Ultra Black Explained

Ultra Black
Cover:	File:Nas - Ultra Black.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Nas featuring Hit-Boy
Album:	King's Disease
Released:	August 14, 2020
Genre:	Hip hop
Length:	3:18
Label:	Mass Appeal
Chronology:	Nas
Producer:	Hit-Boy Audio Anthem
Prev Title:	Rodeo (Remix)
Prev Year:	2020

"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".^[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 (who is of Zulu South African and American Jewish heritage) 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] In his NME interview in November, Nas commented on how the attention the song received was typical of the social media age.

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.^{[8] [9]} Nas also appears in various areas of New York City, with interspersed scenes of black families bonding.^[10] The visual also features cameos from designers Dapper Dan and Kerby Jean-Raymond.^[11]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[12]

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Breihan. Tom. 2020-08-14. Nas Announces New Album 'King's Disease', Out Next Week, & Shares Hit-Boy Collab "Ultra Black": Listen. Stereogum. en.
2. Web site: Powell. Jon. 2020-08-26. Nas reveals beautiful visual for "Ultra Black". REVOLT. en.
3. Web site: 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. en-US.
4. Web site: Lavin. Will. 2020-11-03. Nas: "I'm rapping the same way I did when I was on the block". NME. en-GB.
5. Web site: Woods. Aleia. August 14, 2020. Nas Raps "Unapologetically Black, the Opposite of Doja Cat" on New Song: Listen. XXL Mag. en.
6. Web site: Caldwell. Brandon. 2020-08-15. Doja Cat Shrugs Off Nas' Diss On 'Ultra Black'. HipHopDX.
7. Rowley. Glenn. August 24, 2020. Nas Denies Dissing Doja Cat on 'Ultra-Black': 'We Play With Words, Man'. 2021-05-11. Billboard. en.
8. Web site: August 26, 2020. Nas Debuts 'Ultra Black' Video. Rap-Up. en-US.
9. Legaspi. Althea. 2020-08-27. Nas Celebrates Black Culture and Beauty in New 'Ultra Black' Video. Rolling Stone. en-US.
10. Web site: Johnson. Patrick. 2020-08-26. Nas and Hit-Boy's New "Ultra Black" Music Video Celebrates Black Unity. HYPEBEAST.
11. Web site: Espinoza. Joshua. August 26, 2020. Watch Nas' New Video for "Ultra Black". Complex. en.
12. Web site: August 14, 2020. Try the TIDAL Web Player. listen.tidal.com. en.