i can tell you one thing for sure though: the Nigger album will not be on some strictly pro-black shit, and i think that’s where most of NYOIL’s criticism stems from. i’m speculating now, but NYOIL is most likely one of those hating cats that have always been skeptical about Nas and felt he was overrated, so when he found out about the album title, dukes was just WAITING to say something.

i’m not a dickrider or nothing of the sort, but for the record, Nas has done a lot of great music since Illmatic. and i love Illmatic, but artistically Nas has eclipsed Illmatic. he might not have been as consistent with the messages or beats or whatever, but song for song, he’s an incredible lyricist, and it’s no coincidence you got cats like Busta Rhymes saying Nas is the illest ever. but then, NYOIL would probably say Busta is a coon and should be lynched, right?

basically, NYOIL is a sideline cat. it’s easy for someone to be a spectator and say “man, if i was on that red carpet, i would have said this and this…” but bottom line, B, you ain’t on that red carpet and you don’t know what the nigga had on his mind at that particular time… as far as his album title being a ploy for sales, look duke. Nas is gonna sell regardless, he’s an icon. what he’s trying to do is open up a conversation about the injustices in the world.

keep in mind, this nigga NYOIL is a dude who had Chamillionaire in his video as someone who should be lynched, when Chamillionaire has made socially conscious songs himself. and i don’t even rock with Chamillionaire like that, but that’s just an example of how much of a corny sideline hater this dude is.

NAS is doing this to spark debate and discussion jsut like the whole “hip hop is dead” debate. Whic his cool. we need communication. I like the result, but question the method sometimes.
“Peace NYOIL, and the UMC’s
I went to “neverland” for a slice of “blue cheese.”
(CLASSIC ALBUM!)

But on this subject- NYOil just strikes me as a mad rapper type, to be honest. I agree with him on one point though- Nas is not gonna be able to give concrete answers when he gets the questions about this album and its title and what it’s about. I already know this, cause I’m still really trying to figure out his angle behind ‘hip-hop is dead’. I understood the title, but everything he said in interviews regarding it was confusing at best.

That said, NYOil really isn’t doing much better. His angle on this topic is on some “Nas is being fake, but I’M real- check MY shit out”… and I feel like it’s really just boiling down to self-promotion moreso than trying to make some kind of point.

Listen I love Nas been a avid listener of my man for years. These two songs sound absolutely nothing alike. They tackle the same issue differently, yes, but biting? That’s a stretch. As far as NYOIL’s version I do think he goes a little more in depth on the subject as does a fine job expressing himself and makes some incredible points.

Even though I’m a Nas fan I will admit that NYOIL did a more effective and masterful job at spitting what many black hip-hop heads have felt for more almost 2 decades as the use of the word nigger has grown exponentially since the late 80′s to early 90′s.

As Hip Hop/Rap has grown and it’s fan-base has diversified, it’s as if emcees and rappers alike have become blind to who these lyrics will be repeated by. The message from the underbellies or america’s inner cities and ghettoes has been lost and it’s place is meaningless self-degradation and misogyny.

As for the “Y’all SHould All Get Lynched” song, I think it was directed especially to those individuals aforementioned. Every artist who puts financial gain ahead of what effect a song’s lyrics has on the advancement of black people and their continued struggle toward freedom from oppression and repression here and abroad. Looked at from that perspective I think that song was excellent and overdue. Remember artists like Big Daddy Kane? Rakim? EPMD? All artists who no one would ever consider soft or sellouts or anything but hardcore emcees. Yet, they rarely cursed and almost never used the word nigger in their songs. Not to mention the fact that they always had a positive message to uplift their people and instill a sense of pride and self-esteem amongst black kids who nodded their heads to the beats and recited the lyrics. Is this progress?

However, while Nas has sometimes fallen short of some black intellectual’s expectations, I don’t think he is a product of corporate record label’s attempt to undermine free thought, the black struggle and rob impoverished inner city youth of the only voice they have had. I think Nas is just not perfect, as none of us are. He is just a kid from the hood who’s seen a lot of sh**. Remember this guy is a dropout, he was not supposed to be able to have a way with words and become an accomplished writer/poet. He doesn’t strike me as the type that would sell out his people for a check. He is notorious for turning down endorsement deals.

Now as far as new artists who are struggling and new to the game and are trying to just get on, they will do anything their label tells them to do or write/rap whatever they like. Get ‘em while they’re hungry!

Peace.

black rappers have killed more ‘niggas’ on wax than the KKK could ever dream of – to me that’s more of a problem than anything Nas is talking about now.