M.I.A. Evaluates Jay-Z & Nas
M.I.A. covers the June/July issue of Complex and gives her take on the aftermath of Jay-Z and Nas’ legendary battle.
What do you like about hip-hop today?
M.I.A.: I think Kanye is trying to take it into a new realm and he’s sort of putting the artistry back into it and sort of taking it in that direction. I was having a conversation about Jay-Z and Nas and how it was really crazy how they were having this Nas vs. Jay-Z moment 10 years ago and no one really talks about it now.
You clearly haven’t been to complex.com!
M.I.A.: Jay became the biggest representation of rap music who’s still alive, started dating Beyoncé—everything was so much bigger and better with Jay-Z. I hope people don’t think that wins. The fact that Nas didn’t become all this sort of stuff changes people’s perception about the music and the work he achieved in his lifetime. I don’t wanna say Jay-Z sold out, but I just feel like we have to wait another 10 years to see what happens. Jay-Z’s ambition was to become like Frank Sinatra, a household name all over the planet, and own a casino in Vegas and stuff like that. And I think Nas was really sticking to knowledge. I still think the biggest point about hip-hop is in there somewhere, what happens to those two artists.
I feel like she just said Jay’s not hip hop in a round about way. Am I reaching?
She didnt critique nas but your jigga love wont let u see that
Do y’all really consider M.I.A. to be hip-hop? If so, why don’t y’all post her music on here (aside from Born Free)? #Imjustsayin
Lol rap radar does have tabloidish article titles to try to grab you but they make money on web traffic so whatever sellssss
About M.I.A.’s point:
Truth spoken. Nothing to me is worse than to hear hip-hop fans call Jay-Z the greatest, not because his music (yes, it’s been consistently great with obvious flaws), but because his business acumen.
Somehow the sheep hip-hop fans believed this whole Jay-Z pushing “I do it for the culture. I’m opening doors for hip-hop…”. His businesses haven’t been hip-hop related in quite some time.
Nas is doing it for the culture musically — not business — see Distant Relatives.
They’re both great. But it should always be about music, not bank accounts.
M.i.a.=1 hit wonder,so far.. Jus sayin’
She didnt critique nas but your jigga love wont let u see that
^
hey, smart guy: “The fact that Nas didn’t become all this sort of stuff changes people’s perception about the music and the work he achieved in his lifetime…And I think Nas was really sticking to knowledge.”
Do y’all really consider M.I.A. to be hip-hop? If so, why don’t y’all post her music on here (aside from Born Free)? #Imjustsayin
^
she collab’d with jay on swagger so, it’s only intresting to see her take on him now. C’mon people!
she said that shit perfect. jays priorities are not music anymore which means he is not as passionate about the music he makes. she said kanye is putting the artistry back into music and i agree. jays number one concern is making money and expanding his wealth which is cool but his music is just wack now. i think my proof is empire state of mind. shit is WACK and people just hop on it cuz its a jay z track and he knows no matter what kind of music he puts out people will listen cuz of the name hes branded.
I choose to only speak on this debate when it is broken down into the correct debate…”MUSIC”, Fickle Hip Hop fans or newbies always proclaim Jay as the greatest, yet they base it off of superficial reasons…(Money, Success, Business), with that being said… for me, MUSICALLY… It’s Nas all day every day! I don’t even consider Jay Z musically of the same caliber as Nas! And Business wise I don’t consider Nas of the same caliber as Jay Z… as Steve Stoute said, they are running 2 completely different races.
think my proof is empire state of mind. shit is WACK
^
stopped reading after this.
GO ASK CHUCK D WHO THE BEST IS.
@ B. Dot
i know how could anybody ever not like a jay-z single?!!!?!!?
She doesn’t critique Nas though. She basically speaks to the differences between hin and Jay and their aims. She says Jays intent was pop super stardom and Nas’ was “kick knowledge”. And the dact that Nas isn’t a “pop star” cloids people’s judgement when comparing the two in the aftermath.
It’s not a critique of either IMO. Just a common sense assesment of 2 very different artists with very different goals.
Yeah she didnt really diss either of them but I guess you meant critique as in evaluate where they currently are in their careers.
And you know what? Props to her for getting it. It gets kinda tired going on all these message boards and blogs and see people critiquing Nas for essientally not running the Superstar or business race of other artists (and really he is conciously doing that and shying away from it) and just doing his own thing, kinda like a rap Bob Dylan or Jeff Buckley, and ultimatley people call him a loser for that.
And Jay wants to be the Sinatra or U2 crossing over and doing stadium status stuff. That’s his own lane. And people critique him for selling out, when in reality he’s doing him.
The reality is nobody won no war after the battle because you know what? There was no war after that. Nas was not watching Jay’s moves and emulating and competing with that on a business level because he wasnt interested in that.
And similar I dont think Jay was trying to re-invent himself and appeal to a concious side and be an envelope pushing artist.
Granted it does seem at times like both are trying to do stuff the other person would do (Certain business deals Nas does like Rock the Bells or the Fila deal, or Jay with dropping what seem like an underground track or working with an underground like artist) but I think they do those things for their own desire, not because there picking where the other dropped the ball.
I still feel that neither artist is “washed up” even though people have said otherwise with stuff like Untitiled and Blueprint 3. Sure neither of them rap like its 1996, but I there are both 2 of the best examples of rappers who have aged gracefully and done music in there lane and kinda proved that you can still make Hip-Hop well into your 30’s and 40’s without trying to force yourself to be relevant to the youth.
You clearly haven’t been to complex.com!
M.I.A.: Jay became the biggest representation of rap music who’s still alive, started dating Beyoncé—everything was so much bigger and better with Jay-Z. – TRUE, AFTER DANGEROUSLY IN LOVE CAME OUT…THERE WAS DEFINITELY MORE MEDIA ATTENTION FOR JAY/BEYONCE
I UNDERSTAND WHAT M.I.A. IS SAYING, BUT HIP HOP WAS NEVER ONE DIMENSONAL…NEVER. JAY-Z IS DEFINITELY MORE COMMERCIAL APPEALING, WHILE NAS IS MORE STRUCTURED IN KNOWLEDGE DELIVERY. I BELIEVE JAY-Z IS GOING TO TAKE HIP HOP TO A ROLLING STONE/U2 STATUS…WHERE HIP HOP ISN’T AGED AND HIP HOP ARTIST CAN CONTINUE TO BRING MUSIC WELL INTO THEIR 40S, 50S, AND BEYOND. WHILE NAS WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW HIP HOP STILL HAS SUBSTANCE…THAT IT STILL HAS A STORY TO TELL. I BELIEVE NAS PLACE IN HIP HOP WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE AUTHENTIC STORYTELLER, WHILE JAY-Z WILL TAKE HIP HOP BEYOND THE SET STRUCTURE OF AGE, REGION, AND STEREOTYPE.
