Nas attending a Prince concert earlier this year. (Wireimage)
In the face of criticism from black leaders and representatives from the NAACP, Nasir Jones better known by his rap name Nas, recently spoke to MTV about the rumors concerning his new album, entitled Nigga.
Nas says that not only is his album coming out, but he’s going to go a step further and call it Nigger.
“I’m a street disciple,” Nas told MTV News. “I’m talking to the streets. Stay out of our business. You ain’t got no business worrying about what the word ‘nigger’ is or acting like you know what my album is about without talking to me. Whether you in the NAACP or you Jesse Jackson. I respect all of them … I just want them to know: Never fall victim to Fox. Never fall victim to the sh—they do. What they do is try to hurry up and get you on the phone and try to get you to talk about something you might not know about yet.
“If Cornell West was making an album called Nigger, they would know he’s got something intellectual to say,” Nas continued. “To think I’m gonna say something that’s not intellectual is calling me a nigger, and to be called a nigger by Jesse Jackson and the NAACP is counterproductive, counter-revolutionary.”
Nas told MTV he was unhappy that the titled had leaked out before he had a chance to explain why he’s using the N-word.
“I wanna make the word easy on muthafuckas’ ears,” he explained. “You see how white boys ain’t mad at ‘cracker’ ‘cause it don’t have the same [sting] as ‘nigger’? I want ‘nigger’ to have less meaning [than] ‘cracker.’ With all the bullsh—that’s going on in the world, racism is at its peak. I wanna do the sh—that’s not being done. I wanna be the artist who ain’t out. I wanna make the music I wanna hear.
“We’re taking power from the word,” he continued. “No disrespect to none of them who were part of the civil-rights movement, but some of my niggas in the streets don’t know who [civil-rights activist] Medgar Evers was. I love Medgar Evers, but some of the niggas in the streets don’t know Medgar Evers, they know who Nas is. And to my older people who don’t now who Nas is and who don’t know what a street disciple is, stay outta this muthafuckin’ conversation. We’ll talk to you when we’re ready. Right now, we’re on a whole new movement. We’re taking power from that word.”
For the full story:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572287/20071018/nas.jhtml
That’s what I’m talking about! State your business NAS!
This will make for great publicity….. I need to take up Public Relations 101
2nd! It’s about time, he speaks! Tell em Nas!
Wow…I usually agree with alot of things Nas says…Always thought he was one of the rappers out today that spoke/rap with some sense…But, don’t agree with him on this one…
Ether the issh that make ya soul…….
SO
He’s having a weed moment…
This is real talk. The world needs to prepare itself for the REVOLUTION!!!
I HEAR U NAS!
Alrighty then
Just another ignorant “NIGGA”
I am appalled by Nas’ irresponsibility. He should look at the people who are on his side and the people against him and see that what he is doing isn’t right. I am a true Nas fan – have every album, met him a few times, and support his style – but I draw the line at this title. He will not lessen the effect of the word, he will more and likely hurt more people than he can help. He need to talk to his father about this. That word isn’t something you can just put on a cd as a title and erase hundreds of years of oppression of abuse with it. Like I said before, look at who’s supporting his quest – DON IMUS – need I say more.
Nas, change your mind.
A true fan,
Aaliyah M
Do you see white people going around calling themselves Crackers or Honkies? Or the Hispanics calling themselves wetbacks? Then why the hell are black people trying to…excuse me….MAKING it a casual term?
To perpetuate it’s use is only giving power to the word.
I don’t care what he has to say, I think he can say it without using that word. There is not excuse, not “talking to his people” or “I’m a street disciple” or what if it were Cornell West or whatever other off the wall excuse he uses. I can’t ride out with Nas on this one. Wake up
I don’t agree with Nas on this one either…i am highly disappointed. I was never a hardcore Nas fan anyway (I’m not very street smart..lol)..so I really don’t care…whatever….this will be a field day for Bill O’Reilly and the other white male talk show hosts
btw..is Nas smokin that crackpot……is he hittin the pipe with Kelis?????????????
I’m sorry but he sounds really ignorant!! He needs to keep it real. If white person came up to him and called “nigger”, he would be ready to punch them in the face. Also I think it’s sad that our young people don’t know anything about the civil rights moment. It’s part of our history!! It’s american history!! It’s who we are as a people!!
