Wow

Filed under: Music Minute

The cover of Nas' new album, which was originally called N—-r.

Powerful imagery!

Posted: May 31, 2008 at 9:26 pm / Email this »

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420 comments to “Wow”

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rach says – reply to this

1

love it!
www.hownothingfeels.com says – reply to this

2

Scarafication? Go on BME….
ttyyun says – reply to this

3

no.
PooHolePoker says – reply to this

4

hate his stupid ass but this cover is hot as fuck
ladyra says – reply to this

5

I'm not really feeling it. Time to move on…
etes says – reply to this

6

love it!!!!!!!!
Rachelka < says – reply to this

7

wow
nikkkk says – reply to this

8

2nd!!!!!!
Nina says – reply to this

9

That pic gives me creeps
KMilt says – reply to this

10

wow.
Daniel says – reply to this

11

It's racist.
Christ says – reply to this

12

That's really original.
alexx. says – reply to this

13

FIRSTTTTTTTTT.
wowzer says – reply to this

14

wowzers. i agree perez
Jimmyb says – reply to this

15

WOW, I agree= powerful imagery
Jimmyb says – reply to this

16

Re: Daniel – "It's racist." Actualy it is HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!! crack a history book and learn something
Nicole says – reply to this

17

seriously…what's up with the blatant racism?
david says – reply to this

18

************************************************************************************when we are in office your white bitch backs will look like that!!!!!
JB says – reply to this

19

Brilliant imagery. This is the NAS that I know and love. When he made the decision to name his album N-R, I was extremely disapointed by his lack of respect for African-American history. This new album cover and name pays homage to what is a difficult, but triumphant story in history. Well done.
yaly says – reply to this

20

Wow
Stop t says – reply to this

21

People have to think once. What happened to Bantus of West African now modern day African American's was by far one of the worst injustices of humanity.

So, let the comments of hatred and the N word come flooding.
tiffan says – reply to this

22

is this like a Jesus thing? wtf? I love you Perez!!!!! You are so awesome!!!! Good luck in your life! Love Teddy too!!!
Brianna says – reply to this

23

Eh, im not liking it.
jessie's girl says – reply to this

24

Eww chill bumps! Chill bumps I say! I like it!
julia says – reply to this

25

nas is a tool
Daysta says – reply to this

26

Wow thats powerful !!
k4te says – reply to this

27

why do people always pull the race card?! How is this racist?!?! I agree.. its called HISTORY
Jackie says – reply to this

28

I'm sorry but why all the racism? Our "white bitch backs" will look like that? The black community is more racist than the white community. My black husband even thinks so. It IS history but not a damn person alive today had anything to do with enslaving anyone. Time to move on.
CeeCee says – reply to this

29

That picture scares me too
Lol
Annie says – reply to this

30

Ew, looks like maggots are eating his flesh not whip marks
Jamie says – reply to this

31

Re: david – Being racist against white people will do nothing to help your cause. I honestly don't see many white people being racist. What I DO see is black people being racist and holding themselves down by going to the streets instead of school. All people like you do is hurt yourselves by spouting bull shit.
iheart says – reply to this

32

love nas, love his messages and music… love the cover… i'd lick his wounds! lol
SK says – reply to this

33

Chip on the shoulder much? I'll never understand why this keeps coming up… Every race has had it's downfalls and it's trials. Theirs wasn't even the most recent… Move on!
gigi says – reply to this

34

if it's real.. why the fuck..
if it's fake.. what a punk ass wannabe fake ass punk!
ali85 says – reply to this

35

take it bitch!!!
HNJ says – reply to this

36

OMG that made my stomache turn!! GROSS
lynn says – reply to this

37

45!
Jen says – reply to this

38

looks fucking disgusting
thissu says – reply to this

39

SAD.
Black people perpetuating the nasty stereotype.
Whites and others dont anymore, its all the AFRICAN AMERICAN, BLACK, whatever communities that make them LOOK BAD!
WHO GIVES A FUCK about their color, it is
THE ATTITUDE that sucks.

