“…Smarten Up, Nas.”
Gear By Gotty™ on June 30, 2008 at 9:50 am
Ughh…
I understanding gettin’ money & taking checks where they come from. But…just…ughh. Call me a potential hater all you want but it’s bonehead affiliations like this (word to Bravehearts) that make you question how potent the trees are that Nasir tokes. First a recent collabo with Benzino, and now this…
Rapper Nas has broken his tradition of sidestepping brand partnerships and inked a one-year partnership with athletic apparel company Fila, Billboard can reveal.
Fila will offer reciprocal financial support for Nas’ print and TV ad campaign as well as his upcoming tour in support of his untitled album, due July 15 via Def Jam. In return, the MC will wear Fila products and co-create an apparel line that draws from fashions of the late ’80s.
“My best friend Will and I loved Fila,” Nas tells Billboard. “It represented prestige and everything that was cool to us. When Will passed, we buried him in a black Fila sweat suit, so doing a deal with them has a lot of significance for me.”
Buried Will in Fila?
I can understand honoring tradition and showing love to QB but Will died in ‘92…around the same time Fila did, Nas.
Has Nas seen Fila’s knockoff Prada Cups?
I guess we can take solace in the fact that it wasn’t Lugz or 310 Motoring.
Nas Breaks Tradition, Inks Deal With Fila [Billboard]
Posted in Gear, SMOKE BREAK — Tags: Deals, Fila, Nas, Sponsorships
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81 Comments
Whaddup TSS
Nuff Said…too much going on!
As always…RMF!!!
Reem aka Saul Goode!
http://www.triggerhappyny.com
http://www.brobotlife.com
So would it have been cool if was the Artful Dodger or BAPE? This is a little over the top with the pre-Untitled hate. Dude can’t even diversify his revenue streams without sidewaysness. smh.
yeah…i aint big a fila either but who knows….
maybe he can bring it sum all needed clas & stlye…..
Good luck Mr. Jones ya might need it
http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MOZARKNY
uhh, i am speechless….
Fila tho, damn uhhh I think british knights were big in the hood back then also, what know Busta-bus endorsing BK??
ps…
that busta shit is sounding pretty outstanding….
New Hil St. Soul - Black Rose
http://rapidshare.com/files/125965047/Hil_St._Soul_-_Black_Rose_2008.rar
Pure soul ya’ll!
Take a listen to “Broken Again” especially!
Fila had one good model of sneakers. End story.
hey didn’t they have sum boot style jointz…
back in the late 90’s ???
I think those were one of the only ones i was feelin
Fila, whoever brung those back needs to be shot.
yea, i had some with the strap the where all red, blue, white but my tight ass hi-tops matched my tight ass suede/valor jumpsuit with the tight ass jacket, never wear too many hats….
damn is it me or was the late 80’s-early 90’s mad tight…i mean the clothes, the jewerly, the pussy….
@GOTTY - With Fila it wasnt about the shoes totally. I remember in Jr. High cats wore Fila because of like Nas says, the prestige and status. They actually had some dope shirts and suits.
Fila was like wearing Jordans in the hood back in the day. Go around the corner and it was time to check in that shirt or shoes!!!
It was some Dope stuff. AND IT WAS BETTER THAN OR = TO ELLESSE!
sorry, there’s no convincing me on this one. It’s 2008. the shit’s played.
I bet he’ll be doing a promo tour and magazine ads w/Hurricane Chris lol.
Nas battled & basically defeated Jay.
Jay’s got money in the Nets & aiming @ the Yankees.
Nas is signing endorsement deals w/Fila.
smh.
^damn, lol….
thats a poor business man fo yo azz, smh….
ps…
jay married b, and nas married ummmm
A Nas and Fabo collab is soon to Fila. Shit, Nas might get to snappin his fingers.
^^^
soon to come (omit Fila)
Well damn …..how can you compare lyrical ability with business savy? Not saying its the best deal but it seemed like cats are doing a Soulja Boy vs Ice T on this subject.
Fila evokes a memory and feeling of nostalgia from the 80’s. Not saying its gonna be for all people. But hell….things that are current today aint all that fly either (TIGHT ASS JEANS, BRIGHT COLORED SHADE GLASSES [ala Kanye], or tight ass t shirts while riding a skateboard).
