Nigger Nas Album

Like this story?

Thursday, February 7, 2008

filed under: family

Hip-hop artist Nas recently pulled the N-word title from his new album. But he hasn't said anything about changing the controversial lyrics.

Nas, the hip hop artist behind the hit "If I Ruled The World," is releasing his new album in July, formerly known as "N***er" (without the stars). While there are no reports on the new title (momlogic moms have made some guesses) the album will reportedly feature a slew of racial epithets in efforts to produce "knowledge and understanding for all people." Friends of Mom•Logic weighs in on the controversial new album:

Says Mama Noire: "I don't think his album is designed to be racist. I believe Nas created album to highlight issues of race and racism in this country and around the world. I don't think it's different than a historical scholar writing a scathing tome about black history and the injustices that come with it. Nas is simply doing it in his own way ....

"I don't know if this is an effective teaching tool because I don't think teens can fully appreciate the message he is trying to convey. Most teens are too far removed from blatant racism to "get it," so in that regard it's probably counterproductive. If my kids were teenagers I'd probably let them listen to the album as long as I could listen with them and have a discussion about it. I think the name of the album may be more empowering than anything because Nas isn't afraid to use the word to bring out issues of race and racism."

Dr. Gwenn, Pediatrician, isn't buying it: "Music is powerful and teens are like sponges. The more they hear words in music that are not appropriate to use, the more they will become desensitized and not realize that the words are hurtful," says Dr. Gwenn. "I totally disagree with Nas' opinion--that having a song that utilizes all sorts of racial slurs de-empowers the words."

Counseling Mom cited history: "While Nas' listeners may be desensitized, the society at large is not. The effect of Nas' social experiment will be to create more hate, not less," Counseling Mom said. "These words are emotionally charged due to the history they represent, and that history is far greater than the sum of the letters. These words need to be respected for the amount of power to wound that they yield. One cannot simply erase history by repeating words over and over."

filed under: family

share: | Permalink |

Email | Comments (6)

6 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

An easy way to eliminate racism is to just be kind and curteous to everyone and set an example for your children. Don’t just talk about what other people are saying. Take action.

- Michelle

Posted 02/07/08 11:56 AM

I think that by naming his CD n****er, he is simply looking for publicity. What better way to promote your CD than by creating controversy around it?

- April

Posted 02/07/08 01:58 PM

My concern is when teens are listening to this song with their iPods and they say N***er out loud. If someone overhearing that is offended, what will happen?

- Florestine Chapple

Posted 02/07/08 02:44 PM

It’s pretty widely noted at this point that the album isn’t coming out yet and nobody knows if it really will. The reality is that variants of the n-word in rap songs and in everyday life are so widespread and have been for so many years that getting upset with Nas is kind of ridiculous, especially since he’s using the claim that he’s putting out such an album to spark some much needed dialogue. Hey, have you folks found out what the word to Soulja Boy’s Crank That single mean? I think it’s kind of weird that all those little kids are dancing around to such a disgusting song with references to sexual practices and murder. You folks are way behind the curve on this topic though Mama Noire sounds like she’s got a good head on her shoulders. Good luck catching up. Looks like popular culture’s done an end run around everybody. I’m just glad I don’t have any kids to attempt to shield from the effects of pop culture because they got your kids already. That’s one of the reasons I focus on products for adults. Best of luck, y’all.

- Clyde Smith

Posted 02/08/08 12:14 AM

In looking at my previous comment I see it sounds a bit more taunting than I mean it. Seeing Nas at the Grammys with the N-word shirt was kind of a shock and I’m much more conflicted about this than it may at first appear. He’s already made some interesting statements about what he’s doing but I think the fallout is going to get really twisted. When I say best of luck on this one, I really mean it. I’m so glad I’m not a parent today.

- Clyde Smith

Posted 02/11/08 09:53 AM

Dr. Gwenn hit the nail on the head with her analysis but missed the mark in her prescription. The idea that there could be a generation “desensitized” to pernicious, derogatory language sounds like progress to me and I hope our teenagers are as sponge-like as Dr. Gwenn suggests. If the repeated use of a derogatory term by the community it is intended to offend decreases the power of harmful language then I promote it. Nas’ use of the term is another among many examples of a racial minority taking back language that was previously used against them and decreasing the agency of racist language over their community.

- Tsky

Posted 02/25/08 04:25 PM

Name:
Email:	(not displayed)
URL:
	remember me? Yes No
Comment:
	Avoid clicking “Post” more than once.