Let Nas Down
| "Let Nas Down" | |
|---|---|
Anthony Parrino | |
| Producer(s) | J. Cole |
"Let Nas Down" is a song by
rapper Nas, with whom Cole was often compared to early in his career. He sampled the song "Gentleman" by Fela Kuti. The song peaked at #55 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
.
Background
Growing up J. Cole idolized American rapper
Work Out".[1]
"Work Out" would become the highly successful
No ID. No ID told Cole that he was in the studio with Nas, and that Nas had told him that he hated the song "Work Out". Cole was devastated upon hearing that, which made him write the tribute song to his idol, "Let Nas Down" the following year.[2][3] Less than a week after creating and recording the song, Cole ran into Nas at a Houston airport at six in the morning boarding the same flight as him. Nas ended up sitting behind him, with Cole playing the song for him. Nas felt honored by the song and was very impressed by it.[4]
A month prior to Born Sinner's release, Cole previewed the song for New York radio personality Peter Rosenberg, where he reported the title as "I Disappointed Nas", which Cole laughed off as incorrect.[5][6] The song has been compared to Kanye West's "Big Brother" and Nas' "Unauthorized Biography of Rakim".[7] Leading up to its release, it was the album's most discussed song.[8]
Critical reception
The song would receive mixed reviews from
music critics. XXL called the song the album's most honest moment, and its best track along with the two singles "Crooked Smile" and "Power Trip."[9] Spin said of the song "Instead of resonating as an emotive confessional, the song only spotlights the lack of fire on Born Sinner."[10] The Boston Globe said the song was "too insular to make its bigger points."[11]
The response from the song would result in Nas and J. Cole covering the Summer issue of Vibe, along with a dual interview discussing lyricism, their influences and "Let Nas Down", among other things.[12]
Remix
Shortly before the release of Complex.[16]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Born Sinner.[17]
- J. Cole – lead vocals, songwriting, production
- A. Kuti – songwriting, sample credit
- Elite – songwriting
- Nate Jones – bass
- Juro "Mez" Davis – mixing
Charts
| Chart (2013) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] | 55 |
References
- ^ a b Harling, Danielle (2013-06-07). "J. Cole Says A Phone Call With No I.D. Inspired "Let Nas Down"". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ a b Mrutu, Amani. "J. Cole Explains 'Let Nas Down'". Hypetrak. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ a b "Review: Nas' Remix Of J. Cole's 'Let Nas Down' Is The Year's Most Intriguing Recorded Moment (So Far)". Vibe. 2013-06-24. Archived from the original on 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "J. Cole Says He Played "Let Nas Down" For Nas On An Airplane - XXL". XXL. 2013-06-18. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ Muhammad, Latifah. "J. Cole Previews Born Sinner , Addresses Nas Track". BET. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "J. Cole Laughs At 'I Disappointed Nas' Song Title". Vibe. 2013-05-24. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "J. Cole: Born Sinner | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2013-06-21. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ Julia LeConte (2013-07-18). "J. Cole - Born Sinner | NOW Magazine". Nowtoronto.com. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "J. Cole - 'Born Sinner' Album Review - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ Mlynar, Phillip (2013-06-19). "J. Cole, 'Born Sinner' (Roc Nation) | SPIN | Albums | Critical Mass". SPIN. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ Ken Capobianco (2013-06-18). "ALBUM REVIEW: J. Cole, 'Born Sinner' - Music". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "Summer 2013 Cover: J. Cole And Nas". Vibe. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
- ^ "J. Cole, Nas Made Nas Proud". Complex. 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "Hear Nas Comfort J. Cole on Payback Remix 'Made Nas Proud' | SPIN | Newswire". SPIN. 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "J. Cole 'Made Nas Proud' On 'Let Nas Down' Remix". Rapfix.mtv.com. 2013-06-22. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ "11. J. Cole f/ Nas "Let Nas Down (Remix)" — The Best Songs of 2013 (So Far)". Complex. 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-07-22.
- ^ Born Sinner (Media notes). J. Cole. Columbia Records. 2013.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "J. Cole Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
