Who Killed It?
Produced by Salaam Remi & Will.I.Am.
[NAS]
Look here, see
Pretty Mike shanked Two-Face Al over some gal
Somebody dead in the aisles
Death by strangulation, microphone cord
A dirty broad, guess they'll never Play It Again, Sam
Damn, that was my jam
Now she's on the lam
She made it out with two-hundred grand, what a scam
While these two compete on whose the star of the show
Golden Legs there makes off with the dough
I read the paper there with Joe the Butcher
He says, one glance is all it took ya
She's a real looker
They say her old man's a bootlegger
Transport in any weather
And at this rate will never get her
Fellas, think it's time I called it a night
All this talk of this mystery dame's getting me tight
Thought I saw her in my eyesight, right
Hate to spoil a party, what you guys having, the same?
Waiter, another round for the gang
It's strange how I always felt out of place
Joe the Butcher's my ace but in comes Freckle Face
So I said, see ya later
Before I hurt him and his two ugly thumb-breakers
You met them in Louisiana wrestling gators
An idiot can tell they're involved with the caper
So I pulled the revolver out my waist up
Between the patrol car and the gray truck
Behind the street lamp was a silhouette
White gloves and a real long cigarette
Whatta ya know, all this time she's got me in the scope
She spoke, says the devil got you guys by the throat
Your conspiracy theories won't work without evidence
That's the reason why Eric B. is not President
Look here, see
I Know You Got Soul, you're trying to hide it
How'd you Kill A Man out in Cypress
One-Eyed Charlie, he only hangs with the Criminal Minded
Says you guys did it Doggystyle, is he lying?
She says, Walk This Way, I'll tell you a Children's Story
We hit the bodega, got a few forties
We jumped in my ride, we drove, and she cried
Twisted Off The Cap there and opened her mouth wide
Swallowed It, whole bottle's half empty
Drinks like a fish, now she's past tipsy
The truth came out as we got to her Suave House
Chopped 'N Screwed her mouth and sat me on the couch
I said, it's getting late, come on, give it to me straight
Who's your sponsor, lady? She says, Bill Gates
Whatta ya born '77 or '78?
She said, nah, it goes way to an earlier date
Slave times, plains of slaves said rhymes
But she fell in love with some fella named Clive
Who? Clive Campbell from Sedgwick Ave
The Bronx; now she shows me the cash
I said, who's Clive? Don't play with me, skirt
She said, Clive Campbell, he's Kool Herc
Listen up, sweetheart
Now we getting somewhere
As she's talking, she starts vanishing in thin air
But before she drops the money bag on the floor and died
She said if you really love me, I'd come back alive
Nas: Who Killed It?
posted by Fletch at 4:27 PM
35 Comments:
Ah, yes, the song you love to hate. When I first heard about Nas rapping from the point of view of a 1930's detective, I wasn't expecting the voice to follow. But when I finally did hear it, I definitely was expecting some fallout. As off-putting as it may be to certain people, I gotta admit still I've been a little surprised at how "violent" the protest has been. For instance, it's already been called the worst concept song in the history of Hip-Hop. (Holy hyperbole, Batman!) I mean, Nas himself has made some legitimately bad ones (Money Is My Bitch comes to mind), but I think even if you don't like Who Killed It, you should recognize that based on complexity / creativity alone, it's gonna have its fair share of fans. Then there are people, such as myself, who buy into the premise, the concept, the voice, the referential production, the old-noir melodramatic string flairs, and the storytelling, and like it as more than a mere exercise. I understand the Mugsy, faux-Cagney accent may not be everyone's best friend, but it's a chance Nas took, on an album dedicated to taking chances, that, save for one break in the accent, is executed well.
Now, what does it all mean? One main interpretation has been floating around message board to blog and back again which would tell you, through a cryptic string of wordplay, that Nas is referencing 2Pac ("Two-Face Al"), Interscope ("in the scope"), and a host of other suspects. However, while I see the second verse in particular littered with some very astute references, there's more reaching going on than not. And I certainly applaud any kind of analytical endeavor, but there comes a time when you look so hard for something so little you can tend to lose focus overall. If we lock into Nas' every syllable as being some kinda coded message, we may miss the real point, which is made mostly in broad strokes.
