Nas’ “Surviving the Times” vs. Wordsmith’s “As the Art Fades Away”

Written by Rizoh. Posted in Music

Published on October 09, 2007 with 83 Comments">83 Comments

nas-and-words.jpg
This happens way too often in the music industry. A big name artist releases a song. A week later, a little known artist pops up and contends that he had the idea/track first. What’s unique about this case is that it involves two incredibly talented wordsmiths, Nas and Wordsmith.

Nas’ “Surviving the Times,” produced by Chris Webber, turned up last week as part of his Greatest Hits compilation. Wordsmith’s “As the Art Fades Away,” produced by Strada, was supposedly recorded in 2006. The common thread that weaves both tracks together is the lush, soulful sample of the Wiz’s “What Would I Do If I Could Feel.” However, Word’s version has a harder-hitting bassline than the C-Webber-produced Nas joint.

According to a statement I received from Strada, Wordsmith’s song was also registered with ASCAP last year. I did a quick database search with ASCAP to verify that claim. True enough, “As the Art Fades” has been registered under Wordsmith’s name, but there’s no indication of the year it was added. It’s also worth noting that the song has never been officially released. In fact, Word states in the email that he intends to release the official version of “As the Art Fades Away” as the first single from his debut on December 1st.

Granted, both songs share a sonic resemblance. Conceptually, though, Word’s song is more similar to Snoop Dogg’s “Imagine” than “Surviving the Times.” Nas’ joint has a more personal feel to it, since he’s detailing his own experiences as an aspiring MC. Nas is not a biter, he’s a writer for himself and others.

Which one made a better impression on you?

Wordsmith – “As the Art Fades Away” (Produced by Strada)

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Nas – “Surviving the Times” (produced by Chris Webber)

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["As the Art Fades Away" audio supplied by Hurricane Ivan]

Rizoh

Rizoh is the most powerful man in all the lands. He lives in Houston where he earned a BS in Nerf Herding. He's the founder of The Rap Up, the editor of Roc4Life.com, and is in the Grammy-awaiting band Pervertable Disciples.

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  • Big Fonz

    They sound exactly the same to me. The concept of the track is different, but the beat is pretty much the same. Who really know who made it first?

  • Big Fonz

    They sound exactly the same to me. The concept of the track is different, but the beat is pretty much the same. Who really know who made it first?

  • Big Fonz

    They sound exactly the same to me. The concept of the track is different, but the beat is pretty much the same. Who really know who made it first?

  • BronxBully

    Wordsmith got dat!!!!

  • BronxBully

    Wordsmith got dat!!!!

  • BronxBully

    Wordsmith got dat!!!!

  • http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com Ivan

    Wordsmith’s beat is heavier on the drums, though Nas’ loops are much more laid back, much more fitting for such an intro & retrospective track.

    Shouts to Wordsmith for rocking the sample first, but I prefer Nasty’s version…

  • http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com Ivan

    Wordsmith’s beat is heavier on the drums, though Nas’ loops are much more laid back, much more fitting for such an intro & retrospective track.

    Shouts to Wordsmith for rocking the sample first, but I prefer Nasty’s version…

  • http://hiphopisread.blogspot.com Ivan

    Wordsmith’s beat is heavier on the drums, though Nas’ loops are much more laid back, much more fitting for such an intro & retrospective track.

    Shouts to Wordsmith for rocking the sample first, but I prefer Nasty’s version…

  • SACE

    MAN PLEASE!!! I rapped over that loop too!!! 3 YEARS AGO!!! Doesnt mean nobody stole it!!! It’s a damn sample!!!

  • SACE

    MAN PLEASE!!! I rapped over that loop too!!! 3 YEARS AGO!!! Doesnt mean nobody stole it!!! It’s a damn sample!!!

  • SACE

    MAN PLEASE!!! I rapped over that loop too!!! 3 YEARS AGO!!! Doesnt mean nobody stole it!!! It’s a damn sample!!!