This DUMB ASS puts an N on his back in fake lashings?
Ok you ignorant shit, then all artists who are jewish should look like Holocast victims and ALL Asian artists should have BOUND FEET!
IT IS A FACT THAT BLACK ON BLACK VIOLANCE and RASISM is worse inside than out!

HE IS ONE IFNORANT C
Now all you "black" folk start your bullshit talk and tell ME what a rasist I am.
Go on, I am sure all of you will step up on your damn soapbox.
GIVE IT UP!
DEAL WITH IT!
OTHER CULTURES AND RACES were subjected to WORSE!
AND- they got over it!
christ says – reply to this

40

Re: Jackie – excuse me but to tell black people to move on is telling them to forget the plight our their ancestors and ignore the continuous racism we still face til this day. You prob arent black so this racism that i speako f you have no idea about.
me says – reply to this

41

Over it..keep beating the dead horse.
Jo says – reply to this

42

GET OVER yourself NAS…this sets us back yet another 30 years…good GOD.
Jack says – reply to this

43

Re: Jamie – BRILLIANTLY STATED! I completely agree.
Jeff says – reply to this

44

Re: christ – Get over it…stop living in the past. This cover is total bullshit and does nothing to help black people. I am black and I think this cover is just plain stupid. ITS FAKE…and he was going to call himself a "N—R". Ignorance, just plain ignorance.
uh says – reply to this

45

Is the black community ever going to mentally proceed beyond the 1800s? The mentality was at the essence of slavery, and it seems that certain people have chosen to retain that mentality. This is an incredibly sick album cover. I hope no one buys this idiotic album, obviously created by a "reverse-racist" who is pathetically victimizing himself even though America has given him every opportunity (including the opportunity to be rich by selling stupid albums).
Carrie says – reply to this

46

Re: thissu – I completely agree with you! Nicely put!
tobi says – reply to this

47

WHY CAN"T AFRICAN AMER PEOPLE, STOP CALLING EACH OTHER THAT N WORD, there perpetuating raceism,that's so ignorate,
Foster says – reply to this

48

Re: uh – I agree. Too bad artists that are in the spotlight cant use their position in the public as an avenue to move FORWARD…not backwards. I personally would NEVER buy this album, nor would I support any artist, regardless of color/race who perpetuates racism. How ignorant!
Amber says – reply to this

49

Keep playing the victim.
Lillia says – reply to this

50

Shame on him for commercializing a hideous part of African history.

Why did he do it - simple. To get attention and sell more albums. He is further exploiting his own people.
ElSard says – reply to this

51

WOW We owe them so much money.White people that is.
Dayna says – reply to this

52

That is intense, and takes a lot of courage to have a cover like that. I admire him for it.
So Eas says – reply to this

53

You "White Folk" speak about something you know nothing about, until you sit down with your black great-grandmother and she tells you about your enslaved ancestors, and how they were beat and raped, and had their babies stolen from them and used as bait to catch alligators, then u may speak. To Jackie with the "Black" husband, If he feels that way about his people then he's a self hating Uncle Tom and he can gone in the house with Massa!
SweetD says – reply to this

54

i tink is wiked awesome!
ryan says – reply to this

55

the holocaust is history too, but you dont see jewish artists make album covers or paintings of jews getting gassed and starved to death.

you are a multi-million dollar rapper NAS… geez the "MAN" is really holding you down keeping you oppressed.
Shelly says – reply to this

56

uum i like this but it kinda scres me y r they so much scars on him lol brilliant
HA! says – reply to this

57

BIG DEAL! THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE CALLS BLACKS. YEAH HE'S HAD IT SOOOO HARD IN THIS RACIST SOCIETY MAKING MILLIONS SINGING NURSERY RHYMES TO STOLEN BEATS. REALLY ROUGH. YOU KNOW HE DON'T LIVE IN THE GHETTO NO MO. IT JUST SHOWS HIS IQ LEVEL. IDIOT!
Drrr says – reply to this