Verse one: someone's dead, was killed over a girl, this girl escaped with a whole lot of loot. Nas is trying to find this girl, but, in classic noir / detective fashion, turns out she had her eye on him the whole time.
Verse two: this girl's got a history, but she's hiding it. Nas pursues. She takes him back, gets drunk, starts to open up. Said she was born before Hip-Hop, but it was meeting Kool Herc that really was the perfect match.
Verse three: she dies, rather she disappears, and leaves only the money behind.
So GIRL takes this heap of blood money, gets outta control, and dies with the cash as her only remains.
My own particular reading is that Nas isn't so much talking about who killed Hip-Hop as he is detailing the collapse of the MC / Hip-Hop's lyrical tradition. See, the girl that died told Nas that she was born prior to Hip-Hop, that her roots date back to the times of slavery. Subsequently, it was meeting Kool Herc, the Jamaican-born, Bronx-immortalized DJ who's often credited for "founding" Hip-Hop, that really was her prayer answered, her "true love". In this way, I think Nas is noting the poetic tradition of blacks, as goes back to slavery, and how it became something incredible with the invention of Hip-Hop; however, it developed an exaggerated thirst for money and soon became this renegade, bootleg figure. The essence was always there, but, heist after heist, deal after deal, politic after politic, its roots became increasingly obscured from sight, "I Know You Got Soul, you're trying to hide it." Then it vanishes but leaves the possibility for a return, a resurrection.
doesn't this use the beat from "I ain't no joke"?
The beat does sound a lot like "I Ain't No Joke" but I believe it's just a bit different
from the threads I read, this is the absolute most hated song on the album. I had not heard anything about this song before i listened to it and was almost in shock--then I decided it's a cool experiment. so here's my analysis:
1) Nas has a "faux" edward g. robinson voice--who played a gangster in the "silver age" (1930's and early 40's) movies. It could be a generic 1940's guy, but the "ya see?" (which is emphasized in the song) was Robinson's trademark line. This character is like when nas played a gangster in the "silver age" of rap (i.e. escobar in 95-99 or s0).
2) However, this song has Edward G. Robinson (Esco) involved in a mystery (film noir, '40s and 50's), the elusive "skirt" has him curious and following her--engaging him to leave his old "silver age" role as a gangster because of the enticing unkown. This can be interpreted as Nas' emergence from the Esco persona into the more reflective man that searches for deeper meaning (the series of ?'s, "who's yer sponsor,lady?""whadda ya born?""who's clive?"). This is gods son, streets disciple nas. Nas feels like he was genuinely chasing an understanding of and relationship with hip hop, but they couldn't truly connect--he couldn't acheive the ultimate marriage with hip hop, real lyrics AND huge record sales that other money-loving hustlers (not artists) were achieving.
3) The lady (hip hop) disappears, leaves parting words of hope that she could return. Based on the multiple interviews nas has done recently, he observes that these hustlers (money lovers) did not love hip hop enough (just the cash that came with it) and it faded away.
CONCLUSION
Nas sees himself as a "silver age" rap "idol," a leader, vanguard; but the industry is changing, perhaps moving into a new age where the values he esteemed as the highest (lyrics, especially) are no longer the preeminent values in the strong trends gaining popularity in hip hop today. The song "Hope" and nas' interview comments that hip hop is not dead but needs a breath of fresh air reveal that nas has identified this transition of hip hop, and want to facilitate change, but still feels like he has relevance and wisdom to offer this new era. It's almost as if Edward G. Robinson became a Marlon Brando--after his first years where he was praised, he became immensely influential for decades to come. He doesn't entirely leave hollywood, but his presence NEVER leaves and he is continuously praised and respected by everyone.
to merely hate the song because of his voice is foolishness...i mean come on..this whole song plays like a 1930's detective story...it took me more than a few listens to even understand what wuz goin on...how many songs in hiphop can u even say dat too...thought of any??? good dats why dis song is tight. If Nas was spittin in his regular voice i don't think this song would be as memorable
I cant deny, Im one of those who find the track unlistenable. While I appreciate the concept as I always look for those type of tracks you can only find on a Nas album. This just didnt do it for me. Its just very difficult to listen to. Liking the rest of the album though.