@Turk
Thats just one example on how Jay-z came into the game later than nas and still accomplished so much more….personally i havent really appreciated J lyrically since RD -IMLT vol.2 and american gangsta, but his business moves outshined nas’s in everyway from the groups he signed to the material he released to the appearances…dont get me wrong nas was doing collabos with a lot of artist, producers, and cross genre but jay collabos were more soild and sold wayy more….just trying to state some facts….
I can understand honoring tradition and showing love to QB but Will died in ‘92…around the same time Fila did, Nas.
^^^^
thats the funniest shit.
When did Jay come in this, G? Two different people with different life goals and motivations in the industry. Can’t compare.
What I will say is though, I did rock Fila’s past ‘92: Grant Hill’s. Yall can’t front, they were alright. I mean, the Iverson’s shitted on em, but they were decent.
@ Gotty. Who really gives a fuck? At the end of the day its about their music, not to what degree they sale their brand. At least to me. Jigga admitted to dumbing down to double his dollars, which bascially equates to soul selling. Nas has put his career on the line but doing toe opposite of dumbing down. Thats the real math. That was the whole point ot Ether.
Whit that said I could care less who’s lining who’s pockets, just make bangers.
yea, i think fila put all there money into grant hill and when he tore up his knee they didnt have anymore funds to pick up another top notch athlete….thats when fila practically vanished
Filla was makin some nice Velour suits a few years back when they were in style. I wouldnt put it past them to come with something miodern and updated.
cash grab…shame…fila r.i.p.
Hova fucking rocked shit at Glastonbury!!
Never been to the music festival but have been to that town before. It’s crazy that such a huge music festival is held in such a tiny town….That joint is a trip. A bunch of mystic crystal shops and other strange spiritual nic nac shops….I did score some chronic from a dread that lived next to a massive church…If you’re ever there holla at him. He’s prolly the only dread in town. He’ll treat you right…puts that shit right on the scale in front of you….lol
Gangsta types sported Fila back in the day ’round my way. As far as B.I. Deals, Nas’ll take what he can get to subsidize his endeavors. I just hope he pimps THEM instead of it turning into some Step-N-Fetchit situation
A lot of you take it wrong or maybe i’m sending the message out wrong.
I’m a huge Nas fan.
dude & the moves he makes just baffle me.
It is about music but it’s also about legacies. nas can be the most talented fuckin musician he wants…but it’s corny ass shit like this that makes him look like a herb.
10 years from now…
Me - “Yo, Nas was the nicest dude out, that’s my word.”
Some kid - “You mean the old dusthead dude from the Fila ads?”
smh.
Legacies are subjective. From Haliburtons stand point Bushs presidency is a success. As a musician, only the music speaks. Look at Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, Curt Kobain(sp), Gil Scott or David Ruffin. Its their music that defines them, not offstage.
Both are great MC’s. They on the Mt. Rushmore.
me & my daughter were just laughin @ those Fila ‘prada’ joints @ the mall last week. they were on front display @ finishline.
@ gotty
thats whats happening basically, Nas’s crazy personal/business antics are outshining his lyrical abilities, unfortunately but he put himself in these situations….I guess ILL WILL really was the one that put NAS in the position he was in, cause since WILL Nas hasnt been to stable with his decision making…..
@ chuck
point well taking, but I gotta name for you and let me know about his legacy/musical superiority…..Teddy Pendergrass
what happed to his 310 shoe deal ?
Oh…My…God. Seriously?
Can we get back to the music please.
Gotty, for this one you are a hater. That’s like people gettin mad at Jay for doin Bud commercials cus they drink Coors or something, retarded.
I guess you can even quote Jay on this one
“What you eat don’t make me shit. Where’s the Love?”
So yeah… business is more important than music?
If you think about it something like this from Nas isn’t too surprising. He seems to take the tougher road less traveled, that’s why he is who he is.
Should we really care about his business moves??.. He’s a grown man and he can do what he wants. And who knows what could come of this. Styles have a way of coming back and this could be one of those times. I wish him the best of luck.
ARon… everything you said was on point
Everything’s retro now, and some of the kicks or whatever that aren’t retro are pretty hideous-word to space boots.
I can see the Fila velour sweatsuits and that type of thing maybe sayin’ a lil’ sumn in the hood…maybe lol. That was some status sh*t back in the day.
Next up: Bally shoes & Le Coq Sportif.