58

Re: So Eas – and you talked to your great grandmother about that???????? What is she 130 years old you fucking fake bullshiter! You have been smokin too much crack. Typical lyin boone. Just like you have been followed in the stores and pulled over by the police when most don't have cars. Wah wah wah. Turn off Roots and get a job! the Mexicans have already passed by you lazy shmucks. wah wah wah no one cares.
Reilly says – reply to this

59

Move the fuck on.
Purr says – reply to this

60

My first thought was it was leaches all over his back. Having trouble getting beyond that first impression.

Since Nas is in fact a very rich, successful man, and putting the scars on his back was his own decision…perhaps his message is that he's beating himself up?

I sure hope when we have President Obama that African Americans will be able to put the past and the past and realize that they can do so much more with their lives than wallow in bitterness.
blacki says – reply to this

61

Re: ryan – Really? seems like that's all we ever see or hear from jews about is the holocust. Every other day there is a memorial put up, a new book or movie etc, on and on and on. You are just blind and don't see outside your relig.
Bitch says – reply to this

62

wow y is there a big N of wounds on his back
O'Rea says – reply to this

63

He obviously still wishes to be a victim of a past no one can change. Sad… he needs counsleing.
Chloe says – reply to this

64

Re: So Eas –
No one has ever been treated worse than Native Americans in this country, and until everyone else stops feeling victimized for what happened centuries ago, this country will never move forward.
FoReal says – reply to this

65

Looks like Amy Winehouse's neck.
meh says – reply to this

66

Nas is a multi-millionare just for singing crappy songs–real oppression huh? He should have tattooed hypocrite on his back.
I hate says – reply to this

67

Re: david –

FUCK YOU RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron says – reply to this

68

Great cover! He would make more money if it released in early 90's where rap / hip-hop, race & character were still in question. I hate how he is trying to make $$$$ by reviving a terrible time in history.
MmHmm says – reply to this

69

I didn't even know he was ever a slave! He doesn't look that old. Oh, that's right — he's co-opting someone else's pain to make himself seem deep. No wonder hip-hop is so over.
crysta says – reply to this

70

Re: Daniel – really to who????? shut up dumb assss!
athoug says – reply to this

71

If afracian american's don't want the word "n—r" to be thought of as an okay word for people of other racial types to say, mabey it wouldn't be the greatest idea for a a public figure to write it on his back, litteraly. Food for thought.
crysta says – reply to this

72

Re: MmHmm – o shut up he cant sand up for his people???
maybe you need to do some research on your own to see what cause you should fight loooser! or are you to stupid?
So Eas says – reply to this

73

Re: Drrr – Yes I have, she knows it because it's been told to her. I'm sorry that you all don't discuss your moonshine history in the trailor parks, with your "MaMa" who's really your sister. Oh and by the way I have a "Phd" in psychology so NO i've never been pulled over in my 2008 BMW, and sorry don't smoke crack, and yes you are right I have been followed in stores, but once I ask for the manager and call them out on it and they see that I'm not ignorant and un-intelligent as you seem to be, all that ceases. I have really lowered myself responding back to you, but "Oh Well What the Hell', so tick that in your meth pipe and smoke it, and don't blow-up the trailor. This is my last response so enjoy……
Trevor says – reply to this

74

Re: So Eas – NAS stands for Never A Slave. GET OVER IT.
tiffan says – reply to this

75

to all the white people on here who say that blacks are racists and white are not. ask yourselves why do your children receive the best education, from the best teachers in state of the art buildings, why are your communities developed, why are there specisl rules on the books just so i can have the same rights you have just because you were born, why when a white woman is losing the presidential race to a black man is there so much hoopla and drama, you have the best of everything and are unwilling to share any of it with the est of us. you dont have to kill us, hang us, rape us anymore. you've grown move covert in strategy. white people please!!!!! if you had to live my life for a day, you'd commit suicide. by the way i am educated with 2 master's, married for 8 years, mother of teo, all born in wedlock, and have never been to prison. but you all better recognize that you have the best and don't have many of the same problems because you hoard all the resources. and have the audacity to be anti-affirmative action.
tiffan says – reply to this