AND KANYE IS THE FUTURE…YE’ BREAKS THE GLASS CEILING TO WHAT HIP HOP CAN BECOME BEYOND JAY AND NAS
i know how could anybody ever not like a jay-z single?!!!?!!?
^
easy, if its bad or sounds like: Change Clothes, Show Me What You Got, Sunshine, etc,
Empire is classic track.
Damn blackberry typing fail on my part lol
With B. Dot on the whole “Empire State of Mind” is wack. That’s a stretch.
But, I will say that I’ve never heard of a song have that much impact (sans Bone’s Crossroads) where the masses didn’t understand (“Jeezy’s payin LeBron…”), couldn’t relate to (“Jesus can’t save you…” or didn’t apply (how many people live in NY?) make it to become a certified anthem.
SilkCityP summed it up best…
@ nina,
^
ur right, its not that detailed to be considered a critque. so, fuck it’s more of an evaluation
Also @ B-Dot regarding that MIA quote bout Nas..
I dont know if that’s critiquing Nas as much as its saying more about current listeners perception. If anything its inferring that audiences are a little unfair and that both are still both representing strong aspects of creative Hip-Hop and their careers are still developing.
Nas havent had a solid album since Stillmatic *kanyeshrug*
And y’all buy the shit, caught up in the hype
Cause the nigga wear a coofie, it don’t mean that he bright
Cause you don’t understand him, it don’t mean that he nice
It just means you don’t understand all the bullshit that he write
Is it “Oochie Wally Wally” or is it “One Mic”?
Is it “Black Girl Lost” or shorty owe you for ice?
I’ve been real all my life, they confuse it with deceit
Since I will not lose, they try to help him cheat
Nas havent had a solid album since Stillmatic *kanyeshrug*
^
nah, u meant since God’ ‘Son
aight my final thoughts before i dip are when it comes down to jays music to me it feels like hes just makin albums to make em. hes not sayin anything new or bringing anything to hip hop. and thats what kanye is doing. nas is still tryin to bring somethin with his collabs with damian. you gotta respect jay as an entrepreneur but as a musician, hes boring, and a hook from alicia keys isnt enough for me to say hes still bringin it in 2010.
^ You right
What makes Jay-Z the best is the fact that he has done (and continues to do) what no other rap artist has done in history…stay consistent, relevant and put out dope music and still be pound for pound one of the dopest lyricists out today. He’s a gifted artist and people just want to hate him because he’s on top. People want to hate just so they can be different. Hating something just to be different is worse then being a stan.
jay-z is older, a hiphop/rap artist, and he moved in a direction that could still keep him with new/old listeners to the best of his ability. Nas just continues to alienate his original listeners with shit that isn’t really going to gain him any new listeners, to me that’a stupid ass move. nas has always had fucked up business skillz and never could get it thru his head to grow & move to the next level, he regressed and has been ever since his first few albums…….he has ability but refuses to actually give the people what they are looking for…… so on one hand I can respect it, but on the other it’s not something I want to hear personally.
hov might be wack to you….. but his sales & fanbase reflects otherwise. I can listen to jay album I can’t even listen to nas joints
and cue the witty response from b.dot…….
Real talk?
“I don’t wanna say Jay-Z sold out”
You better not say it.
Your “Paper Plane” didn’t take off until you spread your legs for that Bronfman kid.
So wait whats the difference between Jay and Kanye? Shes confuse
cosign fuckyall!
@fuckyall
Not everyone’s “hating” — the most cliche, overused term in life. It’s just that when you make statements like “nas has always had fucked up business skillz and never could get it thru his head to grow & move to the next level..” it rubs people the wrong way, which is the point of what M.I.A. was saying.
The fact that Nas hasn’t made big business moves has nothing to do with his music. People may not agree with Nas’s artistic direction post-God’s Son, but it damn sure has made him THE definitive voice for hip-hop that’s not seeking mass appeal.
Nas will NEVER be as big a Jay making albums like Untitled, Distant Relatives, Hip Hop Is Dead, etc. but, I bet he sleeps well at night knowing he didn’t compromise his personal integrity.
To me, this just shows that everyone who screams “I love hip-hop” isn’t listening to their lyrics. it’s clear this is the direction that both of their careers would take, but now days you can’t just be an artist, you have to be a mogul — the Russell/Diddy/Jay-Z effect (when writing history books about hip-hop, I believe historians will view this as where hip-hop took a turn for the worst).
“I don’t wanna say Jay-Z sold out”
You better not say it.
Your “Paper Plane” didn’t take off until you spread your legs for that Bronfman kid.
^
*dead*
@fuckyall I agree 100%. For some reason they try to down play Jay by saying he wants to be a huge star like thats a bad thing. Jay is the best because he proved it over and over again nobody in Hip Hop ever can has made better albums. JAY Z MAKES THE BEST ALBUMS. From Intro to bonus tracks. Nobody got more classics.
The fact that I see Paul mcCartney and Bono making 80 mil still to this day makes me think why cant hip Hop do the same? Nobody else can do or will do it. The fact that Jay does all these things on top of running 16 businesses has got to be to his credit. Nas is great but he cant make albums like Jay. Jay recorded Blueprint in 2 weeks, most his other albums in a month. Nobody in history of Hip Hop can even come close to that. It takes Nas years to come up with his rhymes and make his albums he is great but just another artist.
jay is the best to ever do it period…. let’s go cd for cd song for song jays the illest to do it to yall so stop the hate I can get it if he to over your head with the slick word play.
@106
“Nobody got more classics…”
Jay-Z = Four classics (Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, The Black Album, American Gangster)
Outkast = Four classics (Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, ATLiens, Aquemini, Stankonia)
Kanye’s on his ass already with 3 classics (arguably 4).
There’s no fucking greatest in music except, MJ, Elvis and The Beatles. Period.
Any criteria you wanna use, someone else can do the same. Music is subjective people.
oh and I totally agree with her on Kanye. Kanye is hands down THE most needed person in hip-hop.
@B. Dot. I guess evaluation is better. I don’t think either are “washed up” and both are totally necessary. Nas provides that foundation and Jay keeps it relevant on the mainstream level. All while Kanye pushes the creativity. All 3 are needed and necessary IMO.
And let’s not talk albums. Nas nor Jay have done anything worth congratulating in some years lol. But IMO they can release whatever the hell they want b/c their positions are solidified. Neither are really in the “race” so to speak. They’re both beyond “rap” IMO. Shit, even Kanye is.
@damone
“let’s go cd for cd…” Against who?
This would be a great exercise considering it is common knowledge that Jay-Z drops a great album followed by mediocrity.
Dg you can’t go cd for cd huh? I like Ye but dude doesn’t have all classics maybe one. Lol plus who’s Ye idol? Big brother
What M.I.A’s saying seems like the obvious thing to say but it’s an easy, oversimplified analysis.
It’s incorrect to say that Jay-z is simply about making pop music and no “deep records” after listening to American Gangster, a recent concept album that spoke for the culture. And of course you’d have to choose to ignore his first 3 albums, The Blueprint, and parts of the Dynasty album.
Conversely, to say that Nas did not attempt to make more commercially successful records is an oversimplification too (“You Owe Me” “Oochie Wally”)
Jay-z could have made “Hip Hop is Dead” or “Hero” and Nas could have made “Death of Autotune” or “PSA.” Their music is obviously different, but it’s more alike than different.
I think because Jay has been so successful in other areas, people either make him much bigger than he is or they say he sucks because he’s “sold out.” Both of which are overly simplified. Likewise with Nas, since he has been less commercially successful some people think that makes his music more “authentic” and “true to the culture.” And others think that his lack of sales makes Jay better.
Something to consider:
2005 – the exact year where hip-hop had a change of the guard. It involved the three people M.I.A. mentioned: Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye.
On Kanye’s Late Registration hip-hop changed forever. Nas appeared on “We Major”, which at the time was surprising considering the Jay vs. Nas beef (Kanye produced “Takeover”). During his verse, Nas summed up public perception by saying “Nas what the fans want is Illmatic still/Look at the pad and pencil and jotted what I feel…”, which is exactly what happened for every thing following this verse (Hip-Hop Is Dead, Untitled, Distant Relatives).
On the Diamonds remix, Jay spits his best (and still to this day) post-The Black Album/retirement verse, where he coined what has become what’s personifies Jay-Z: “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man…”
Jay-Z then went on to say that “We Major” was his favorite track on Late Registration. A few weeks later, Jay-Z and Nas reconciled their differences during the Power 105 concert.
Jay and Nas both went on to say that Kanye was the only artist who could get those two on the same album. And the same is true today. Kanye is the ONLY true bridge in hip-hop between underground and mainstream.
The last great commericial year for Hip-Hop (where sales, TV, magazines, etc)? You got it…2005.
@damone
Yes, let’s go album for album…but I need to know against who?
End of the day it’s about the material that each artist produces. If Jay did a album with Beyonce and it was dope, that’s all that matters. It shouldn’t be “less credible” since he didn’t do it with Damian Marley. (Sidebar, that Damian Marley and Nas album is the best album of the year so far)
Man, right on cue we got people whom MIA was talking about.
Does Nas really have fucked up business skills if he owns the company that runs Rock the Bells as was reported during his divorce last year? Was he not a credited producer on that critically aclaimed Tyson documentary thats been selling well on DVD and won a Cannes Film Festival award? (a producer finances a project and pitches it). I think the knock on his business skills is a little exaggerated. You cant be in a profession for 17 years and still be on a major label generating interest that your other peers cant do or are no longer around from your generation of MCs. It does some savvy and smarts wouldnt you say? Kill the dude for his pre-nup skills, but to survive in the rap game where others like him havent, deserves some props?
I think that perception about his business skills is a little exaggerated because what Nas is associated with isnt neccessairly what he invested in (ie he endorsed Esco, didnt run it. He co-signed Quan as an artist, didnt sign him to Ill Will). Hes not the businessman that 50, Puff or Jay is, but as Steve Stoute said in that Life Files interview, he’s never been that guy to run that race and always gets picky with his ventures. Im not saying all of them have quietly been perfect, but I dont think he has insurmountable L’s like some people make it out to be.
And I’ll tell why Hip-Hop wont make 80 mil beyond a few…artist dont sell and most outlets for the culture seem to be online. We literally only have a handful who still do plat numbers and it dwindles year by year. So while Jay may have kicked open a door, hes the only who can run through it right now.
Also ,wouldnt you say Jay-Z has alienated his original core audience as much as Nas? Ive seen Jay 5 times and he never performs anything from Reasonable Doubt. Cant have it both ways people, I dont neccessairly have a problem with Jay doing that, but you cant say that about Nas and not say that about Jay if you believe that perspective. Personally I dont believe that perspective at all and I think its fine what they are doing but to have that mentality is kind of a double standard
And look, I dont buy for a second that artists should give in to what the people are looking for because ultimatley what the fuck are they looking for? Artists ditctate demand through artistic ability still. iIs just a matter of how you reach them. I dont know anyone was looking for a Drake 3 years ago but he found a lane to reach people with the right mixtape grind and marketing for his music. Now if you want to question Nas’s work eithic, then I would point to the fact that he always tours and is on the road (even before the divorce) and has a ton of unreleased material for all his albums. So he’s working but its just not the route that every cat in the rap game does. But like I said, he dont run that race and I dont know if that should be an indictment on him.
I’M STARTING TO THINK THIS BITCH IS DELUSIONAL, FIRST SHE SAYS LADY GAGA, BITES HER SWAG THEN SHE FIXES HER MOUTH TO SAY SHIT LIKE THIS.
FUCK OUTTA HERE !!!!!!!!
SOMETIMES I THINK HIP HOP IS TO OUT THERE, INTERMS OF TOO INTERNATIONAL, ITS A GOOD THING AND SOMETIMES IT ANNOYS ME, CAUSE ALL THESE MUTHAFUCKA’S FROM WHEREVER COUNTRY THEY COME FROM FEEL THEY CAN DEFINITIVELY SPEAK ON THE CULTURE.
HOW ARE YOU EVEN QUALIFIED TO SPEAK ABOUT HIP HOP, WHAT CAUSE YOUR A FAN ?1?1?
ITS MUCH DEEPER, SOMETIMES I WISH HIP HOP WUD OF JUST REMAINED OUR LITTLE SECRET. CAUSE DAMN !!! NEAR EERBODY AND THEY MAMA HAVE AN OPINION ON WHAT HIP HOP IS, FUCK Y’ALL !!!!!! I AM HIP HOP
AND THIS STUPID BITCH HAVE THE NERVE TO TRY TO SAY JAY SOLD OUT, BITCH!!!! WITH JAY, T.I, WAYNE AND KANYE’S HELP PPL STARTED TO TAKE NOTICE OF WHO YOUR DUMB OPINIONATED ASS IS, ON THE WESTERN-SIDE OF THE WORLD !!!! SO SHOW SOME FUCKING RESPECT
AT MOST JAY IS NOT MOTIVATED, JUST LIKE DR. WEST SAID.
