Explicit is right

Nasir Jones is no stranger to making bold statements. The rapper better know as Nas, declared Hip Hop Is Dead back in 2006. While that album was controversial, it’s nothing compared to the boldness and outspokenness he displays on his latest Def Jam release Untitled.

Earlier this year, Nas announced that he would call this, his ninth album, Nigger. Though the pre-release controversy causeded him to change the album to its current title, it has not softened its outlook on the current state of black America.

Even though Nas has taken the N-word off the album’s cover, the word is heard all through the album. While Nas realizes the word angers some, he makes it clear that he means no disrespect to anyone else in the black community.

In a recent Rolling Stone article Nas stated, “It’s probably going to make people uncomfortable. It’s definitely no disrespect to my people, or to the people who fought for my rights in this country, and died for us.”

Every song on the album is strongly built with thought-provoking lyrics and overly clever beats. Nas’s lyrics cut like a knife as he talks about everything from the origins of the N-word to the harmful effects of soul food on “Fried Chicken.”

The album’s first single, “Hero,”  discusses people looking for inspiration. The upbeat track is produced by Polow Da Don and is christened by songstress Keri Hilson, who sings the hook.

While the track is a potential hit, it doesn’t carry as much of the heavy-hitting lyrics displayed by the rest of the album, making it sound almost out of place, besides the one other upbeat track, “Make the World Go Round,” which features Chris Brown.

Nas gets to the root of what the N-word really means on “N.I.*.*.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” and gets political on “Black President,” where he samples a Barack Obama speech. The tracks chorus quotes Obama, singing “Yes, we can change the world.”

Lyrically, this may be one of Nas’s best performances to date. The album is very well done and was thought out to near perfection.

If you are at all squeemish when it comes to race I wouldn’t buy this album. But if you can handle it, I suggest you buy Untitled and get ready for a black history lesson.