Like I said before Apples and Oranges………. IMO you cant compare lyrics w/ business savy.
————————————————————————-
Me - “Yo, Nas was the nicest dude out, that’s my word.”
Some kid - “You mean the old dusthead dude from the Fila ads?”
^ thats part of the struggle now between old and new. But Gotty you are saying he’s nice because of talent not business….right?
And the kid only knows him from the business side? Damn shame if thats what we have to deal with 10 years from now.
Ok, let me just say this. Why does Nas personal life and business decisions, bother any of you? What this man does with his life and career, does not effect your life or well being. Therefore, you shouldn’t care what he does. The only thing his decsions effect is, him, his, wife and familiy.
Not y’all whining and bitching on the net, because you don’t care for it. So what. Truthfully, it doesn’t matter what the man does, because none of you, will ever be happy with it. So, I’m glad he doesn’t take the time to try and please any of you. Cause you know what, it will never be right. All y’all will do is bitch about it.
He did a deal with Fila, boo hoo, he hurt my feelings. He didn’t marry some video chick, super model, or ditzy ass, dumb, R&B singer. Cries…..he hurt my feelings. SMH, y’all care entirely too much about these rappers personal lives and decisions.
the grant hills were my shit.
I love how Nas brings the fight out of mother fuckers to stand up for whats real.
My point is clear and simple, Nas has gotten outshined in every aspect of life at the moment and I dont see him making any progress with the dumb decisions he is making, Like what is the last good decision Nas made for himself or his musical career??
Let’s keep it all the way 100 too— Wu, specifically Ghost & Rae freaked the whole Wallabee style unto themselves, and that Gucci shoe rip-off Jay came out with weren retro and not too good looking a shoe. 50 had a decent looking shoe for a nanosecond, but rocking those now would be like sporting some Starbury’s…
and as far as legacy, the Reggie Jackson bar hasn’t tarnished Mr. October’s legacy. As long as cat ain’t getting all his ish reposessed in a few years, or taking mugshots every other week, I’M GOOD w/ whatever.
That Nas verse is from a 2002 track…
ps…..Ima huge Nas fan, I just think he needs to pick a different lane maybe writing books/documentaries, graduation/inspirational speaker, or something along those lines just not business….he may get a past at politics cause most of their careers are tarnished anyhow…
Nas was a Esco’s step child. But it was a irrelevent brand.
Haters- who are you people to talk about good decisions Nas has made - what decisions are you making in your own life. Nas is not worry about your negative opinion of him because while you sit and criticize him- he continues to make money- so how is that a bad decion! Smarten Up People!
Ummm..isn’t there also a bigger issue of how does a shoe endorsement with Fila fit into his new “Nigger” campaign? I mean, it doesn’t really scream out “viva la revolution”
Go to Billboard.com and read the entire article - before you criticize Nas! The 16-20 year old interest groups that FILA spoke to seem to think this was a great deal for Nas! They think he represents change! That is more than I can say for most artist!
sorry ms.t, but i am just joining a open community conversation on my computer….I dont go outside and tell my grandmom that NAS is not a person I want in my life, nah I dont think about NAS until he pops up with some new gimmick to get his name into the media eyes (ie. this fila gimmick)….since no one wants to answer my question I will answer…..
what is the last good decision Nas made for himself or his musical career??
——————————————————–
siging to the roc-a-fella label, and that was poor decision cause it made it look as if Jay murdered him and I think ether says it all, but he had his own label at the time that he was letting straight hood niggaz make exectives moves…..dont get me wrong dame, kareem, and jay were hood niggaz also, but they lived much longer and learned…….NAS acts like a straight knucklehead at times which hurts his creditablity to come out with good material….
As you said Ms.t he is making has own money, but if he wants could he be making more money?? You need to smarten up missy…..
Ps…
sorry ms.t, but i am just joining a open community conversation on my computer….I dont go outside and tell my grandmom that NAS is not a person I want in my life, nah I dont think about NAS until he pops up with some new gimmick to get his name into the media eyes (ie. this fila gimmick)….since no one wants to answer my question I will answer…..
what is the last good decision Nas made for himself or his musical career??
——————————————————–
signing to the roc-a-fella label, and that was poor decision cause it made it look as if Jay murdered him and I think ether says it all, but he had his own label at the time that he was letting straight hood niggaz make executives moves…..dont get me wrong dame, kareem, and jay were hood niggaz also, but they lived much longer and learned…….NAS acts like a straight knucklehead at times which hurts his creditability to come out with good material….
