It looks like title of Rapper Nas’s new album will be called “N****r”.
There were reports that his label, Def Jam, had scuttled the title idea. But Nas told MTV that he has had no opposition from the label, and said his intent in naming the album the N-word was to take the sting out of it.
“The title using the ‘N’ word is morally offensive and socially distasteful. Nas has the right to degrade and denigrate in the name of free speech, but there is no honor in it,” the Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a news release.
For the first time in years, I’m actually in agreement with Jesse Jackson when he says that there is no honor in the use of the n-word. African-Americans are not empowered by the liberal use of the racial epithet within our communities. Like I want to be reminded everyday of a word that is as degrading as the white racists who created it’s use. The real honor is to not use the n-word at all and bury the use of the word into non-existence.
“We’re taking power from the word,” he added. “No disrespect to none of them who were part of the civil rights movement, but some … in the streets don’t know who (civil rights activist) Medgar Evers was … they know who Nas is,” the rapper said, referring to the civil rights leader slain in the 1960s.
“And to my older people who don’t know who Nas is and who don’t know what a street disciple is, stay outta this (expletive) conversation. We’ll talk to you when we’re ready. Right now, we’re on a whole new movement. We’re taking power from that word.”
Well, Mister Nas, instead of rapping about selling drugs, pimping hos and brag about how much bling-bling you have, why don’t you start rapping about those who made it possible to spit your filth on CDs. Use your voice on positive subjects to uplift our communities. If it weren’t for those who fought and died during the civil rights movement, NAS wouldn’t be making any money today as a rapper but as a bathroom attendant in some posh, upscale restaurant in Lower Manhattan.
To me, there is no difference when a white person or black person uses the n-word, I’m disgusted when I hear it either way.
Last Free Voice 