books, fellowships, museum & the archives of historical institutions for future generations to research & read about.

Again, its not a knock. I don't think think hit records are the be all/end all but it's a fact that people often associate their youth with the music they danced to, partied to, fell in love to, broke up to, etc. In the case of many people's parents or older siblings, most of those tracks were radio hits and radio programming. If you were a teenager in the 1980s, those highlights of your life probably were defined by Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, etc (depending on your race and where you grew up). Nas songs no doubt played a role in many of our lives, I'n just saying he didn't dominate with multiple years+hits like those artists did (or Kanye/Hov if we focus on rap).

I'm glad Nas is going to be in textbooks and museums. You know who else will be there? Miles Davis. Arguably the most important musical genius of the last what, 80 years...yet an artist the average person has no recollection of or knowledge about because the music he made was (largely) not pop or radio hit material. Yet an artist who influenced multiple genres and changed music.

The point is not that you only matter if you have hit records. It's that artists like Stevie Wonder reached a level of general consciousness that can be traced (in part) by the staggering amount of hit songs they have. Songs that defined the lives of multiple generations...and it's hard to compare anyone in rap to that, outside of a select few.

Dunno about you but I'd rather be compared to Miles Davis than Madonna. Nas is in good company.

 

[Life is Good]

I appreciate him showing love and breaking down several excellent points


But the fact that it HAD to be a white dude who understands Nas greatness, and the fact that Nas might be the most accomplished and famous pro black rapper of all time, and black journalists and personalities aren’t championing Nas just grinds my gears

That “white” man has more knowledge and appreciative about Nas’ contribution to hip hop past & present than some of these black journalists & so called fans of hip hop. He understands Nas importance and relevancy today just by these very words he stated.

“Nasir establishing himself in 1994 and then all the way to 2019. We are seeing an artist that is STILL IN HIS PRIME as a writer as far as his creativity, as far as his vocabulary, as far as his style and as far as his flow. And that’s something that we need to celebrate and appreciate and understand that we are witnessing one of the GREATEST RAPPERS OF ALL TIME who still has a super high visibility, who is still putting out a lot of material and that’s also still operating in a world that is constantly changing in the rap world but yet he still has this high visibility WITHOUT having the benefit of huge RADIO RECORDS that a lot of artist NEED IN ORDER TO SURVIVE & THRIVE and of course for those who don’t know Nas is also on tour with Mary J Blige. So there’s so much going on with Nas as is always the case. I think it’s important to celebrate, understand and appreciate that.”

Then he goes on to give Nasir and The Lost Tapes 2 praise ect.

 

[Life is Good]

Again, its not a knock. I don't think think hit records are the be all/end all but it's a fact that people often associate their youth with the music they danced to, partied to, fell in love to, broke up to, etc. In the case of many people's parents or older siblings, most of those tracks were radio hits and radio programming. If you were a teenager in the 1980s, those highlights of your life probably were defined by Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, etc (depending on your race and where you grew up). Nas songs no doubt played a role in many of our lives, I'n just saying he didn't dominate with multiple years+hits like those artists did (or Kanye/Hov if we focus on rap).

I'm glad Nas is going to be in textbooks and museums. You know who else will be there? Miles Davis. Arguably the most important musical genius of the last what, 80 years...yet an artist the average person has no recollection of or knowledge about because the music he made was (largely) not pop or radio hit material. Yet an artist who influenced multiple genres and changed music.

The point is not that you only matter if you have hit records. It's that artists like Stevie Wonder reached a level of general consciousness that can be traced (in part) by the staggering amount of hit songs they have. Songs that defined the lives of multiple generations...and it's hard to compare anyone in rap to that, outside of a select few.

Dunno about you but I'd rather be compared to Miles Davis than Madonna. Nas is in good company.

Nas was on Miles Davis album “Revolution Of The Groove.”


Yes Nas is in good hands bc he understands the importance of showing appreciation for Black Icons in music/entertainment.

 

[Robbie3000]

Evolving is not for the worst. It’s suppose to go from a simple to a more complex form. Hip hop today is just the opposite. But what do you expect when the very people who suppose to respect the art form of hip hop say that they don’t want kids today to “get Kool Moe Dee like white kids be fronting like they get the Beatles.” That explains why “Kool Moe Dee will NEVER have the legacy or respect the Beatles still have today. I see why it was so easy for others to control hip hop bc we the listeners/consumers that hip hop was meant to inspire don’t really respect it or the artists of the past that made it possible for the next generation to live off of it today.

Okay, let’s say lyrics devolved from the 90s.

What the kids are doing with melodies is just amazing to me. That’s one area where we can objectively say the music has evolved.

But this is probably a discussion for a different thread. We are here to celebrate the GOAT.

Cheers.