BUT THATS A GOOD THING, SUPPOSE HE WAS GOING HARD!!!!!, Y’ALL FUCKER CUDNT EVEN GET A PLATE OF FOOD TO EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dashing. You said it right enough said.
@Dg I’m talking about anybody
That frank Sinatra comparison was so fucking true. I will always respect Jay as one of the greatest mc’s, but that wont cloud my feelings towards his sidewinder Donald Trumpish business tactics!
And on the flip side I agree with what Dashing said, and I tried to mention that in my first post. Jay can do those records Nas did and vice versa (isnt that people always say when both have tracks coming out? “Oh Nas could never do this” “Oh Jay could never do that”…its like, why would you even bring that up?) but I dont know if its done with each other in mind.
In fact you know what? Dashing said it better than me lol
@damone
Jay’s albums:
Reasonable Doubt – Classic
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 – Meh (Jay says so himself)
Hard Knock Life, Vol. 2 – Commerically Jay’s best-seller, but aged horribly
The Life & Times…Vol. 3 – Jay’s first critical/semi-commerical flop
Roc La Familia – I never include this considering Jay wanted this to be a compliation (and it is basically)
The Blueprint – Classic
The Blueprint 2 – Jay’s second critical/semi-commercial flop
The Black Album – Classic
Kingdom Come – Jay’s third critical/semi-commerical flop
American Gangster – Classic
The Blueprint 3 – the verdict is still out
*Only using semi-commerical flop because platinum sales can’t be considered a flop, but it may have fallen short of commerical expectations.
Now, who would you like to go against? (BTW, I feel this list is very objective)
WHO ASKED YOU??..(M.I.A.)..SEE IF YOUR A MENTION TEN YEARS FROM NOW..HOW ‘BOUT THAT..
“I am here cause I earned the shit” – Jay-Z
How can u hate on someone who has climbed to the top of their respective field of work? If Nas was kickin so much knowledge, a larger amount of people would have realized it and he would have a much larger audience than he has now. (He’s still top 5) Anyway, the main difference between Nas and Jay is that Jay expanded his musical boundaries. For the most part, Nas has played it safe and continued to stay in his lane while Jay has done things that have set precedent because they were never even thought of before. The main difference between the two is growth and maturity within their music. Nas has had a consistent flow but hasn’t changed it up nearly enough to reinvent himself.
The growth that Jay has had from Reasonable Doubt to Blueprint 3 is something that Nas can’t fathom because he’s done the same thing throughout his career. While Jay has changed in each phase of his career, Nas has stayed stagnant, not to demean his career because he still has arguably one of the top flows in hip hop. Yes, Jay-Z is a great businessman but it takes a lot more than that to attain what he’s done. Whether its for the culture or not, Hov stays winnin.
“I guess it’s just the penalty of leadership
I guess I’m what niggaz wanna be and shit” – (Some People Hate – Jay-Z)
*MENTIONED
^^^
I don’t think I’ve read anyone on here that’s saying Jay sucks, Jay’s washed up, Jay ain’t never been shit…that’s hating.
What people are doing is giving an opinion. You know, similar to what you just did.
I agree with your list but BP3 is Classic in my book. So you choose who’s you think can top that not mentioning the songs yet
@damone
In regards to BP3, in my opinion it is too soon to call it a classic. You need at least 3-5 years for that label. It’s thrown around too loosely (especially in hip-hop where most music is made based on what’s “hot” at the moment), and proper classics never get their due. Classic song? Sure. Empire State of Mind is a classic no matter what happens, but the entire album? We need more time. to be honest, most people I know haven’t played BP3 in a long time and it hasn’t even been a year yet. Normally, classics get extended play, no?
For this exercise, I’ll have to go with someone who may not have as many albums, but is considered hip-hop royality. HINT: He’s the only hip-hop artist besides Kanye West, Jay-Z and Eminem to have all of his albums (besides his first) to go platinum.
She obviously doesn’t like Jay-Z.. ANYWAY Who’s M.i.A? I don’t know that stupid girl even.
Opinions are like assholes, EVERYBODY’S GOT ONE!
Why are Jay-Z stans being so butthurt over her comments? She didnt even diss the man.
its like everytime someone questions his dominance or asks wait and see or compliments a former foe in the same breath, they take its as a diss and have to act like the other dude aint shit?
@damone
Again, this list is not to say that this person is “better” than Jay, but to prove/make the point that Jay’s catalogue is great, but it is not the best in hip-hop (and to make the point that if we were to judge Jay solely on the music –which we should –then, the title of the “greatest” in hip-hop would cease to exist). Jay by far has maintained relevancy the longest = most consistent. And that’s as far as I’ll go with the crown for Jay.
For the person, I’m using, he’s been in the game almost 10 years, sales are definitely there, relevancy is there, etc….so here’s T.I.’s catalogue breakdown:
T.I.’s albums (minus I’m Serious, all of his albums are platinum or better):
I’m Serious – debut album (can’t be considered a flop because there was no expectation)
Trap Muzik – Classic = critical/commercial success (T.I.’s Reasonable Doubt)
Urban Legend – critical/commercial success (T.I.’s Vol. 1)
King – Classic = critical/commercial success (T.I’s Vol. 2)
T.I. vs. T.I.P. = critical/semi-commercial flop (T.I.’s Vol. 3)
Paper Trail = T.I.’s best selling album – verdict is still out (tempted to label it T.I.’s The Blueprint)
So Jay’s stats on his album catalogue: 11 albums = 4 Classics, 3 Flops, 3 Okays, 1 Verdict still out
T.I.’s stats on his album catalogue: 2 Classics, 1 Flop, 3 Okays, 1 Verdict still out
The point: Jay’s catalogue compared to his years in the game is just above-average at best.
*We’re talking about Jay’s music only…I don’t give a shit about his wallet, influence, etc. Thanks!
