The response to “Untitled,” one of the most anticipated and controversial hip-hop releases of the year, has flooded all sections of the spectrum. The reviews alone have started at “classic” and meandered all the way down to “steaming pile of crap.” But whether folks like it or not, they are all talking about it; and talking about Nas. His ability to take a concept and smother it in debate has not eluded many hip-hop journalists. And some are now beginning to wonder if the storm was created to open lines of communication in the hip hop universe or to pad his sales.

The beginning of this debate actually finds us backed up a few years ago when Nas suggested a certain popular radio station in New York had something similar to a payola program going on. The station denied the allegations, but Nas stood with his word. However, on the eve of the release of a new album, Nas rescinded his comments and accepted an interview to promote the album on that same radio station. It wasn’t a question of integrity until investigation determined his original allegation was somewhat true. People of course were confused about his cowering in the midst of his marketing blitz.

Then there was the sentence heard round the rap world. I swear I truly rue the day those hideous words rolled off his tongue. Hip Hop is Dead? It was most definitely a phrase that made people take notice of not only the state of hip hop, but the messenger as well. Heralding him as thoughtful and fearless, many a fan agreed and picked up the catch phrase. They assigned the genre a date of death and started wearing black in the wake of its passing. But what was the point? This death knell was the pre-cursor to the release of his album; a hip hop album. Maybe it was figurative and not literal. Maybe this was his attempt at CPR. I’ve never quite understood that movement outside of it adding a mystique to the less than stellar release.

Now we have the album formerly known as “Nigger.” Imagine his disappointment when the label folks stepped in and said we aren’t taking this heat. Or maybe, imagine him folding easily because he knew all along that the title wouldn’t make it. That his original desire for the controversial word to adorn his cover art would be enough. Was it a ploy from the beginning? Some people believe it was.

So whether you lean to the left or the right, it’s definitely a topic worth considering. If Nas is the truth as many a head says and he is bringing us his hip-hop reality, unapologetically and with the weight of the execs on his shoulders, then he should be commended. But if he is using hot button topics, issues that cut to the core of most urbanites for no more than tugging at the buying public’s purse strings, then he should be escorted out of the hip hop universe.

by Shelz