Above the Law: Nas

[Elano]

In this day and age of Hip-Hop, there are still artists from the "Golden Age" that continue to make hits, because they continue to stay relevant. Does these achievements give them the right to do whatever they want?

As we all have seen; the Hip-Hop of today isn't the same as it was in the past. Maybe it was because it was more about having fun, and pure competition rather than images. Days when you could pop in a tape and relate to whatever the artist is saying, whether it's hard times with your family, friends, at work or just the good times that makes you smile. Nas will be one of the few artists that will always be known for those things. From making you laugh at some of the party tracks, to making you think about life and the way you're living.

And with all of those good deeds, Nas has a responsibility to be as true as he can be to the game. But I often wonder why fans of the Queensbridge native never question the choices he's made. Hasn't he been doing what he's always spoke against for 14 years since Illmatic? Lets just go through some of the events that would have any other rapper's name dragged through the mud.

The Fashion

1. When he first came in the game, he made a name for himself in the normal NY attire. Nothing fancy or special; just a long sleeve shirt with a big jacket and some Tims on. Not saying that's how he should stay his whole career; there's nothing wrong with wearing a nice suit, which he also did. But he often spoke on being different. That's something that he's failing to do these days. We've all seen that people are suddenly in a "retro" fad. Dressing in clothes that resembles the late 80's and early 90's, whether it's Adidas track jackets, old sports shirts and hats, Reebok pumps and all types of bright colors. It seems that Nas had maybe put a foot on the bandwagon. Big rope chains from the 80's which were made popular from artists like RunDMC, LL Cool J, and Big Daddy Kane. Along with that, you can also see him with the big shades similar to the ones Kool Mo Dee wore at the same time as the others. Not saying that he conformed or anything, just that it's something he really isn't known for doing.

The Stories

Nas is confident in himself (Which he should be) when it comes to album sales. Stating that he doesn't needs controversy in order to get a buzz or sell a record. But with the last two name of his albums (Hip-Hop Is Dead; Nigger), that's exactly what he's doing. Along with interviews and statements made that fuels the hype before the album drops even more.

3. What verses were really true in the Jay-Z/Nas beef? One of the greatest beefs of all time had personal conflicts and stories all out in the open. Spilling out all information about his wife on the radio and through songs, saying that he's writing other people's lives in his stories and that he contridicts himself when he should to be conscious. Things of this nature would usually kill a person's career no matter how good or how well accepted the person is to the Hip-Hop community. Ja Rule took some of the same blow when 50 Cent came after him, and basically ended his career. Maybe Nas was just an exception.

The Switch Up

4. Just look up to number three.. You remember the beef. You know all the things that went down between the two. I'm not sure about any of y'all but if I had that many problems with one person, I wouldn't make up and be friends with him. Even if we were cool before all of that, it's just too much baggage. I would forgive him of course, but not show up on stage with him or be in videos chilling and toasting drinks. And to also be on the record label that your former rival is/was in charge of? Too many things could've happened with that. Jay could have his album pushed back until the artist just give up. (Kinda like what Joe Budden was dealing with) And to smile in the same man's face, is just surprising to me. I don't think another rapper would be accepted the same way. People screaming "You weak", "Sellout" or even worse would be expected.

5. When "Hip-Hop Is Dead" was waiting to be release, A lot of people (especially from the South) began to debate over the actual state of Hip-Hop's vitality. With that he became the unofficial poster boy, for the "Hip-Hop is Dead" movement. When asked about if the title of the album was directed to the South, he would always deny and say that it is to bring it back to the glory days of Hip-Hop. But when he is asked about the state of the game, he would talk about the younger artists that didn't show respect or think that they would just blow up over night. Which at the time, most of the music was coming from the South.

Now this may seem like I hate Nas, or that I'm dissing Nas. That's the total opposite of how I feel; I'm just pointing out things that caught me off guard, and had me looking at him in a different light. If you think that everything that he did is/was justified, you might be a Stan. But if you can look at it like me, and just see if it's right or anyway that you feel about it. Then you can just see it's all observations. The real question for me is still asked to this day.. Why didn't he catch heat from the fans?

by T.GOOD(defsounds)

[Lucifuge]

this is stupid.nas is just growin up,he not 17 years old kid.be seirius

[bez]

Cos hes a fucking rap genious thats why.

[Elevz]

The Stories

Nas is confident in himself (Which he should be) when it comes to album sales. Stating that he doesn't needs controversy in order to get a buzz or sell a record. But with the last two name of his albums (Hip-Hop Is Dead; Nigger), that's exactly what he's doing. Along with interviews and statements made that fuels the hype before the album drops even more.

This is the part I disagree with. If you're going to make a statement, you've got to have something to say. The writer of this article acts like "God's Son" and "Street's Disciple" are every day names for albums that any rapper could use. But would God's Son have been legitimate, had it not had tracks like "Thugz Mansion", "Dance" or "Heaven"? Would Street's Disciple have been legitimate, had it not had tracks like "A Message To The Feds, Sincerely, We The People", "Just A Moment" or "These Are Our Heroes (Coon Picknick)"? Would Hip-Hop Is Dead would have been legitimate, were it not for its theme being carried out by "Carry On Tradition", "Where Are They Now", the title track or "Hold Down The Block"? You can bet your ass Nas will be coming with some on point music for his new album to make his case valid. It's not just a matter of stirring up controversy - Nas is simply making a point, and the titles are fitting.

[K.Dub]

The Stories

Nas is confident in himself (Which he should be) when it comes to album sales. Stating that he doesn't needs controversy in order to get a buzz or sell a record. But with the last two name of his albums (Hip-Hop Is Dead; Nigger), that's exactly what he's doing. Along with interviews and statements made that fuels the hype before the album drops even more.

This is the part I disagree with. If you're going to make a statement, you've got to have something to say. The writer of this article acts like "God's Son" and "Street's Disciple" are every day names for albums that any rapper could use. But would God's Son have been legitimate, had it not had tracks like "Thugz Mansion", "Dance" or "Heaven"? Would Street's Disciple have been legitimate, had it not had tracks like "A Message To The Feds, Sincerely, We The People", "Just A Moment" or "These Are Our Heroes (Coon Picknick)"? Would Hip-Hop Is Dead would have been legitimate, were it not for its theme being carried out by "Carry On Tradition", "Where Are They Now", the title track or "Hold Down The Block"? You can bet your ass Nas will be coming with some on point music for his new album to make his case valid. It's not just a matter of stirring up controversy - Nas is simply making a point, and the titles are fitting.

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