76

excuse my spelling errors i was upset, its not because i can't spell
ash says – reply to this

77

OH MY GOD give it up already. if memory recalls, SLAVERY WAS OUTLAWED in the 1860s? IT'S 2008, you stupid, rascist motherfucker. I DON'T see too many whities whipping the blacks anymore.
OPRAH says – reply to this

78

GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
GET OVER IT ALREADY!
DUMB ASS NIGGAS CAN NEVER LET IT GO!
wtf says – reply to this

79

Re: tiffan –
Not all white people live like kings. You must be a racist if you think that. Apparently you have more money than I do, so I bet you live in a better school district than I do. This is the 21st century and it's all based on money in this country. I guess I should resent you like you resent all white people.
bunnnn says – reply to this

80

How very ignorant. Thanks for creating a greater racial divide between african americans and the rest of the country nas. Its one thing to remember ur history, its a another to keep the hatred alive. Its because of retards like these that the n word is so predominant in society. I actually used to like and respect him/his music before i saw this
Jeff says – reply to this

81

Re: tiffan – See, you are stupid. Why are there ALL BLACK scholarships? Get the FUCK over yourself and maybe you need to go to a BETTER school and EDUCATE yourself. Idiot. Its called EQUALITY….and you can thank NAS for making black people look stupid.
Jen says – reply to this

82

Looks like some kind of larvae hatched in his skin. Creepy.
ash says – reply to this

83

Re: So Eas – Um last time I checked, we all learn the SAME shit from textbooks in school.

for your information, how do you think my poor-off-the-boat great grandparents were treated? you think they were handed privelege? think wrong. they dug the effing erie canal. and if you think that's no big deal, it's HARD work. look it up.

and GET over it. like someone said, not a damn person alive to day had a DAMN thing to do with enslaving blacks. IT'S HISTORY, stop playing the victim already. IT'S SO tired.
tome says – reply to this

84

are those worms on his back???
MmHmm says – reply to this

85

Re: crysta –

Honey, the slaves are all dead and "NAS" never did a thing to help them. It's too late to pretend to be their hero when they're all gone. Why doesn't he do something to get actual living kids to stay in school and make a better future instead of playing around? This crap just gives kids excuses for fucking up their lives by blaming everything on someone else.
ash says – reply to this

86

Re: tiffan – bulllshit. stop being so lame.
Colin says – reply to this

87

Re: tiffan – Hillary is white and she is hated…maybe she will start a singing career and make it a racial issue on her album cover. Enough already….spend your energy getting angry at people like NAS, not white people in general. He was going to call his album "N—-R"…and you have the nerve to say that white people are more entitled? Black people have their own god damn month, own scholarships….and the more I think about it, THAT IS NOT FAIR! If my child was smarter than yours, and your child got a full ride to a college JUST because of the color of his/her skin….FUCK that. This country is about equality, and actually, black people have it easier….spread the word to your people, GET THE FUCK OVER IT.
christ says – reply to this

88

OMG!!! so excited!!! perez can u please please please pretty please with a cherry on top try to get some leaks!!! =) LOVE U!!!!!!!!!!!!
bunnnn says – reply to this

89

One more thing people - whoever is actually supportive of covers like these.. take a look at all the comments that are being posted. Rather than getting past our differences, we have white/black/asian/indian/etc people all calling one another racist over an ignorant rapper. Yes there are racial issues in this country, but lets handle them HONESTLY and openly- not by depicting an incredibly rich black man with whiplashes on his back calling himself a n***** on an album cover.
TRUTH says – reply to this