I'm not going to be that much analyctic about the song, I think the over-all meaning of it is quite clear (and english is not my main-tounge, so i might be missing some just by not understanding every word perfectly...), but after the second listening (as first I was mostly surprised and didn't really get it) I love the beat and the flow. It reminds me of some of the more weirdish beats of Streets Deciple, wich I loved... And its quirky (?), wich is nice. It stands out.
Nas the artist! Man this is what I'm looking for out of hip-hop. Creativity and a fuck what everybody else is doint attitude. For real Nas was in the studio probably just thinking after he created this joint how everybody was going to trip off this one, but its from his heart and that what makes an artist. His music is made from the heart and made for his love of hip hop. If you dig it then thats love. If you don't then its probably not for you.
Ahh this song issss different. How can people just discard it after a couple listens. The whole concept of the song is SICKKK! like who does songs like this. I would have to totally agree with Fletch everything you said was exactly what I have been thinking everytime I hear this track. For me the women IS hip-hop and the flow of it, from where it started (the African line) to the end (Money bag remaning ..i.e current state, money hungry get rich quick rappers). I am just not sure about the Cyprus line????
"How'd you Kill A Man out in Cypress"
^^reference to Cypress Hill's "How I Could Just Kill a Man" . . . youtube
it was a good concept, but the execution was off. It continues to be the only song I'll skip every time i hear the album.
I've had this "concept" vs. "execution" debate before. See, to me the concept includes the voice. If we can whittle the basic premise down to "Nas does track in 30's 'soitenly' accent about the death of Hip-Hop from the POV of a detective", then wouldn't you have had a problem with the track regardless of what he actually said? Unless, of course, you say he performed the accent poorly, which, except for one slip in the first verse, I would argue with.
If anything, I can more easily see someone say that they didn't buy into the song on a premise level than that they thought it was poorly executed. And again, if you look at it like a new take on the voice thing Nas did with Scarlett / Street's Disicple, the voice is part of the initial concept to me. The execution is the rhymes and references and story. But maybe it's a chicken / egg scenario.
this is my shit... i dont listen to it that much but its still my shit just cause nas always got some new concept n the story bout hip hop bein the bitch was great i know this song got madd haters but i like it
HIS Voice Is Annoying...Im Not Feeling this Flow..but Its Growing On Me...I Admire that he Tried Something totally Inventive..with the whole 1900's Era type Of Western Cowboy Swag...The story Is on point the Beat Is OldSchool...Great Joint..Hes Basically Trying To Find Who Killed HIP HOP..Definitly Orignal But Not One Of His Best Concept tracks....Rewind... Money Is My Bitch And i Gave You Power..Are better In my opinion only because its not as difficult to understand..and the Flow Is Acceptable ...Unlike the performance on this track but then again its growing on me,,,i give it A 4/5
The voice doesn't completely kill the song but it isn't completely intertwined with the concept of the song. I believe it would have resonated better if he had used his usual voice.
Although, by using that voice he does differ the song from others (I used to Love H.E.R, American beauty) which have the same concept.
On another note, I think the song would've been better if he had name dropped other important song titles other than the 1 or 2 he already dropped.
i couldnt stop laughing when i first heard it. I applaud Nas for getting out of his comfort zone, he doesnt do that too often. Great concept the voice adds to it, Nas is not your average emcee. I love the song.--Esco
Nah hell no this is the BEST track Ive heard in the LONGEST!!!