  • http://dgonzart.blogspot.com david

    i guess nas isnt as “incredebly talented” as so many stans seem to think ……so yer tellin me nas used a sample thats been used 5 times??? what else is new he even recycles his own samples and says someone else produced it (theifs theme)….wake up people nas is whack….yea he can rhyme but hes unorigional as fuck

  • http://dgonzart.blogspot.com david

    i guess nas isnt as “incredebly talented” as so many stans seem to think ……so yer tellin me nas used a sample thats been used 5 times??? what else is new he even recycles his own samples and says someone else produced it (theifs theme)….wake up people nas is whack….yea he can rhyme but hes unorigional as fuck

  • http://dgonzart.blogspot.com david

    i guess nas isnt as “incredebly talented” as so many stans seem to think ……so yer tellin me nas used a sample thats been used 5 times??? what else is new he even recycles his own samples and says someone else produced it (theifs theme)….wake up people nas is whack….yea he can rhyme but hes unorigional as fuck

  • SACE

    ^
    So Nas is supposed to know every song thats been made b4 and every sample thats been used? Some of yall people are corny as hell!

  • SACE

    ^
    So Nas is supposed to know every song thats been made b4 and every sample thats been used? Some of yall people are corny as hell!

  • SACE

    ^
    So Nas is supposed to know every song thats been made b4 and every sample thats been used? Some of yall people are corny as hell!

  • http://nayschola.blogspot.com Nahshon

    I thought both versions were pretty nice.
    I’m giving it to Wordsmith right now, probably because I’ve been listening to the Nas version on repetitive loop all week. (I dont like all of Nasir’s shit like a lot of people so when I find one i like, I stick to it.)

  • http://nayschola.blogspot.com Nahshon

    I thought both versions were pretty nice.
    I’m giving it to Wordsmith right now, probably because I’ve been listening to the Nas version on repetitive loop all week. (I dont like all of Nasir’s shit like a lot of people so when I find one i like, I stick to it.)

  • http://nayschola.blogspot.com Nahshon

    I thought both versions were pretty nice.
    I’m giving it to Wordsmith right now, probably because I’ve been listening to the Nas version on repetitive loop all week. (I dont like all of Nasir’s shit like a lot of people so when I find one i like, I stick to it.)

  • Pingback: Wordsmith: The Nu Revolution in Hip-Hop and Rock » Blog Archive » Wordsmith, Nas’s A&R, Strada, & HipHopdx.com to have Conference Call Tomorrow to Clear the Air…Stay Tuned!!!

  • http://www.alisbasement.com Ali

    Yo, technical foul on C. Webb, like he just called a timeout when none left. I think he just stole the beat, C. Webb a producer, I mean really?

    I think lyrically, Nas tells a much better story, Words is just shouting out MCs, that’s mad boring and the sample is buzzing, doesn’t sound as good.

  • http://www.alisbasement.com Ali

    Yo, technical foul on C. Webb, like he just called a timeout when none left. I think he just stole the beat, C. Webb a producer, I mean really?

    I think lyrically, Nas tells a much better story, Words is just shouting out MCs, that’s mad boring and the sample is buzzing, doesn’t sound as good.

  • http://www.alisbasement.com Ali

    Yo, technical foul on C. Webb, like he just called a timeout when none left. I think he just stole the beat, C. Webb a producer, I mean really?

    I think lyrically, Nas tells a much better story, Words is just shouting out MCs, that’s mad boring and the sample is buzzing, doesn’t sound as good.

  • moneda

    Considering the sample is one that’s been used and abused, I’ll kick that from the equation and say I favor NaS’ joint. I’m more interested in the history of one of my favorite artists than in the opinion of an MC I’ve never really heard before. Smith’s skills aren’t in question, though, it’s just how I feel.

  • moneda

    Considering the sample is one that’s been used and abused, I’ll kick that from the equation and say I favor NaS’ joint. I’m more interested in the history of one of my favorite artists than in the opinion of an MC I’ve never really heard before. Smith’s skills aren’t in question, though, it’s just how I feel.

  • moneda

    Considering the sample is one that’s been used and abused, I’ll kick that from the equation and say I favor NaS’ joint. I’m more interested in the history of one of my favorite artists than in the opinion of an MC I’ve never really heard before. Smith’s skills aren’t in question, though, it’s just how I feel.

  • Walter

    @ Ali

    Didn’t C-Webb produce Blunt Ashes?

  • Walter

    @ Ali

    Didn’t C-Webb produce Blunt Ashes?

  • Walter

    @ Ali

    Didn’t C-Webb produce Blunt Ashes?

