Monday, January 30, 2006

Can't Call It...

(photo courtesy of Nah Right, courtesy of extra-medium.net)
Supa is always advocating the growth and evolution of this glorious art we call hip-hop, and she must admit it's damn good to see grown ass black men lyrically battle, then squash their personal beefs. Yet she's still a little uneasy about this Nas/Jigga merge. Playahata reports that under the Def Jam deal, Nas will pull down 10 mil for two albums. Just another example of C.R.E.A.M.? Can't call it.

Though my Jigga hate has subsided in recent years, it now falls somewhere between indifference and hesitant admiration - in regard to his business acumen. El Presidente really is doing his thing. But no matter what, my lyrical heart belongs to Nas. And ETHER won over the Takeover, hands down.

But Supa wonders, what were the conversations and subject matter that HAD to have taken place, in order for these two to squash all that nastiness between them? 'Cause that beef right there got kinda foul...

Comments, thoughts?

And save all the rah-rah about Jay-Z, (as an artist), because I'll never convert...

10 comments:

Zlogical said...

After the BEEF series--it's just good market sense ya know to capitalize on. I always liked NAS style. I think a few good dollar-minded people spoke to them or it was just one of those personality things. I remember I had beef with this one mug back in the day from another crew, but whem we met later on at a different venue and time there was no beef between us. It's hard to explain, but it wasn't planned at all.

Anonymous said...

I feel that. I think it was a good opportunity to make some doe.

Plus, I personally like to think that DEF Jam just went ahead and reeled Nas in because some of Nas' best cuts were the ones dissin' JZ, and Jay couldn't risk the embarassment anymore (that's what I want to beleive).

I mean, really, Nas' music ain't really one for the radio or dance floor like Jay-Z's. In the recent years Nas' reputation and display of lyrical skill has largely been noted when talking about "Cocka-Fella." and Jay-Z's "fat lips."

I like Nas a lot and I've noticed that he often needs a flame under his ass to spit his dopest shit. You know, you gotta call him old, whack or washed up and then he'll shut your ass up...

On another level, the art of war says that the best move for anyone is to keep your enemies close.

If anyhting, Jay-Z has sewn Nas' mouth shut by keeping him close because "Ether" ate his ass up.

Superstar Nic said...

Supa Sista – I don’t particularly like either one of them. Call me a hater I guess cause I have no good reason why I don’t like them….I just don’t!

I never knew what the beef was all about, but I am surprised to see the union of two that once had major beef with each other.

A.u.n.t. Jackie said...

I am not lover of Jay Z my damn self and I just wasn't sure that Nas records were making that much money.

It seems like a power move by Jay Z..like big pimping. Announce that you are giving out big money contracts like that and everyone will come running.

They probably won't all get that much cash, but Nas can be the poster boy/bottom hoe!

African girl, American world said...

Poowey-butt..that's what I think of the whole thing LOL!

Seriously nothing is real anymore...all about dollars on this one.

Supa said...

DPM - I feel you...Nas has neva been a "commercial" artist - no club bangers, and/or long-term radio rotation. Never thought about Nas needing to be provoked into his greatness, lol, I like your theory.

Miss Ahmad - I sho' hope Nas doesn't end up being pimped..

Anonymous said...

Um, excuse me, but I don't think Nas has really brought it since "it's mine, it's mine, it's mine...who's world is this?" (sorry for the lyrics, but I loved that song). I mean, there's been the whole mafiosa thing and then there was the totally unforgiveable spot with Ginuwine ("shackles on my feet...").

I don't think he's all that 'gifted' anymore. Sorry. I think Jay is stretching his ish by bringing dude on board!

Dal said...

I'm kinda late on this, but I think lyrically NAS has the edge on Jay-Z. More original thought, less bling talk, more of an emcee. I think the union is basically a cash getter,but, I also think the beef was phony... meaning, there was no beef! you have to be an old school head to understand this. Emcees had mad beef on the mic back in the day, but it never went further than the mic cable would allow. (well except for Roxanne Shante and UTFO, she would pay folks to unplug the UTFO set) I was all love and all about the battle and these two cats understand and know that, but they also know business and the business of White owned HipHop is to portray the beef as real when its a moneymaking opportunity... don't save face make the paper and buy a house and shut up.

Anonymous said...

Nas probably going to retire after these 2 albums ..watch
Shogun

smoothie said...

10 mil for 2 albums isnt to bad, when you consider the first one went gold/platinum..i guess as long as the second sale's somewhat comparable then J oan consider it a solid investment..