Monday, October 15th, 2007
The N-Word
Posted by Bossip Staff
The title for Nas’ upcoming album might cause a stir. Via MTV:
On Friday night at New York’s Roseland Ballroom, Nas announced the title of his next album: He said it will be called Nigga and released in December. A source close to the project confirmed the name on Saturday.
Nigga is a very controversial title indeed, any thoughts??
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Topics: Nas
Is he going stupid?
What is he going to gain from doin it?
…attention
how the hell is ***** suddenly controversial when every damn rapper uses the word???? WTF!
I dont even know what to say. I guess if there was someone to do an album w/ such a title, it would be Nas. I’m actually at a loss for words on this one! smh
woooow.
This is quite possibly the most ignorant ***** I have ever heard.
Only a ignorant ***** would use it. But then again, what else is new now a days.
Would love to hear the good white folk ask for that album in the store….
That’s as bad as when Damon Wayens wanted to name a clothing line *****.
I usually dig Nas and I believe he is a true artist/lyricist – but he lost a couple of cool points with this *****….
GENIUS
Handkerchief Head Plantation Negros need to stop overreacting to a word that has no more power than you give it.
DenmarkVesey.Blogspot.com
Did anyone watch Kim Kardashian’s reality show last night….All I got to say is her lil sisters are a MIGHTY MESS that lil girl handled that pole like a seasoned professional!
***** Please!!!! LOL, I agree with Denmark, but let a white person call me a ***** I’m shutting ish down
I think that ***** ring Kelis made him put on has finally cut off his creative juices. I guess this is what happens when you start running out of ideas cause everything’s already been done over twice. Attention w*****.
Get him Oprah!
Nas come on now, I expected more from you.
wooooow. can;t you just imagine a bunch of uncomfortable whities trying to avoid saying the name of the cd? i can’t see that title making it to the final release. there will be pressure to alter it in some way. i smell al sharpton’s activator juice not too far from this situation…
I think he named the album this to get some contreovery because the title “Hip-Hop Is Dead” was cntroversial in Hip-Hop due to overly critical Hip-Hop fans…but this right here…I think he did it for a reason for people to talk about it and think about it..before we open up judgement we have to see how this works out
just like with the bill cosby stuff i don’t understand why people are so shocked. rappers and regular people use this demeaning word all the time but no one is boycotting that or getting in an uproar. it seems that people just want something to fuss about.
“think that ***** ring Kelis made him put on has finally cut off his creative juices. I guess this is what happens when you start running out of ideas cause everything’s already been done over twice. Attention w*****”
Smartie I agree, ever since Jay been w/ Bey & Nas wifed Kelis their stuff been WHACK & type corny!
Apparently there’s a shortage of words in the English language for him to choose from.
Okay Ppl…it is just a word….while i understand it has a lot of meaning and hate and power behind it, words are only as strong as you make them! So what if that’s the title of his new album…It is just a WORD
Traycee….
gives look as to what the hell is u doin???
i agree with whomever said we shouldn’t rush to judgment without hearing more about the project. perhaps the cd is meant to be some sort of commentary. who knows
I think is a political statement, and he is forcing people to confront the word. Can you imagine going to Best Buy and asking do you have the ***** CD.
Stupid idea of Nas…don’t care what the project is about…The title alone turns me off from even checking it out…I’ve lost some respect for him…even if he talks about how bad the word is…title is still stupid.
Bahama Mama
Okay Ppl…it is just a word….while i understand it has a lot of meaning and hate and power behind it, words are only as strong as you make them! So what if that’s the title of his new album…It is just a WORD
________________________________________________
That’s bogus. I dare you to walk up to your supervisor and call him a ***** or an *****hole and say “it’s just a word.”
This ***** must be crazy! He couldn’t figure out anything better than this. Everybody says it’s just a word until the KKK shows up at the concerts calling the brothas and sistas out. I continue to pray for my people.
SQUAD UP!
Nas said Hip Hop is dead, hope he is not trying to kill his career also.
This is not new. NWA tried it before and the album was call ELIF4ZAGGIN. NaS’ will probably end up being called AGGIN, or N!&&@. Or come in a slipcase cover that doesn’t show the word.
Do you think Al Sharpton will allow this to even happen.
LOl! This is funny! Look at all these people, “..I’ve lost all respect for him now!!” Huff, puff, puff… But yet still you and I use the word in our dialect as a term of endearemnt..
So how stupid is it that now people are like, “I dont like him any more” but everytime a white person says we use it too much we say because it’s a black thing, showing love, etc…
Ya’ll are funny man – THINK before you talk or type. I say ***** ALL day and no one has ever been like, “man – I’ve lost all respect for you…” that’s because we’ve chosen to make it common.
So I say you reap what you sew. If we like the word ***** so much, ***** this and ***** that then bring on the album name!
I hope it doesnt even have a picture of him on the cover – I hope it’s just the big ***** all over the front in bold yellow letters againt a black background! Lol!
Some of you guys are funny/young man…
Anyway – Nas usually has more enriched lyrics than say a Souljah Boy or say a Hurrican Chris so as far as I’m concerned – i’d rather buy the ***** album!
Real talk my *****’s! Hahahaha!
ahhahhahhahh lawd bmama where you @????
words carry a lot of meaning.
So I must agree with And….
I would love for brothers/sisters to call themselves and eachother some other word a little more loving than what has been adopted.
But in defense I need to hear the content before I can give an opinion, it may just be a Political/Statement/Motive….
Still I’ve never been fond of the word. You should hear the use of it on New York Subways in such general conversation, quite sad …
lol this it 2 crazy! I actually kinda like Nas!But I cant believe he would stoop so low! @ Aphatty ur right! i can just imagine sum white boy working at a music store sayin,”hey dude u wanna check out that ***** Cd” ugh Nas what the f r u thinking???? be serious! cuz that aint funny!!!!
He gets an A+ for shock value. I thought him of all people could be a little more creative. NAS IS THE BAMA OF THE WEEK! WEEK! WEEK! WEEK! Big up JENA6 FREE MICHAEL BELL!
SQUAD UP!
^^^^^^^
nas has been saying ***** , for the longest time . I just hope we will bring the def lyrics . Not like his last album which was commercial .
that one sonb by nwa , still gives me chills . everything they said was right on .
I will not support an album with that title. Nas is an ignorant fool. He’s only helping to perpetuate stereotypes about blacks.
AND…
Bahama Mama
Okay Ppl…it is just a word….while i understand it has a lot of meaning and hate and power behind it, words are only as strong as you make them! So what if that’s the title of his new album…It is just a WORD
________________________________________________
That’s bogus. I dare you to walk up to your supervisor and call him a ***** or an *****hole and say “it’s just a word.”
Well, see that wouldn’t happen cuz there is a time and a place for everything. but obviously your mother neva told u the saying about stick and stones…But it’s not bogus, it’s truth.Words only have meanings, while said in the wrong way at the wrong time can be hurtful, that’s only if u let it.THAT IS WHAT IS BOGUS, LETTING SOME WORD AFFECT THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE.
this is ridiculous!!! this shows you some rappers will stop at nothing to create controversy and sell records. I love Nas but if that is the title of his new album i will not buy it.