Putting T.I. in the same sentence as Reasonable Doubt equals the end of a discussion. Reasonable Doubt is better than TI’s entire catalogue
I’ve read so much here that I agree with and more that I disagree with. I thought maybe i should sit this one out but one of the comments, and I can’t remember which of you made it but you said something towards the effect of “Nas plays it safe with his music and Jay pushes the envelope and broadens his musical horizons” or some shit like that. I just want to know what the fuck you’ve been listening to for the past 16-17 years? That’s my question to you.
jay is consistant…..which is what other artists cant do…..I’m from the south and honestly everytime I want to say this old dude need to hang it up he comes out with anthems…..a star is born,say hello,doa,etc…..guy always come out fresh…..people hated on jordan because he was great….
It’s just funny how a mans “Growth” and “Drive” over a 10+ year span equ
It’s just funny how a mans “Growth” and “Drive” over a 10+ year span equals SELL OUT. I hope y’all are the same 10 years down the road being happy making minimum wage when you could be running the Company. I guess y’all woud be considered a sell out then too.
@HOVA!!
Don’t be blinded homie. Trap Muzik birthed a whole damn movement (did you ever even hear the word trap before Trap Muzik?)…why the hell do you think people started calling T.I. the “Jay-Z of the South?”
^
STILL isn’t on par with RD sorry.
T.I. is one of the best rappers in the South but I don’t think he’s earned the privilege to be compared to any rappers like Jay, Nas, Big, Pac, etc.
Also, be sure to read me and Damone’s entire convo before making silly statements like “Reasonable Doubt is better than TI’s entire catalogue…” Yeah, no shit.
i did, and reasonable doubt still is better
@chris what are talking about? you seen jay 5 times and he has not perform anything from Reasonable Doubt what concert was that I been to two and he performed a couple cuts from that album. Jay really does need to refund your money back I understand how you feel if that was the case.
Cosign @Hova
Cosign @fuckyall
@blaqscorpio
You guys must be blind! Lol…T.I.’s Reasonable Doubt, not saying it’s better than Reasonable Doubt.
Fuckin’ trendhumping dickriders…
@Real Hip Hop
Seen him perform during the Blueprint club tour in 2001, didnt do anything from the first two albums
Seen him again in 04 during the Black Album tour..no cuts
Again in 06., 07 and 08
I get it though, his mainstream fans who payed for the arena seats dont remember them joints compared to Big Pimpin, Give it 2 me, Hard Knock Life etc etc. And tracks like Bring It On dont match.
Occasionally I know he does Cant Knock the Hustle and Dead Presidents but not often like most artist do with their first album.
But I said that because anyone who tries to down Nas saying he has abandoned his orignal fanbase. by their logic needs to then say Jay is doing the same. He obviously isnt making the same music as 96 right? Im not saying thats wrong but you cant down one player and praise the other when they are both progressing in different lanes. I praise both of them, but it seems like dudes are downing him cause he making relevant music compared to Hov. But he is taking chances doing genre-mixing albums (Distant Relatives) and albums with concepts for fans to talk about (HHID and Untitled). It might not every fan’s thing but you cant knock him for finding new ways to be creative as an artist.
Anyone who doesnt is still hung up on the battle.
People here are only strengthening MIA’s point.
DGtheEnigma
TI shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence as Jay, sorry.
@blaqscorpio
I don’t think anyone can rightfully say Jay’s a “Sell Out”, but rightfully is the key word. How many people called Nas selling out for “It Was Written”? Or BIG when he got with Puff for all that ballin shit? No one is discrediting Jay for his accomplishments out side of the music. The point here is that all the extras has nothing to do with the music just like the lack thereof with Nas has nothing to do with the music. All I’m saying is if we’re talking about the BEST MC then it needs to be about the music, no more, no less. Futhermore, for God Sake they are two different individuals with different interests and aspirations. Most of us commenting on this shit make less in a year than what Nas makes in a month sitting on his couch so if that’s broke and unsuccessful what do y’all call the rest of these rappers? Jay is a great business man and a great MC, but I only give a fuck about the latter when the topic is Hip-Hop. Nas is also successful although he doesnt own part of an NBA franchise and he too is one of the greatest ever in music. Just leave it at that. MIA has a valid point. These days its come to how successful you are outside of rap that contributes to your success in it.
@ QUEENZ
I’ll live with that.
When an argument is made about “The Music” but a sect want to claim ‘fuck sales’ or’ fuck accomplishments’ then what is the real measure of a medium that is inherently subjective, regardless of genre. Th MC or rapper embodies a lot of things and if you really wanna be assertive Jay’s collective accomplishments in and out of the booth, contribute to his legend! Tupac is 70% legendary due to his antics outside the booth. Its the militancy and blackpower talk that makes some claim Nas as Jay’s superior musically but for every ‘conscious’ record Nas has made Jay has eclipsed it with an actual act, i.e given back to the poor Nasir sings about!!! Again the main reason a lot of people cling to Nasir’s greatness is people are sentimental and adhere to words over actions. if my teacher speaks great English but writes bad grammar, is he the best tutor by reason of his superior oratory? This is to knot, fuck it!!
I love when people always knock Jay for his success like this aint the same dude that made American Gangster, Reasonable Doubt, Blueprint, and Black ALbum. You can’t take all that he has accomplished artistically haters, no matter how hard you try. Jay has always been on that success by any means motto, he actually became and some of you haters can’t stand it.
PS not everyone is tryna hear that knowledge and pandering nonsense, i hear about that enough in law school. SPit that money shit Jay!
Some of Jay-z first songs are; Reach the top, in my lifetime, Dead Presidents,etc. Ya’ll had no problem with it then, so why have it now.
HOV IS THE G.O.A.T.
CONSISTENT FROM 96 TO 03 WITH FIVE CLASSIC ALBUMS
END OF STORY.
@HOVA this is the realiest anyone could have wrote! Its not even close….as much as people love to debate just for the sake of debating but its not even close…..just look around proof is proof. Being number 2 is not always a bad thing or in the top 5. Just Look at Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan for example. Leading up to the Jordan first title it was a good argument who was better but by the end of Jordan’s career it wasn’t even close, even Magic was saying Jordan was the best. In the begin Jay and Nas it was a close argument…..now ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE!
“I am here cause I earned the shit” – Jay-Z
“How can u hate on someone who has climbed to the top of their respective field of work? If Nas was kickin so much knowledge, a larger amount of people would have realized it and he would have a much larger audience than he has now. (He’s still top 5) Anyway, the main difference between Nas and Jay is that Jay expanded his musical boundaries. For the most part, Nas has played it safe and continued to stay in his lane while Jay has done things that have set precedent because they were never even thought of before. The main difference between the two is growth and maturity within their music. Nas has had a consistent flow but hasn’t changed it up nearly enough to reinvent himself.
