Nigger

[Mittens2317]

Yeah, that's right, I.. typed it. This is the name for the forthcoming Nas album, apparently due out this month to coincide with it being Black History Month. However, it's looking likely that he'll keep delaying until it's Britain's Black History Month in October. Now, I ain't sure how anyone feels on this. It is certainly a bigger issue in America than it is in the UK (I believe the term 'Paki' is frowned upon much more than 'nigger'), however I believe this album could change a lot of things.

There are already retailers that are refusing to sell it. Threats are being made to Universal (Def Jam's parent company), stating that if Nas drops this album with the title intact, then they will pull out a lot of funding. It is rumoured to be near $250 million. That's big. Obviously, from a business standpoint, this hardly seems worth it, especially considering the fact Nas barely makes platinum status nowadays (that's one million records sold, btw). But let's look at it from the more political point of view...

If this album is released, then Nas could have single-handedly restored the spirit of the first amendment ("and what is this 'first amendment" God I love South Park...) Look at it. Stating Hip-Hop is dead. That is something underground heads have wanted to bring to public attention for years. He definitely stirred up a bit of shit in this part of the music industry. The majority of the mainstream obviously got on his back about it, whereas most of the underground heads ('the people', if you will) defended it, stating that Nas is probably right. He's had a fair share of other controversies in the past too, with a crucifixtion in the video for Hate Me Now, the front cover of Street's Disciple which was an adaptation of the Last Supper. Then there's the Virginia Tech that the media crucified him for (sorry to use that word again..) naming his word Nigga (although he decided in the end to use the 'er' spelling). Watch this YouTube clip of how Fox News tried to make Nas look like the anti-Christ, highlighting his most aggressive lyrics (and tbh, he isn't even too good at coming aggressively). Let's not forget this is the guy who brought us inspirational songs such as I Can, Just A Moment, and If I Ruled The World (Imagine That).

It is obvious, in my eyes, that the government and media's grip on what we can and cannot say will be loosened with the release of this album. Just look at how much Nas presses this shit. He's practically the only one (with the power) who can do this. There are a lot of stupid issues that celebrities fight for. Stop the war? You really think they'll do that? Hell no. But look at what they can do, and you'll see Nas' face, alone in a dark room, with a single light illuminating his face. Sure, this may be a bad move socially, but how many black people are bothered by the word anymore? Niggers were what people called slaves, and it carried on beyond slavery because of the stupid misconceptions people had of black people, seeing them as inferior. Don't forget that humans once believed in witches.. Black peeps have since turned nigger into their word (I use 'their', as they are the only ones who are 'allowed' to use it, and most class themselves as a seperate community to everyone else). Rappers have probably used the word more in their lifetimes than any white man in history. Think about it.. but not too much, because this topic is not even about the word. It is about the power of the word, and what it can do for the future.

It's kinda ironic how such a hateful word from the past could have such a positive effect on the future. What do you think of this? Will the white kids abuse this free-pass to use the word in music shops? Will the black dudes turn their back on Nas? Will freedom of speech be called into question yet again, and cause an international re-evaluation of the right? Only time will tell. Sadly, I don't even think it will be a good album, and the guy's my favourite rapper. Until any material has been released though, we can stall on that discussion.

So, thoughts?

 

[Despain]

Some of this has been talked about in this topic.

 

[Mittens2317]

Damn it. Every time I search for a topic, none exists. Yet whenever I don't, it's there. Am I forever cursed? Then again, I reckon I make a very detailed and valid point..

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

And here's two in the symposium that deal with the word alone, though not dealing with this record:

Nigga, whats in a word? words change. whats it mean?


Why is/are racism/genaralizations/stereotypes so bothersome?

It has been brought to my intention though that this is a wider discussion than I had originally thought.

 

[Mittens2317]

Here's a small interview with Nas at the Grammys concerning the name of his new album. I like the way Kelis comes in at the end to hit back at all the journalists and news anchors who've been disgusted by Nas' decision to name his album after the racial slur.

Also, here's a humorous video that highlights the issue of a white person asking a black guy for a copy of the album.

 

[Cruelty]

if he wears a shirt that says 'porch monkey' it'd be 10x funnier.

maybe matisyahu should call his next album 'kike', and get this kind of publicity.

 

[Mittens2317]

I could think of a lot worse than 'kike'. And btw, Juice is straight up whackness. Then again, who affiliated with Black Wall Street isn't?

Seriously though, do peeps not realise how big this album could be? It may not have an instant affect, but there will be a noticeable difference between what you can and can't get away with saying in a few years. The forcefield around freedom of speech is weakening, we'll soon have access to it.

