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Once, long ago, in a record industry far, far away, Nas was a universally respected rapper. Hip-hop purists will likely put his debut album 'Illmatic' in their Top 25 list of all-time greats, and Nas himself in the upper echelon of rappers. Sadly, Nas' reign as a commercially viable artist ended right around the time that he recorded the godawful 'Oochie Wallie,' and now he finds himself low on the totem pole at his current label Def Jam.
With the release of his new album somewhere down the priority list between Shyne & Lil' Scrappy (yikes!), Nas took to the streets (aka: The Internet) to voice his beef with label President LA Reid. While logical arguments like sliding release dates, lack of promotion, and tepid airplay might have been better ways of making his case, Nas decided to just skip the formalities and use the ultimate trump card to get his point across.
Yep, he compared his plight as a recording artist to... wait for it.... Slavery!!! Clutch magazine has the scoop:
A letter penned by hip hop king Nas to Def Jam executives is circulating the Web. The 37 year-old rap artist isn't happy with how his album has been handled and in a letter addressed to executives LA Reid, Steve Bartels and others, Nas titles the subject 'PUT MY SHIT OUT!' and proceeds to go in.Nas tells the executives that he's nobody's slave and this is not the 1800's. "With all due respect to you all, Nas is NOBODY's slave. This is not the 1800's, respect me, and I will respect you." The 10-year industry veteran tells the executives that people connect with the artist and that they are standing in the way of creative artist's dreams and aspirations.
Mr. Jones says he could have taken to Twitter or New York's HOT 97 to round up 100,000 protesters at the Def Jam building, but he decided not to."
Nas does have a couple of valid points. He's an artist with a solid fan base that consistently supports him, regardless of the (recently) inconsistent quality of his work. He's also right that Def Jam has little clue about how to market rap artists. If they had a clue, and Nas by some miracle could make another 'Illmatic,' all involved parties would probably be very happy with the end result.
Still, come on Nasir -- slavery? F'real son?
Nas is certainly no slave. Sure, he owes the IRS about $4M in back taxes, and his child's mother a staggering $51,000 a month in combined spousal and child support a month. That's a pretty effed up financial situation, but court documents also show that he rakes in around $152,031 a month. He's sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 million albums worldwide since dropping 'Illmatic' in 1994. The crux of the letter is him complaining about the label's measly $200K advance for his yet-to-be released album. Call me nuts, but that's hardly slavery.
Between this guy, Glenn Beck comparing ObamaCare to indentured servitude, and Redskins defensive tackle "Fat" Albert Haynesworth, there sure has been a lot of playing the slave-card here lately. I wish we'd just cut that out. When will these black millionaires learn? Slaves did not earn a damn thing! (Glenn Beck, I have no comment for.)
Related:
+No, Albert Haynesworth, You're Not a Slave: No Slave Made $100 million
+Good & Bad Money News: Black Unemployment Dips Overall, While Black Teen Joblessness Rises
Slaves worked eight days a week, 25 hours a day, contributed immeasurably to the economy of the United States, created the wall that named "Wall street," built the White House, raised the U.S. Capitol and not once did one receive a royalty check or platinum plaque. Nas, comparing their plight to that of a middle-aged rapper who can't sell enough albums to keep the IRS off his back is just plain ignorant.
Smarten up, Nas. Work on that protest in front of Def Jam instead of insulting the sacrifices of your ancestors. They faced a truly unjust situation with heroic strength. Think about it.
Jay Anderson is a freelance writer from Washington, DC, whose work has been featured in the Washington Post and on NPR. When he's not busy talking smack here, he runs the award-winning blog AverageBro.com. Follow him via Twitter @AverageBro.
Comments: (40)
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By: rasfanta on 10/08/2010 5:51PM
I feel you, Nas. Unfortunately this is a reoccurring theme musicians make. Now where there is smoke, there is fire. What is happening here? It is the same sh-t that has been going on since we set foot in america. USURY!!!!!! People who receive money far in excess of what they provide and are entitled to receive. What I can't understand is why these music makers are not getting around these obstacles by now. Can somebody explain?
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By: Kboogie on 10/08/2010 8:56PM
I don't think Nas mean slavery in the actual physical sense. I think he's utilizing the word slavery with more depth. rasfanta got it right...usury.
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By: David on 10/08/2010 11:04PM
37 year-old rap artist..I'm no fan of rap but doesn't that make him about 75 in dog years. He's lucky he still has a recording contract.
Regardless of race I notice that a lot of rich people use the I'm a slave analogy, not just black people. When former CNN host Rick Sanchez laughed out loud at the suggestion that rich powerful Jews in the media are a oppressed minority all hell broke loose and he got fired. It's not just wealthy successful black people using that pity poor me I'm a oppressed minority or slave comparison. It would seem that some rich people can play that card and some can't.
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By: David on 10/08/2010 11:09PM
37 year-old rap artist..I'm no fan of rap but doesn't that make him about 75 in dog years. He's lucky he still has a recording contract.
Regardless of race I notice that a lot of rich people use the I'm a slave analogy, not just black people. When former CNN host Rick Sanchez laughed out loud at the suggestion that rich powerful Jews (who many feel monopolize mainstream media) are a oppressed minority all hell broke loose and he got fired. It's not just wealthy successful black people using that pity poor me I'm a oppressed minority or slave comparison. It would seem that some rich people can play that card and some can't.
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By: Mr. Sekksy on 10/09/2010 2:50AM
The writer of the above article may have a point. But like Nas said 'this is not the 1800s..im nobody's slave', hes not in anyway comparing himself to an ACTUAL slave, but as an example of one.
A slave, if you look it up in the dictionary would have different meanings and synonyms, but NONE would actually mention a BLACK person in its definition.
So for Nas to compare himself to a 'slave', hes not likening himself up to the BLACK slaves who were chained and shipped here, but more as somebody whose services are not being rewarded or recognized; whose voice is being denied from being heard and whose artistry and freedom of expression is being stifled. The constraints placed on him by his label makes him feel trapped, like a slave.
I have no problem with Nas' choice of words, just I didnt mind when Prince scrawled 'SLAVE' on his cheek to express what WARNER BROTHERS was doing to him. What is largely missing from the above article, is the writer's clear omission of the WRONGS that are meted out by MAJOR RECORD COMPANIES on the ARTISTS. If the writer had cared to express that in his article, instead of just taking issues with Nas' 'slavery issues' then you will all understand why an ARTIST like Nas FEELS like a SLAVE!
Peace!
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By: Felice on 10/10/2010 2:32PM
I agree with you 100%
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By: Jimhack3 on 10/10/2010 3:22AM
WOW! Now that is a thought out educated review! Well said!
Bravo!
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By: Fashionedbygod33 on 10/10/2010 1:09PM
Very well said Mr. Sekksy. Thank you. Also, he is not a 10 year industry veteran according to the article.
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By: walt on 10/09/2010 3:43AM
What Nas is referring to is the slavery, mistrel show that the corporate execs in the hip hop industry are running. Artists can't be themselves! The record execs tell them what to say, how to dress, how to eat! They even change they flows! 98% of the Mainstream garbage you hear on the radio is from a rapper that had to change up they whole image for dollars! I know that Nas wants to get paid and all, but sometimes money isn't everything. Nas should flip the middle finger at them and go underground. That's where the real hip hop is at anyway!
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By: shame on 10/09/2010 6:26AM
he needs to be worried about how he's gonna pay "The Milkshake Queen" her child support, his baby mama that is, instead of worrying about how his album is being handled.
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