The growth that Jay has had from Reasonable Doubt to Blueprint 3 is something that Nas can’t fathom because he’s done the same thing throughout his career. While Jay has changed in each phase of his career, Nas has stayed stagnant, not to demean his career because he still has arguably one of the top flows in hip hop. Yes, Jay-Z is a great businessman but it takes a lot more than that to attain what he’s done. Whether its for the culture or not, Hov stays winnin.
“I guess it’s just the penalty of leadership
I guess I’m what niggaz wanna be and shit” – (Some People Hate – Jay-Z)”
^
TRUE! Now that he has it it’s a problem. lol
@ DGtheEnigma… T.I. has an impressive catalog and nobody makes better singles imo.
But for the record Jay has now 5 classics with BP3 all songs are fire maybe not Forever Young but thats it. Never had a flop album Ever. Jays worst album only has 3 wack songs and thats vol 1. If you play Vol 3 aint no way you calling that a flop or BP2. Dynasty we wont count but a solid album none the less. 8 albums 8 years in a row with the best catalog cant be touched.
Nas is just as much accomplished as Jay-z and all the HATERS know it that is why they try to discredit Nas but 20 years later and he still here and going strong! Nas owns things that the HATERS probably have no clue about!
M.I.A.’s point — although it wasn’t taken this way — is to say that both Jay and Nas (and what they represent) are NEEDED in hip-hop, both commercially (Jay) and artistically (Nas).
Both have had both artistic and commercial success, but neither artist should be penalized via public perception because of successes or failures in ventures independent of their music (i.e. businesses, marriages, etc.).
Both are still relevant, but some are deeming them both past-their-prime greats for different reasons: for Nas, it’s because he hasn’t attained wealth in comparison to his contemporary artistic peers (because the music is fine); and for Jay it’s because he aged gracefully to focus on independent business ventures (but arguably the music suffered — see Cornell West).
Gotta love the fact that hip-hop now has a Sinatra and Bob Dylan comparison actually.
Cosign @JD
I love Nas like the next Hip Hop fan. But he continues to disappoint me. If he don’t make music for fans all his albums should be free..dude is on some bullshit which is why he’s nas status instead of jay-z status, because he could have easily been above hova level if cards were played correctly……..he’s mixed the fuck up…….. first he’s project nas, then he’s suit nas, then he’s half underground half g nas…. now he’s reggae rap nas……straight fucking clown status in my opinion……… he can rap no doubt about it…. but he’s bi-polar far as music goes.
Nas isn’t cementing his legacy in any way shape or form with his recent albums, he’s falling further & further out the lime-light………..we are talking about Nas……. arguably the greatest lyricist of all time…. putting out albums on a regular rappers level….. just throwing shit out. Nas could link with an allstar production line-up and a few features and be dropping classics right now easily…….
a just blaze joint, a kanye joint, a pharrell joint, a timbaland joint, feature with game, feature with jay, maybe a dre joint….
he is one of the greatest of all time, there is no reason he should not be following the blueprint of rap music….. but he is wylin out on some bullshit trying to do his own thing, that really his fans aren’t looking for, nobody became his fan off of the music he’s released lately or some rap reggae album…… that’s just reality……we talking about the same Nas that released illmatic, it was written, I am……etc and used to run clue tapes with freestyles……….. rockin with nature, cormega, etc etc….he is not a rap/reggae or smoothed out experimental artist……. he is a hiphop legend……
who honestly wouldn’t check for a rae nas & ghost collabo? or a jay-z – nas collabo again? every hiphop listener in the game would check his album for that, yet he fails to deliver every time
@HipHopIsConfused
you make a good argument but it also leads back to my point. No one is saying fuck Jay’s accomplishments outside of music, the man is without a doubt special and should be commended for his achievements. All I’m saying is if we’re talking about music, let’s talk about music and not finances and business deals. Thats it. I’m sure that even Nas or any other MC for that matter that the precedence that Jay sets outside of rap is to expand and invest in things and become viable business men. That’s great not just for rappers but its great for our community period. That adds to his legacy as a man, not as an MC. you see what I’m saying? You made a point about Pac being legendary 70% due to his antics outside of rap and I’ll have to agree and that’s always been my issue with him. If that’s the case and you wanna attribute 30% of his legend to his music, why do so many regard him as top 3 of all time? Pac was a great man, no doubt but lets all be honest, with all respect due to him he was not in the same class as Jay and Nas when it came to those rhymes and flows. Jay and Nas are without a doubt top 3 off of music alone, hands down. Imagine if we were discussing the best producers of all time and as part of people’s argument for Pharell they through in ‘Billionaire Boys Club’ and all his other ventures and discredit DJ Premiere because he doesn’t own a clothing line. Every time Nas vs. Jay come up, the bulk of the argument comes down to what each is or isnt doing outside of rap or what one owns that the other doesn’t.
@ Queenz.
I can isolate their achievements outside of the booth. This is how I rank the two as rappers. Jay Z has a more diverse catalog IMO. Also he was releasing so much music at a point in his career, a lot of people didn’t get the chance to digest the depth of some of the knowledge he was dropping. A record like Streets Is Watching or Allure to present day Thank You or So Ambitious get slept on or ignored because of the simplicity in the truths. Nas talking about switch up the language and move to Ghana since I was a teen but he barely if ever has shown up there to perform or so a concert. Jay has as have others, my thing is I have to believe the messenger as true or else the message has very little value in my books. Like a preacher mac’ing the entire choir but preaches abstinence and fidelity doesn’t effect any reverence on his congregation. So in short, in terms of substance Jay ranks higher in my books, and if we speak of hits or club bangers Jay is the winner by a longshot. I give Nas this much though, he hasn’t sacrificed lyricism ever!
I don’t know why you people are saying that Nas last good album was God Son. Untitled was pretty good.
I read the 1st few comments but had to stop at Nas has not had a solid album since Stillmatic….The N*gger album just goes over everyone head. He was actually spitting knowledge and not just rapping about clothes cars and drugs its not considered “hip-hop”. I respect artists like Nas and Kanye because they use their music to express themselves. Just happens Kanye life is easier to sell compared to Nas but the whole rap game is fake
people writing books in here and shit, its her opinion and she keepin it real and still gives major props to both… i think sum of yall is a little to emotional and need to spend sum time chillin
@QUEENZ…co-sign 100%!
jay the better buisness man and had better producers and had many classics, but its like an aids test, whats the results? not positive whos the best? pac nas ‘n’ big………. nas still the better mc… to me jay is like biggy and nas out here kickin knowlege and keepin it real, he kinda like what 2pac was to big, but to jay… i think in terms of real rap, real hip hop keeping in the tradition, nas definatley wins as the better…
if yall saying that the best mc the one who got the cake, 50cent had the best grind ever and made more money then most rapper ever in like 5 years and is still grinding, then 50 is in the top 3 then right?smh
Once again: These guys r too different type of artists, but equally dope and respected in their own right. Jay chose to be more business minded and Nas didn’t. Simple as that. And M.I.A needa to drop anutba album asap…
I completely agree with her comments on Yeezy. 100%. Real understands real.
