The Importance Of Nas’ “Untitled” And How It Was Way Ahead Of Its Time

Wild self

Wild self

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H.S. said:
Dope to see this get mentioned. "Breathe" is one of my favorite Nas songs over the last ten years and I NEVER see or hear anything about it. That beat is slick and Nas's flow is ridiculous on this one.
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Low key, a lot of people are scared of even discussing why they dismissed "Untitled" from Nas when he talks about white supremacy. They guilty of feeding racism and this thread reminds them why.
 
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H.S.

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Wild self said:
Low key, a lot of people are scared of even discussing why they dismissed "Untitled" from Nas when he talks about white supremacy. They guilty of feeding racism and this thread reminds them why.
Click to expand...

Yeah. It's funny, because a lot of the same critics that are praising Kendrick, Solange, D'angelo, Beyonce, etc for their recent militant shyt were shytting on Untitled back in '08. There was an overall sentiment of "why does he have to rap about THIS stuff / he's trying to do too much."

I always thought people were caught off guard by the measured tone of some of the album, too. A lot of the writing, at least on the better songs, is subtle. There's a nuance to the writing that I don't see in a lot of "conscience" rap. It's not super-in-your-face militant like Dead Prez, Public Enemy, Cube, etc. And it doesn't have a sound that people associate with pro-black stuff like, say, TPAB. I'm not saying that the album is beyond reproach, because there's definitively some things on here that I don't care for, but when the writing does work, it's really thoughtful, imo.

From "Breathe":

I'm fresh out of city housing
Ain't have too many options
Pennies on a pension or penitentiary-bounded

^This shyt is so dope to me. And reading it doesn't really do justice to the flow.

Also, there was a lot of hope and optimism with Obama coming into office, and Untitled is pretty bleak for the most part. It can be a downer if you're not in the mood for it.

 
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Alexander Wiggin

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This is my personnal version of untitled

309682untitled.jpg


TransferNow
 
WavyHair ChippedTeeth

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Amazing album, it stuck with me instantly as well.

As a Black-British man I related to many parts of the album and yet learnt things too. It was as if The Gawd was illustrating the American experience as if he were my elder cousin from the States.

Incredibly cohesive. I personally love We're Not Alone for the atmosphere it creates, Queens Gets The Money for it's stripped raw down delivery and yes, We Make The World Go Round! Some don't like it and think it doesn't fit in the album, I disagree. The Gawd talks about everything regarding the Black experience in America no? That includes overcoming shyt and celebration! The chorus is the key:

Now let's toast to the gangsters
(We make the world go round)
Tell the hustlers, toast to the gangstas
(We make the world go round)
Tell the gangstas, toast to the ballers
(We make the world go round)
And the ballers pour a glass for all us
(We make the world go round)

The marginalisation and social exclusion of the system forced black men to create their own opportunities, albeit illegally, but it's a testament to you guys that you can make something out of nothing and still be here! Sick chorus.

I'm gonna listen to this tonight man. Love it.

:ahh:
 
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