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Here's Why Hip-Hop Fans Should Care That Nicki And Nas Are Dating

5/24/2017

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by Vincent Williams @VinWilliams28
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Most celebrity relationships are meaningless, in the grand scheme of things. To be frank, it shouldn’t be any of our business who is dating who, unless they want it to be our business, so that it helps their business and brand grow, but that’s a can of worms for another day. Nicki Minaj and Nas are rumored to be dating. This could be great for Hip-Hop.
 
Whatever that was between Lil’ Yachty and Joe Budden on Everyday Struggle, while entertaining, brought to the forefront one of Hip-Hop’s most glaring issues: the generational gap. The new crop of Hip-Hop talent want the crown, they want the seat on the throne, the notoriety, the fame, the spotlight, and the older generation does not want to give it up. Thus, we get Hip-Hop veterans like Budden and Lord Jamar who sound like old guys who go to bed at six in the evening. With Nicki and Nas uniting, this sends an underlying message to the Hip-Hop community. Fans and artists alike should embrace each other’s experiences and time in the game. Far too often, opposing generations clash, and with it comes envy, wrath, hollow demonstrations of pride, and sloth for others. Acts like Rakim, KRS-One, and Nas are among the countless lists of acts who paved the way for the Kendricks, Coles, and Drakes of today.
 
Nicki and Nas have already collabed together (“Champion”, “Right By My Side”; interesting how the video for “Right By My Side” ended up being a little foreshadowing), but with the two possibly dating, there is more music surely to come from the New York duo. This will continue the trend of newer and older acts making music together. The contemporariness of the younger artists, along with the nostalgia of the older MCs provides for great music (sometimes). Kendrick Lamar and MC Eiht’s hit “M.A.A.D. City” was phenomenal, Macklemore and KRS-One meshed well on “Buckshot”, and Detroit natives Big Sean and Eminem usually put out good music together.
 
Nicki Minaj and Nas may not be just the next celebrity couple. It could have lasting implications in Hip-Hop.




Photo still from "Right By My Side" video

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