S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Jay-Z has ranked his 2001 "Takeover" diss record targeting Nas and Mobb Deep over the hard-hitting "Ether" which was directed toward him.
Although Hov and Nas have since deaded their past conflicts, Jay believes his record outshinned Nas’ response.
It’s been nine years and the great debate over Jay-Z vs. Nas still isn’t over. Earlier today (November 15), Hov appeared on Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds‘s podcast, “Juan Epstein,” and during the interview, the Brooklyn legend said, despite popular opinion, that his 2001 diss record towards God’s Son, “The Takeover” is better than Nasir’s response track, “Ether.” “I think in the history when we look back, and I don’t mean no disrespect to Nas, I think when we look back it’s not even close,” he shared, adding, “I just think it was a better record.” (XXL Mag)
Jay also said he was indifferent to fans’ preference of either song.
When asked if it’s true that Jay-Z holds grudges for things, like who preferred “Ether” over “Takeover.” Hov says, “Think of it as a computer, it has music and then you have other. That’s my life. things that I love and resonate with me, I remember. Things that I don’t really care about, that’s ‘other.’ And I could care less.” (Miss Info TV)
In 2001, Jay struck first toward Nas by dropping “Takeover,” which was featured on his platinum-selling Blueprint album.
“Use your – BRAAAAAAAIN! You said you been in this ten I’ve been in it five – smarten up Nas /Four albums in ten years n*gga? I can divide /That’s one every let’s say two, two of them sh*ts was doo One was – Ehh, the other was Illmatic/That’s a one hot album every ten year averageAnd that’s so – LAAAAAAAME! N*gga switch up your flow/Your sh*t is garbage- what, you tryna kick knowledge? (f*ck outa here)” (“The Takeover”)
Nas’ response came in the form of “Ether” from his 2001 album, Stillmatic.
“When these streets keep calling, heard it when I was sleep/ That this Gay-Z and C*ck-A-Fella Records wanted beef…KRS already made an album called Blueprint / First Biggie‘s your man, then you got the nerve to say that you’re better than Big/ D*ck-suckin’ lips, why don’t you let the late great veteran live…Queens n*ggas run you n*ggas, ask Russell Simmons” (“Ether”)
Check out “Takeover” & “Ether” below:
