Numerous lyrics speak out on behalf of African- Americans and against racism. “Sly Fox” warns of media indoctrination.
Sadly, even the rapper’s racial pride-and-empowerment homilies simply reinforce an unhealthy status quo. Nas lionizes Nation of Islam head Louis Farrakhan (“Untitled”) and toasts hustlers, gangstas and ballers (“Make the World Go Round”). Cuts display an arrogance so brazen that he dubs himself a “Hero.” Paranoid fans may be driven deeper into psychosis by the rapper’s assertions that the establishment—from The Man and the media to the FBI and free health clinics—is out to get him. “Breathe” states, “Middle fingers up/f— the police.” That’s just a taste of the deplorable language strewn throughout. He also talks of “cutting hard coke” (“N.I.*.*.E.R.”), uses food as a metaphor for sex (“Fried Chicken”) and accuses the Bible of being sexist as he calls God a gangsta (“America”).
The CD’s controversial original title, N-gger, was dropped, but that racial slur and the debate over its usage remain central to the lyrics. Nas avoids the extreme sex and violence common in modern rap, but this untitled project is still profane and socially irresponsible.
Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.
