Is Nas related? An pointless dialogue as a result of why not?

Earlier than we go any additional, we’d like a working definition of related. I ventured on over to Urban Dictionary to see how the urbans outline related, and whew chile, training on this nation is in hassle. So let’s use a extra conventional, precise definition of related. Let’s see what Merriam-Webster ‘nem should say about it. The first definition, which is essentially the most helpful right here is that this: (adjective) having vital and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand. For the sake of this dialogue, let’s assume that the matter at hand is hip-hop, and maybe extra globally, music. 

So the query is that this: Is Nas related to hip-hop? I feel the reply is sort of clearly sure, however I’m additionally a 43-year-old who thinks Nas is among the best rappers of all time and nonetheless listens to “Illmatic,” his debut album with some regularity. Maybe me saying “clearly” demonstrates some bias. So let’s use some information and figures, and so forth. And oddly, 21 Savage’s personal phrases. 

On Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, Nas launched his fifteenth studio album, “King’s Illness III,” the third installment of what has develop into his sequence of album releases with producer Hit-Boy. He has different collaboration albums, as properly. Whereas I don’t assume we will name a Nas album an occasion of the identical magnitude as Beyoncé, Ye or Drake, a Nas launch remains to be a really, very welcome addition to the hip-hop canon at this level, particularly since for the longest, the largest criticism of Nas has all the time been his less-than-stellar expertise for beat choice. Working with Hit-Boy appears to have kind of solved that drawback solely. Whereas I can’t faux that I like every of his “King’s Illness” albums, they’ve all been sonically robust with absolute monsters on them. The truth is, this newest album contains a track, “Legit,” that samples the basic film “The 5 Heartbeats” and instantly turned one among my favourite information of the 12 months. The truth is, that’s what I ACTUALLY wished to write down about as an alternative of 21 Savage questioning Nas’ relevance, however right here we’re. Anywho, Nas with a very good solo producer who’s taking part in to his lyrical strengths appears to have ensured that he’ll proceed to launch bangers of albums, which in hip-hop circles issues. 21 Savage mentioned himself that Nas makes good music. However he’s not fallacious about one factor: Releasing good music doesn’t make you related. I’m up on a number of artists that launch what is sweet music to me who wouldn’t have a major bearing on hip-hop or music dialog. 

However let’s speak about that loyal fanbase. Nas’ debut album got here out in 1994. Twenty-eight years in the past. “Illmatic” is basically thought of to be one of many, if not the, best hip-hop albums of all time. Positive, it’s debatable, but it surely’s within the convo. However that’s that mid-’90s boom-bap. Nevertheless, in 2020, Nas launched “King’s Illness” and really gained a Grammy Award for it in 2021. A person who bought his begin within the mid-’90s is making award-winning albums in 2020. Whereas awards aren’t related to that fanbase convo — I simply felt like sharing — what’s related is that Nas remains to be releasing albums that hit the highest 10 of the pop charts, of which every prior installment of “King’s Illness” has. Which I feel counts as relevancy, even to an artist like 21 Savage whose final a number of initiatives have debuted on the high of the Billboard pop charts. I might think about that’s one approach to decide relevance. It’s the rationale artists like Drake preserve such a stronghold on music; after they drop, they dominate the charts. If Nas is on those self same charts, perhaps not on the high, however on them proper behind, that’s bought to rely for one thing, no? 

So as to add to that, LOTS of artists who first debuted within the ’90s are nonetheless releasing albums. Most of them don’t hit any charts or make a ripple or would require a Clubhouse room to debate their profession; in the meantime, Nas is in a position to take action. That speaks to one thing, doesn’t it? Whereas Nas won’t be a part of the dialog that children are having — I really feel like this can be a secure guess — older followers, of whom many people exist as a result of we have been raised on hip-hop, nonetheless discover his music and profession to be one which’s vital and important to hip-hop. Artists like Nas show which you can even have an extended profession as a rapper if the music and curiosity stay excessive sufficient. And Nas is a millionaire a number of occasions over due to hip-hop, which is one other bar that these younger whippersnappers use to measure relevance. Most of those youthful rap cats ought to kind of want to have a profession that rivals Nas’ longevity and relevance. Whereas many are tremendously profitable within the second, will those self same followers preserve them related 10 years down the road? That is still to be seen, however with Nas we’ve proof that he manages to make a ripple in hip-hop and music, even at 49 years previous, making hip-hop. 

On its face, 21 Savage’s feedback are odd simply because, properly, he was actually in a room the place people are discussing Nas’ greatness AND the discharge of an album, one which 21 Savage managed to indicate up in. Like, how can an individual be irrelevant whenever you’re actually THERE, as 21 Savage, to speak about this new album? You’re current for the convo; that has to say one thing. Whereas Nas won’t maybe be related to a youthful demographic, that’s not the one demographic that buys music or dictates what albums impression the tradition. I notice that we’ve these arguments all the time in any circle, however I feel that additionally speaks volumes about Nas’ relevance; we’re not speaking about an artist whose best moments are all behind him; we will nonetheless alter his score primarily based on his present output. 

And hell, the best level that may be made about his relevance is that this one: 21 Savage calling him irrelevant LITERALLY took over a day’s information cycle in hip-hop, which led to 21 Savage addressing it on Twitter, considerably backtracking by alleging that he didn’t disrespect Nas nor would he disrespect any legends. I feel 21 Savage in all probability didn’t assume that declaring what to him is clear isn’t damaging. Suffice it to say, he didn’t count on to get such backlash and dialogue, which type of factors out that, maybe, Nas is far more related than he thought. 

Panama Jackson is a columnist at theGrio. He writes very Black issues and drinks very brown liquors, and is fairly fly for a lightweight man. His largest accomplishment up to now coincides along with his Blackest accomplishment up to now in that he acquired a cellphone name from Oprah Winfrey after she learn one among his items (largest), however he didn’t reply the cellphone as a result of the caller ID mentioned “Unknown” (Blackest).

Be sure to take a look at the Pricey Tradition podcast each Thursday on theGrio’s Black Podcast Community, the place I’ll be internet hosting a number of the Blackest conversations recognized to humankind. You won’t go away the convo with an afro, however you’ll positively be in search of your Afro Sheen! Hearken to Pricey Tradition on TheGrio’s app; download it here.