OH, LORD…I CAN HEAR MR. O’REILLY ALL READY….
I guess it’s a good way to create some buzz around the album but I don’t think it will increase record sales.
I’m interested in who the record execs are and how much of this they are supporting. Many of us understand that controversy sales, but a what cost will these so called rap artist are willing to pay for the almighty dollar. Keep it real, no one wants to be called anything derogatory, but we accept it and embrace it because we don’t know how to fight back. The power is in the money. Black people don’t have nothing. If we had to go one month purchasing goods and services from blacks, we would not have gas for our cars, could not go to the grocery store, nor to any major mall in our communities. All we desire is bling, we are lost race caught up into things and not principles.
Before everyone comes down on Nas. ***** Gregory had a book called that back in the 70’s
“THAT IS WHAT IS BOGUS, LETTING SOME WORD AFFECT THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE”
That arguement works for adults but how about thinking of how a 4.5.6.7.8.9.10 year old hears the word.
Just as it’s used in fun the word is also used when one is killing the other, it’s hard to believe that children in such age ranges understand to decipher the meaning at different times.
It’s not an overall good look.
If people just used it around there friends in their homes, that’s one thing but people have NOT deciphered when & where to use the word.
What’s the damned difference? ***** is used widespread in rap lyrics and everywhere else.
We got much bigger battles to fight.
http://www.theblackactor.com/
@Bahama Mama
That’s right try to clean it up. Words have meaning that’s why we have dictionaries and encyclopedias. Yes there is a time and a place for everything but don’t come in here saying it’s just a word b/c it’s more than that.
I That word just screams out ignorant project to me. I refuse to wait and see what the project is about. Nas lost points with me when he did that ‘Hate me Now’ song with Puffy. How is Jesus hate?
haha, NAS is a genious!!!! He wants a debate people! The N-word is cool to hear 100000 gazillions times everyday on the radio from black artists, so why is it a problem when it comes to using the word for an album title? Same reason people should not use the word in the first place?
{waiting at the bossip, honeycomb bus stop}
Ahem.
So all the non-minorities that buy the album will go in and request *****? Thanks, Nas. Kill yourself now.
Nah it’s appropiate for the times that we live in now. People are still running around acting like *****s. Buying the kind of jewelry that will only depreciate in value over the years, putting rims on cars that will have no valuable trade in cost, exploiting the ethnic women on videos, wearing their pants down to their ankles, slang is good once in while, most rappers can’t get through an interview though without sounding like buckwheat, doing the jig/mr. bojangles dance for corporate America, turning on each other over record sales, giving back to the community with the tired rhetoric of basketball tournaments which perpetuates the stereotypes of us just being throughbreds, the list is endless…..so I say the title is appropiate, and I’m sure coming from Nas, his reason is justified. Is it for attention, at first glance I’m sure….but Like Lauryn hill once said,,,,I’ll add a ***** f***a so you ig’nant *****s here me. If that is what’s needed to get the attention of the loss m*****es then go ahead, as long as the message is for the upliftment of the people.
I agree there is a time and place for everything, and while I may drop the word from time to time, Nas, honey, this ain’t the PLACE OR TIME. He is giving ammunition to anyone who WANTS to say the word but don’t. Now they will have a context to use it in.
I can see all those dumb ***** white kids who are mocking the Jena 6 issue talkin’ about – “did you get that Niggga?” “That ***** CD is tight”. They are laughing at us and Nas is giving them fodder.
will the K-mart version be titled N-word?
Nas announced the *****le of his new album at the Roseland Ballroom. Thas’s where Malcomb X was *****asinated. Thanks a lot Nas.
@ Rah
Well said.
NO AND…
it is just a WORD. You don’t have to tell me the meaning and the hate behind that word cuz i know it better than most!It’s one of the most feared and known words in the world.But words are what you make of them, and how much power you put behind them! It is my opinion, and I believe i’m entitled to it.
SO THAT IS ALL
THANK YOU
I AM DONE WITH YOU
So he’s calling the album “*****” and dropping it at Christmas.
***** under the Christmas tree?
***** in your Christmas stocking?
That doesn’t even sound right. Since the savior is probably a person of color, this album dropping at Christmas is even more wrong.
Nas, what are you thinking???
{waiting at the bossip, honeycomb bus stop}
Ahem.
ohhh sorry missy….
busstop…..wyclef 2….scary i kno but it’ll be okay
To aphatty
Though I understand what you are saying, your screen name is Aphatty which in our terms mean a fat azz, so at the same time, you help the stereoypes too, no disrespect, but it’s sounds hypocritical
@ Bahama Mama
I think I’ll repost elle’s comment. It trumps yours the best.
““THAT IS WHAT IS BOGUS, LETTING SOME WORD AFFECT THE WAY YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE”
That arguement works for adults but how about thinking of how a 4.5.6.7.8.9.10 year old hears the word.
Just as it’s used in fun the word is also used when one is killing the other, it’s hard to believe that children in such age ranges understand to decipher the meaning at different times.
It’s not an overall good look.
If people just used it around there friends in their homes, that’s one thing but people have NOT deciphered when & where to use the word.”
Please stop with the “your mama must not have taught you…and I’m entitled to my opinion… crap. I have not taken away your opinion or your right to express it nor did I say that your opinion was wrong… duh, it’s an opinion. This is a forum for discussion. If you can’t do that without getting so upset behind WORDS then stop commenting.
Free speech and expression is one of the reasons America is great.
If you don’t like the album title, you don’t have to buy it.
Cool, eh?
I’m sure JUS ANOTHER OPINION will be in here posting a comment to increase it’s frequent hater miles.
Come on Nas. Your real fans expect more!
Oh sweety i am not upset,I just said i was done with u, but I like to have the last WORD SOOO…i didn’t respond to ELLE’s comment because she was right, but if parents do a better job of raising their children and teaching them right from wrong and how to use words, then we wouldn’t be in this predicament we are in now.And i neva said you said my opinion was wrong but you are attacking me and my opinion so that is why i said i believe i’m entitled to it.SO before u come at me again Hon, read what i write carefully.THANKS
True dat Bahama Mama parents are key in raising their children and teaching them right from wrong but let’s laugh half of those fools use the word also….lol…
peace
Hip Hop is Dead
Gotcha elle!!!
Actually Rah – my name means a fat blunt – but thanks.
As a person in my 30’s with young kids, I choose not to use the word, around them especially. Now in the privacy of my bedroom with my husband, and if the conversation alludes to ignorant people, then I may use the word in reference. The point is this, the word is negative, and a put down. It sets us back too many years, and for the older generations, that experienced the word being used toward them on a daily basis, it is painful. Just expand our vocabularies, and find something upbuilding, empowering, and positive to use when we speak of ourselves and others. I don’t care how much we try to say the word has a different meaning when we use it, it all sounds and means the same to white people.
