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Ether
Nas
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- Album
- Stillmatic
- Released
- 2001
- Genres
- east coast hip hop, old school hip hop, hip hop
- Length
- 4:38
- Tempo
- 76 BPM
- Label
- Columbia
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About this song
Ether is the second track on Nas' 2001 album Stillmatic and was written as a response to Jay-Z's diss track "Takeover" during the feud between the two rappers. Nas said he chose the title because he had heard that ghosts and spirits dislike the fumes of ether, and he wanted to affect Jay-Z with his weapon and reach his soul. The track is widely regarded as one of the most vicious diss tracks in hip hop history, and the beef between the two has since been settled, with the pair later collaborating on several songs.
What it's about
The song is Nas' reply to Jay-Z, aimed at a rival known as the "Cocaine Rapper" for his past drug dealing. Its title refers to ether, a volatile solvent used in making crack cocaine.
Fun facts
- Samples “Fuck Friendz by 2Pac (Ft. Tiffany Villarreal)”.
- Sampled in 39 other songs, like “Ether by Schokk”.
- Written by Nas and Ron Browz.
- Produced by Ron Browz.
- Recorded at Lobo Recording.