As you said Ms.t he is making has own money, but if he wants could he be making more money?? You need to smarten up missy…..
“And the kid only knows him from the business side? Damn shame if thats what we have to deal with 10 years from now.”
________
It’s already like this. Like, I think, Juvenile or B.G. said, its broke his heart when he asked a kid how he felt about [insert great, low selling rapper] and the kid said, “Awe, he sucks. He only sold 100,000 and gets 2,000 spins.” I think they were talking about Scarface’s the Fix. But man, its is sad.
@ Blaze
He signed to Def Jam.
that Bud/Jay-Z deal happened NOT out of necessity, as those 2 entities never needed each other in the 1st place. Jay and Anheiser-Busch will do numbers with or without associations and/or co-branding and synergistic relationships. that Nas/Fila deal reeks of convenience and desparation. Nas “ethered” Jay, but Hova just rocked 180K+ at one show in Europe and is halfway to a Billi (i think). Jay is pretty much doing what he wants to at this point, while others do what they have to. I love Nas though.
@OED
yea at the time jay was the pres and he brung nas along with a couple other roc cats along….
what’s the business side of things got to do w/anything anyway?
Business-wise, Nas is reclusive, in the same sense Barry Sanders, Joe Montana, and Tim Duncan are… whatever.
Two different men, and once again,
“what you eat, don’t make me sh*t”
@ chuck
point well taking, but I gotta name for you and let me know about his legacy/musical superiority…..Teddy Pendergrass
……………………………………………………………………
It sucks he ended up that way (pun intended) but still his music speaks for him, not his wheelchair.
This whole article and the comments are just disgusting. This is funny that you dudes are really talking about how one black millionaire is not smart because he is not making as much money as another millionaire. Bottom line is all yaw dudes are getting hype over a deal that has even ripened yet. So how has Nas is embarrassed himself? He hasn’t until there is actual evidence of this deal making him look bad. I jus think most of yall are NAS haters anyway and yaw think by saying ” Nas did ether jay but…..” or ” Nas is better then jay lyrically but…” Get a life for real. Yaw just drawn into the numbers. How diff would the replies be if it said Jay-Z signs 100 mill deal wit Fila? The responses wud be mad diff then.
At the end of the day NAS > Jay-Z and NAS is GREATEST RAPPER EVER. I could care less if he signed a shoe deal wit payless lol
PS. When has it ever been cool to rock rapper sneakers anyway?? LMAO
Jay-Z (s. carters)
game (hurricanes)
birdman (lugz) etc
I wouldn’t say that Fila deal is a desperate one though. Nas has always played the back, and AS FAR AS ANY OF US KNOW, his paper is straight.
Dudes from QB, has no university degree to speak of, and just inked a deal with a sneaker company….
Fuck Jay, I bet Nas’ moms would be proud of em….
(BTW, Dominique and Hakeem were signed to Etonic…. wack sneaker, no tarnished legacy)
Some of what I’m hearing is contradictory as well.
I hear a lot of anti-monopoly (mom & pop stores), and anti-establishment talk a lot of the times, but for this move of Nas’ to make sense, he needed to sign w/ Nike or some redonkulously big corporation? I don’t get it.
@OED
you always say what I think, you state your explanations very clearly something I lack at…..
but I just got my stimlus check and I am out to spend money, peace TSS, I’LL HOLLA!!
‘purciate that homeskilletz…
don’t spend it all in one place, mayne lol
Where’s MY damn check???
*checks mailbox AGAIN*
*curses*
*kicks neighbor’s cat*
ain’t none of yall wearing filas…old heads and young heads…and if you are….then i guess that’s good for you.
i’ll put in my 0.02 and say that i doubt nas ever seriously rocks any fila shit outside of public appearances…and that will only last so long.
i mean jay had the s dots…and rocked ‘em for about a year whenever the paparazzi caught him out…but that negro clearly loves all shoe brands cause i’ve seen pics of him in dunks, jordans, adidas, chanceltas, etc. point being…if nas is happy getting that dough from fila (along with hurricane chris), then so be it.
ain’t none of us gonna buy some filas just cause qb’s finest is a in a few ads.
