Entertainment, Music - Marine Corps Times

Who killed hip-hop? Nas launches investigation

The way Nas sees it, the industry has sucked the life out of rap music with an overemphasis on moneymaking and thug imagery. He hopes his new “Hip Hop Is Dead” helps restore its dulled spirit.

“Everybody forgot the fun and the art of the game, so that now people don’t know what it is anymore,” Nas says. “We forgot that it’s about more than just money.”

Nas takes it upon himself to remind people of hip-hop’s roots and point out money is now a stronger motivator than artistic integrity. His 1994 debut, “Illmatic,” which chronicled his life growing up in New York’s Queensbridge projects, is considered by many the best rap album ever. Offerings such as 2001’s “Stillmatic” and 2002’s “God’s Son” have ensured his street credibility has remained intact. He remains one of hip-hop’s most insightful thinkers and revered lyricists.

This album is his first for Def Jam, the record label now run by former rival Jay-Z. Their reconciliation after famously beefing for years and Nas’ subsequent signing have made the album, which features Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, The Game and Nas’ wife, R&B star Kelis, one of the year’s most anticipated.

Their fiery social commentary, “Black Republican,” is just one of the highlights on a disc that finds Nas (Nasir Jones, 33) often waxing nostalgic about the days before rap became big business. He also seeks to inspire artists out of a collective rut. Nas has been criticized for glorifying the same bling he often rails against.

But he says there really is no contradiction: “You’ve got to enjoy your life and live the American dream, but at the same time you can’t let money run you.”

He says many young rappers fall victim to the idea that they have to do whatever sells. But his generation of rappers - those who came of age in the ‘90s - is the first to remain relevant well into their 30s and can set a better example by continuing to grow.

Though he and Jay-Z have put their differences aside, there are still reminders of the drama. Carmen Bryan, Nas’ former girlfriend and mother of his 12-year-old daughter, Destiny, just released a name-dropping, tell-all book, “It’s No Secret.” Among her many claims is that her relationship with Jay-Z is what sparked the rivalry.

Nas dismisses that notion. “What bothers me is how someone would be malicious in painting a picture of their own child’s father,” he says. “It’s unfortunate, and it’s sad. But it’s life, and what are you going to do?”

Nas closes “Hip Hop Is Dead” with a song called “Hope.” He recognizes that despite its artistic flaws, the commercially successful music still holds plenty of promise. “It’s too good of a thing not to be saved,” he says. “That’s one thing about rap. It’s conversations about reality, and as long as there is reality, there is going to be rap.”

Steve Jones writes for USA Today.