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Friday, 30 May 2008 14:13 |
 Nas, in a private screening at New York City's Tribeca Grand Hotel, previewed the video for his lead single "be a n****r too," off of his forthcoming self-titled album.
Directed by Rik Codereo, the 5 minute, black and white video for "be a n****r too" featured Nas standing in front of a mirror rapping, as flashes of a multi-cultural cast withstanding the trails and tribulations of racism in America. Based on Spike Lee's 25th Hour, starring Ed Norton, the video is a take off a scene in the film where Norton stands in front of mirror and sort of questions himself and takes a stance politically and socially.
"Nas offends no one, by offending everyone," Codereo said. "This video is not a publicity stunt. It was definitely an honor to work with him."
In the end of the clip, Nas questions his position and whether or not he's done enough in society. Looking at his reflection in the mirror he states, "You could have done something great Nasir Jones....you just a n***a."
"It's just a video," Nas said. "It means a lot to me. In the last hour when no one was calling [Rik] back he just did it on his own. I tip my hat [to him]."
After much debate and controversy surrounding the original title of his ninth studio album, N****r, Nas decided to change the name. Drawing criticism from several African-American leaders, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, over the provocative title, Nas denied the leaders had any influence on his decision.
"Sharpton had no influence on me changing the title," he asserted. "Hip-hop has caught a lot of heat this last year from our so-called black leaders. We have a lot of enemies from these so-called leaders and they go to these corporations and extort the record labels."
"These [leaders] have no way of making money and they're mad we're making a lot of money off of sh*t we sell in the streets," he continued, "There's no more outspoken or political rappers. It ain't far fetched on us, but the old generation frowns on us. The [Bill]Cosby's and Sharpton's they're scared that hip-hop n*gga's are on the way up and the so-called leaders play the tap dance roll because of that."
In the end, the politically charged emcee explained the reason for initially naming the album the N-word.
"I ain't Farrakhan and I ain't trying to be him," Nas confessed. "I like pissing people off and stir stupid n*ggas. If you ain't putting your career on the line, it ain't safe no more... My pops told me, 'don't underestimate intelligent people. Dumb n*ggas will get it, too'!"
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