Like I said I will not PURCHASE it. Regardless of his reasons. He would not let another race call him that damn name. Nas WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is a racist name however you want to slice it dice it devour it. It is a damn shame that the name is still be using – to greet your fellow friends come on now. That is just plain ignorant…
I find it funny that black people have a problem with the word “nigga”, but we go calling each other “nigga” and I’m not speaking in a derogatory sense. Maybe his CD will spit “STRAIGHT KNOWLEDGE”. That’s the reason NAS is upset in the first place. People are sooo quick to judge.
But to each his own…
I think Nas is trying to gain publicity so his album can SALE… I cant believe how many people are giving him big ups for this shit. He usually sounds very intellectual when he speaks but now he sounds down right dumb. I guess it makes GREAT for record sales. More money in his pocket fuck the community
Um, ok, can i say this, he’s an ignorant idiot! Don’t curse people out while trying to make a positive “movement”.
i didnt know how i felt about this whole naming his cd nigger business until i read this article. he is so right, if cornell west wrote a book or something and called it nigger, we would think we were about to be educated or enlightened, but nas names his cd nigger and we think oh he’s about to say some niggerish things…does nas not always drop knowledge with anything he does, how could we expect anything but greatness from him…now if trick daddy or someone were to make an album entitled nigger, then i would expect ignorance
*used* typos are a b$tch when you are upset about some dumb crap like this.
Wow.
@18, I have a problem with the use of the word Nigga and Nigger. Even if Nigga isn’t the word itself it’s a derivative of the word. If anything it’s not a separate entity, but an updated form of the word Nigger. There’s no distiction; they’re one in the same.
But try explaining that to assholes like Jay-Z and now apparently Nas.
@21, tell me about it. LOL
My entire opinion on this topic has CHANGED. As a so-called intellectual, degree-d and all of that I am happy I still have an open mind. I am LOVING Nas. Much respect bra.
This is interesting. Im a huge Nas fan. I’ll check the album out and see what he has to say.
NAS LOOKS SO FUCKIN SEXY IN THAT PHOTO
I completely hear what Nas is saying…and I agree with him.
My only concern is how the hell will this album be advertised.
Lets be real for one mi-nute. Lets think about it.
I agree with number # 2, this will be great publicity…so in all actuality he really wouldn’t
need alot of advertisement because of all the controversy the title will get…I guess that is one way to save money.
He is just trying to cause controversy so people will buy his album. think about it, with all the issues in the new lately, Don Imus, Micheal Richards, Jena 6, he is trying to capitalize on the controversy to sell records. simple as that! so tired of these so called “real” people trying to make is seem like they are down, when the bottom line is their pocket book
I’m glad to see my man NAS stand his ground. Be prepared for the backlash. Just know that alot of people are gonna have no comment on this one. I hope this isn’t just to start a conversation. This is what hip-hop has lacked since the early 90′s. Someone to push some buttons like P.E. and KRS. Let’s be creative people (the NAACP had a funeral for the word). People want to act like the word never existed. The only thing we can do is what NAS is doing, ADDRESS IT!!!!!!!!! Notice that he said that he wants the word to be easy on the ears (strip it of the ignorant meaning).
That’s what’s up Nas. I’m feeling you on that. My husband and I were just talking about this last night and he said that Nas naming his album such a name, means that he has some intellectual shit to say! He’s just throwing that name out there to hype up the media to make it look and sound all controversial. But in all actuality, this kat, knows what he’s doing. He’s smart as hell.
I’m not for or against this, partially because I’m for freedom of expression…but I just had to say that this word has been made casual amongst us years ago. People acting like this is new, it’s not. Our great grandparents that had to endure overt racism used this word casually…I think because to them it was used so much toward them that it became commonplace for us. I think we earned the rights to use it, or refuse to use it–and like other words let it be spoken of with it’s own individual set of consequences. If Nas wants to put himself out there like that, let him take up the cost for it.
alot of yall females(not all yall) commenting is “ignorant hypocritical niggaz”. How can you NOT know what he means. Yall female niggaz talkin bout “I dont agree”, “so”, “he’s ignorant”. Yall think he just naming his album “Nigga” just because. I bet yall bit@h’s…yeah I called yall bit@h’s are 19-22yo living a sheltered life or livin off a man. No wonder why black guys start to date white women of other races!
#35, what the hell is “white women of other races”? You don’t make sense. SMH at Nas.
I’m trying to understand, but the word itself will never sit right.