@Rah
Come to think of it – what is wrong or sterotypical about having a big butt if in fact that IS what I meant? You’re reaching now….
All this discontent over a CD when (activist/comedian) ***** Gregory titled his autobiography “*****” in 1964. I have a suspicion that’s the direction Nas is going in.
It’s a powerful word and it makes people uncomfortable. Sure people say it on records all the time but it’s almost hidden. Those who don’t like it can easily byp***** it–now it’s in their face. Forcing them to deal with it.
Most white people adopt the attitude that racism is dead (much like hiphop) even though they they readily embrace the stereotypes that go hand in hand with oppression. I’d rather we talk about ***** as opposed to Rap. That way we’re talking about a term they created and used for hate as opposed to the derogatory images we’ve been promoting in our music.
Someone tell the NAACP someone done dug up the grave.
I feel him–Let’s keep it in the dialogue or else we lose historical importance of the origin. I t is goof for dicourse–imagine if the word holocaust was banned.
Nas Is very smart, He knows this will get people talking. And stir up conversation.
nas is a DUMB*****!!!
Oops, I need to spell check
Good for discourse, imagine if holocaust was a forbidden word. Would you know much about what it was?
First he marries Kelis, then they do a reality show, now he’s going to name his next release ‘*****’. Anything for attention, he’s missed the glare of the spotlight. Too bad he’s doing some of the very things he said he’d never do. He’s really changed his image over the past few years, and really isn’t as relevant. Sad.
Im so tired of the use of the N word. Yes, every rapper uses it, but it doesn’t make it right. I picture our ancestors turning over in there grave every time they hear it used so cavalierly. They died over this word. Yet its so ‘cool’. I’m disappointed in Nas. Of course he’ll have some sort of ‘artistic’ excuse for it. But damn..Its so played…
wooow OH god!! my full gallery!!
http://www.mactanque.com/
Nas is very smart, and he knows this will get people talking. that’s why he did it.
***** GREGORY WROTE A BOOK CALLED “*****”
http://WWW.MY*****E.COM/THAGRINDAHOLIC
NEW UNDERGROUND HEATER “LATER 4 U”
If this is what he considers himself, maybe it is a self name title.
This just gives white people one more reason to want to use the word and now feel like they have a valid reason…why Nas? why?… He said HipHop is dead, well he has just killed it again!
well when you’ve lost all creativity, it’s either sell sex or go for cheap gimmicks.
Grow up Nas your like 36 yrs old. Stop giving these craKKKas ammunition to prove ignorance is running rampart in our culture.
@ Bahama Mama
I took your advise and re-read the posts. I never attacked you or your opinion unlike your comment on what my mother must have taught me. I simply addressed your statement. Everybody knows that you have the right to your opinion and to express it so why you feel the need to say “It is my opinion, and I believe i’m entitled to it” is redundant.
@DDub
You mean the National *****ociation for the Advancement of COLORED People.
Nas do your thing! He got yall debating the last Cd and I see he got yall dumb *****es debating again……about a word that yall *****es use all day everyday. It has no power unless you give it power……..which I see half of yall have given it! This generation of Black people now are going ro destroy us! SAD BUT SO TRUE!
@IAMSOMEBODY
“Good for discourse, imagine if holocaust was a forbidden word. Would you know much about what it was?”
I agree. The holocaust is however taught in schools. The N-word is not.
I must agree w/ DDub on this.
W/ this debate going on now, Nas knows exactly what he’s doing.
A radical poet from the ’60’s used n*gger all the time in prose. Haki Madhubuti is his name.
It makes people think and use all sides of the brain.
that is all.
It’s time for the re-induction of Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teacher, X-Clan even some Dead Prez. Teach kids why rap was conceived. Peace to all the gods and earths.
Why didnt Don Imus get the “its free speech”, “sticks and stones” and “its just a word” p*****? If words dont really hurt, why the uproar then?
If a white artist titled his album “*****” or “*****s” would we care?
Ponder People.
Don’t forget Goodie Mob…
God is every Man of Blackness.
*singing*
those were the days.
Nas doesn’t know what he’s doing. He thinks he does, but he doesn’t. He is trying to make money of a polished derogatory term that was adapted into the hip hop lingo. How would you feel as a black person, hearing teenage Caucasian boys say, yeah, i just got that ***** album? Lets be serious now;I do not call that smart, I call that desperation and out of luck, as well as washed up. This is what most people have to do to sell records these days. Please don’t misconstrue that for creativity, that’s stupidity.Lets not condone the wrongs of this idiot that is trying to make a capital from the sweat blood and tears from a word that has an extensive history in America. The fact of the matter is, Nas is washed up and is no longer a significant MC in hip hop. He has been in the game for over a decade and has nothing to show for it besides one good album.
Bronx Brawler
Grow up Nas your like 36 yrs old. Stop giving these craKKKas ammunition to prove ignorance is running rampart in our culture.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THANNNNK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS SO *****ING IGNORANT.
well what do expect from someone who only sees dollas. he doesn’t read or care about the negative connotations andhow people died because of being that name slang or not he’s an idiot. and likes being exploited by white people who make more off him than he’ll ever see and would never invite the ***** to dinner. his attention he seeks is too reinforce his puppetness. he didn’t come with this on his own. they planted the seed and steppin fetchit, licked *****.
If Nas isn’t significant in Hip Hop, who is?
Hip-Hop wise-***** nas has fallen off, Now he just tries to be controversal in all he does, He needs the attenton, it just might help him sell 5 0r 6 more records. I swear the more these East coast rappers try the more they make themselves irrelievent. HE tries to come with this KNOWLEDGE ***** but he can’t wear that suit THIS ***** PLAYS HIMSELF TO MUCH…YOU FELL OFF KNOW FALL BACK -YOU “JOKE”
Nas is everything to HIP HOP(whateverthatis…)Down south we listen to rap-it’s not a way of life with us it’s just MUSIC bottom line… these EAST COAST RAPPERS SAY HIP-HOP IS DEAD HELL THEY KILLED IT.
Nas is a lyricist. Hands Down. ***** is not an issue any longer, it’s just like any other word. People pretend like they don’t use it, like they don’t say it in thier cars when they’re on the freeway. Truth is we can’t stand anyone, black white, or mongoloid. Race is so, uhh, a yestarday’s topic. I’ll be proud of the album, becuase the content is to be heard probably by his people. And if you’re not his ***** then go start a rally or something.
***** is an issue man. When Don Imus’ punk ***** called those girls nappy headed hoes we all got *****ed but there are rappers saying that ***** all the time. Now Nas is gonna title an album *****. It’s easy to say that its our word so it’s okay, but it’s not okay. We look like buffoons.
creative. illmatic will always be his best.
2 Limelight
Thank you.
Whoever said that comment about “***** under the Christmas tree and in your Christmas stocking” you made me laugh so hard. But you had an excellent point. I am so tired of this word, and as a teacher, I’m constantly staying on these kids to stop using that word and realize what it really means. It’s not a term of endearment and I wish people would quit treating it as such.