Nas is the only nigga that would ever have the balls to spit in such a creative manner. THIS SHIT IS 100 PERCENT PURE CREATIVE THOUGHT! People need to recognize Illness when they hear it son, for real....
man straight up no lie this has 2 b 1 of my fav tracks on da album no lie!!!!
i didnt read nothing before i bought it (no blogs or nothin.....yes did buy @ best Buy) and while drivin throgh the streets of da
chi bobbin my head though not fully listening word 4 word it got 2 this track & i started 2 trip damn WTF?? nAs?? R U serious...
i started 2 listen at the red light & was thinkin damn this shit caught my ear i pulled over aabout 2 minutes later cuz i just had
to lolisten 2 what he was sayin & i finally got what he was sayin after about the 4th time.....
Bad a** Track..... F**k The Haters bad track nuff said....
I love the beatm the lyrics, the concept, and all that. I just think Nas fell a little flat on the accent. It's not quite there and throws the track off a bit. Still a really nice song of course, but in the world of Nas changing up his voice I'll take "Sekou Story" over this.
Dismissing this song just because of the voice he uses is ludicrous. This is a well-written and recited rap. I bet a good percentage of the people saying they hate it because the "the voice is annoying" are the same people jamming to all those eminem songs where he recites raps in rediculous, out-of character voices. This is why hip hop is dead.
I love this song. I wrote a little something (you got me, a big something) about it on my blog, and I think you guys might like to read my defense of Hip-Hop Is Dead's three minutes of pure, unadulterated (and risky) artistry:
http://until-the-train-stops.blogspot.com/2006/12/this-is-how-she-could-just-kill-man.html
"Dismissing this song just because of the voice he uses is ludicrous. This is a well-written and recited rap. I bet a good percentage of the people saying they hate it because the "the voice is annoying" are the same people jamming to all those eminem songs where he recites raps in rediculous, out-of character voices. This is why hip hop is dead."
It makes perfect sense to not like a song because of the voice. After all, if you don't like how it sounds what are you doing listening to the song in the first place. And don't try and generalize people that don't like one thing as all listening to some Eminem song you think is crappy. That just makes you look stupid, and it makes you look like a person that is trying to bring down certain styles of hip-hop rather than enjoying what they like and letting other people enjoy what they like. If hip-hop is dead, it's because of all these people who have a problem with other people's tastes. Just like you.
Renato, I left this at your blog, but I'm gonna post it here too . . .
Once we can decode the fairly obvious references in the second verse, from Cypress Hill to Suave House, comes two questions: 1) Is Nas making any specific accusations with those references or are they just names, almost like madlibs, to fill in his story, i.e., is there a special reason this female character, Hip-Hop or whoever she may be, calls a "down South" record label her home? 2)What, if any, is the significance behind the names in the first verse? Pretty Mike, Two-Faced Al, Joe the Butcher, Freckle Face, etc. all sound like riffs on stock 20-30's gangster characters, but is that all they are?
As I said above, I've already seen someone try and argue for Two-Faced Al representing 2Pac. Is that a stretch? . . . Y'know, before I decided the overall message was made mostly in broadstrokes, I was thinking about how Joe The Butcher was the nickname of an important Philly engineer and producer, Joe Nicolo. He did early records for Schoolly D and Fresh Prince and was a founder of Ruffhouse records. Then maybe I thought Pretty Mike was Wonder Mike, the very first rapper much of the world ever heard (Rapper's Delight). But from there it devolved into this grand Stretch Armstrong episode, and pretty soon I had Roxanne Shante killing Mic Geronimo over Prodigy's chain. So, yeah.
Maybe the Eminem songs were a bad example, but don't take me out of context. I never said Eminem's music is crappy; in fact, I enjoy most of it. My point was, people's perception of hip-hop is becoming more and more about who's name is on the track (and other things) rather than the talent or skill within the music. This isn't to say Eminem isn't talented. But at the same time, he could release an album full of garbage work that he put no effort into and he would still have fans loving it. You have to draw a line on where people's tastes need to be respected, and where their tastes (or lack of) need to be questioned. Today it seems like there are so many other factors outside of skill and talent which are affecting people's tastes in hip-hop, and I think these factors are drawing it away from what it stands for and the way many (like Nas) feel it should be represented. I guess it comes down to what you believe hip-hop should be. Is this is an evolution or a "death"? By seeing some of the stuff out there today classified as hip-hop, I'd be willing to say it's leaning more towards a death, and I think Nas would agree. But this is my opinion, I'm not trying to say that it's fact it's just the way I see things.