NAS SAID IT. HE A GANGSTA AND HOW MANY G’S U KNOW DAT DON’T CALL EACH OTHER NIGGA? DATS HIS THANG IF HE WANTS 2 NAME HIS ALBUM THAT, HE IS SMART AND A REALEST. SOME MAY BE OFFENDED AND I FEEL DAT 2. MY MAN DOESNT LET ME CALL HIM NIGGA BUT HIS BOYS CAN..
i love NAS..im a big fan …i will def. get the new CD…as for the CD title…who cares..life goes on
i guess we just have to wait and see what hes talking about on the album….
but im shaking my head at him right now.
When I first heard that he was calling his album the N-word…I thought the N stood for Nas. But when I heard it was going to be called Nigga, I said, well Nas is intelligent and has to have a really good reason for calling it that. But, now that I’ve heard the reason, and its totally ludicrous. I won’t be supporting!!!!
I think he may have been high when he gave that interview.
EXACTLY! Go NAS
Is wondering how can he compare himself to COrnell West?? Thats like comparing Dr martin Luther King to Bobby Brown.. Nas does spit “ETHER” but hes no damn cornell west….
@35. Although I may be 20, I’m no bitch. And no, I’m not living off some man. I worked 3 jobs through high school, I pay my own rent, college tuition, and car note WITHOUT some man helping me out. Just because you throw in some “(not all yall)” doesn’t make it any less of a generalization. Maybe black women give sad excuses for black men like you a hard time because they don’t like for people to go around calling them BITCHES. Just a little food for thought.
um #41 he really didnt give a reason he was saying that they went off about it without asking him what it was called but if the other dude had made a album like that they would think it was going to be intellectual but because he’s doing it they want to go off…….him sayin that he was a streep diciple was not his reason,read between the lines people
i’m a fan of nas and if anyone else is they know that nas never has anything ignorant to say and he always makes sense in his music so get off my NIGGA nas’s nuts
I know he has something positive or deep to say regarding using the N word. Often the media jumps to conclusions without listening to purpose or content of the lyrics. They really need to wait and see because Nas is one of the only few artist who ‘brings it’ on the mic every time. Trust!
street*
test
I have a lot to say, but post has been moderated.
I believe, no doubt, that Nas will spit science, knowledge and above a lot of people’s heads. But, that still doesn’t justify the title. That word represents lynchings, beatings, rapings, the destruction of African families and heritages. There is no justification for using the full on term n—er. Nas is one that uplifts and I believe that he believes that is what he is doing, but he will destroy a lot more than uplift with one word than the entire album will education or kick knowledge.
Unfortunately he will not lessen the effect of the word. I believe that he will cause a lot of controversy, may or may not sell a lot of albums and the word will still be what it is – a hateful term.
I will still listen to this album, probably bootleg though, to see what he’s talking about. I don’t care what anyone says, HE CAN STILL KICK KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT KICKING OUR ANCESTORS IN THEIR A**es.
I teach a sociology class in New York and this is a big issue of contention in class discussions. Certainly NAS has the perogative and the constitutional right to express what he wants to say (No question about that) but I do wonder about the implications that it may produce. I do wonder if this is going to give license to other folks that it is okay to say it as we know ( and I know NAS knows) that his biggest paying audience are going to be young white suburban teenagers.
Like others on this board, I often wonder why other races and ethnicities do not subscribe to the same sort of banter that African Americans do: Why don’t Latinos or Jews, or Italians, or Africans for that matter use such words to each other?
When I was a little boy, a comedian by the name of RICHARD PRYOR
released an Comedy Album entitled
“That N is Crazy” (1974).
That N’s Crazy was the third official album release by Richard Pryor. It was recorded live at Don Cornelius’ Soul Train nightclub (named after his TV show) in early 1974. This album won the Grammy for Best Comedy Album for 1974.
* Although I don’t agree with NAS use of this particular word (His logic is flawed), this technique HAS been done before.
welllll please infrom me of the reason soon ..
Well I guess he and his wife,two perfectly good artists,will both be sitting at home with unpromotable and ill-selling cds.Nas should really think this one over.At a certain point,an artist has to sacrifice himself for the industry.There’s only so far that you can go before “individuality” turns around and bites you in the ass!Additionally,if he wants to in fact use the “n word” as his title can he at least have a reason that leaves him personally responsible and not brings so many examples and instances of outside entities into the equation.We as a race have to learn how to think our creativity all the way through.We are the world’s most talented race but sometimes our inability to be rational pigeon-holes us and stops us from achieveing our highest pinnacle of success.
**is this thing on? You all got me thinking I was banned or something. lol.
there is NO explanation. i don’t care how much sense he thinks he is making NO EXCUSE FOR THIS CRAP.
does this fool know that 80% of those that buy his album are WHITE. he better not complain when 15 years old whites are using the n-word.