Agrees 1000% with Limelight
He is what’s keepinh hip hop alive unlike this bull***** thats out now. i support him even though he is weird at times. but whatever. let the man do him!
Really are you for real. There is nothing else to be sad. Don’t be surprised if you are at work and someone calls you that and don’t get in trouble for it. Because we have told them it’s okay you can call me that again to my face.
Wait a minute…y’all know he said the same thing about the LAST CD?
It went from “*****” to “the N” to “Hip Hop is Dead…The N”
Nas is my favorite lyricist, hands down. But really…it didn’t come to fruition last time, so I’m not totally expecting it to this time.
LMAO @ NOT YOU
“***** in your Christmas stocking?…That doesn’t sound right.”
Aight, you made my day.
c’mon Nas.
Is this really ignorant or smart?
I mean the name of political activist/comedian ***** Gregory’s autobiography is named, “*****”. And that was from the late 1960’s. But there was a purpose as to why he named it that.
And kinda think this is where Nas may be going with this. At least I hope.
I read the article he didn’t say that he was going to name his album “*****” he was going to use that title before “Hip-Hop Is Dead”..people read the entire article before judegemnts;-)
oh yeah naming this album “*****” is a smart marketing strategy because it got people talking and we don’t even know his motivation for naming it.lol…he’s wrong for naming an album “*****” but some of y’all was in defense for TI breaking the law and claiming it to be racial?..wow
I am sure Nas has a good reason for using the word ***** for his album title. We all know that Nas is a very intelligent young man (even if he is married to Kalise) and he is a lyrical genious in my eyes. I am not offended nor do I think it is a wrong choice. He probably did it so more people will buy his album and see just what point he is trying to make.
GO AHEAD NAS….Ur true supporters will be there to cop that *****…..
its amazing….some people will sell their souls just to sell an album or make money that they will spend on ridiculous things. People who support this album and this title have no right to complain when people call them this ***** word. To all those people that keep saying “yall” use this word all the time…check again cause I have respect for myself and wouldn’t call myself or others this stupid word that people like to call an expression. Very stupid
My fellow black people, do you have at least a modi***** of intelligence? Don’t you think the title of his album “*****” is supposed to make you THINK! So then THINK and don’t be ignorant. THINK and then ACT!
My thoughts exactly, Ro Ro.
As much as I used to diagree with those who have said that the word ***** AKA ***** has been reclaimed by Black folks as an endearing term (see “Sucka *****” by Tribe Called Quest), I think that we do need to reclaim it from all those who choose to use the term but know they should not use it (wiggers, Asian b-boys, etc). Nas is an intelligent cat and lyricist. He is definitely naming his album “*****” to likely force those who should not say it to reexamine their use of it, as well as large retailers (Kmart, WalMart, etc) who may be forced to stock it, if the hip hop buying public (White folks) demand it.
In other words, I’m all for it.
I am a nas fan, and I am at lost for words. LOL at shay, you aint near by lying, them white folks can’t wait for the album to come out just so they can ask for. I can hear them now (in my white voice), hey can I have the n****r album by the one black guy.
@KDogg
Because Don Imus is 100 years old and should knows better. And then he turned around and tried to blame it on Hip Hop as if he listens to rap and the “Black Leadership” and others feel for it. I know people who are Jewish and they make jokes about other Jewish people but that doesn’t give me permission to do the same.
this dude is boring as hell and full of gimmicks…
*****s aint gonna work like hip hop is dead.
hes flopping hard.
More wood for the fire.
As usual *****ody gets it. Just like when everybody heard his last album was named “Hip Hop Is Dead”. That was a good album whether it was a commercial success or not. People are so quick to judge.Maybe it’s a acronym or something. All I know is I’ll wait and see before I p***** judgment.
Well, Nas did drop out of school in the 9th grade….
Weezy Said:
I think is a political statement, and he is forcing people to confront the word. Can you imagine going to Best Buy and asking do you have the ***** CD.
^^^ I Agree. Nas is a one of Hip Hop’s most grounded and smartest. He know’s exactly what he is doing naming his album such. Controversy is what he is trying to stir and is probably using it to open the eyes of the people inside the black community that contribute to the use of such a word. In my opinion, he’s bringing light onto a subject that is not of popular discussion.
There are many who beleive that word is okay to use amongst blacks, and not okay for outside races. In Hip-Hop the word is thrown in songs that have a large listening base. White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic, young and old sing along to many of the songs we listen to… so if they’re said and repeated in songs, why not an album title? The same people that sing along to the word “*****”, will be buying the album.
He’s stirring up controversy alright, and not being biscreet to a widely discussed subject, that is such a problem.
The people on the site getting offended should know better from Nas. If your a fan of his music, you would know to wait and listen to how he’s going to creatively use this album to shed light. Now, if another rapper, or artist such as lil Jon, or Unk… anybody that has no type of lyrical content in their music were to name there album this… THAT is something that you can jump into heavy argument with and automatically feel offended with.
Now, I am not black, but do know what a problem that word is and how it should not be tolerated. Just like Hispanics are called, beaners, wetback, cerrotes… etc. It’s not acceptable. And definately nothing we should be doing to tear each other down as a people.
WELL i can say this to say this mofu is supposedly a well read brother, if you think about it.
It’s pretty ingenious on his part get people talking people are going to buy it to see what it’s about.See the problem with Nas his ***** goes over a lot people heads
they don’t get it are the don’t like the political ***** i’m not buying that ***** i don’t ***** what he call it
***** wrote
“My fellow black people, do you have at least a modi***** of intelligence? Don’t you think the title of his album “*****” is supposed to make you THINK! So then THINK and don’t be ignorant. THINK and then ACT!”
WHEN WILL YOU MOTHER*****ERS QUIT JUDGING AND THINK?!?
The title is BRILLIANT: how else can you make white folks uncomfortable and expose house-*****s at the same time?
***** TOKEN NEGROES- Ophras, Puffy, Blood diamond Russ’ are among the richest celebrities, but are no where near the richest people in America. Considering #20 on the list for richest people is around 16-17 billion, I ‘d have to say the folks I mentioned above are well,…”*****-rich.”(And compared to them I aint even hood rich)So when you hear people talk about “succesful blacks” and how far we’ve come, don’t be fooled- we still have loved ones still down in the trenches. Does’nt everybody got at least one family member on crack?(Keep it real)
Question: If Nas is now making us look so bad, how were we being looked at before?
People around the globe laugh at us because despite all this opportunity we have here, we’re separated by the willie lynch mentality that encourages us to attack our own, before banding together to effectively confront our collective problems. This mentality is pervasive in all levels of black society from Cosby’s and Oprhas on down- remember Ophra don’t rock with the ghetto kids because “all they want is ipods and nikes.”
To loosley quote the late great Mr.Shakur: “..Until the greatest of us get it together with the least of us, we are all still some *****s…”
Hooray to the brother NAS for having the ***** to start the debate….