90

This is the shit that black people do that holds them back. They blame everything they do wrong on white people. Meanwhile since the days of slavery Irish people, Italians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cubans, Mexicans and every other nationality have been coming here and passing up blacks. They were all oppressed but they just worked harder and tried to do their best and they keep passing up the blacks. And guess who else passes them up. Africans who have come here for the last 50 years can't stand American blacks and they all work harder and pass up the native blacks just like everyone else. Keep holding yourselves back if you want. It's sad as fuck, but it's your choice.
Blurg says – reply to this

91

You guys are missing the point. The imagery gets posted but not his reasonings. You guys are being judged mental without knowing the full story.
Raymon says – reply to this

92

Wow! Imagine that: turning the suffering of people he has never met into a marketing scheme. That's the ticket!

I'm just wondering when NAS was enslaved? Wonder how much gritty work this guy has done????? Think his life has been nothing but oppression???? BITCH PLEASE!!!! I'm wearin' a polo shirt and steve madden loafers and I've had it harder than this guy. I am harder THAN him too. When did he get the lashing??? Between getting bottle service and his second groupie hoe of the night????
tiffan says – reply to this

93

there are so many black scholarships because on average white people have more money than blacks. i never said all white people live like kings, you did, so you must know something i dont. i know there are a lot of poor white people. i will believe in equality when i see it in my life. TV, turn it on you'll see all your people on it. Magazines, oops there you are again. at college, 35,000 but only 1500 blacks. until you recognize that blacks have a reason to feel as they do, you'll be forever be beknighted in ignorance. i teach in an inner city high school and each year we do an exchange with a rich white suburban school. i see their school and i see mine. big difference. you're welcome to come live in the hood with me and i bet you'll change your mind, but i bet you're too afraid.
CMS says – reply to this

94

Re: Jackie – Everyone who has ever enslaved anyone is NOT dead. Slavery does not apply strictly to African-Americans.
Just a says – reply to this

95

Where do all of the Black people work..lol I never see black people with reg jobs..The only jobs black people want to do are telemarketing hahaha..or something with the city…Any hard working job that requires work they will not do..But that is just american blacks..Black people from africa are very hard working just like every other nationality here in the U.S…But for some reason American blacks dont want to get there hands dirty, yet complain about every thing that is wrong with the world.
Kelley says – reply to this

96

Re: tiffan – So then ask yourself this question….why are so many black people unemployed? Why doesn't your school partner with a less fortunate white school…your school CHOOSES to force that difference in childrens faces, and since you WORK there…you are simply perpetuating a false sense of reality for those kids…who will in turn THINK like you, which is SAD and WARPED and NOT TRUE. Get your facts straight before you start running your mouth about how much money white people do….well gues what, white people, Hispanic people, black people…we all earn it. You really need to educate yourself, because you look REALLY ignorant. And you should be ashamed of yourself for promoting racism to your students. I hope my kids never cross your path, because they believe in equality….clearly you don't and you are corrupting the minds of children, shame on you.
John says – reply to this

97

Re: Just a – They don't work because they are milking the government…standing in line to get WIC tickets so they can grocery shop and head back to Section 8 housing. PATHETIC. I am off to tell my gardner to tell the pool man to tell my maid that I will be at Louis Vuitton shopping for the day…GOD people are so ignorant.
Biggie says – reply to this

98

Hip Hop is done! Stick a fork in that corny shit!
tintoys says – reply to this

99

: /
tiffan says – reply to this

100

did someone just say that black people have their own month? so do latinos, asians, and women. we wouldn't need one if the study of us was significant. i had to learn about white people in elementary,, high school, and college. have you ever studies the african diaspora? afro-latino history? read the great black scholars? juneteenth? the UNIA? but i know all about your so-called achievements like the discovery of america. you're ignorant. you're so self-absorbed as a group. you think that your's is the standard of beauty, the customs everyone else should follow or they are uncivilized. go live in a minority neighborhood, listen to the people there, and open your brain. anybody who threatens your way of life or plan must be exterminated! have you seen a native american lately?

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