Jay-Z is the Greatest Rapper of All time Period!!!! NO COMPARISON
Jay-Z Resume:
11 # number one albums ( The most # 1s by any solo artist in music history)
50 Million Sold Worldwide.
5 Classic albums (RD, Blueprint, Black Album, AG, BP3).
1st rapper to headline Glastonbury festival.
The only True MC to sell out MSG in 4 hours.
He has also sold out MSG 9 times during the course of his career
5 successful arena Tours (Hard knock Life, Roc The Mic, Hangar Tour, Heart of the City, BP3).
10-time Grammy award winner
MTV AND Rolling Stones named Jay-Z “The Greatest MC of all-time” in 2006.
Lets not forget Jay-Z signed Nas in 2006 when he was president at Def Jam.
Leads all rappers with the most Top 10 singles of all-time.
Nas Resume:
Illmatic (his one and only classic album)
Battle with Jay-Z helped him stay relevant
No Grammy awards, only nominations
Never headlined a major arena tour his whole career
2 million is the most Nas ever sold off one album.
He got dropped from Columbia Records for lackluster sales
Street Disciples flopped (which was double disc)
His last two albums didn’t even go platinum
B DOT’S GOIN HAM!
In short: Nas is hip hop, Jay-Z is business. Period.
@Rasheed7
He got dropped from Columbia Records for lackluster sales —–How could he have gotten dropped when he was their biggest Rap act, everything he put out on Columbia went Platinum plus.
Street Disciples flopped (which was double disc) —— Platinum is a flop now? C’mon son
Illmatic (his one and only classic album) —– Really? American Gangster and BP3 are classics and It Was Written, Stillmatic, and God’s Son weren’t? You can tell a blind dick rider when he still bases his arguments off of Jay’s “that’s a one hot album every 10 year average” line off Takeover. Where in the history of music have you heard an artist drop a debut classic album, drop garbage for 16 years afterwards and still be considered by everyone on earth as one of the top 3 to ever hold a mic? That just makes no sense, how can you write off everything he’s done since Illmatic?
If sales were everything, how is it that Nas’s Illmatic which went Platinum after several years after its release gets more burn than Jay’s highest selling album In My Lifetime Vol. 2 which sold 5 million out the gate? When was the last time you heard anyone playing that album?
11 # number one albums ( The most # 1s by any solo artist in music history) —– Hats off to him for that, he should be proud but here’s a little something you may be shocked to know. I saw a recent Big Boi interview where he’s saying that OutKast has never had a #1 album, should they feel bad about that? Niggas went Diamond plus on Speakerbox/Love Below and multiplatinum on everything before that, should they jump off a bridge cuz Jay got 11 # 1 albums to their 0? For the record Nas has 4 #1 records.
And my final point is that Jay and Nas talk about very different things on their records, Nas doesnt say whats popular or whats comfortable for everyone. He speaks on shit radio programmers know would deter advertisers from throwing money at them. You can’t spit the shit Nas spits and expect the masses to fuck with you heavy like that. Can you imagine Dead Prez records spinning on Hot 97 all day? never.
^i concur. its simple folks.
If Nas spent more time trying to become a huge success WHILE maintaining his integrity and STILL “tryna kick knowledge” he would’ve reached millions more people and been able to make a difference. The very thing he claims to try so hard not to be, is the very thing that would allow him to make a damn difference.
“how could i help the poor if im one of them, i got rich and gave back to me thats the win win.”
obviously Nas isn’t poor by any means, but you get the point.
Nas should have never dropped the nasty out of his name, ever since then i notice character defects at alot of angles. Jay added other names as he grew into music from WILLIAM, JEHOVA, HOVITO AND many others. Basically he was able to add new names cause he showed how to make hits, when Nas dropped the nasty you felt the switch., you felt the confusion, you felt the since of which direction to go, whereas keeping his name simply Nasty Nas would had elevated him unto a whole different direction. i guarantee the music we heard from Nas in the past and presently would be so shockingly and musically different. Dont 4get this 1 line: when i was 12 i went 2 hell 4 snuffin Jesus. Only a nasty mutherfucka can get away with a line like that.
Tupac switched up his name and morphed into an even more powerful rapper Makaveli and in a instance became him. When Big was just Biggie Smallz you can hear the adolescent in his rhymes even though his 1st album was under the name Notorius Big he had not yet morphed into that person because all Ready 2 die was recorded as BIGGIE SMALLZ. He became NOTORIUS when he did Junior Mafia, Lil Kim and then his 2nd album. His name finally matched what he had become. Nas went from nasty 2 nas to escobar and lost alot of people along the way.
I still think Nas can rhyme his ass off but my opinion on this debate is that Nas is great but imo Jayz is greater. You cant go from spitting street shit to Firm shit and then Knowledge shit and mixing it with lame ass production. Jay may had a few minor weak beats, just a few But Nas has had too many weak beats to mention and weak beats with great rhymes do not FUCKING work. Why do you think Rakim’s DONT SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE sucked cause dem wack beats didnt match his ill flow.
11 # number one albums ( The most # 1s by any solo artist in music history) – Jay’s only impressive stat
50 Million Sold Worldwide. – The white boy sold more.
5 Classic albums (RD, Blueprint, Black Album, AG, BP3). – 4 Classics (BP3 CANNOT BE CONSIDERED A CLASSIC ALREADY!)
1st rapper to headline Glastonbury festival. – Really doesn’t fucking matter.
The only True MC to sell out MSG in 4 hours. – What the fuck does this have to do with an accomplishment? He’s from NY. I would hope he could sell out the Garden.
He has also sold out MSG 9 times during the course of his career. – Again, outside of NY, who gives a shit?
5 successful arena Tours (Hard knock Life, Roc The Mic, Hangar Tour, Heart of the City, BP3). – Several artist in hip-hop have comparable arena tour stats (see: Eminem, Snoop, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Diddy, etc.)
10-time Grammy award winner – Kanye has 14 Grammys in six years. Jay has 10 Grammys in 14 years.