Later *****s
For every step we try to take forward, some fool pulls us back 100. I’m a Nas fan but I will not buy this crap!!!
Listen, God Damnit!!!! I don’t a *****, White People don’t get to use the “N” word or say anything like that about us I don’t care what words we use on each
other! when i saw this tread I just knew one of you Tom *****s would start crying for Bill or Don Imus get the ***** outta here, with Bull*****, also NAS has earned the benefit of the doubt,if you know NAS then you know it’s not just a pointless title for a song or Album.
PUBLICITY STUNT (CONTROVERSY SELLS)
Hey RAH..r u from Baltimaore..and do you have a brotha named Amen? If so, w*****up “supaman” long time huh….
am i the only one that feels this is a case of do as i say, not as i do. if we expect others not to call us by derogatory words, then why do we call ourselves that…
@day
I agree. I think that’s exactly his point, and his way of presenting the argument.
This is powerful! Yes its controversial and its Nas…people are so outraged by this album title when they are the same ones who are saying “***** this/that” or listening to songs with the word all the time—now thats it out there in the open people want outrage…I will buy and listen!
GENIUS
Handkerchief Head Plantation Negros need to stop overreacting to a word that has no more power than you give it.
DenmarkVesey.Blogspot.com
100% co sign
Whites used to use it as a way of calling Blacks “Piece of *****” or “sub-human creature” so by Blacks using it on each other is just helping the Whites destroy the Black race.
Also if a White person decides he wants to use it, what are you really going to do hit him, and then the Police shoots you or jails you and he walks away laughing at you.
Remember in this country money and majority is power, Whites decides where they will allow Blacks to live and how many Blacks to employ, a lot of us still have White overlords/bosses.
To “*****x4 Please” and the rest who are swarming to Nas’ defense, is he REALLY that deep?? I’m not sure if this is a political statement or posturing for sales, but we won’t know until he speaks about it himself or we hear the content to see if there is a point to the title. There are books with that title, but it is relevant to the CONTENT. Is he making a declaration of how he sees himself? Will the music prove him right? Will his actions be the final nail in the coffin of this ugly word? I guess we’ll see soon enough.
And to the dumb***** who said that we call each other this word so why get upset, please speak for yourself because I do NOT call my friends/family that name as a “term of endearment”! There ain’t ***** endearing about that word, I don’t care HOW you spell it!
I’m still buying it, *****. I will support him regardless of the “*****” title or not. It’s not the greatest idea…but who gives a f*%&? This is a crazy world we live in. I know he will have some real lyrical content to back it up. I love him.
Oh yeah…DAMN he looking good up there in that pic!!!!!!!!
@ richie
Considering songs like “Black Zombies”..”I know I can”(the song encouraging kids)…”Thugz mansion”..Yeah I’d say he was that deep…or at least conscious.
who cares, nas is a bamma and his music is wack. when was da last time he had a hit record? he talk about hip hop is dead.. he’s dead lmao.. da nerve of dat *****
Just to be fair let the man’s words speak for himself…
http://music.yahoo.com/Nas/Black-Zombie/lyrics/23070070
This is N-N-O-O-O-O-O-O joke–
I just listened to the words of a song that went something like this (please correct me if I’m wrong)
“I got ma drank and ma two-step”…
It repeated this several times then mentioned something about Patron.
In all honesty, I’ve subconsciously listened to it in the past. However, for some reason I paid close attention to it today and my question is…
WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT SH*T ABOUT?
WHERE IS THE SUBSTANCE IN HIP-HOP MUSIC TODAY?
IS THAT WHAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY DANCING TO IN THE CLUBS?
LMAO and SMDH!!!!
This is SO STUPID!!! This will give white people a thrill to say did you get the &*%$# Album. NAS you are IGNORANT!!!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!! “Black Zombies” is my *****!!!!!! “We just copycats following the system”
LOL..ANOTHER GIMMICK INSTEAD OF A SOLID ALBUM. HERE IS NAS PROBLEM SINCE I AM A NAS FAN….
STAY AWAY FROM JAY-Z!!! THESE DUDES ARE REALLY SHOWING THEIR AGE WITH THIS STREET-CRIMINAL ORGANIZED INTELLECT BULL*****. THEY ARE OUT OF TOUCH AND ALMOST 40. NOTHING BEING WRONG WITH 40..BUT MAN GET OUT OF THE GAME AND LET THESE NEW DUDES IN! JESUS CHRIST..JUST GO SOMEWHERE AND DISAPPEAR
ITS HARD 2 get attention these days….. >>>>>>>>
4xN Please,
The problem that I have with Nas (and most rappers) is that they put out tracks like the one you cited, but they continuously call each other *****z and ho’s, in their lyrics. So how “deep and serious” could they possibly be?
thats pretty dayum sad. he’s doing any and everything to sell some records, when all he’s really doing is guaranteeing that he’ll be banned from from performing at more arenas…. and isnt that how rappers REALLY make thier money? STUPID!!
I don’t know why people expect anything with sense from rappers. They are not the thinkers of this world. This dumb n**** is making it hard for the rest of us who don’t have millions of dollars but he doesn’t care. It will be regular black people that have to go to work and endure the affects of this stupid mess. Be real people, that mess is ignorant and makes it difficult to determine if a white person is calling you that out of “friendship” or because they hate your rump. But lets keep owning the word. That word has more negative meaning than any other racial slur because it had action behind it. Other racial slurs are just that…a slur but “n***a, n***er,n***az” was what was used when people were hung and castrated, and to keep a whole group of people submissive…so it was more than a word. “Cannot” and “can’t” mean the same thing. This doof is looking out for self and self only…my two cents.
UM HELLO?? it is controversiall and gonna create a mess beacuse white peoplewill take advantage of this
“Hi do u still have any copies of ***** in this store”
MANNN i really wish u guys still had ***** in stalk
YOU STUPID **********AS…BE PATIENT AND LET THE MAN EXPLAIN WHAT THE ***** HE INTENDS TO DO WITH IT! SO READY TO HATE AND LOST IN THE DAMN SAUCE!
DIDN’T THE GREAT ***** GREGORY WRITE A BOOK WITH THE SAME TITLE?
Maybe its along those lines, you uneducated *****s.
I heard NBC has a show coming on mid-season called…
‘THE ***** CHRONICLES’.
Then again, I might be lying.
>;)
I LOVE THE NAME OF THE ALBUM. THAT’S RIGHT NAS, DON’T LET THESE WHITE FOLKS AND IGNORANT AS BLACKS TELL YOU WHAT TO CALL YOURSELF OR YOUR ALBUM. YOU’RE A GROWN ***** MAN!!!
richie wrote
“The problem that I have with Nas (and most rappers) is that they put out tracks like the one you cited, but they continuously call each other *****z and ho’s, in their lyrics. So how “deep and serious” could they possibly be?”
And how many of us on this blog have admitted to using the ‘n-word’ regularly?
