he tried to do a workout-like record that summer on smash, hero garbage
Never released Summer on Smash as a single seemed more like an insurance, heck all his singles from Life is Good were pretty good for what they were and seemed refreshing which has been a long time coming from one of his albums

. If there wasnt any room for them on radio stations outside of the East Coast and Europe (What really drive singles at the end of the day) thats a shame, but I dont think he should regret it or means he cant voice his opinon on a record from an artist he likes regardless of how it charted.
And I think that's the point Nas was trying to make to Cole. Great, it was a hit but it wasnt a good record in terms of capability (Who Dat I think was much better so is the new one with Miguel as well as Miss America tbh). Sometimes you can honestly critique a record and a chart position shouldnt nullify that.