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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that there is very strong language (the "N" word, "f--k," just to name a few) and content about controversial topics (race, inequality, poverty, power, the KKK, Nazis) that may be too direct for younger ears and minds to digest. There is a definite message that rapper Nas is trying to send, and in the end it is a positive one, but be aware that there is still a lot of anger and mature content behind the ideas.

Families can talk about the recent controversy over the original title of Nas' album that was dropped -- "N---r." Do you think it was an offensive or appropriate title given the content and overall message of the album? Should the title have been changed, why or why not? Would you buy an album with that title? What do you think about Nas' overall message about peace, equality, and ending racism? Do you agree with the indications of the song "Sly Fox?" -- in that Nas is suggesting that the media misleads us? How?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jessica Dawson

Nas is more controversial than ever on his new Def Jam release UNTITLED. He examines and poetically dissects some of the nation's most divisive issues: race, inequality, poverty, power, and war. With smart, thought-provoking lyrics and the help of producers and artists like Busta Rhymes, Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, and Mykel, Nas has created an album that will not only solidify his place among the hip-hop world, but is sure to get people on all sides talking.

Even if you aren't a fan of rap, Nas manages to force a bended ear to the issues he sings about on Untitled. Nas (Nasir Jones) isn't your typical angry rapper singing about hoes and money. He is angry, but he is also smart and eloquent in his examination of American society. Although the content is controversial and will no doubt invoke positive and negative criticism, there is brutal honesty and acknowledgment in his lyrics that takes the music to a different level. The first single "Hero," with Keri Hilson, has a catchy hook and beats that will make it good for mainstream while Nas declares he's "the only true rebel since the beginning/still in musical prison/still in jail for the flow/try tellin' Bob Dylan, Bruce, or Billy Joe they can't sing what's in their soul!" And "America," "Black President" (yes, it's about Obama), and "Sly Fox" are full of arguable content to chew on, and the media-frenzied track "N.I.*.*.E.R" declares "we are much more." This album is definitely much more than just your typical rap album, but it's still a lot of heavy content not appropriate for all ages.

For more smart hip-hop, fans can check out Kanye West, The Roots, or Jay-Z.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Some sexual innuendo, nothing really graphic, except for on "Fried Chicken" which describes a woman in a provocative way: "Don't know a part of you that I love best/your legs or your breast" and "After you shower/you and your Gold Medal flour/Then you rub on with hot oil for half an hour/You in your hot tub, I'm looking at you salivating/Dry you off, I got your paper towel waiting/Lay you down cause you're red hot."
Violence Not overly graphic, but uses very strong lyrics to show oppression and reality of African-American society, discusses use of violent acts in past and present by different groups: "Took a knife split a woman naval/Took her premature baby/Let her man see you rape her/If I could travel to the 1700s/I'd push a wheelbarrow full of dynamite through your covenant." Song "Testify" has some heavy lyrics: "I just burnt my American flag and sent three cracker Nazis to hell," "Loading tefs in my Mag/to send those redneck bigots some death in a bag/choke him out with his confederate flag," and "I ain't got it in to march/got a semi to spark."
Language Very strong language used throughout album: "hell," "f--k," the "N" word, "bitch," "s--t," "p--y," and more.
Message
	Social Behavior Controversial material throughout entire album, dissects issues about race, inequality, poverty, war: "Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag/bet she had a N--a with her to help her old ass," "Presidential candidates planning wars over steaks," "Can a N---a just breathe/in America you'll never be free/middle fingers up say f--k the police," "From crime to rhyme/my stories is I'm from the home of the thieves," "Take a look in the mirror and see the bigger picture…/only way we gonna survive is if we harmonize." The KKK and Nazis are mentioned a few times.
	Commercialism Mentions numerous products and public figures several times: iPhone, Barack Obama, Fox News, Bill O'Reilly, Fendi, Gucci, just to name a few.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Doesn't discuss drugs or alcohol excessively but there are snippets here and there about usage: "Bellini and patron shots," "chronic leaf-hitting," "Must be on X or he coked up," and "between cutting hard coke with new razors/slicing my fingers up."

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