{"id":4667,"date":"2020-10-26T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/?p=4667"},"modified":"2023-12-20T10:29:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T15:29:37","slug":"nas-ultra-black-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/nas-ultra-black-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-song","title":{"rendered":"An In-Depth Look at the Ultra Black Meaning According to Nas"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>2020 has been quite a year as far as the music industry is concerned. Needless to say, 2020 has also been largely plagued by disease. Speaking of diseases, <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/artist\/nas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Nas<\/a> dropped his new album titled <em><a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/album\/nas-kings-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">King&#8217;s Disease<\/a> <\/em>on August 21, 2020<em>. <\/em>Quite frankly, this is the only thing connected with a disease that people had been looking out for this year \u2013if not ever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/we-goin-ultra-black-i-gotta-toast-to-that-780x439.jpg\" alt=\"We Goin Ultra Black I Gotta Toast To That\" class=\"wp-image-4766\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/we-goin-ultra-black-i-gotta-toast-to-that-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/cdn.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/we-goin-ultra-black-i-gotta-toast-to-that-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/we-goin-ultra-black-i-gotta-toast-to-that-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/we-goin-ultra-black-i-gotta-toast-to-that-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/we-goin-ultra-black-i-gotta-toast-to-that-scaled.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><figcaption>Nas: We Goin Ultra Black via <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1PDKlfbi4tY\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Ultra Black Meaning?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8220;Ultra Black,&#8221; is a celebration of black culture and all things black. Nas essentially embraces things that are associated with black culture \u2013and is unapologetic for doing so.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nas takes this stance and makes it known at a time when stakes and tensions are high due to electoral politics and police brutality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nas &#8211; &#8220;Ultra Black&#8221; Music Video<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nas - Ultra Black (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1PDKlfbi4tY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Old is Still Gold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Though with a little twist, this Hit-Boy-produced hit starts off with a trademark scratched-out sample of Nas&#8217; name that makes you reminisce a little about Nas&#8217; old songs from the &#8217;90s and early 2000s. Then from the get-go, Nas&#8217; unapologetic demeanor is instantly expressed when he says, <q>My pants&#8217; posed to sag. We going ultra.<\/q><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cats and Dojs (Pun Intended)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is worth noting that this song created a buzz in typical hip-hop fashion because of the controversy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/artist\/nas\/songs\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Nas&#8217; lyrics<\/a> sparked off upon its release. &nbsp;A quick listen suggests Nas took a swipe at &#8220;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/song\/doja-cat-say-so-lyrics\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Say So<\/a><\/strong>&#8221; hitmaker and pop-rapper, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/artist\/doja-cat\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>Doja Cat<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We must admit that she seems to be one of Nas&#8217;s most unlikely targets from the outset. No one could have ever pictured <em>Esco<\/em> going after her. However, it all makes sense when you consider the main theme of &#8220;Ultra Black&#8221; \u2013black solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Would Nas Diss Doja Cat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><strong>&#8220;Sometimes I&#8217;m over-black, even my clothes are black<br>Cash Money with the white tee and the soldier rag<br>We goin&#8217; ultra black, unapologetically black<br>The opposite of Doja Cat, Michael Blackson black&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/p><cite>Nas rap lyrics in &#8220;Ultra Black&#8221;<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the line that sparked off all the hellfire. Through the said line, Nas seems to refer to a debacle that saw Doja Cat get heavily criticized for an old video. The video showed up online, which alleges that she engaged in racist chatrooms online. Doja was also attacked after a song she wrote titled &#8220;Dindu Nuffin&#8221; was discovered. &#8220;Dindu Nuffin&#8221; is a disparaging phrase that is used &#8220;to mock blacks that commit crimes and the excuses that are made for them.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Doja Cat promptly <a aria-label=\"offered an apology (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/hiphopdx.com\/news\/id.56066\/title.doja-cat-denies-shes-anti-black-in-instagram-apology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"rank-math-link\">offered an apology<\/a> for both incidents. Essentially stating that it was bad judgment for her to have been on the bigoted sites when she was a kid. She also confirmed that she&#8217;s never been in any racist conversations and denied being anti-black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CAmII2rg4Se\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"13\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CAmII2rg4Se\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\"> View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a> <p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CAmII2rg4Se\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#dojacat speaks . Y\u2019all forgive her or na<\/a><\/p> <p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/akademiks\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> DJ Akademiks<\/a> (@akademiks) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2020-05-25T03:27:43+00:00\">May 24, 2020 at 8:27pm PDT<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It\u2019s All Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, everything turned out well because Nas, for his part, cleared the air and stated in an interview with Power 106 Los Angeles that he meant &#8220;no disrespect&#8221; to Doja Cat. In the same interview, he said, <q>I just was really saying a rhyme that rhymed with &#8216;Ultra Black&#8217;. I rhymed that word with &#8216;ultra black,&#8217; I didn&#8217;t even think of it. It&#8217;s all love, it&#8217;s all love, you know what I&#8217;m sayin&#8217;? It was like &#8216;Michael Blackson black.&#8217;<\/q> Yup! So you&#8217;ve heard it from the horse&#8217;s mouth for yourselves\u2026 &#8220;IT&#8217;S ALL LOVE.&#8221; So let&#8217;s all leave it at that, okay?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dojy (Dodgy) Humour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best part about this dramatic episode was when Doja Cat posted a sarcastic TikTok video of herself with &#8220;Ultra Black&#8221; playing in the background \u2013and particularly the line that makes reference to her. She immediately goes on to say, <q>I&#8217;m so offended and upset by this song. Have you guys heard &#8216;Fruit Salad&#8217; by The Wiggles?