Yesterday, the Internet worked itself into a lather over reports that Nas used ghostwriters for some of his songs, including "Queens Get the Money," off 2009's Untitled album. Two of those alleged "ghostwriters," Jay Electronica and stic.man, have denied those allegations.
Jay Electronica: "Nas is one of the Greatest Ever. never has and never will need a ghostwriter. that man's pen and legacy is without question. -- ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTRONICA (@JayElectronica) [via: Twitter]
Stic.man: "As far as the rumors about myself and jay electronika ghost writing for Nas, let me say this. Nas is one of the if not the most prolific original lyricist to EVER do it. My contributions to his album was a collaboration and an honor and under his direction of what he wanted to convey and say. Haters cant discredit that man's genius. Nas is the Don. Dream Hampton. I certainly don't mean to call u a hater. I am just being brought up to speed about your tweet. I heard the "rumors" from other tweets and a few emails from fans. I still haven't read your tweet. So my statement was just being clear on how I felt about the collab. That was a great opportunity for me to work with one of the most influential emcees to my own personal flow and craft. I can't speak on what Jay and Nas collab was cause I wasn't there and that's there business. Both of those cats are awesome lyricists in my opinion. But for me I was just a white belt that answered the call for a session with a master of the craft. And I assisted where it was requested with ideas, beats and some writing. Not because Nas "needed" me lol...Again I was just honored to get the call. Nas new album Life is Good is lyrically magnificent and his skills have always spoken for them self. So that's just my view I respect that folks may field different ways about it. Just clarifying my position. And I referred to it as a "rumor" because obviously no one of the people talking about it were present in the session. So people can sometimes think they know but weren't present so they speak on what they think as opposed to being there." [via: Facebook]
So, they did some writing for Nas. That's not as damaging as writing entire albums, but it's still a monumental sin in a genre that frowns on all forms of ghostwriting.
Now that you've heard from all the parties involved, how does this change your perception of Nas and his legacy?
(Photo © Rizoh)
Comments
Still the G.O.A.T.
How so j said he never has and never will need one and stic was just happy to be a part of it the man’s catalog speaks for itself
I suggesst the writer of this article looking up Stic.man’s interview discussing his recording process with Nas. He produced 3 tracks, wrote a hook, and they bounced ideas off each other hardly considered ghostwriting.
http://www.vibe.com/node/104620
Do you think differently of Dr. Dre and Kanye West as producers even though they’re both known to use numerous collaborators on albums? Thousands of people have worked with Nas and we’re just hearing about this now? It’s obviously crap. Everyone gets a little help but that doesn’t take away the many things he has done.
Bouncing ideas is not the same as ghostwriting in my book. That said, this statement: “I assisted where it was requested with ideas, beats and SOME WRITING” will likely elicit some backlash from hip-hop fans who frown on anything that remotely smells like ghostwriting.
It’s funny how people are TRYIN’ to make this a big deal, “I assisted where it was requested with ideas, beats and SOME WRITING” will likely elicit some backlash from hip-hop fans who frown on anything that remotely smells like ghostwriting”…. Yeah right, Henry you need to STUDY Rap music history, over the years there have been MANY Hip Hop artists that have had rhymes written by other artists, including some GREAT artists like Biz Markie, MC Lyte, Easy E, Da Brat and MANY others, Dr. Dre’ has NEVER written any lyrics to the songs he raps on, so WHUT?!! … Yo, even IF stic or Jay “did SOME writing for Nas what does that REALLY mean?!… in EVERY genre of music artists write songs for others, let’s STOP tryin’ to put Hip Hop artists in a box, WORD!
dis whole crap sounds funny,Nas is a legend and nothing can change that..Haters better note that
This interview pretty much kills this rumor for me.
http://www.vibe.com/article/dead-prez%E2%80%99-sticman-dismisses-ghostwriting-nas-%E2%80%9C-didn%E2%80%99t-happen%E2%80%9D
all the verse nas spit on untitled was written by him.stic man said what he wrote was hooks not verse the writer of this article should read sticmans vibe magazine interview from yesterday