Music

The Honorable · 10/4/21

Think about it,

Prior to 2001, who would use the term Ether to describe something as "offensive, disrespectful, hurtful, piercing, etc"? I personally do not remember a time where that word was ever used until Nas dropped Ether on Jay-Z (Pun fully intended).

That's why I conclude that Ether is such a much more impactful track as its title is now apart of our lexicon. Children born in 2001 use the term in their normal language not understanding that its usage is directly tied to the destruction of Jay-Z's ego.

While this is an old horse, it's still an important horse.

NAS IS THE GOAT.

Jay · 10/4/21

I'm in Cali' and it was the same. No one used Ether until the Takeover vs. Ether drama ensued. I was posting on SOHH at the time and the proliferation of internet access helped the term spread like wildfire.

Mastamind · 10/4/21

Some say that Nas was the creator of "Stan" being used as a pejorative because of this song

Jay · 10/4/21

Mastamind said:
Some say that Nas was the creator of "Stan" being used as a pejorative because of this song

Damn if Stan came out of that too that would be crazy. Stan and Ether, that takes the track to the next level.

blackmancigar

Red Velvet · 10/5/21

No sir. Takeover was the harder track and was very specific when it came to the parts about Nas. If we want an example of Ether, here you go:

Nigga, you ain't live it, you witnessed it from your folks' pad (Yup)
You scribbled it in your notepad and created your life
I showed you your first TEC on tour with Large Professor (Me, that's who)
Then I heard your album 'bout your TEC on the dresser

Rollie Forbes · 10/5/21

Red Velvet said:
No sir. Takeover was the harder track and was very specific when it came to the parts about Nas. If we want an example of Ether, here you go:

This. As personal as Jay got on "Takeover", he was straight disrespectful on "Super Ugly" (Fun fact, Jay said that the song was so disrespectful that his mother made him apologize for releasing it).

Ether was a great song, OP is correct about its cultural significance, and Nas is one of the GOAT emcees; but everybody who was outside at the time knows that Jay had Mr. Jones on the ropes.

Red Velvet · 10/5/21

Rollie Forbes said:
This. As personal as Jay got on "Takeover", he was straight disrespectful on "Super Ugly" (Fun fact, Jay said that the song was so disrespectful that his mother made him apologize for releasing it).

Ether was a great song, OP is correct about its cultural significance, and Nas is one of the GOAT emcees; but everybody who was outside at the time knows that Jay had Mr. Jones on the ropes.

Preach. Takeover was disgusting and he sonned New York’s legends on it. His mobb deep line was so funny because he really does have money stacks bigger than them.

Mastamind · 10/5/21

New York at the time voted for Ether/Nas even after Hot 97 tried to fudge the numbers in Jays favor

So blackwomancoffee

The Honorable · 10/5/21

Well looks like the Jayhova Defense Force has entered the thread. All you have to do is listen to Jay's interview after Ether was released, he sounded as if was going to cry.

jasonrest · 10/11/21

Red Velvet said:
No sir. Takeover was the harder track and was very specific when it came to the parts about Nas. If we want an example of Ether, here you go:

i was way biased back in the day for jay. and cursed nas under my breath.
but looking at it years later. they both went hard, and the culture won overall.
and nobody had to die for it.

The Honorable · 10/11/21

jasonrest said:
i was way biased back in the day for jay. and cursed nas under my breath.
but looking at it years later. they both went hard, and the culture won overall.
and nobody had to die for it.

Glad you came around sir.

Trillfate · 10/11/21

I feel like Ether was the best song but jay's disses hit harder on takeover + super ugly thus winning the battle in my eyes

Jay · 10/11/21

jasonrest said:
i was way biased back in the day for jay. and cursed nas under my breath.
but looking at it years later. they both went hard, and the culture won overall.
and nobody had to die for it.

I feel like it was hard to be a jigga warrior after you heard his hot 97 interview after. Jay was visibly hurt by Ether, something on that joint got to him.

Jay · 10/11/21

Trillfate said:
I feel like Ether was the best song but jay's disses hit harder on takeover + super ugly thus winning the battle in my eyes

I feel the exact opposite, I feel like Takeover was a waaaaay better song, beat was sick, Jay had that King of NY swag all over the track but Ether was that uppercut you didnt see coming that knocked him out.

Takeover to me has a much better beat but there are things that Ether's beat does that made Nas shine:

The beat has a very triumph sound that lets you know that Nas ain't messing around.
The melody and drums stay out the way and put Nas center stage.

jasonrest · 10/11/21

Jay said:
I feel the exact opposite, I feel like Takeover was a waaaaay better song, beat was sick, Jay had that King of NY swag all over the track but Ether was that uppercut you didnt see coming that knocked him out.

Takeover to me has a much better beat but there are things that Ether's beat does that made Nas shine:

The beat has a very triumph sound that lets you know that Nas ain't messing around.

The melody and drums stay out the way and put Nas center stage.

im with you. takeover was the better song.
razor thin margin though.

Red Velvet · 10/11/21

jasonrest said:
i was way biased back in the day for jay. and cursed nas under my breath.
but looking at it years later. they both went hard, and the culture won overall.
and nobody had to die for it.

oh so you have stockholm syndrome mjlol

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Ether was so powerful of a diss track that it became part of our parlance.

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