Nas Changes Controversial Album Title
A representative for Def Jam has confirmed to EW.com that hip-hop artist Nas has made an eleventh-hour decision to change the title of his new album from N—– to simply Nas. The Queens rapper sparked a heated debate last fall when he announced the provocative title for his upcoming ninth record, but last October, Island Def Jam Music Group chair Antonio “L.A.” Reid publicly denied widespread reports that label execs were uncomfortable with his decision.
I knew he wouldn’t go through with it. But you have to give the guy credit for knowing how to stir up media buzz for his upcoming album. Float it out there that you’re going to use the most offensive and controversial word in American culture as the title for your new album and – POW! – instant media frenzy!
While I understand why using that term as the title would have raised a few eyebrows – not to mention blood pressure – for many people, the idea was hardly original. Richard Pryor used the word in not once, not twice but three times in the title of his comedy albums during his career.
Controversy sells – plain and simple. Apparently even feigned controversy.
Filed under: Entertainment | Tagged: CD, controversy, Def Jam, hiphop, N---er, Nas, Richard Pryor
haha what? as if he won’t drop the N-bomb 40 times in the lyrics. People’s battles are weird. Well, it better live up to the hype.
nas is one of those dudes whose first album was so amazing (1993’s illmatic), that he basically knows he’ll never be able to top it. that happens a lot more in hip hop then other forms of music for some reason. but, he’s basically respected within that genre as the best in regard to skill. sales wise though, he’s behind all the dumb dumb bling bling jackasses, sadly. as far as the word and controversy, perhaps that was an attempt to put him on the same sales levels as a lil’ wayne or whoever the king of bling is. but, i don’t think it’s the same as pryor at all. that was a different time, and pryor’s overuse and in-your-face style makes this old hat, actually.
Ok, so if naming that wasn’t a stupid publicity stunt to begin with. And the “eleventh hour change” equally as dumb, this has to take the cake.
Oh, and Tim. You’ll be happy to know that his album God’s Son is currently in my workout mix.
god’s son is real good. unlike talib kweli, common or mos def, he’s a real contradiction of himself…like many mc’s. he can do an incredibly uplifting song like “i can” and then go right back to verifying his street cred on “made you look”. i suppose some positivity is better than none. but as far as just flat out “skillz” as the kidz say, nas is #1. though, this whole title thing is stupid indeed