We can all be as ig’nant as we wanna be, but can we all be as intelligent as we can be?
Only truly uppity *****s claim they never use the word. *****ody’s perfect..remember Malcolm, Martin, ***** Gregory,Sharpton…? Them *****s said ‘*****’. Blacks should scream “*****” everytime we get a chance until we get our ***** straight, just to reminds ourselves of what some folks wanted us to be.
They still call us *****s till this day, and blacks are like forget slavery…wtf? The same ones who called us *****s in the 60’s and were against segragation, are the same one serving in CONGRESS today. So ***** yeah, I’m gonna yell “*****” to any motha*****a that feels uncomfortable hearing the word- so hopefully we don’t forget all we been through, but most importantly what we’re still up against today.
Now its time for our musical selection:”Dont rust them *****s over there” sung by that tom-***** ***** from the Boondocks….
Peace *****S
Common people… this is Nas… I am a huge Nas fan.. and I think there is a reason behind this… although I was there Friday night at Roseland.. and he sure as hell uses the word alot!!! Then again – these days who doesnt??? =/
aww nas is so cute
How does yelling n***a help anything? Why can’t white people be n***as now? What about Chinese people? Why do black people feel like they own this word? 9 times out of ten, the people I see using that word can hardly use any other word and you never hear them say anything positive just “n**** this and n**** that”. It isn’t about feeling uncomfortable, I just don’t get why we have to own that word. Like I said, it seems that n***a often times is the only word they have mastered. Its people that can “sho nuff” use n**** and mf but can’t add two and two and that is why I don’t understand why promote this but hey I’m just a black women that will have to deal with white people calling me that at work under the “disguise” of being friendly.
Nas is more likely up to his brilliant spittin’ in this work. I must give him the benefit of the doubt on this one. The album name is not the biggest issue of the day. The biggest problem is the collective behavior of blacks within the political economy. We are just giving up our power in all realms of life like hoes on prom night. Forget about the perceived evils of America in general. The biggest threat hanging over our heads right now is a noose with small red, black, and green tag on the top which reads: Made in African-America. To paraphrase the old evil/wise one, “never disturb your enemy while he is busy killing himself.” That is why *****ody, but a few amongst us is coming to our rescue. The America way is “every group for itself,” but we in our MLK induced integrationist-minded state play the American game according to stated rules rather than according to the actual rules. Dang!
gimmicks are for people with no talent.nas knows what sells,he has yet to comform to what *****s want him to say.nas doesn’t need to use gimicks unless he hard up for money.he is married now and being married clouds your judgement.the new album is his greatest hits not greatest songs.no take it in blood,no who’s world is this??
This isn’t a painting in some gallery or an intellectually stimulating book. This is an album that better be extremely political and completely non-commercial; if not it’s sad, stupid and ironically miseducated. I’m 33, Male, of African decent, immersed & raised in hip hop culture. I respect the creative rights of any artist but if this is publicity at the expense of a younger generation who could benefit from a different message, I’m done with NAS. While he can call his album what he likes, I hope younger hip hop fans continue voicing their concerns. Additionally, I hope he doesn’t see this as some “consciences” empowering sh*t. This may be worse than calling yourself Escobar, or better yet any of those Italian mob luminaries. I hope most of you know what they think of us; if not just listen to some of the morning radio shows. I heard some very interesting comments about Denzel Washington’s upcoming “American Gangster”.
One would think that as our more polished rappers mature the content and lyrics would also mature and topics would continue to expand. I’m not sure what the content on this album will be, perhaps it’s a slave narrative…surely it must be. If not, in my opinion the title is a deliberate slap in the face of our elders. Many of whom have previously voiced their concerns about using words that defamed our ancestors for financial gain. It also defames those who died during slavery and more recently during the civil rights movement; too often to the chat of “N*gger”. While many of us may use this word in our inner circles and some may still use in songs; congratulations NAS you trumped us all. Spell it however you choose but don’t forget our elders and ancestors; cause as you may have noticed it appears to be open season in 2007(Vick, M. Jones, Bonds, OJ again, T.I….) stay tuned, the list seems to be expanding everyday.
This only proves that in hip hop the cream doesn’t necessarily rise but sh*t certainly floats. So go ahead call it “*****” and empower us all by giving us the freedom to walk in Best Buy and ask the teller for the new NAS album to which she can reply “What *****?”
The Black race can’t afford you no more!
No Love
4xnP,
I am not speaking for anyone on this blog except for myself. I never made any claims that I never used the word in my lifetime. I have used it as a negative description of hoods and criminals. My parents did it and I picked up that bad habit. I have since stopped doing that. Does that make me “uppity” or more respectful of my race? Neither me or my parents have ever used the word as a regular greeting or term of endearment. Yes, I am sure that our greatest Black leaders have uttered the word at some point in their lives, but that is NOT a valid justification to continue it’s use. That’s a wack argument. There are plenty of things that we have done in our past that we would no longer do. It’s called PROGRESS! But if your argument is to have any relevance, then why don’t we make it complete and go back to calling white men “m*****ah”? You can greet every white man on the street “hey what’s up m*****ah? You could even throw in a bow and shuffle, and look down at the ground when a white woman p*****es by. But you wouldn’t do THAT, would you? No, cuz THAT would be degrading!But for some reason, you have it set in your mind that we must OWN a word that we did NOT create in the first place. I don’t WANT to own it! I’d rather own some LAND! The word has no enrichment value to it whatsoever. There are no positive images attached to it that could possibly inspire our youth by it’s daily usage. It’s the HISTORY of the word that will inspire and strengthen them to rise above it. Using it keeps them anc*****d down. Screaming the word will NOT remind us of “what some people want us to be”, it will confirm their opinions of what we are.
Apparently sporting a handkerchief wrote
“This only proves that in hip hop the cream doesn’t necessarily rise but sh*t certainly floats. So go ahead call it “*****” and empower us all by giving us the freedom to walk in Best Buy and ask the teller for the new NAS album to which she can reply “What *****?”
Good one- you made some good points, but music can be intelllectual art just as well as if not better than a painting or a book. And if this is the Nas I’ve watched over the years, he won’t disappoint.
Its funny how every one says it a slap in the face of our ancestors- most blacks don’t know who they’re ancestors are- and our elders are the ones who used the word around us to the point that we picked it up in the first place.
http://music.yahoo.com/Nas/Black-Zombie/lyrics/23070070
nas ain’t been right since he started to kiss jay-z ***** after ether all i know ther are alot of sucka ***** *****s in the industry and i can see why hip hop would come to and end nas would be a major reason
richie wrote: “I have used it as a negative description of hoods and criminals. My parents did it and I picked up that bad habit.”
Besides the fact thats sound like some willie lynch ***** right there, I want to know if you can understand how uneducated folks who are not as far in their progression as yourself, can still use the word today? Yeah, they too get it from up top- call it trickle down ignorance. My point is that I’m not going to talk down about, or prejudge as ignorant, balck folks who still use the word. Its quite audacious to to expect someone quit a behavior that you youself have indulged in, simply beacuse you’ve become enlightened.
richie also wrote:”There are no positive images attached to it that could possibly inspire our youth by it’s daily usage. It’s the HISTORY of the word that will inspire and strengthen them to rise above it.”
