HipHopWired has compiled 20 examples of artists who “dumb it down” to get exposure for their music.
The Nas track “You Owe Me” leads the list.
“If you ever need an index to reference that time Nas ‘fell off,’ this is it,” HipHopWired reports. “Also, LOL at this video being hidden on his Vevo account. The shame is real.”
Jay Z was not immune to making music deemed dumbed down, when he released “(Always Be My) Sunshine.”
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“After the masses lamed out on the prophecy he supplied on 1996’s Reasonable Doubt, Jigga took the radio run a little too far with background dancers and a Bad Boy Records beat,” HipHopWired says. “He crashed, he burned, he lived, he learned.”
Kanye West’s smash hit “Gold Digger” is featured due to its rampant materialism.
“The college dropout went from preaching about materialism and self-awareness to conniving hoes,” HipHopWired says. “And it worked. ‘Gold Digger’ is one of the rare times when Pop and Rap music could endure a loving marriage.”
T.I.’s soulful turn on “Whatever You Like” garnered praise, yet seemed out of character for the trap star.
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“Although the initial critics of the track have warmed up to it in recent years, ‘Whatever You Like’ was released at a time period when people felt Tip should have been coming out more gutter and stoic, seeing he was about to do prison time for weapons charges,” HipHopWired says.
The provocative booty-rocking anthem “Ms. New Booty” from Bubba Sparxxx and Ying Ying Twins also makes the list.
“After dropping an incredible album that nobody cared about, both Bubba and the Ying Yang Twins collaborated for their biggest hits to date while simultaneously turning themselves into caricatures,” HipHopWired says.
Despite big sales, J.Cole’s “Work Out” was not well received by the critics.
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“With all eyes on him for his 2010 debut album, Young Simba thought singing Paula Abdul was the move and ended up letting Nas down in the process,” HipHopWired says.
Lupe Fiasco made the list for his entire album Lasers.
“Is it ironic that the album Lupe Fiasco renounces is his highest-selling one to date?” HipHopWired asks. “Does the buying public of Hip-Hop prefer inferior music?”
Songs from 50 Cent, Master P, Joe Budden, Ghostface Killah and Mobb Deep are also featured on the list.
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To read the full list, visit HipHopWired.
For additional Nas coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
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