MTV AND Rolling Stones named Jay-Z “The Greatest MC of all-time” in 2006. – Neither are the authority or credible on hip-hop. Vibe named Eminem the GOAT. Doesn’t matter.
Lets not forget Jay-Z signed Nas in 2006 when he was president at Def Jam. – Nas is not a Executive.
Leads all rappers with the most Top 10 singles of all-time. – But with only one #1 record. Some rappers cough out #1’s (Eminem, Ludacris, T.I., Kanye, etc.)
Point being: Wikipedia stats shouldn’t make anyone the GOAT. I can go and pull stats for just about anybody and make the case that they’re great.
AT DG, U JUST DONT LIKE HOVITO HUH?
co-sign yaboitone
That’s all I’m trying to say man. The talent and respect is there and he never took advantage of it. Just keeps making bullshit and alienating fans.
@BIG L
Lol…real shit, Jay has had more influence on my prospectives in life than I care to admit. I grew up with Jay. I’m a Jay fan since Vol. 1 (I’ll admit that since I loved Pac it was hard for me to like Jay during Reasonable Doubt).
But, my only problem present day is that hip-hop is the only genre where there’s an attempt to label a living person “greatest of all time” and I believe that when people keep trying to label the greatest it’s bad for the culture and more importantly the genre of music.
That’s MIA’s point…and to large extent, that was Nas’s point: “Who’s the best? Pac, Nas, and BIG/Ain’t no best…” and there shouldn’t be.
Maybe it’s born from hip-hop being competitive during its inception, but rockers aren’t like Bono is the greatest of all time. R&Bers aren’t like R. Kelly is the greatest of all time. Country lovers aren’t yelling out Garth Brooks is the greatest of all time.
If hip-hop will be around forever, no one artist should rule as “lord” over the genre. Even if it’s a “God MC”. Lol
My last point on this: take the NBA as an example. You wanna make someone in their 40s cringe, just say Michael Jordan is the GOAT. They feel like Bill Russell or Magic or Kareem or Oscar Roberson could all be considered the GOAT. But because MJ expanded the game (endorsements, sneaker lines, etc.), most younger people — and to be fair most basketball experts — consider MJ the GOAT.
That’s not the case with Jay. Some consider Rakim, BIG, Pac, etc. the GOAT for different reasons. It’s just that because Jay was at the forefront of the commercialization of hip-hop, people consider him the GOAT. But my question is, MUSICALLY what has Jay contributed to the genre? Someone please answer this question…without discussing his influence and wallet. Sheesh.
Jay-Z has contributed more MUSICALLY to the genre than any of your favorites rappers. The Blueprint changed the sound with better soul sampling, then everybody starting doing back to samples in 2001. That one album changed the entire industry.
Jay-Z’s touring band (Roc Boys) have to be the best 12 piece live band in hip hop history. If you were to go to all his live concerts, his band is expanding the sound of live instrumentation with better quality and no kickback.
Jay-Z BP3 is incredible because once again he is changing the sound of hip hop. Who in rap is rapping over those types of beats. He uses various sounds on that album than you rarely ever hear rappers rapping over,.Those beats are EPIC! And that was a good look for the culture musically.
* People went can sit here and argue all day by Jay-Z and his successes. But the point that will never change is that he is the GREATEST ever to do it. And the facts prove it. Thats why 99% of the music industry is on Jay’s dick. So stop hating and deal with the reality.
A classic album is something that defies the trials of time…
Sorry but American Gangster hasn’t aged too well. It was hot when it first dropped but I just can’t fuck with it anymore (n)
I do believe Blueprint 3 is very much a modern day classic tho
Ohhh…and I also do believe Kanye is single handedly responsible for revitilizing Jay’s career. He made Blueprint 1 into a classic when Jay was falling off.
@ koa29, i think its a 50 50 situation with YE’ and JAY. Kanye provided some dope production and Jay laid the raps and of course with out a pen. But RZA and Premo could give Jay an whole album of beats and i guarantee Jay know what to do. Its like Jay a basketball player, if you give him the ball, he know how dribble, shake and dunk on that ass. Its just that his skills aint bball but hip hop. You pass Nas the ball he’ll go 4 the dunk but might loose it or he’ll go 4 a 3 pointer at everytime and only hit 4 out of 16 or he will get fouled out and thats basically cuz he chooses the wrong beats, ever since Nastradamus he had good to okay beats. Jay got beats, GREAT BEATS!
M.I.A. has been noted way before paper planes blew up…….. we just late as usual lol
are u guys retarded nas musically is on of the weakest rappers…music isnt jus hip hop its universal like say empire state of mind 99 problems bling bling gold digger it doesnt connect to hip hopper alone but to evrybody nas cant pick a good beat to save his life…tell me one nas song thts universally known.
nas will be remembered in hip hop jay is jus tryin to be remembered by everybody
being lrical is far easier than making a classic record not a hit record but a classic record jay and other rappers have songs that will be gettin royalty cheque way beyond death cant say the say for nas
funny thing is if jay made hip hop is dead or untitled or relapse u guys would say he fallin off but if nas or em made bp3 it would be hailed album of the decade….jay ids being judged by different standards now so ppplz will always be 50/50 on his music……i think jay has the haardest task in hip hop pleasing mainstream and hip hop heads gimme another rapper thats in this dilemna
cosign @ DGtheEnigma
to add to your point regarding stats, lets not forget that Nas was offered the President roll at Atlantic Records (which would’ve made him TI’s boss) and he turned it down. He specifically said he didn’t wanna sit behind a desk and be a record label exec. It’s his choice to not be in your face 24/7, just like its Andre 3000’s choice to not be in your face all damn day. Everyone lives their lives how they want and fortunately for them they’ve done well enough in their careers that they have the option to turn down shit. If you all remember MTV’s Diary on Nas, he turned down an endorsement from Budweiser while taping the show. Meanwhile Jay went on to endorse Heineken. Again, everyone lives how they wanna live. Steve Stoute came in the game working with Nas and he’ll tell you all day that certain things don’t interest Nas, all he cares about is HIS music. The music he feels, not the music he made when he was 20 that you still want him to make at 36. Ask 50 Cent and he’ll tell you that when he was on the Nastradamus tour in 1999-2000, while niggas was out wildin after the shows, Nas would be reading books on wild shit that you later heard in his rhymes. Stay out his pockets and respect him for his music.
@pointgodkg
Nas is the one in that dilema, I wouldn’t say Jay is.
Woh,she is more fat.I think she can represent more rap music in the future .I should pray for her.
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