How do you suggest we discuss the history of the word, without the word itself?
Words only have power over you, if you allow them too. If someone yells ‘hey *****’ on the street, would you turn around? I hope not.
Just because something is intended for one type use, does’nt mean it cant be altered and utilized for another purpose. Like clothes hangers used as rabbit ears, or ovens used to heat an apt.
Point is, make the word a tool, dont let it be the original tool it was intended to be: the one keeping us dumbed down, bickering and divided.
Peace *****s!
Sorry 4NP but I disagree. We are not talking about “uneducated (Black) folks”. The people who are using this word are educated. The rappers, the children, the adults. They are educated. Ask just about any Black person where the word came from and I’ll bet that they will at LEAST say “slavery”. They know the nature of the word but choose to ignore it because Black society in general has accepted it into their vernacular. And the time has come to change that. So WHAT if it has been a part of our lives for so long! I refuse to believe that our people cannot change. You better believe if they had cancer, they would CHANGE their lives to live longer! I don’t think it’s audacious at all to expect change just because I used the word in the past. So what? At most it would be hypocritical if I was to say I NEVER used the word. But if they challenged me, I would very easily explain why it should be removed. My past actions should not deter their future ones. If that’s the case, then kill Jews cause Hitler did it! It makes no sense.
If you are having an intelligent discussion about the word, then of course you must say it. That is NOT the same thing as using the word as a greeting or “term of endearment”. If these discussions took place, then I would bet you that more of the youth would become more sensitized to it when it is used. I’ve actually SEEN a teenager correct one of his friends when he used the word. I cannot tell you how that filled me with such pride and joy! I smiled at that boy and he looked at me and smiled and the message was p*****ed between us without a word spoken. So it CAN be done! And it should be! You don’t have to have a high school diploma to be enlightened. All it takes is genuine concern and guidance from the parents and the community.
Just because I don’t turn around when someone yells “hey *****”, does not meant the word doesn’t have any power. Awhile back, someone else came up with that argument and I challenged her on it. There is no way in hell that if a white person called you a ***** that it would not have ANY affect on you. You can try to convince me until you are blue in the face, but I know better. If the word has no power than that means that there would be NO cir*****stance that you would feel angry, threatened or offended by it’s use and that just ain’t true. Nope, uh-uh, I ain’t buying it. IF you saw one gay man call another gay man “*****got” (which unfortunately is true), you would no doubt snicker, shake your head and say to yourself “so why do they get upset when straight people call them that?” If you are going to empower the word, then all bets are off! ANYBODY can use it! And that just ain’t gonna happen. Because again, THE WORD WAS NOT CREATED BY US. WHY WOULD WE WANT TO OWN IT??? Are we not intelligent enough to produce words of greeting and endearment that are based in love and encouragement rather than hatred and racism. Why can’t we come up with our OWN word and THEN “OWN” it?! And just because a word is used for another purpose, that doesn’t negate or eliminate it’s ORIGINAL meaning and offensiveness. It will always be there to quickly offend. So instead of getting caught up in semantics, context, the color of the person who said it and all the drama just so that we can “OWN” it, why don’t we get RID of the drama and reject it. Simple. Yes, there will always be racists uttering the word, but if we take a stand to reject the word, and begin to speak to each other with more dignified/encouraging words, then that is when the word will REALLY become powerless, because it will become foreign to us again, just like it was when our ancestors were first dragged to these s*****s.
Peace Brother.
To be honest with you all that sounds wounderful but to be real with you- I aint feelin that. The reason being is there are ton of those talented 10th type *****s who always wanna come back and kick critiszm disguised as knowledge.
As long as any use of the word always sparks a concious debate I’m for it. Despite what I joked about about earlier, I don’t advocate a lot of shuckin n’jivin and ***** yelling all over the place. What I do advocate is using the word whenever possible to start the debate. How in the hell can a parents or grandparents who used the word intimately, all of a sudden pop up and ask that it not be used without admitting that they, at some point, were some bamboozled ***** *****s themselves? You can’t. And if they were bamboozled on that note, how many other bull***** ***** traits have they been p*****ing down to us? At what point will they admit they are nothing more than ‘black zombies’ immitating their oppressors?
I hate when black folks judge other black people by the white man’s criteria!!!
Just so were clear: The word “*****” was derived form “negro” a portugese word meaning black- that’s all. It wasn’t until well after reaching the s*****s of America that it actually took on a truely derogatory connotation. Is it possible that the original use of the word was negative- possibly. But we don’t know all that. Hell, if you want to forget a negative word with roots planted in oppression- then forget the word “black”. Look up black and white respectively in any dictionary and you’ll see why we’re still being mind-*****ed today. ‘Black’, in the english language is a negative- yet we certainly do own that word don’t we?
In case you had’nt noticed little kids of all colors are running around calling each other *****s, and the young brothas and sisters are’nt even stopping them anymore because it’s so pervasive in our society.
And as far being angered by some white person calling that word well put it this way: If you had money like Ophrah and some trailor trash wood called you a *****, who you be upset? I wold’nt..in fact it would be hilarious..I’d make it rain on that hoe-LOL! I’d have to be feeling real *****r-ish to allow someone to get a rise outta me using one word, when I already know they’re trying to ***** me off. Real knowlegde of self is a mother*****er- it completely frees you from the prison of ignorance that locks us in to behaving how other expect us to.
Its seem a little sheepish and anti-confrontational to think that forgetting a word will make it all ok. They never say ‘*****’ on the tv networks, but best believe they’re yelling it loud and clear with all those stereotypes they put forth.
I aint trying to own the word *****, but I will pick it up and slap a bamboozler across the face with it.
The sad thing we don’t realize, is that’s its unfortunately apart of ‘black’ culture in america- just like chitlins, perms, and injustice. And blacks today are so afraid to fight for right and are *****imilated to the dominant culture so much so, that they just wanna erase slavery and the bad vibes it exudes and get along with “m*****ah”.
I aint try to bicker back and forth, I just know the word “*****” and its various uses are not the root of the problem. And if you want to solve a problem you’ve got to get to the root. In my opinion the root of the problem it that the oppressor values have replaced our own, and now we’re caught up playing catch-up, and feel like to hell with any ***** who can’t keep up.
To loosley quote the late great Mr.Shakur: “..Until the greatest of us get it together with the least of us, we are all still some *****s…”
nas like so many dumb ***** rappers have a limited vocabulary. nas hip hop ain’t dead but you just ought to be!!! ***** is what makes these fools cool? all they are doing is copying of the next fool!! what happen to originality. nas jus go away!
when the NAACP “buried” the n-word, i shaked my head. it was all captured on the news. and we all know the main people who use that word dont watch the news. and will continue to use that horrible word.
little do they know that they white folks like to copy blacks, and WILL pick up on that word. we just cant get mad when they decide to use it…just sayin
@ N N N N please
there is a big difference between the word “*****” and negro. one is a color and the other is deragatory.
now that excuse you made…smh
now if white racist use that SAME excuse, you would go ballistic. real talk!
