that shit jay said “don’t follow me youngin, follow my moves” <—we spend so much time straight tearing down these niggas who are inherently imperfect, but their moves, right or wrong, should be studied. artistically and business wise.

Untitled will teach future generations for years to come. knowledge, bangers, and education from start to finish. thats timeless music. the same way we herald Strange Fruit by billie holiday (the SAME strange fruit that wasn’t getting much love when it was recorded). will be how history remembers the innovative approach Nas has always taken to hip hop music. he’s one of our vanguards.

Distant Relatives with Damien Marley will do the same. he said when he was making Untitled that he finally understood exactly what his purpose was as a figure in black music. the same way we used to read books and learn, in 2010 and beyond, since the poor ain’t reading like they could, music can teach.

everybody has their place. puff is important, jay is hella important, outkast is hella important, 50 is too. music aside, they are authoring black institutions that cater to the wants, needs, and experience of black america. something a white institution could never do fully. we need ownership, institutions preserve culture (marcus garvey), so that shit is mandatory. but nas has his place as well. every artists career peaks and descends, but Nas’ place in our history, 20yrs from now is solidified. and thats on a strictly artist level. how many mc’s can say that?

Also, there’s only like 5 niggaz in the rap game who can truly fill out stadiums now anyway, so its no shame for Nas to be in the space he’s in now, which is quietly going gold and be able to be in enough demand that he does world tours and has the Rock the Bells tour in the states.

Stoute said a lot of important things in that video. Firstly, The audience doesnt really care about beef anymore. Its so obviously constructed. There’s no interest was really generated for something like Cam vs 50. Even now, with stuff like Beans vs Jay, its less intruige and more cynicism. So who really cares for a Jay vs 50 beef when there hearts wont be in it?
And secondly, people need to think about the long term investments of business deals. I dont know if No Limit or Wu-Tang realized that, and I dont know if 50 realized that (other than Vitamin water). Its always better to invest in something that will do more than just keep your name hot for the moment.

NAS is the greatest to ever breathe on the mic!!!! For those who dont know, Steve Stoute came in the game as Nas’ manager but they fell out for a while, now they just friends. Nas is getting that quiet paper and all he gives a fuck about is his music. He couldn’t care less about being in your face all day or selling you liquor and the other shit that every other dude is doing. Can you imagine a Nas cologne? I don’t even know why his status in the history of Rap/Hip-Hop is questioned, i really don’t. I also don’t know when the amount of money you appear to make determined how nice you were on the mic. Nas been doing his thing and as long as he keeps giving that music I’ve been obsessed with for the past 16-17 years I don’t care if he became a panhandler or a fucking tycoon. ITS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC Y’ALL