My take on the (mostly negative) reaction to Who killed it.
people just didn't know Nas had it in him to do that
so they have two options
a)be impressesed or
b)nitpick the final product
the execution works. the only problem is most fans do not
want to hear this from Nas. If MF DOOM or Paul Barman made
a track like this but with half the attention to detail,
people would be tripping over themselves to give it props.
but its Nas, so they are conditioned to hear "Egyptian History Rap" or "Project Window Narratives".
Its okay for Jay-Z to imitate a white cop in 99 problems because racist white cops are part of the gangster rap lexicon. Nas is taking on a character that has nothing to do with hip-hop or that the average hip-hopper is not interested in. So either they can't relate or they do relate but they feel Nas is stepping out of his comfort zone because he has never done it.
Anybody who says it is not well executed, has to be willing to tell me EXACTLY where Nas went wrong. Merely stating that it was poorly executed is not enough.
I think Nas pulled off the accent he was going for enough for us to get the point. But is VERY different coming from Nas like watching Morgan Freeman playing the role of a gangster boss as he does in Lucky Number Sleven. It may have been a good performance but you'll have to let go of your perception of him as the veteran detective in order to appreciate it.
Right, I listen to the track with patience. a couple of times actually. I admit i liked it abit more after reading the lyrics to see how the story ties together. Concept and execution is pretty flawless I have to admit. BUT the voice still sounds irritating. While i had to laugh when he said "Before I hoit him and his two ugly thumb-breakers"
I cant see myself listening to this track often.
I dont agree that it was badly executed, he couldnt have done a better job. Its a "I gave you power" type of song. It just solifies Nas as a premier storyteller. It wouldnt be the same if he had used his normal voice. his accent doesnt have to be flawless, im sure everyone who heard the song knew right away who he was imitating. Just goes to show that you never know what to expect from Nas, he aint your average Emcee.--Esco
Just for a couple more interpretations, as pointed out by The Damaja (over on okayplayer), if "Hip Hop" is represented through personification, then what's to say that all the names Nas brings up in the first verse and throughout too aren't representing more so physical objects that necessarily actual people? For example, whereas it might have been thought that Nas was referencing 2Pac as "Two-Face Al", wouldn't it make more sense if it was really some turntables he was talking about? Or how about Pretty Mike just being a microphone? Maybe "Joe the Butcher" relates to actual turntablism, somebody cutting up a record like a butcher would meat. Of course, they all sound like typical noir names, but perhaps they have Hip-Hop connections as well.
All that being said, as to my earlier Joe The Butcher / Joe Nicolo idea, Nas was once signed to Ruffhouse Records before Columbia, and there was even an official Joe The Butcher Halftime remix. So . . . "I read the paper there with Joe the Butcher / He says, one glance is all it took ya / She's a real looker" equals "sign the contract"?
let the scientist tell yall whats going on! see.
"pretty mike shanked 2 faced al over some gal"
pretty mike sounds like 2pac.
2 faced al sounds like biggi.due to the fact that nas never got along with biggi and thought he was 2 faced (wu tang also).
"she made it out with only 200 grand,what a scam" that refers to back in the day rappers being robbed by record companies and never was really making any money in the beginning.nas is basically looking for this lady and THE LADY REALLY IS HIP HOP.he was looking for her and the whole time she was watching him and he didnt even know it. - that means that as a child he always loved hip hop and he followed it,but it was destiny to be in it and it chose him.
"Your conspiracy theories won't work without evidence
That's the reason why Eric B. is not President" that means that the youths of today dont respect those that came before them and guys like eric b. will never get the respect that they truly deserve.
"I Know You Got Soul" was a song by eric b and rakim.
"How'd you Kill A Man out in Cypress"- was a song by cypress hill.
