The N...

As broken down by Mr. Shakur (R.I.P)



Never

Ignorant

Getting

Goals

Accomplished



After creating enough drama to make Curtis Jackson proud with the announced name of his 9th studio album, Nas recently announced that the album would no longer be titled "Nigger". Guess he can't win for losing, huh? When the albums title was originally announced Nas was the recipient of scathing criticism from many, ranging from Al "Light A Match and Burn his Perm" Sharpton (1), to 50 Cent, to "fake" fans who claimed they would no longer support Nas because of the albums title. Called socially unaware and unconscious, even stupid, Nas seemed to weather the storm, highlighted by he and Mrs. Jones arriving at the Grammys rocking shirts bearing the albums title. Subsequently he lost more fans for scraping the albums title.



One of many questions that I have is: How many album titles actually coincide with the albums content? To answer my own question, not many. I was actually looking forward to seeing the look on some out of the loop sales associate face at Target or F.Y.E. when someone, including myself, went to purchase the album. Do I wish Nas never changed the albums title? Yes, especially after he stood by it for so long; with that said I'm still anxiously awaiting the album because the direction of the album remains the same. The music that has been recorded for the LP has a chance to create as much controversy than the title being "NIGGER". Let the music speak for itself, by doing so Nasir's intentions will be clearly visible.



Since "The N" has decided to drop the albums title, many have jumped to the conclusion that he has taken a "L". After seeing the albums cover and hearing the music on the album, I find it extremely hard to say that he took a "L". The cover alone has more of a message than naming the album the dreaded "N" word. But for those who believe that he just lost one, I look at it as sacrificing a battle to win the war. The same Jews or T.I.'s that he called his "niggers" over at Def Jam more than likely (more than likely, it happened, ok?) pulled him the office to have a little talk with him. The conversation was probably more along the lines of change the albums title or it will not be released. Understanding that getting his message or point out was greater than the need to name his album "NIGGER", he complied. To those not in the know, a record company's number one priority is sell records, they could care less about artist integrity or anything else. Product placement and marketing is essential in today's climate and the IDJ execs probably felt that the album wouldn't make it to the shelves of many retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal Mart, etc. (and not to forget Jesse Jackson probably kept calling!). There are a select few of individuals who don't have a boss to answer to, so why hate Esco for dropping the albums title? He did what a real N.I.G.G.A. would do and that's choose to get his goals accomplished.



P.S. This was inspired by the good people over at 91.1 morning show. Nas is wack to y'all and y'all aren't feeling him because he changed the album title. Cool. But, y'all went in on him when your afraid to say the albums title on the radio. You were saying "Nuh", right? Now that's wack. Nas corny for changing the his album title, that also makes you wack for not saying it. At the end of the day he changed the album title for the same reason that you were afraid to say it on air, you all have someone to answer to, plus the FCC is waiting. Lames!

Check out the third verse from "Hero" ft. Keri Hilson

This universal apartheid/I'm hog-tied, the corporate side/Blocking y'all from going to stores and buying it/First L.A. and Doug Morris was riding wit it/But Newsweek article startled big wigs/They said, Nas, why is he trying it?/My lawyers only see the Billboard charts as winning/Forgetting - Nas the only true rebel since the beginning/Still in musical prison, in jail for the flow/Try telling Bob Dylan, Bruce, or Billy Joel/They can't sing what's in their soul/So untitled it is I never change nothin'/But people remember this/If Nas can't say it, think about these talented kids/With new ideas being told what they can and can't spit/I can't sit and watch it/So, shit, I'ma drop it/Like it or not/You ain't gotta cop it/I'm a hustler in the studio/Cups of Don Julio/No matter what the CD called/I'm unbeatable, y'all ... Lets go!


(1) David Banner- So Special (Al Sharpton, light a match and burn his perm)