No one on the Internet can cite a clear source to this leaked email, but if it’s real, then it seems like Nas is a little ticked off about Island Def Jam’s reaction to the latest installment of his Lost Tapes compilation. (UPDATE: XXL has confirmed that the email was, indeed written by Nas, who never intended for the email to go public, but isn’t upset that it did.)
We reported that The Lost Tapes Vol. 2 was supposed to drop on December 14th, but after reading the rapper’s angry email to Island Def Jam CEO L.A. Reid and other label brass, it seems like we may be facing the possibility of not seeing an album at all. Nas – whose real name is Nasir Jones – remains polite throughout the entire email but tells the execs that:
“The #1 problem with DEF JAM is pretty simple and obvious, the executives think they are the stars. You aren’t…. not even close. As a matter of fact, you wish you were, but it didn’t work out so you took a desk job. To the consumer, I COME FIRST. Stop trying to deprive them! I have a fan base that dies for my music and a RAP label that doesn’t understand RAP. Pretty f***ed up situation.”
He goes on to explain that he isn’t looking to beef with the label, but that all he wants is a little respect, citing the fact that he once teamed up with Tommy Mottola because the ex-Columbia Records head “believed in me…and didn’t give a f*** what any radio station or magazine said.” He then tells Reid & Co. that they aren’t getting another album that doesn’t count against his current deal and closes the email by telling them to keep their $200,000 and “open the real budget” because he’s ready to drop the album in the fourth quarter.
It’s all pretty crazy stuff, and makes us glad that we didn’t include the Lost Tapes in our latest list of albums to buy in 2010. Check out the full text at 2DopeBoyz, and tell us what you think.
