Video/Music: Nas throws crackers in a tailspin on the red carpet

OK. Let's see how to go about this. I've never been one to tip-toe around the subject, so here goes.

Nas' next album is entitled Nigger. That's right. Subtlety be damned. If you wanna get the media talking about your next project, name it the one word that is still capable of bringing the nation to a crumbling maelstrom of violence, hatred and controversy.

(Here's some interesting info about the album's title.)



For those who don't know, Nas is still a somewhat-popular, relevant rapper in the game. His debut album, Illmatic, is arguably one of the top 10 rap albums of all time.

Nas has always tried to be socially conscious while still trying to be universally popular (read: profitable). That's a tough balance to maintain.

It appears that Nas is trying to make a social statement: the word 'nigger' means ignorant, so we're all niggers in a sense (see video below). While that may or may not be the case, I think that, moreover, he's seeing the bigger picture and realizes that this album title will get him an unbelievable amount of publicity. I mean, can't you see this as a hot topic for old conservative white guys like Bill O'Reilly (and the obligatory follow up apology when they go too far)?

I can't wait to see how everything goes down when the album comes close to being released. It's gonna be soooo entertaining in every aspect.

Anyway, I say all that to present this...

For a taste of the awkwardness that we can look forward to, peep the following video of Nas and some chicks in his crew promoting the album on CNN on the red carpet at the Grammy's. (Note the white chick rockin' the N-word shirt.)

Enjoy the awkward pause at around 1:01 when he says, "...it's also me and you," as well as her subsequent non sequitur question. The last 10 seconds of the video (the sigh, the John Lennon shout-out) are also classic. Is anyone as excited as I am about how all this is gonna play out!?