Satire helps us see the ironies and contradictions of life, and when used purposefully, the audience is often made the butt of the joke. But when its premise is murky, the satirical message is left open to multiple interpretations — leaving its meaning lost in translation and its message up to do more damage than good.
By all intents and purposes, satirical devices are crafted to be inside jokes that entire audiences can be "in on." Flaws in the design, however, leave an enlightened few with the punchline and the target audience without much of a clue. Missing the satirical mark, a satirist ends up "preaching" to a select minority; a "choir" who already has "gotten it," the problem lies with the "heathens" who don't.
Such is the case with Nas' ninth album, Ni**er, which had the title dropped (and left "untitled") in a storm of controversy. While Untitled is steeped in knowledge, it fails in its satirical mission: to address and dissect the multiple connotations of the "N-word."
Although satire should never be censored, it is not always useful, especially when one aspires to foster widespread understanding. Nas' use of satire took the focus away from the album's content and, instead, placed the attention on the album's title. Once the title was changed, all mainstream interest in the album's content quickly waned.
Unfortunately, large swaths of the American public have little interest in Nas or the various dimensions of the "N-word" debate. That being said, Nas' publicity stunt missed a significant opportunity to hold a constructive dialogue on the social, cultural and historical implications behind the "N-word."
As a result, America's ongoing balancing act between the cultural acceptance of "ni**a" and the historical repudiation of "ni**er" continues full-steam ahead — with no immediate end in sight.
Article comments
1 - Kevin
I agree, this was a well-written argument. The New Yorker magazine caused a bigger stir because they refused to sensor their cover, although the message was mistaken, it was subject to a massive debate by all mediums. Nas' eventual dropping of the title drastically weakened the message. I've listened to the album many times, and absolutely love the album; but his purpose to diffuse the word most definitely failed. What he accomplished was AWARENESS. The select few who actually listen to this album and get something out of it will undoubtedly be enlightened. As I've defintely researched the likes of Ivan Van Sertima, Louis Farrakahn, his view of women's right's mentioned in "America" The actual interest that those who listen to rap in "white suburbia" actually care for black people, the struggle from slavery to civilization, and the strength that we must have to be able to endure 400 years of slavery and to now dominate nearly every aspect of life, from sports to entertainment to now politics, how America sensors our text books by not highlighting that our American Heroes were undoubtedly slave owners, "Bet she had a nigga wit' her to help her old as*". Rap may not be the best medium to diffuse the word, but those of us who listened to the album and want to make a difference now have the initiative to make the change simply by listening to the album.
2 - JP
Clayton,
This is a good argument.
Nas is one of my favorite artists and always manages to creatively produce a positive message, while not getting too preachy. And at the same time, he seems to have become a master at innovative marketing tactics. his last two albums have been based on themes that are mad controversial, and the titles have reflected this, thus giving him some free marketing in the mainstream press. The more controversy one stirs, the more people are interested.
All the same, I thought Untitled (formerly known as Nigger)was off the chain (content wise). And although I have never heard him explain the purpose of his original title very well, and I was disapointed that he changed the title and gave in to the pressure, it will still be remembered as a very significant piece of history and artistic vision.
3 - TYDIED
There does come a time when the album cuts do become bigger than the album Title, when you're distributor says that no major retail chains will pick up an album called N**GER, you realize that the chips are stacked against you and the decision has to be made right then and there, which is do you kill the product for the sake of the title or do you forsake the title and keep the message flowing?.
We all must remember that a record contract is still in some instances indentured servitude with you master owning your masters.
Yes. NaSir Bin Olu Dara Jones did sacrifice the title but message remained...
ONE LUV