Fila had one good model of sneakers. End story.
=========================================
I’m witcha. First and last comment for me.
I can see Nas signing this deal just for that support of promoting the album, which to nobody’s surprise Def Jam is handling with rubber gloves.
It’ll benefit Nas more than Fila imo because teenagers aren’t taking their fashion cues from Nas (& I’m not either.)
My point is clear and simple, Nas has gotten outshined in every aspect of life at the moment and I dont see him making any progress with the dumb decisions he is making, Like what is the last good decision Nas made for himself or his musical career??
===========
LOL. Basically. Talented dude who simply can’t make proper use or fulfill his talents.
I think that …
kelis > beyoncé
… sex talks !
wow …everybody needs to just marinate. gotty you got’em open on this one….. fila’s wasn’t really my style. just nike,jordans and timbs……but to each his own
Atleast SEE which sneaker NAS will be wearing in the ads before comming down on the man. Now if he is rocking those prada knock offs then as the Lakers; NAS will take a L
LOL
Stay chisel like a box of wife-beater by a Fila !
LOL. Basically. Talented dude who simply can’t make proper use or fulfill his talents.
…………………………………………………………..
Isn’t at least half of his catalouge classic material?
You lost me with this one, Gotty.
NaS has officially become Hurricane Chris.
I’m kinda new here, but I’m with Gotty on this one. The old Nas with the Preimo tracks or the new stuff aside, Nas makes those “Fila” decisions. If 50 Cent can get with Reebok, then Nas could at least get on with Timberland (”Suede Timb’s on my feets makes my cypher complete”) or something. If Jay-Z can discover a hungry Kanye or Just Blaze, and all Nas can find is Salaam Remi…then dude might try thinking about something else besides his lyrics. Don’t get me wrong… Nas is in my top 5 all time, but if he had the right tracks to go in on, he would be the undisputed champ.
Isn’t at least half of his catalouge classic material?
===============
Hellll nawww.
Illmatic & It Was Written are both what they are.
The rest…sporadic as hell.
I’m with you on that G. MAYBE Stillmatic too.
Nas is alot of disapointment in real life, i seen him at a show while he was on tour 4 hip hop is dead, that dude started the show 2hrs late, had no opening act, forgot the words to his own songs, and kinda rushed the show. It was like he was just doing it for the money and aint wanna be there. Shit pissed me off..
Illmatic
It was written
I am
Stillmatic
Street Disciple
Gods Son
HHID….
…..by my count.
Nas is alot of disapointment in real life
****************************
Once again, Huh??????
Sorry you had a bad show experience, but whoa…
he’s a failure
he’s this
he’s that…
Wanting to LMAO & SMH in equal parts.
Jay-Z this, Jay-Z that…
do we lessen Larry Bird’s legacy to the NBA b/c he’s ONLY a GM in the NBA, while Magic’s business ventures have all turned to gold???
Was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a “failure” or “disappointment”???
That man just got cake to wear a SHOE. Money to wear a SHOE. Think about it, as much as some of y’all rep shoe brands, y’all NEED to be getting a check…..
Yo for real, fila, diadora, wrangler….all y’all knukkas would cash that check.
Fila’s money is just as green as Microsoft’s, which is just as green as Arby’s.
*Comes in thread*
*Looks at comments total*
*Rubs eyes*
(Rubs eyes again)
*Calls Blue and says…*
“And you thought that N*gger would cause controversy?”
Flavor Real Anon says:
Woooooooooooowwwwwwwww
LOL
Great discussion.
Naw, for real though, Lost Tapes Vol 1 was my shit.
Are we just pretending business is more important than the music or do some of you really believe that?
A dj needs to go and put nas’s lyrics on Jay’s beats and vice versa just to show how much more superior he is, to anybody. Actin like his first two albums are the only good ones, smack yourself.
When someone has a blog you expect their opinion but dick ridin is still a damn shame. If T.I. or Jay did the Fila deal you guys would be applauding, whatever though.
Shut the fuck up and just listen to his album when it drops!!! Enough with the analysis of his life because I doubt any of us will ever achieve an existence as memorable as his. Nas has a catalog of classics, what the fuck do y’all have besides “comments”???
Who cares? It’s just sneakers for god’s sake! The man is a poet and legend, when he stops being that I’ll be worried.
check you tube nas and rakim part 3……its for real