Definition of The N

As a big fan of who I think is arguably the best rapper to ever roc a mic (microphone), the title of his forthcoming album got me a bit curious, like it must have done a lot of people who have heard. I’m talking about Nasir Jones, better known as Nas.
Heralded as the second coming of the god MC, Rakim, he aptly became known as god son. His debut album Illmatic is a Hip Hop masterpiece. Classic may just be a better word. He has dropped many lyrical gems like Made U Look (one of my favs) etc. The way he rocks the mic and his sometimes witty lyricism is truly awesome and his poetry can be deep.
Anyways not to bore with a history lesson about Nas, what this is about like I earlier mentioned is the title of his next album, Nigger!

Yeah! Nigger! if you thought your mind was playing tricks on you the first time. Initially, Nigga was given as the title by Nas several times, including an October 12, 2007 performance at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on where announced the title and release date, which was confirmed by a source close to the project the next day. There has been uproar since he made the announcement. Top on the list is Rev. Jesse “I Am Somebody” Jackson.

“The title using the ‘N’ word is morally offensive and socially distasteful,” said civil rights activist Jesse Jackson in a statement to Fox News. He also said that “Nas has the right to degrade and denigrate in the name of free speech, but there is no honour in it. Radio and television stations have no obligation to play it, and self-respecting people have no obligation to buy it. I wish he would use his talents to lift up and inspire, not degrade, making a mockery of racism.”

The NAACP and former US Presidential candidate Rev. Al Sharpton have also joined the bandwagon of critics.

In response Nas said “I’m a street disciple; I’m talking to the streets,” .

He also said “Stay out of our business. You ain’t got no business worrying about what the word ‘nigger’ is or acting like you know what my album is about without talking to me. Whether you in the NAACP or you Jesse Jackson. I respect all of them … I just want them to know. Never fall victim to Fox [News]. Never fall victim to the sh*t they do.”.

“We’re talking power from the word,” Nas added, explaining he wants to strip away its heavy connotation

In this matter, I doubt if I have an opinion considering the fact that I’ve never been racially abused, at least not directly.

Nigger is a pejorative term used to refer to dark-skinned people, mostly those of African ancestry. For centuries, it has held negative connotations, and in modern times it is considered a racial slur in most contexts. Well for sometime now, people of the African American decsent (rappers mostly) have tried to reclaim this word using the he word Nigga (an adaptation of nigger) in most rap/hip hop records.

I remember seeing Ashley Walters, better known as Asher D formerly of Solid Crew in a documentary in a bid to reclaim the word. Nas claims he wants to make the word easy on black people’s ears like the word “cracker” is to white dudes.

Nas has a large following outside the African American market as does Hip Hop itself. A lot of people outside the Black community use this word without any form of pejoration. It is just the amazing power and influence of Hip Hop which has now transcended Bronx to become a global phenomenon.

I remember that a while ago that there was uproar when J-Lo used the word on one of her records, I’m Real to be precise. Doubt she meant any harm though.

In practice, its use and meaning are heavily dependent on context. Presently, the word nigga is used more liberally among younger members of all races and ethnicities in the United States, although its use by persons not of African descent is still widely viewed as unacceptable and presumably hostile, even with the disclaimer of using it 'in jest' or without intentional prejudice. In addition to other races other thanAfrican Americans, have adopted the term as part of their vernacular.

Nas, seems to like to stir up some controversy though. When he named his last album “Hip Hop is Dead” rappers in the dirty South went all crazy. From Young Jeezy saying Nas had no “street cred” to Ludacris wearing a T-Shirt with “Hip Hop is not Dead it lives in the South” imprinted on it. Anyways the Nigga’s gone platinum with “Hip Hop is Dead” already. So I guess he just wants to get in the public’s eyes, ears and all their senses.

Will he be able to pull this off? I guess not. One major reason is that it won’t be sold in HMV etc with an offensive title like that. This whole thing is about the commerce so Nas will not put an album out that will not be distributed by the major retailers. My take is that he will go with “The N”. Though I think he will be trying to make a statement though. One thing is for sure, that brother is deep and intelligent


As for me, I am just waiting for another classic from God’s son.

I will like to hear you opinions on the album title. What do you think about the album title "Nigger" and the use of the N word? Do you think Jesse Jackson is overreacting? Do you think that its time the sting was taken away from the word? Does the word offend you? Please post your comments.

Have a brilliant day y’all.