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To quote Tupac Shakur, these just might be the "realest" words the rapper Nas has ever written. I'm not talking about lines from his upcoming album, I'm referring to the open letter the Queens, N.Y., MC wrote to Chicago youth in the wake of the brutal beating death of honors student Derrion Albert.The sadistic beating, which was captured on tape, included the 16-year-old getting hit in the head with a board and then punched in the side of the head again as he crumbled to the ground. As Albert lay there seriously injured, he was stomped and kicked in the head.
That Nas, who is considered one of the best to ever spit over a beat, chose to address the topic is good news. Rapper and actor Bow Wow is also speaking out against the violence. It simply is not enough, however, more on that later.
Nas' letter, though filled with some regrettable uses of the "N" word and curse words, is nevertheless powerful.
Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling, that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one.
Nas makes a real effort to let the kids know that he understands what they are going through, because he went through it himself while growing up in one of New York's roughest housing projects. He captures the anger that would cause one young man to slam another in the head with a board over nothing. Imagine the broiling rage you've got to feel to kick someone you don't really know in the head for a reason you can't really explain.
We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, Fila sneakers and name plate chains. Deaths over "he say, she say"!!!!! "I'm from this block or I'm from that block....
I remember feeling like I was the hardest "n*gga" breathing. And I couldn't wait to prove it. But let's think. What are we really proving?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.
Most importantly, he tries to empower young men, telling them they don't have to emulate the way black men are depicted in television and the movies, that they have some control over their destiny:
You have the ability and mindpower to change they way we are looked at. Look who's watching us young warriors, look who's throwing us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Loving to bury us in the ground or in jail where we continue this worthless war on one another.
I hope Nas' status in hip-hop will help make his words more impactful for those who read his letter, but I'd like to challenge him and other rappers to take it a step further.
Hip-hop music is not to blame for this tragedy, but I'd like to see more rappers talking about positive things in their lives. I'd like to hear less lyrics about a rappers' past in the drug game and more talk about how they escaped the negativism. It is something that Nas has already explored in many of his songs.
I remember reading an interview with rapper Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan, where he was asked why he never talked much about his past selling drugs. He simply said because it was nothing he was proud of.
Finally, Nas' letter is not enough. It is going to take a hands-on approach from the men and women of communities across the country to end this senseless violence.
Parents who were talking with their kids would have known about the fighting that was taking place outside of Albert's high school. There should have been an effort to mobilize parents to be there to help prevent the fighting. It would have been a powerful show of parental force. Do you think the boy that slammed Albert in the head with a board would have done that if his mother, father or uncle were there observing?
We can't wait for the police, politicians or even famous rappers to push for change in our communities. It has to start at the ground level.
Nas Pictures
FILE - In this April 20, 2009 file photo, Rapper Nas attends a special screening of Sony Picture Classics' 'Tyson' on Monday, April 20, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)
AP
NEW YORK - APRIL 20: NAS attends Sony Pictures Classics' screening of "Tyson" at the AMC Loews 19th Street on April 20, 2009 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON - JANUARY 19: Rapper Nas performs at the "Yes We Will" BET Inauguration celebration at the BET studios on January 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON - JANUARY 19: Rapper Nas performs at the "Yes We Will" BET Inauguration celebration at the BET studios on January 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Rapper Nas attends the album release party for Q-Tip's "The Renaissance" hosted by Target at the Bowery Hotel on October 27, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 17: Recording Artist Nas performs during the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards Rehearsals Day 2 at The Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on October 17, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)
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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 17: Recording Artist Nas performs during the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards Rehearsals Day 2 at The Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on October 17, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)
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Nas performs the Smirnoff Experience at Capitale on October 7, 2008 in New York City..Smirnoff Experience New York - Show.Capitale.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2008.Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com..To license this image (55909515), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Shay, Pharrell, Grandmaster Flash, Nas and Buckshot attend a press conference for the Smirnoff Experience at the Bowery Hotel on October 7, 2008 in New York City..Smirnoff Experience New York - Press Conference.Bowery Hotel.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2008.Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com..To license this image (55905647), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Nas attends a press conference for the Smirnoff Experience at the Bowery Hotel on October 7, 2008 in New York City..Smirnoff Experience New York - Press Conference.Bowery Hotel.New York, NY United States.October 7, 2008.Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com..To license this image (55905509), contact WireImage.com
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Comments: (6)
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By: Cinderella on 9/30/2009 6:09PM
Much respect to the brother for putting this out there. Black men/boys are becoming public enemy #1 to themselves and the powers that be. Although many in this world will not treat them fairly, it makes no sense for young 'brothers' to hurt each other.
Start at home my people, show your children a better way. You think you are 'Keeping it Real'. Keeping it real is an excuse for being ignorant and selfish. Try respect and common courtesy for starters.
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By: sdw on 10/01/2009 9:18PM
I'm glad that a high profile entertainer is taking a stance on this issue. We need to accept help in any way that we can get it. I also hope that Nas continues to lead by example, by being a father to his own children.
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By: grace & mercy on 10/02/2009 2:21AM
The only thing these young men and all of need to forever change our lives is JESUS CHRIST ! Put down the weapons of death & destruction, and pick up the word of GOD ALMIGHTY which is LIFE to all that seek it. The only role models these youths need are their parents. Parents are responsible for training up their children in the way they should go, so when they are older they shall not depart from it...from Proverbs. If you curse, drink, do drugs in front of your children, you are teaching them this behavior is ok. If you do not work, use violence to solve your problems, you are teaching your kids this is acceptable. GOD has given us instructions on how to be a good father and mother in his word, the HOLY BIBLE. Everything starts at home, or the lack there of. It's time for us to start turning around this tragedy which is being played out all across America ! Jailing corporations are looking at your child as a potential inmate that can bring them $30,000 - $40,000 a year to house them. Think about it ??? May GOD bless you & keep you..
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By: Edward Stevens on 10/15/2009 12:36PM
It is good to see a purveyor of that toxic poison called hip-hop (rap)speak out against the violence that is glorified but it is not enough!! Our black communities need to stop blaming the white man for all of our problems,our shortcomings and our own gross neglect! We also have to stop looking to the white man to solve our problems.We are not helpless nor hopeless!! It is our own negligence to teach and guide our youths.It is our own negligence to instill a sense of spirituality in our youth that has become a great stumblingblock for the black community. We have left God out of the equation!. Until we instill spirituality back into our community we will continue to breed these vicious, cannibalistic and brain-dead generations of youth. No one and I mean no one can do this but us as a black community. ecs
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By: jessup1218 on 10/09/2009 6:20AM
NAS you hypocrite, you are as much responsible for the PREDATORY attitude our kids have. Just like the rest of the Hip Hoppers. When a mother hears that her son has been shot, her first thought is not by the police or even the KKK.
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By: jewel on 10/08/2009 9:26AM
Thanx to nas and anyone who can come out of there comfort zone and speak out. its no wonder the olympics was not chosen to be in chicago. hello!
It takes a village as the saying goes, we need the death penalty and show it live on tv of a murderere being murdered maybe that would help.
they need a reality show of loosers and what happens to loosers. instead of throwing athletes in jail, make them donate money and time to the boyz and girls clubs or have them speak at schools for the rest of their lives.
come on guys I know there are some ideas out there. millionmommarch.org start your own club today.
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