Nas Says Sharpton Had “No Influence” On Album Title

Nas, in a private screening at New York City’s Tribeca Grand Hotel, previewed the video for his lead single “be a n****r too,” off of his forthcoming self-titled album..

He addressed the reasons for his decision to change the controversial album title and as he sounded off on America’s black leaders.

After much debate and controversy surrounding the original title of his ninth studio album, N****r, Nas decided to change the name. Drawing criticism from several African-American leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, over the provocative title, Nas denied the leaders had any influence on his decision.

“Sharpton had no influence on me changing the title,” he asserted. “Hip-hop has caught a lot of heat this last year from our so-called black leaders. We have a lot of enemies from these so-called leaders and they go to these corporations and extort the record labels.”

“These [leaders] have no way of making money and they’re mad we’re making a lot of money off of sh*t we sell in the streets,” he continued, “There’s no more outspoken or political rappers. It ain’t far fetched on us, but the old generation frowns on us. The [Bill]Cosby’s and Sharpton’s they’re scared that hip-hop n*gga’s are on the way up and the so-called leaders play the tap dance roll because of that.”

In the end, the politically charged emcee explained the reason for initially naming the album the N-word.

“I ain’t Farrakhan and I ain’t trying to be him,” Nas confessed. “I like pissing people off and stir stupid n*ggas. If you ain’t putting your career on the line, it ain’t safe no more… My pops told me, ‘don’t underestimate intelligent people. Dumb n*ggas will get it, too’!”

~ by splifstar on June 2, 2008.