"Criminal Minded" was a song by krs1.
"childrens story" was a song by slick rick.
"The truth came out as we got to her Suave House
Chopped 'N Screwed" is a new form of rap that was invented by new school dudes.
"Who's your sponsor, lady? She says, Bill Gates
Whatta ya born '77 or '78?" - that means that most new guys have a big sponsor which are the record labels (bill gates) and 77-78 shows that these guys are all new school and only think about money. but the woman said no.it goes back to an earlier date still.but she NOW is in love with the money. but even though she loves the money,her true love was cool hurk (the beginner of all this shit) the lady (hip hop) ran off with the money but she fades away but in the end it wasnt really anything special becouse the lady who is hip hop dies and leaves all that shit behind.
"But before she drops the money bag on the floor and died
She said if you really love me, I'd come back alive". he is saying that hip hop is now dead but if we all love it we can bring hip hop (the lady) back to life.
jesus christ once said."IT IS EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO GO THROUGH THE EYE OF AN NEEDLE,THAN FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD".
GET IT?
damn i'm a genius! i love nas.
tell me what yall think - email me at erichiggins1018@yahoo.com
i think one of the things people haven`t noticed yet is that...
how he says over and over again
"look her c"
if you rearrange the letters it spells out "kool herc"
coincidence or not,
you decide ;]
tight ass track
"Look here see" is simply a phrase common in those styles of movies. And to get 'Herc' out of it you have to mispell both words.
Does anybody else frequently think of Dave Chapelle's stand-up about doing "that voice" when they hear the song. Check out Killn 'Em Softly, Dave's got a bit about needing to bust out that voice when the pressure's on. Hilarious. Classic stand-up show.
can't believe the hate on this track. i listened to hip hop is dead without reading anything first, and this track blew me away. i was so impressed, the beat was tight and the concept was crazy. immediately it reminded me of an MF Doom type track, so I went with it in that fashion. And I'm sure fans woulda loved it if Doom did something like this.
I love this song...Nas is hands down the best when it comes to storytelling tracks. The accent on this song made it even better...
"Ya shee?" lol...
'Anonymous said...
let the scientist tell yall whats going on! see.
"pretty mike shanked 2 faced al over some gal"
pretty mike sounds like 2pac.
2 faced al sounds like biggi.due to the fact that nas never got along with biggi and thought he was 2 faced (wu tang also).'
I disagree. If pretty mike shanked somebody, wouldn't be the other way around? (Pac died first, not BIG, so it would have to be the other way around (Biggie would have to be pretty mike). And the main disagreement i have is about your explanation "Due to the fact that nas never got along with biggie". That's not true. Yes, they did have conflict at one point (as referred to in Frank White's Kick in the door and Esco's "Last Real Nigga Alive), but they were friends with each other for several years, all the way up to 1996 ( I bought It Was Written after the other day after I had lost my original copy and was looking at the liner notes and Escobar thanked Biggie, Puffy, Lil Cease;etc. And he's mentioned in interviews that he used to go to Brooklyn in the early 90's and hang out with Biggie and Lil Cease, before all of them got record deals... (and Fletch mentioned in a post less than a week ago a story about Biggie and Nas freestyling together...)so, its not true that NaS and Biggie "never" got along...
"The truth came out as we got to her Suave House
Chopped 'N Screwed" is a new form of rap that was invented by new school dudes.'
Suave House is a Southern indpendent record label (one of the first in the South, that was once the home of notable southern names like Eightball & MJG)
and Chopped & Screwed is not technically a new form of rap, it was a technique originated in the South (Houston, TX), by DJ Screw (R.I.P.), basically he slowed down the music and chopped it (kind of like rewinding it repeatedly), so I guess Nas mentioned those two right next to each other because those are two southern names.
Also, "...did it Doggystyle" is obviously a reference to Snoop Dogg's classic album Doggystyle
lol im listening to Money Is My Bitch right now, this song's concept is pretty dayum good son, what you talking bout? but who killed it, i dont know ima big nas fan and even i didn't like it so meh. everyone hates it.
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