LOST 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000% respect for this fool. BUY FOREVER FOOL.
Commentary: Blacks Who Use the N-Word Should Take a Page from Pryor’s Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2005
By: Gregory Kane, BlackAmericaWeb.com
Richard Pryor, who died this past weekend, vaulted into superstardom with his comedy album called That N***a’s Crazy.
In fact, that N-word figured prominently in Pryor’s comedy routines for years. It’s too bad that so many of us seem to have forgotten that, in the latter part of his career, Pryor rejected the word and came to regret his overuse and abuse of it.
The epiphany came shortly after Pryor visited Africa. He saw black folks in positions of power and authority. He asked himself “Did you see any n there?” When he answered in the negative, he realized that he had been wrong to use the word himself so many years. Pryor resolved never to use that word in reference to another black person ever again.
What’s interesting is that his career seemed to go downhill from that moment. It’s as if, once Pryor rejected the use of the N-word, we no longer had any use for him. But there are some black folks around today who need to drink whatever Pryor was drinking on his trip to Africa.
The use of words like “n” and “sambo” — once routine epithets spewing forth from the mouths of white bigots — now come primarily from the mouths of black folks. And the targets of the epithets are usually other black folks.
Take, for instance, blogger Steve Gilliard, who couldn’t resist recently calling Michael Steele, the first black lieutenant governor of Maryland, a “sambo.”
There are several definitions of “sambo.” Among the first seems to have been a definition that comes from several dictionaries: a black person in Latin America who also had Native American or white blood. Somehow whites in the United States got wind of the word and used it to apply to blacks in a nasty and derogatory manner.
So what do some of us do? Why, the same thing, of course. And the way some of us are throwing the word “sambo” around, we’re clearly trying to out-racist white racists.
The same can be said of the N-word, but with so many black offenders who are determined to keep it in operation, it’s hard to put any one name at the top of the list. But I figure Kanye West — fresh off his “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” gaffe — is as good an offender as any.
At a recent concert in Baltimore, West told whites in the audience that he would “allow” them to use the N-word as they sang along with his hit “Gold Digger.” They only too eagerly agreed. It must have made for quite a scene.
White folks in Maryland — never known as a “friend of the Negro” state — standing in an audience singing “I ain’t sayin’ she’s a gold digger, but she ain’t f—in’ with no broke n—er.”
You know, there are a lot of white folks who are going to get themselves pimp-slapped listening to that goofy Kanye West.
But West isn’t our only goof, just our most prominent one. Other rappers use the word like it’s darn near a religious obligation. And the word figured prominently in what has to be the most degrading piece of stereotypical, racist trash Hollywood has ever put out about black folks.
No, I’m not talking about “Birth of a Nation.” I’m not talking about “Gone With The Wind,” either. I’m not even talking about the abominably racist 1940s cartoon “Scrub Me Mama With a Boogie Beat.”
No, I’m talking about “Soul Plane.”
Remember “Soul Plane?” It “starred” Method Man, Mo’Nique, Brian Hooks, D.L. Hughley and some other black folks you think would have known better. It also starred Snoop Dogg, who probably didn’t.
In fact, it’s Snoop Dogg who proves that using the N-word should be the exception, not the rule. Some black folks use it appropriately. Cartoonist Aaron MacGruder used it to superb satiric effect on the premiere episode of his show “The Boondocks” which is now a Cartoon Network program, as well as a syndicated comic strip.
There is a time and place when black folks should, indeed, use the N-word. But it should be done sparingly. And it should be saved for extremely outrageous instances, like when Snoop stood in front of television cameras and proudly proclaimed that executed Crips co-founder Stanley “Tookie” Williams was “our Martin Luther King.”
Can I get a hearty “N, please” chorus going for that one?
Bill, leave it alone. I know you are probably going to have something intellectual to say, I read and agree with alot that you say, some I don’t but thats neither here nor there.
Is it really worth getting into a cyber argument because you know thats whats gonna happen? Someone always tries to challenge you. Its not worth arguing your point all day. Think about it.
Damn, got it out before I could post
EXACTLY. I would be mad too! I’m a black person and I HATE, absolutely HATE, the N-word. Whether it’s the “friendly” kind or any other kind, I still don’t like it because this is how I see it….. white people are trying to make the n-word on the same level and the word, ‘cracker’, so then it would be OKAY for everyone to say it. But who really ever knows what kind of emotion white people have behind that word when they say it….unless you are white, of course. But that’s only my opinion. Good one Nas.
Can’t wait to hear the song and album.