<\/q> Watch the funny clip here. We give her 10 points for the witty humor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CD6jGfHhceb\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"13\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CD6jGfHhceb\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\"> View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a> <p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CD6jGfHhceb\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#PressPlay: It appears #DojaCat isn\u2019t too bothered by the name drop in #Nas\u2019 new song \u201cUltra Black\u201d \ud83d\udc40 (SWIPE)<\/a><\/p> <p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/theshaderoom\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> The Shade Room<\/a> (@theshaderoom) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2020-08-15T15:22:19+00:00\">Aug 15, 2020 at 8:22am PDT<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tributes to Those That Came Before<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Away from all the controversy, &#8220;Ultra Black&#8221; is a powerful and empowering song that emphasizes black solidarity in light of recent happenings. Nas briefly touches on the Covid-19 pandemic when he raps, <q>Talk with a mask on, the freshest breath.<\/q> He also pays tribute to prominent historic disco singer and actress Grace Jones and the 1970s TV show&nbsp;<em>Sanford and Son<\/em> and blaxploitation films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Going Ultra Black?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nas additionally touches on the Colin Kaepernick saga when he raps, <q>Black like Kaep&#8217; blackballed from the Superbowls (Colin).<\/q> No doubt, he really went &#8216;ultra black&#8217; here. Nas further shows off a little when he raps, <q>To Africa, you say, &#8220;Go back&#8221; I stay pro-black, My Amex black (ah).<\/q> This line is a canny reference to his American Express Black credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Rare Inside Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nas additionally does something rare and unusual in the song when he touches on his family life. Name dropping his daughter and son &#8220;Destiny&#8221; and &#8220;Knight&#8221; respectively. Nas lets us have a rare glimpse into his personal life when he raps, <q>&#8220;Take the boat on the water, history talks with my daughter (Dest&#8217;)<\/q> and <q>My son will be my resurrection (Knight), Constantly learning the lessons, I never die, you get the message? I hope you be better than I, life&#8217;s precious.<\/q><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Hidden Message of Unity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A common Nas theme is also expressed in the song when he raps, <q>This for New York and all the map, No matter your race, to me, we all are black.<\/q> This is a unifying theme that Nas previously expressed in his collaborative album with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/artist\/damian-marley\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>Damian Marley<\/strong><\/a> titled <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/album\/nas-damian-marley-distant-relatives\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>Distant Relatives<\/strong><\/a><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nas used the theme to show that although various kinds and races of people are scattered in different places around the world, we are all distant relatives because we all came from one place \u2013Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The theme is most probably based on the fact that present science, history, and anthropology suggest that the first Homo Sapiens originated from Africa. An interesting and unifying fact to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And speaking of interesting things to know, Doja Cat said she will be releasing a song titled &#8220;NAS&#8221; after the &#8220;Ultra Black&#8221; episode. For her sake, we hope it will be a love letter. Dissing Nas is something you absolutely should not do without giving it much thought \u2013something even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/artist\/jay-z\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Jay-Z<\/a> found out the hard way. So please do be careful Doja \u2013but we digress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CEITycYhsQD\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"13\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CEITycYhsQD\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\"> View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a> <p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CEITycYhsQD\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#PressPlay: #DojaCat reveals she has a song called \u201cNAS\u201d coming out less than a week after he name dropped her in his song, \u201cUltra Black\u201d \ud83d\udc40 (SWIPE for previous posts)<\/a><\/p> <p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/theshaderoom\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> The Shade Room<\/a> (@theshaderoom) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2020-08-20T23:37:53+00:00\">Aug 20, 2020 at 4:37pm PDT<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>All in all, &#8220;Ultra Black&#8221; is a bright and thoughtful song by Esco that speaks to things people feel and live through. It has the right mix of inspiration, controversy, and interesting nuggets to it. It is undoubtedly a great song that is worth giving a serious listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/hiphopdx.com\/news\/id.57460\/title.nas-dashed-his-classic-album-feel-when-he-released-ultra-black-as-a-lead-single\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"rank-math-link\">https:\/\/hiphopdx.com\/news\/id.57460\/title.nas-dashed-his-classic-album-feel-when-he-released-ultra-black-as-a-lead-single<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/hiphopdx.com\/news\/id.57450\/title.doja-cat-is-dropping-a-song-called-n-a-s-following-ultra-black-diss\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">https:\/\/hiphopdx.com\/news\/id.57450\/title.doja-cat-is-dropping-a-song-called-n-a-s-following-ultra-black-diss<\/a><\/li><li><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indigomusic.com\/whats-up\/nas-explains-meaning-behind-rumoured-doja-cat-diss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"rank-math-link\">https:\/\/www.indigomusic.com\/whats-up\/nas-explains-meaning-behind-rumoured-doja-cat-diss<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2020 has been quite a year as far as the music industry is concerned. Needless to say, 2020 has also been largely plagued by disease. Speaking of diseases, Nas dropped his new album titled King&#8217;s Disease on August 21, 2020. Quite frankly, this is the only thing connected with a&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/nas-ultra-black-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-song\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":4766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[565,128,564,563],"class_list":["post-4667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-song-analysis","tag-doja-cat","tag-hip-hop","tag-nas","tag-ultra-black"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4667"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4667\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lyreka.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}