Don’t Call It a Comeback
Nas at the top of his game
BY ZACH KLASSEN
 |
During hip hop’s fledgling beginnings, no one thought it would last. The ghetto-grown culture was supposed to be a passing trend overshadowed by the intensely popular disco and rock music of the 1970s. Many artists even considered themselves only ephemeral tourists looking to make a quick buck before the scene’s four pillars evaporated. But clearly this wasn’t in the cards. Hip hop has endured, providing lifetimes of music for MCs who have been able to distinguish themselves and stay relevant among the best and newest lyricists of the day. So at 35, with 11 albums and countless rhymes to his name, Nas may be a far cry from being the new kid on the block, but he’s more on top of his game than ever before.
When Hip Hop Is Dead hit stores in 2006, the street’s disciple challenged the state of commercialized, present-day hip hop, crouching in front of its grave with black rose in hand and declaring, “If hip hop should die before I wake, I’ll put an extended clip inside of my AK, roll to every station — murder the DJ / Roll to every station — murder the DJ.” The album would prove to be a beat-driven dirge as thought-provoking as it was controversial. However, this year Nas might outdo himself. Nigger, set to drop in early July, will no doubt be packed with even more controversy as artists and political figures alike have already sounded off on the album’s tendentious title. “The title using the N-word is morally offensive and socially distasteful,” says Rev. Jesse Jackson in a recent Yahoo interview.
One track off the new release, “Be a Nigger Too,” leaked onto the Internet in April. The song boasts the triumphant march of orchestral punches and bursting cymbals over Nas’ surprisingly inclusive rhymes about racial boundaries. While “Be a Nigger Too” features production by Salaam Remi, other beat makers rumored to be in attendance on the new effort include Just Blaze, Polow Da Don, Jermaine Dupri and No ID.
Nasir Jones has come a long way since the unprecedented/disputable five-mic-earning release of Illmatic in 1994, but while other talented and tenured artists have found inspiration through comfortable financial success, Nas is able to keep you on your toes. I don’t know if it’s just me, but every time I hear Jay-Z, I can’t help but picture him in the back of a Maybach on his way to a 40/40 Club opening. With Nas, it’s different. His lyrics are always able to take me back to Queensbridge during a time when hip hop was a little different than what it is today.
Nas with Cool Nuts, M.E.L.T. and DJ Tekneek. 9 pm Wednesday, May 14. McDonald Theatre. $33 adv., $35 door.
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519