Recently we got to see Nas‘s somewhat controversial new album cover. The rapper is pictured holding Kelis‘s wedding dress, which looks especially suspect above the words “Life Is Good.” But Kelis came forward and said she respected Nas as an artist, so we figured it was okay. Now Nas has gone and released a track off the upcoming album where he shares some intimate details about Kelis and their relationship. It’s interesting that he’s opening up on this album (he’s got another great song about his daughter, which I included on our list of Best Summer Songs… So Far), but I feel like he skipped a few important deets on Bye Baby. Take a listen inside and tell me if Nas‘s version of the story seems a bit skewed.
Nas: Bye Baby
Did anybody else notice that he skipped out on the part where he cheated on her? While she was prego? Yeah, ok. He kinda left that out.
(Deep breath)
Ok, here’s the thing about Nas. He could be so cool! If he wasn’t busy doing things like this! I just am not a fan of false intimacy, which is what this feels like. He starts off by saying that Kelis had difficulty trusting him because her father was unfaithful to her mother, and he gives us the impression that he’s about to keep it sooo real about the relationship. And then– nothing! Instead, he blames Kelis for the divorce throughout most of the song. Not cool.
Now he sort of confessed to his infidelities on the 2010 track Strong Will Continue, but it was kind of veiled and he spent more time complaining about his $55,000/month child support bill. Which is what he does on the third verse to this song too. Guess he’s still mad about that.
I like the song (ish) and I like the idea of getting personal with your art (he shares some sweet moments as well), but I also love Kelis and I think it my duty to defend her honor or something, lol! And, if you’re gonna write a song like this, why not keep it, like, 75% of the way real?
But what do ya’ll think? Am I blind in my love for Kelis? Surely there are things that I don’t know about concerning their marriage; do you think Nas might be keeping it somewhat real on Bye Baby– like more real than I’m ready to admit???
i can totally get why he’s still mad at 55,000/month. i mean i still dont know how the judge decided on that amount. (if i remember right) some of the things Kelis was asking him to pay for was just crazy (lord i wish i could remember lol). the amount just seem really high for a rapper whos not even on the top of the charts anymore, ya know?
but hey – thats neither his or her fault. im pretty sure the judge was on something that day.
nicole, I know some of these women ask for ASTRONOMICAL amounts and we all know it’s not “all” about the child. It’s about payback, literally. Lol. I’m just soooo team baby mamas I’m biased! Hell hath no fury like a woman who had your baby and got cheated on! That’s really (IMO) what the money is about.
But on a serious note, the system is flawed. Mainly because it implies that money (and a lot of it) is directly related to being a good parent.
Thanks for commenting nicole!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3JFwd1bk4Q
She’ll be fine. hahaha
LMAO! Jim I was soooo clase to embedding this one. Thank you!
Team Kelis! You cheat, you pay up biiiiiig time! Nas is very talented but needs to be a MAN and not act like this!!!
Smoo, those are my exact thoughts before I try to filter them a little. LMAO, thank you!
First of all my opinions may be a little biased because I’m such a Nas head but I didn’t take it like that at all. Today was my 1st time hearing the song and I took it as Nas reminiscing about his overall marriage with Kelis as well as good times they had in general, and putting the memories and the relationship to rest. I personally don’t think he said anything that bad but I will give you he doesn’t admit his short comings in the relationship. This song is the 2012 version of Marvin Gaye’s “Hear My Dear.” 1 positive is that hefty child support bill is forcing Nas to make better music lol. You can’t deny this song is pretty dope along with the others he’s released so far.
Garrett, Nas def shared some honest, intimate moments. I think he made it clear that he was in love with Kelis and that he was happy on some level. And it’s definitely (politics aside) a good song. So thanks for reminding us of that, lol.
There’s a lot that I like about Nas but he’s VERY misogynistic if you listen to some of his lyrics. He’s the type of guy who claims to respect women under certain circumstances but it’s obvious that he doesn’t, when you get right down to it. As much as I love some of his music I’ve pretty much just given up on him.
Also, if you’re really rich your kid should get to live like a rich person too, even when they’re at their mom’s house. Just because it didn’t work out between the parents doesn’t mean the kid shouldn’t get to live at the dad’s income level. And the mom benefits from that too, of course, and I’m sure that some moms do try to take advantage. But I don’t think $55,000/month is NECESSARILY ridiculous since Nas still makes a lot of money and has had a 20 year long A-list hip hop career.
ella, Nas is like a lot of the so-called “conscious” rappers who (IMO) aren’t ALLLL that different from the rappers we put against them. Talib Kweli came out ages ago and said something like, “Don’t compare me to Nelly like that; I’m tryna get groupies too!” So yeah, I listen to them ALL and know that they’re all talented and interesting on different levels… and interested in groupies.
Thanks for commenting, ella!