  • http://www.VintageLimited.com VintageLimited.com

    Whoa. Yea this is really suspect to me… I love Nas too, but I know Wordsmith has had this song out for quite some time. Even though a song might have the same sample… c’mon, whats the likelihood of it being the same concept + the same intro.

    Just FYI. The original rough cut version of Wordsmith’s “As the Art Fades Away” is available on our Reinvintage Mix CD that comes FREE with any purchase from our online store. Just throwing that out there in case anybody is interested in having it. Will probably be the only place that version can be found.

  • http://www.VintageLimited.com VintageLimited.com

    Whoa. Yea this is really suspect to me… I love Nas too, but I know Wordsmith has had this song out for quite some time. Even though a song might have the same sample… c’mon, whats the likelihood of it being the same concept + the same intro.

    Just FYI. The original rough cut version of Wordsmith’s “As the Art Fades Away” is available on our Reinvintage Mix CD that comes FREE with any purchase from our online store. Just throwing that out there in case anybody is interested in having it. Will probably be the only place that version can be found.

  • http://www.VintageLimited.com VintageLimited.com

    Whoa. Yea this is really suspect to me… I love Nas too, but I know Wordsmith has had this song out for quite some time. Even though a song might have the same sample… c’mon, whats the likelihood of it being the same concept + the same intro.

    Just FYI. The original rough cut version of Wordsmith’s “As the Art Fades Away” is available on our Reinvintage Mix CD that comes FREE with any purchase from our online store. Just throwing that out there in case anybody is interested in having it. Will probably be the only place that version can be found.

  • eldesroxunola

    both tracks are fresh. they got two different feelings to em i dont even compare em. nas is laidback and smooth, wordsmith hits harder and makes you nod ur head alil harder thats all. dope shit from both artists

  • eldesroxunola

    both tracks are fresh. they got two different feelings to em i dont even compare em. nas is laidback and smooth, wordsmith hits harder and makes you nod ur head alil harder thats all. dope shit from both artists

  • eldesroxunola

    both tracks are fresh. they got two different feelings to em i dont even compare em. nas is laidback and smooth, wordsmith hits harder and makes you nod ur head alil harder thats all. dope shit from both artists

  • Pingback: Vintage Clothing Limited » Blog Archive » Did Nas rip-off Wordsmith’s song?

  • Illmatic620

    “Yo, technical foul on C. Webb, like he just called a timeout when none left. I think he just stole the beat, C. Webb a producer, I mean really?”

    lol

  • Illmatic620

    “Yo, technical foul on C. Webb, like he just called a timeout when none left. I think he just stole the beat, C. Webb a producer, I mean really?”

    lol

  • Illmatic620

    “Yo, technical foul on C. Webb, like he just called a timeout when none left. I think he just stole the beat, C. Webb a producer, I mean really?”

    lol

  • EEEE

    JUST CHILL WORDSMITH…NAS HAS THE BARS…lol…KEEP CREATING THO BRO

  • EEEE

    JUST CHILL WORDSMITH…NAS HAS THE BARS…lol…KEEP CREATING THO BRO

  • EEEE

    JUST CHILL WORDSMITH…NAS HAS THE BARS…lol…KEEP CREATING THO BRO

  • ceeeep

    Wordsmith is fake. That cat be stealing tracks from other cats for years. Dude is wrong. Ive heard his music, he is garbage.

  • ceeeep

    Wordsmith is fake. That cat be stealing tracks from other cats for years. Dude is wrong. Ive heard his music, he is garbage.

  • ceeeep

    Wordsmith is fake. That cat be stealing tracks from other cats for years. Dude is wrong. Ive heard his music, he is garbage.

  • realgansta

    I Agree. This dude Wordsmith is FAKE. Dude is biting on NAS, and stealing from Nas. This dude is not for real. This guy has little mans syndrome. Why dont you try making some of your own music, or get a life. Dont be fooled people by imposters.

  • realgansta

    I Agree. This dude Wordsmith is FAKE. Dude is biting on NAS, and stealing from Nas. This dude is not for real. This guy has little mans syndrome. Why dont you try making some of your own music, or get a life. Dont be fooled people by imposters.

  • realgansta

    I Agree. This dude Wordsmith is FAKE. Dude is biting on NAS, and stealing from Nas. This dude is not for real. This guy has little mans syndrome. Why dont you try making some of your own music, or get a life. Dont be fooled people by imposters.

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