 

[Cruelty]

I could think of a lot worse than 'kike'. And btw, Juice is straight up whackness. Then again, who affiliated with Black Wall Street isn't?

dam i didnt realize this was a 'impress mittens2317' contest.

i hate when rappers get all up their own ass with messages. remember 'hiphop is dead'.. yeah, nobody gave a flying fuck what he had to say, and this one is probably going to be the same way. oh, it'll get press... for a little while. then everyone will forget about it, and move on to the next 'i know everything' album.

damn, if you want to try to change the world, go become a fucking teacher, or write a book or something. when i listen to music, i just want to be entertained, i dont want to hear current events, and western philosophy or whatever the fuck he happens to be going on about.

 

[Mittens2317]

dam i didnt realize this was a 'impress mittens2317' contest.

Spittin is all about impressin peeps, so it should be to him. Unless he's in it for the money. :thumb:

i hate when rappers get all up their own ass with messages. remember 'hiphop is dead'.. yeah, nobody gave a flying fuck what he had to say, and this one is probably going to be the same way. oh, it'll get press... for a little while. then everyone will forget about it, and move on to the next 'i know everything' album.

damn, if you want to try to change the world, go become a fucking teacher, or write a book or something. when i listen to music, i just want to be entertained, i dont want to hear current events, and western philosophy or whatever the fuck he happens to be going on about.

A lot of people cared about what Nas had to say about Hip Hop Is Dead. He's actually the one of the most listened to rappers out there. He has a legion of fans who hand on his every word. A visit to any Hip-Hop board would confirm that.

Regardless, this issue hasn't got anything to do with what he says. It hasn't got anything to do with the quality of the album. Hell, it doesn't even have anything to do with the fact it's Nas. If this album is sold at high street retailers, and advertised, then the media would be promoting the most 'taboo' word in the language. That's like a battering ram going up against the barriers of censorship.



Oh and btw, you lost the contest.

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

I don't get the "controversy".

I had to read a book in high school, was mandatory, called "nigger boy".
I have albums and songs titled with the word.  Shit to this day if I hear someone say "shame the nigga" I get a wu-tang song stuck in my head...  Shit a group of Armenian boys by the name of System of a Down covered it with no problem featuring parts of the Clan.

And the difference being?

The only thing I see is some old woman in the story being afraid to say the album's name when she goes to get a present for her little white suburban child.  I'm already saying the word with "black friends" as people would try to define and negotiate the PCness of that, and I've been called it for years.

And I'm a white guy who used to have long hair dyed all sorts of colors - shit even pink.  This is just more or less someone wanting to use the word.  Message?  Shock value?
Meh, it's still what's her name who did the song "Call me a Cunt".

 

[Alpharoth]

I just hope the songs aren't going to sound like Soulja boy. I don't care what you say, I hate Soulja boy.

 

[Jstreet]

Personally, as much as I support Nas, I believe the fact that there are two threads on THESE forums are proof of what the whole situation is doing; stirring publicity. It's been pointed out that Nas is barely going platinum now and days and I'm almost sure if you would have posted "Hip Hop is Dead Album Released" a year ago here, you would've got "What's a Nas? Hip Hop is teh gayness." So, no matter if there's a positive message or not in the title and/or contents of the album, the title is doing what it was expected to do. It's going to raise controversy, get attention put on Nas, and more importantly affect his record sales.

Who knows maybe in a decade or so there'll be a group who name their album "Chinks, Beaners, Japs, and Jews." Feel the love?

 

[___]

I really think fans of hip-hop overestimate the cultural influence of the genre.  Just because you guys find it moving and interesting doesn't necessarily mean it has the power to incite complete cultural revolutions   If a bunch of musicians could really pull that kind of thing off we'd all be hippies right now.  Instead we look back and laugh at their idiosyncrasies and the idea that they thought they were somehow going to smoke their way into a new paradigm.

 

[Mittens2317]

I think most of you are missing the point of this topic.

 

[___]

Er... what is the point of the topic then, exactly? @.@

 

[Mittens2317]

The effect it'll have on the overlooked issues. If Universal does indeed lose 250mil in funding, will Def Jam drop Nas? Will this album have a snowball effect on freedom of speech for artists (in the mainstream)? Will the album be advertised without censorship? Will it change popular misconceptions of terms such as Nigger, as well as swearing? Will the amount of shops refusing to sell the album be a bad business move? And obviously, what happens when a white kid asks a black store assistant for the album, hehe.. (I know the scenario's been done to death, but I can't wait to see it in action)?

This topic ain't about what the album's gonna sound like, and it ain't about whether or not this is a publicity stunt. Both of those issues are irrelevant. Hip Hop Is Dead was probably a publicity stunt, but it still brought many things into question worth looking at.

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

Between real jobs I work at a record store.
Little operation, used to be a local chain but now it's just one.  I read the magazines, I look threw the order books where they tell you all the stuff on why you should buy 500 copies because it'll be a great seller, I look threw the advert book (same thing), and the review book (which tell's you to buy 200 cause it's not that great).  I also talk to the customers and yadda yadda.

