Ultra Black

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"Ultra Black"
Single by Nas featuring Hit-Boy
from the album King's Disease
ReleasedAugust 14, 2020
GenreHip hop
Length3:18
LabelMass Appeal
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Nas singles chronology
"Rodeo (Remix)"
(2020) 		"Ultra Black"
(2020)
Music video
"Ultra Black" on YouTube

"Ultra Black" is a song by American rapper Nas featuring Hit-Boy, the producer. It was released on August 14, 2020 as the lead single from Nas's thirteenth studio album King's Disease (2020).

Background and composition[]

In the song, Nas raps his black heritage and African-American culture over a "laid back breakbeat and jazz chords".[1] He pays homage to "all things black",[2] and promotes Black pride.[3] In an interview with NME in November 2020, Nas said that the song "represents love", in a time when racism and hate is prevalent.[4]

Controversy[]

The song attracted attention for lyrics that were perceived as a diss towards singer and rapper Doja Cat: "We goin' ultra Black, unapologetically Black / The opposite of Doja Cat, Michael Blackson Black". In May 2020, Doja Cat had been accused of racism and association with white supremacists, though she denied the allegations.[5]

Shortly after the song was released, Doja responded with a TikTok video in which she sarcastically says, "I'm so offended and upset by this song. Have you guys heard 'Fruit Salad' by The Wiggles?"[6] On August 24, 2020, Nas and Hit-Boy had a joint interview with radio station Power 106, in which Nas stated he meant no disrespect, and that he was only saying something that rhymed with "Ultra Black".[7][8] In his NME interview in November, Nas commented on how the attention the song received was typical of the social media age.[4]

Music video[]

A music video was released on August 26, 2020. Directed by Spike Jordan, it opens with Nas rapping in his kitchen while Hit-Boy plays a beat in the living room with a baby girl on his lap.[9][10] Nas also appears in various areas of New York City, with interspersed scenes of black families bonding.[10][11] The visual also features cameos from designers Dapper Dan and Kerby Jean-Raymond.[11][12]

Personnel[]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[13]

  • Hit-Boy – engineering
  • Audio Anthem – co-production
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering engineering
  • David Kim – mixing
  • Gabriel Zardes – engineering
  • Mark "Exit" Goodchild – engineering

References[]

  1. ^ Breihan, Tom (2020-08-14). "Nas Announces New Album 'King's Disease', Out Next Week, & Shares Hit-Boy Collab "Ultra Black": Listen". Stereogum.
  2. ^ Powell, Jon (2020-08-26). "Nas reveals beautiful visual for "Ultra Black"". REVOLT.
  3. ^ Okon, Wongo (2020-08-14). "Nas Proudly Flaunts His Melanin And Takes A Shot At Doja Cat On The Hit-Boy-Produced 'Ultra Black'". UPROXX.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Lavin, Will (2020-11-03). "Nas: "I'm rapping the same way I did when I was on the block"". NME.
  5. ^ Woods, Aleia (August 14, 2020). "Nas Raps "Unapologetically Black, the Opposite of Doja Cat" on New Song: Listen". XXL Mag.
  6. ^ Caldwell, Brandon (2020-08-15). "Doja Cat Shrugs Off Nas' Diss On 'Ultra Black'". HipHopDX.
  7. ^ Nas Meant No Disrespect w/Doja Cat Lyric + Hit-Boy Talks Juice WRLD Inspiration On ‘King’s Disease’, August 21, 2020
  8. ^ Rowley, Glenn (August 24, 2020). "Nas Denies Dissing Doja Cat on 'Ultra-Black': 'We Play With Words, Man'". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  9. ^ "Nas Debuts 'Ultra Black' Video". Rap-Up. August 26, 2020.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Legaspi, Althea (2020-08-27). "Nas Celebrates Black Culture and Beauty in New 'Ultra Black' Video". Rolling Stone.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b Johnson, Patrick (2020-08-26). "Nas and Hit-Boy's New "Ultra Black" Music Video Celebrates Black Unity". HYPEBEAST.
  12. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (August 26, 2020). "Watch Nas' New Video for "Ultra Black"". Complex.
  13. ^ "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. August 14, 2020.
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