NAS - ETHER vs JAY Z - TAKEOVER

Rivalries or ‘beefs’ are prevalent in Hip Hop culture. A very popular rivalry (following Tupac & Bigge’s deaths) existed between Nas & Jay Z, both who crowned themselves as the King’s of New York following BIG’s departure. The ‘beef’ allegedly began when Nas failed to appear on Jay Z’s debut album “Reasonable Doubt” after he had committed to do so. It continued when Nas learned his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his first child, Carmen Bryan, had a sexual relationship with Jay Z. What followed was a number of ‘Diss Tracks’ (a song with the sole purpose of insulting the other person) released by both artists.

TAKEOVER – JAY Z

“Takeover” is the second track on Jay Z’s Blueprint album released in 2001. In the third verse Jay attacks Nas with witty lines and lyrics. He talks of Nas’s decreasing popularity in mainstream rap. He mocks Nas’s brief modeling career for Karl Kani. He continues cleverly insulting Nas by acknowledging Illmatic (Nas’s first album) was a very good album but follows his comments with, “That’s one hot album every ten year average.” However, at the conclusion of his verse is where Jay Z strikes his hardest blow. He raps, “You know who, did you know what, with you know who, but lets just keep that between me and you,” referring to his sexual relationship with Carmen Bryan.

ETHER – NAS

In December of 2001, Nas released his album, “Stillmatic” with the second track being a direct response to Jay’s “Takeover.” “Ether” begins with a slowed recording of Tupac saying “Fuck Jay Z” & is followed by such clever and insulting lyrics that many consider “Ether” the best Diss Track ever released. Nas uses such harsh lines as, “I embrace y'all [Jay Z and his crew] with napalm blows up, no guts, left chest, face gone.” He continues mocking Jay about his appearance in a very funny song and video, “Hawaiian Sophie.”

In the second verse, which is a very long final verse, is why this song is considered such a incredible insulting track. Firstly, Nas informs Jay that he once considered them equals even brothers, but says he was disappointed when Jay Z “sold [his] soul for riches.” However, later in the verse he also strikes a very witty yet very hard blow against Jay. He compares Jay & his business partner Damon Dash to Biggie and his friend Puff Daddy. The comparison is made to imply that Jay and Dame are followers and thus Jay is “a phony, a fake, a Stan (a reference to an Eminem song).” He continues mocking Jay’s businesses name, Rock-A-Fella records saying, “I rock Ho’s, y’all rock Fellas, now you’re trying to take my spot Fellas?”

Finally, after a number of clever insults, Nas begins to conclude his song. He calls Jay ugly, compares him to a rat, implies he uses people for self-gain, and lastly claims Jay is exploiting his friend Biggie by continuously using Biggie’s lyrics in his songs.

Recently the ‘beef’ between Nas & Jay ended and they now work together. Jay Z, the CEO of Def Jam Records, recently signed Nas. Though they admit they are not friends, they realize that they may be the two best rappers in the world. Therefore a mutual respect exists between the two. This mutual respect enables Jay & Nas to forget the past, have success in the future, and ultimately make more money.

JUST A SIDE NOTE: a hip hop radio station, Hot 97, had a phone in poll to see who won the Nas/Ether vs. Jay Z/Takeover beef, 55% voted for Nas/Ether.

JAY Z - TAKEOVER: http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/8/28/191037/Jay%20Z-%20Takeover.mp3

LYRICS: http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Jay-z/Takeover.html

NAS - ETHER: http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/8/28/191037/Nas-%20Ether.mp3

LYRICS: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nas/ether.html