I think Al Sharpton pleaded with his to rename his album. So now it will be called "Nas". When does it come out? I LOOOVEE the new single that is out right now (i 4got the name). REAL ass MC's talking about REAL shit.

Personally I am glad he changed the name of the album. I just don't see the point of anyone using that word for any kind of gain or controversy. I also think that while the cover is erm controversial and certainly striking, what is the point he is trying to make? THat slavery still exists? I dunno, I think that if we as a society need to move on from racism, perhaps it's time to stop pushing these types of messages as well.

I sort of like the cover myself, and would have seen no trouble had he titled it what he had intended.

I guess there's one little problem though: he's never been whipped like that himself.

novabrkr said:

Its a metaphor.

I don't like Nas and I sure as hell don't fall for his fake ass afrocentric kick he's been on for the past few years, but I love the cover,,,and I'd prefer if he stuck with the original one, its more provocative.

Harlepolis said:

A metaphor? For what? All of the indecencies he's experienced as a black man? I have a problem with celebrities waving the persecution flag.

superspaceboy said:

Typical!

Harlepolis said:

What is typical?

superspaceboy said:

It was said before it was supposed to represent the lashings of the industry torwards him and the struggles of just being a black man..or something....

heh..heh he heh heh heh heh he heheh" *Bevis*

Though when I see images like that on the internet my first thought isn't even "now that must be an effort at symbolizing the continuing impact of historical slavery even today", but instead... well, S&M sex.

As a "metaphor" I guess it's perfectly comparable to this album cover:

novabrkr said:

oooh..

we see where ur head at

paisleypark4 said:

Says this as he's toasting his friends with Kristal.

superspaceboy said:

Listen to Hero and tell me what rapper is being that honest and real. GOD I love that song!!!!

I love the song Fried Chicken. I think it's really a creative song, and I love Mark Ronson's production on it!!!

Who'd have thought that Nas would make a Love Ballad about Fried Chicken!!!

Great!! Cant wait til this comes out.

The cover is great.

It makes one think. And that's a excellent aspect of it.

I am not familiar with Nas' body of work, but that's the kind of cover and statement that makes me curious about checking out an artist.
[Edited 6/9/08 17:43pm]

Matronik said:

I really really like the cover, I hope it is a great album on top. I love "Hero"
[Edited 6/10/08 6:56am]

superspaceboy said:

How does society move on from racism when racism still and probably always will exist? That's like saying we should all pack our bags and move to the moon. Do you mean we need to find better ways to deal with racism? If so then it ha to be addressed, we can't pretend like it's not a societal factor.

I think the cover is creative and thought provoking, covers like those is why we are even having this discussion, and to me it serves its purpose.

Meloh9 said:

Yeah in New Orleans some1 burned K K K into the ground of an African American family's backyard.... its 2008 it happened to me this year 2 times too.

Meloh9 said:

Thats what I meant by "typical" and didn't have the energy to explain.

People KNOW this, thats the thing. But its more comfortable to them to believe that if you're a celebrity, you're somehow above being persecuted

Black celebs gets persecuted and harrassed each and every day, perhaps even more than the avarage black man sometimes. Its not easy to swollow the view of a "rich" brother,,,for some people.
[Edited 6/11/08 7:50am]