One of our favorite writers and co-author of Jay-Z’s “Decoded” book Dream Hampton set the internet on fire this week when during one of her classic rants on Harry Belafonte’s comments about Jay-Z she tweeted that Nas had not written all of the tracks on his “Untitled” album, in reference to someone asking why Jay-Z couldn’t make such a revolutionary statement. After her comments went viral on the social networking site both Jay Electronica and Stic.man came forward to give their own view of events which seems to have only added fuel to the fire.
“Nas is one of the Greatest Ever. never has and never will need a ghostwriter. that man’s pen and legacy is without question. – ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTRONICA
“As far as the rumors about myself and jay electronika ghost writing for Nas, let me say this. Nas is one of the if not the most prolific original lyricist to EVER do it. My contributions to his album was a collaboration and an honor and under his direction of what he wanted to convey and say. Haters cant discredit that man’s genius. Nas is the Don. Dream Hampton. I certainly don’t mean to call u a hater. I am just being brought up to speed about your tweet. I heard the “rumors” from other tweets and a few emails from fans. I still haven’t read your tweet. So my statement was just being clear on how I felt about the collab. That was a great opportunity for me to work with one of the most influential emcees to my own personal flow and craft. I can’t speak on what Jay and Nas collab was cause I wasn’t there and that’s there business. Both of those cats are awesome lyricists in my opinion. But for me I was just a white belt that answered the call for a session with a master of the craft. And I assisted where it was requested with ideas, beats and some writing. Not because Nas “needed” me lol…Again I was just honored to get the call. Nas new album Life is Good is lyrically magnificent and his skills have always spoken for them self. So that’s just my view I respect that folks may field different ways about it. Just clarifying my position. And I referred to it as a “rumor” because obviously no one of the people talking about it were present in the session. So people can sometimes think they know but weren’t present so they speak on what they think as opposed to being there.”
Read Dream’s reaction to the reaction which she posted on her Tumblr page yesterday and let us know if you think it takes away from an artist’s – specifically rapper’s – credibility if they’re not writing their own stuff.
I began my writing career calling out Dr Dre for his misogyny. My friendship with Jay Z began when I reviewed Reasonable Doubt and called Jay out for his hyper-capitalism . I was not ‘calling out’ Nas by telling the truth about dpz writing whole bars (ne songs) on Untitled. I was telling a truth to someone who thought Nas’ most radical verses were his own. They were not. I’m unsurprised that these men have circled around their lie. I’m unmoved by the misogynist threats I’m receiving in open forums (last night Just Blaze tweeted I should be “bled out”). But I am done. I may not be done talking about this (unsubscribe to my feed if you like, I reserve the right to block who the fuk I want), but I am done with hip hop and men who collude to silence women. And done with women who are happy they’re not me. Don’t worry. You could never be.
What do you believe?
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