Nas vs. Jay

[James R.]

This shit was THE BIGGEST publicity stunt in the history of rap. According to all the different versions of the stories I've heard Memphis Bleek came at Nas a couple times in some songs that he did (that no one knew about cuz he's Bleek) talkin about how Nas made up his past and shit. Nas replied a few times with some tracks (that no one cared about cuz they were aimed at Bleek) and apparently mentioned Jay-Z in one or more of said tracks.

Now it makes sense that Nas would attack Bleek since he was attacked first, but why would he attack Jay-Z (who was at the PEAK of his game) and then try to play it like Takeover was this big sneak attack on him? Personally I think Nas knew that his relevance was fading and he either used Jay-Z to get himself back in the game, OR (and this is far more conspiracy and far less likely) they had some type of agreement to boost each other up.

The Takeover was originally just a Mobb Deep diss and the only shot Jay took at Nas was the line "ask Nas he don't want it wit Hov Noooo!" Then he expanded the diss to include the entire verse that everyone thought would more or less end Nas altogether. Either way it was HUGE publicity for Jay. I mean Nas dropped Illmatic, he was and forever will be a legend in NYC for that album alone. But then Nas starts taking shots back and drops Ether which is hailed as the greatest diss of all time by many. Not only were the critical ratings of Stillmatic higher than every other album Nas had (save Illmatic), but his sales skyrocketed.

Now that was the greatest beef ever in my opinion because both sides were so skilled. It also really set the standard for quality of beef tracks in rap, but the fact that they came at each other SO hard and then all of a sudden are friends doin collabs and cameos in each others videos and shit never sat well with me. Not to mention Nas and his crazy ass album names and fashion statements right after he got signed with Def Jam.

I dunno. Every beef is a publicity stunt, but this shit worked out so well for both of them it almost seemed planned on at least one end for the sole purpose of sales and/or acclaim in w/e form. Just what I'm thinkin ya dig?

[theJFKshow]

[James R.]

Nas is SO much better.

omg no shit!?

[DrRapid]

Both of the them are hip hop legends, I love Ether just as I also like Takeover very much. This is probably the best beef of all time cause it was in between two very skilled emcees though yeah, I am sort of disappointed at the way it ended really. Could of been more epic.

[James R.]

@ Tru, I know. I just think it's interesting how as soon as Nas is really leaving everyone's mind he and the biggest rapper NY has seen since Biggie and Kane get into the most random skirmish I've ever seen. I mean Bleek? Really? Who the fuck takes HIM seriously? I dunno. I'd like to see Nas regain relevance via ruining Lil Wayne

[Xray]

Fuck that I wish Nas never became friends with Jay or signed with Def Jam. Cause he lost his talent to make street music when he did. Like you said he got more into that "popular life" which I really hate with a passion. I don't think that beef was the greatest beef cause it wasn't much. 1 diss track each towards each other ain't shit. I wish they continued it till this day, NOW THAT WOULD OF BEEN GREAT.

But seriously fuck both of them, for pulling that stunt. That was lame -_-

[Slim Zaddy]

well jay is better for me

[James R.]

There were actually a bunch of tracks where they took jabs at each other. The first couple are relevant because they were brought up later and had what could be considered some subliminal shots at each other. Once you get to Bleek that's where it's pretty much all diss tracks even if it's not a complete and total attack like Takeover or Ether.

Jay-Z- The City Is Mine
Jay-Z - Dead Presidents
Jay-Z - Imaginary Player
Nas - We Will Survive
Memphis Bleek - What You Think Of That
Nas - Come Get Me
Memphis Bleek - My Mind Right
Nas - Nastradamus
Nas - Da Bridge 2001
Jay-Z - Takeover
Nas - Stillmatic Freestyle (H To The Omo)
Jay-Z - The Takeover (New verse)
Nas - Ether
Jay-Z - Supa Ugly
Nas - You're Da Man
Bravehearts - Quick To Back Down (feat. Nas & Lil Jon)
Jay-Z & Camron - Summer Jam 2002 (Hot 97 Freestyle)
Jay-Z - Don't You Know
Nas - Last Real Nigga Alive
Nas - U Wanna Be Me
Jay-Z - Blueprint 2

[mcZu]

^Taking your list in to consideration, it does seem that Jay started this shit and apparently Nas had a grudge towards him.

If you look at this:

Nas - Ether
Jay-Z - Supa Ugly ---- Highly anticipated record, whole NY was tuned in to the radio...Though it wasn't what everybody was expecting, after the responses Jay got he claimed it was a freestyle...

Meaning Nas did finish him with Ether, but why didn't Jay respond back...I mean he could drop something way harded then Supa Ugly...

It does like a consipiracy, though there isn't any concrete evidence to back that up..

[James R.]

^Naw you'll never find concrete evidence back, but I mean even in the tracks I listed until the Memphis Bleek track nothing was direct. Bleek directly dissed Nas and then all of a sudden Jay and Nas are beefing and shit. They only dropped maybe 2 straight diss tracks each (Nas H to the OMO Freestyle, Takeover, Ether, and Supa Ugly) and then just took jabs to remind everyone "HEY WE DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER!"

A part of me is grateful because they made it ok to publicly beef again. After Biggie and Pac were murdered it was like against the rules to have a real huge altercation, but they threw that to the wind. Of course they also proved that beef sells and have paved the way for the 50 Cents of the world to rely on that tactic like it's life support.

[Brandon S]

Well if it is tru that nas did this just as a publicity stunt........ then it worked


I never really liked Jay tho, I don't dislike him but I think hes VERY overated


but thats for a different topic