If anyone can pull it off, it’s Nas.
@ oh no
The point was the etymology of the word and that its roots came from some place far beyond slavery in america. Can’t let people pop ***** off trying to sound valid, without them knowing there facts.
And the other point was that the word “black” in the english is just as demeaning and derisive in its meaning as “*****”, “*****”, or “negro”.
Address the elephant in the room, which is the continued oppression of “blacks” all over the globe; not slavery in america and the resulting use or misuse of the n-word.
Don’t willie lych me, please.
Nx4 you say that you aren’t trying to bicker back and forth, but that’s exactly what you’re doing. You haven’t addressed any of my responses fully. You keep bringing in another point without clearly answering the others.
IF one of the so-called “talented 10th” came kickin criticism, then wouldn’t it behoove the Black m*****es to have THEIR knowledge on straight to meet that criticism? Whichever side has their facts together squashes the argument.
This particular debate is seeking a solution. The point is not to go around in circles and just use the word to get people debating for argument’s sake. To what end?
And what are you talking about..of course (grand)parents can talk to the young about their past usage and why and how they have changed! It’s done all the time. By your logic, there would be know rehabilitation of any kind. Lessons could not be learned from other’s mistakes! If following the lead of white folks makes you a “Black Zombie”, then we are all guilty of of imitating our oppressors via media, music, fashion, etc. *****ody is perfect, but that doesn’t mean that what they are saying is any less valuable because of their imperfection. Sometimes it takes a “Black Zombie” to keep others from becoming one too.
According to Wikipedia.com, “Both negro and noir (and therefore also nègre and *****) ultimately come from nigrum, the accusative form of the Latin word niger, meaning “black”. It wasn’t until around the 1800’s that it started to take on a pejorative connotation. Bottom line is that it was “derived” from a Latin word by guess who? And it is a “derivative”, NOT the original word. It is not an African word. It is not ours. As for the word black, since it is a color in nature and has neutral meanings, it is not considered a slur. So of course it has been embraced. ***** is not a color, it is a derivative and a slur.
I KNOW that kids are calling each other *****. But my point was that it can change and I supplied an example. But its got to start with us. We are their example whether you believe that or not. They mimic. They copy. If all the rappers just stopped saying the word and corrected anyone who said it, do you NOT think that would make an impact on the youth? Hell yeah it would!
Now you want to use Oprah as an example of not being bothered by the word. But she has openly stated her hatred of that word. Why would doubt her? Money doesn’t mean a damn thing. It hurts just the same. And truth of the matter is, most of us (including yourself I imagine) are NOT rich like Oprah. So there is no money to “make it rain on them”. So then what? Yeah you can talk that “real knowledge of self stuff”, but the next time you’re in a racist part of a hostile white town and people were yelling “*****” at you, come back and tell me that you warmly greeted them because you identified with and “owned” the word.
I never said anything about FORGETTING the word, I said to REJECT it as part of our vernacular. All media, in my opinion is chockful of racist and stereotypical images. But again, to call out these images as *****ish is fine. By all means be confrontational with it (which by the way, proves that emotionally the word is not neutral). But again, calling out racist imagery and “adopting” the word as a greeting or “term of endearment” is NOT the same thing.
Do not become like Bill Cosby (talented 10th?)and generalize Blacks into one category. All Blacks do not want to erase slavery and “bad vibes” Ont he contrary, we are constantly being touted as overly sensitive to race. As I type this, a news report came on that a white woman was mad because her Black neighbor asked her to remove a Halloween decoration that depicted a black dummy with a noose around its neck. The white woman took ALL her decorations down and said that her neighbor was just being OVER SENSITIVE. I don’t think that Black folks are are trying to erase anything.
You say that the root of the problem is that the oppressor’s values have replaced our own. Well, the word ***** is an “oppressor’s value”. And by embracing it, you are guilty of what you proclaim to be against. And most gangsta rappers are MAJORLY guilty of this, not only by embracing the word, but by every aspect of the “pimp life” (i.e. coon show)that they promote, perpetuate and propagate!
Just becausse someone presents points doesn’t mean they’re worth addressing. Some of your points I felt some I did not. But that hitler ***** was a down right erroneous hyperbole- but I digress.
I still dont want the back and forth, but my ego sometimes gets the better of me. But nonethelessI maintain this stance:
Address the elephant in the room, which is the continued oppression of “blacks” all over the globe; not slavery in america and the resulting use or misuse of the n-word.
NAS IS TOO INTELLIGENT TO USE THIS TITLE.
Nas is a high school dropout. Im tired of these rappers trying to act like intellectuals and they really are not. Nothing Nas says goes over my head. If you listen to rap music to get educated, you are a sad case. Rap should just be for entertainment and recreation. That’s why our race is in the situation its in today. Read a book.
I see many people bring up the fact that Nas is a high school drop out… but overlooks the fact the self educated himself by readin’ dictionaries, lawyer, and doctor books that his mother had in their house on his free time…. so the dude has knowledge…. stop bein’ so self righteous… this is NAS we’re talkin’ about… Nas doesn’t need to call his album ***** for publicity…. ***** Gregory had wrote a book called *****… and I’m pretty sure he didn’t do that for publicity…. he wanted to tell his story…. just like Nas….. and the Hip-Hop Is Dead thing…. it was rappers and Hip-Hop fans before Nas that have said it… before he did…. and Nas just brought that discussion to light…. I’m pretty Nas… bein’ the intellectual that he is…. will serve a bigger purpose with this album…. it might be deeper than Illmatic…. who knows what to anti*****te on this album…. you can’t judge a book by it’s cover…. Yes this will bring attention…. I bet every single one of y’all dissin’ Nas… be bumpin’ “Jigga My *****” and every single other rap song wit’ the word ***** in it’s title…. I’m pretty sure everyone is a fan of Paul Mooney and Richard Pryor… and they made their careers off of the word *****…. NWA stood for *****z Wit’ Attitude… and I’m pretty sure they have fans up this post…. Nas took it a step further… and he’s courageous for that…. and y’all must simple minded if y’all think white DON’T still refer to blacks as *****s…. the GOVT. still refers to blacks as NEGROES to this day and age…. and wit’ all of the recent situations such as Jena 6… you shouldn’t be suprised that upfront racism is back and in full effect…. and not because of an album title…. I’m pretty sure they still usin’ it when ***** Gregory’s book was published…. Don’t judge before you listen….. and get off ya high horses… because Nas is far from an idiot… and a simpleton….
At the end of the day Nas is an uneducated rapper trying to create publicity and sell records. He shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence as ***** Gregory. Nas speaks well and is good with words but if he wasn’t rapping what would he be doing? If you think Nas is an intellect I feel sorry for you.