I've never heard anyone actually name an album's title unless they were making fun of it or simply wasn't sure what it was.  No one's ever walked in and would say "Can I get Nas' new album Nigger?" - or the funnier "Can I get Nas' Nigger?".  It's always "Where's the new Nas?" or the more realistic case of walking to the rack, picking it up, and walking to the counter.  The usual banter of "how ya doing?" and "how much?" and "c'mon do I gotta pay tax, really?"
So while I've joked I sincerely doubt I'll ever see anyone ask for "Nigger"...

Now, just my opinions here but:
I don't think this'll do anything big.  Freedom of Speech?  We have groups by the name of: Burn the Priest/Church/Angel/God, we have Anal/Bleeding/Bloody/Fucking Cunt, we have Fuck Face/Order, we have all these groups with all these profound names.  We have songs like Shame on a nigger, Nigger said wot, I'm not your nigger, I'm a niggah, and so on...

Destroying censorship against the word or changing the way swearing is viewed?  Ha!  Never.  Never in a million years.  They'll always be a good contingent of people overly or easily offended by the causality of someone's speech, and another lesser sized who'll say anything they want and not care over offense, or be so easily offended.  But one side acts out, the other is too small too and is too lazy too, therefore the big cats look to the offended, not the offendless.

This'll probably make a lesser splash than Madonna dry humping a black Jesus in Like a Prayer - and that had ties to Pepsi and the Cosby Show.

Will Def Jam drop it?  If they do they're moronic, people'll wanna by it simply for the novelty or being able to say they did.  Thinking they're somehow helping a cause.

Will it sell?  Probably as good as any album from a mostly known name.

Will stores refuse?  Kmart and the copiecats yeah.  Mom n' pop stores?  Meh, doubt it they need the money.  The only reason they won't is if they are along the lines of certain "activists" ready to start boycotting over offensiveness.

Breaking the walls down? Hardly.  Maybe another chip in the wall that someone else will be able to fit a little more snug in, they'll chip and someone else'll chip, and so on and so forth.  Continually chipping away until a small enough hole exists the wall don't need to crumble.  Not that there's really a wall, more like a white picket fence.

We've come along way from Billy Holiday singing Strange Fruit, but we ain't all the way yet.

 

[___]

The effect it'll have on the overlooked issues. If Universal does indeed lose 250mil in funding, will Def Jam drop Nas? Will this album have a snowball effect on freedom of speech for artists (in the mainstream)? Will the album be advertised without censorship? Will it change popular misconceptions of terms such as Nigger, as well as swearing? Will the amount of shops refusing to sell the album be a bad business move? And obviously, what happens when a white kid asks a black store assistant for the album, hehe.. (I know the scenario's been done to death, but I can't wait to see it in action)?

This topic ain't about what the album's gonna sound like, and it ain't about whether or not this is a publicity stunt. Both of those issues are irrelevant. Hip Hop Is Dead was probably a publicity stunt, but it still brought many things into question worth looking at.

Ah, so I was on topic then. Good to know.

I'm pretty much with Sixty except that I would go a step further and say I'm afraid it'll have the exact opposite impact on freedom if anything.  It's becoming an extremely popular thing these days to say, "I believe in freedom of speech, but I believe there's a time and a place for it" which to me is the same as saying, "I believe that speech should be controlled, and that it's the role of society and the government to control it."  It's ridiculous doublethink, but anyway, these people point toward flagrantly offensive speech as examples of why speech should be controlled.

They like to say, "If we don't start enforcing some basic rules, these people will do whatever they want and say whatever they want with no regard for the people they offend" and then they point to musicians and artists who push the envelope, and the more these artists push the bigger the backlash from the 'conformist' majority. 

I sincerely hope they will eventually push hard enough to knock the authoritarian assholes flat on their aging butts, but I doubt it's likely, at least not until the baby boomers finally start dying off or falling into a kind of mass senility that prevents them from having a large effect on politics.  In the meanwhile there is a rising danger that our own generation and the one after us is being indoctrinated with above-mentioned doublethink that's going to take more than a couple offensively named hip-hop albums to break through.

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

It's funny.
We're supposed to have free speech.  I know where that's meant to be originally, but where it is today as far as terminology is the standard these days.  We have artistic expression, and the ability to chose what to and what not to engage in.

And yet I forgot there are still people who would rally in a PMRC II to condemn and censor the optional.  I sometimes lose faith that the world is as stifling as it can be, so caught up in my entertainings that I lose track that there is a limited margin of acceptable behavior amongst the regulated public medias.

 

[___]

People like Tipper Gore sadly are offended at the thought that someone, somewhere in the world, might be listening, watching, or doing something that she would find offensive if she were there.  As much as I would love to round people like Tipper Gore up and shoot them on rockets into the Sun I remember that I'm thankful I live in a society where people like Tipper Gore are allowed to be stupid, vicious, self-righteous bitches openly and sincerely hope they never manage to change that.