--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To me, hip-hop's been dead for years. We…" description: "\"To me, hip-hop's been dead for years. We all should know that. With that being said, then, the object of the game now is to make money off of exploitin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9f/nas-650_exploiting_to-me-hip-hop-s-been-dead-for-years-we-a_1047896.jpg" --- # To me, hip-hop's been dead for years. We all should know… ![“To me, hip-hop's been dead for years. We all should know that. With that being said, then, the object of the game now is to make money off of exploiting it. That's what it's all about - get this money. That's basically what I'm saying.” quote by Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9f/nas-650_exploiting_to-me-hip-hop-s-been-dead-for-years-we-a_1047896.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9f/nas-650_exploiting_to-me-hip-hop-s-been-dead-for-years-we-a_1047896.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9f/nas-650_exploiting_to-me-hip-hop-s-been-dead-for-years-we-a_1047896.jpg) > “To me, hip-hop's been dead for years. We all should know that. With that being said, then, the object of the game now is to make money off of exploiting it. That's what it's all about - get this money. That's basically what I'm saying.” [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hip‑hop has become a commercial commodity, losing its cultural authenticity as artists prioritize profit over art. **In simple terms:** Hip‑hop is now about money, not music. Key Takeaway Focus on artistic integrity. Themes commercialization culture authenticity Mood critical reflective Type cultural critique commentary When to use this quote - music industry - artist decisions - fan expectations Key Concepts exploitation profit motive Questions to Reflect On - How can artists balance profit and authenticity? - What defines genuine hip‑hop today? A Different Perspective Profit motives can stifle creativity and community. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Hip hop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hop/) [Making money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-money/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) ## Related quotes > [Capitalists make money by exploiting labor and by externalizing the costs of the wastes produced by the productive process by imposing the wastes on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-craig-roberts/capitalists-make-money-by-exploiting-labor-and-by-externalizing-the/) [Paul Craig Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-craig-roberts/) > [People say money ain't nothing; money is basically everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meek-mill/people-say-money-ain-t-nothing-money-is-basically-everything/) [Meek Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meek-mill/) > [It's difficult, because when you're a popular singer who makes money, you're basically a race horse. And that's how you're treated by the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-colt/it-s-difficult-because-when-you-re-a-popular-singer-who-makes-money/) [Johnny Colt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-colt/) > [I could not work for a long time. I don't spend very much money. Basically I spend money on food and DVDs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cera/i-could-not-work-for-a-long-time-i-don-t-spend-very-much-money/) [Michael Cera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cera/) > [In the end, raising money is basically a matter of going out there and asking. There are no shortcuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-mosbacher/in-the-end-raising-money-is-basically-a-matter-of-going-out-there-and/) [Georgette Mosbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-mosbacher/) > [I like the way hip-hop is now. It's grown up enough so that it can get involved with politics if it feels like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-like-the-way-hip-hop-is-now-it-s-grown-up-enough-so-that-it-can-get/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [It's not just hip-hop that's dead. Mostly every form of American music is dead. It's been dead. R&B isn't really good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/it-s-not-just-hip-hop-that-s-dead-mostly-every-form-of-american-music/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Hip-hop is bigger than the South; hip-hop is bigger than New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/hip-hop-is-bigger-than-the-south-hip-hop-is-bigger-than-new-york/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Hip hop started in NY so it's important that New Yorkers realise that to talk about NY music and its sound should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/hip-hop-started-in-ny-so-it-s-important-that-new-yorkers-realise-that/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [There needs to be structures in place to do something about misrepresentation about hip hop. When awards are given out and the media talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/there-needs-to-be-structures-in-place-to-do-something-about/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think hip hop allows us to talk about everything, and Africa is what I choose to talk about now. If people are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-hip-hop-allows-us-to-talk-about-everything-and-africa-is-what/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [“It’s fairly intuitive that never exploring is no way to live. But it’s also worth mentioning that never exploiting can be every bit as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-christian/it-s-fairly-intuitive-that-never-exploring-is-no-way-to-live-but-it-s/) [Brian Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-christian/) > [Renounce all those material things that you gained by exploiting other human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chapman/renounce-all-those-material-things-that-you-gained-by-exploiting/) [Tracy Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chapman/) > [We know we cannot be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them -- exploiting animals in the name of science, exploiting animals in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-know-we-cannot-be-kind-to-animals-until-we-stop-exploiting-them/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [When the idea came up, (Newman's Own) I said, "Are you crazy? Stick my face on the label of salad dressing?" And then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-newman/when-the-idea-came-up-newman-s-own-i-said-are-you-crazy-stick-my-face/) [Paul Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-newman/) ## More by Nas > [I need the best things in life, that's women, thats cars. Cigars in Venice, bottle on ice, thats priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-need-the-best-things-in-life-that-s-women-thats-cars-cigars-in/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I had a pretty public divorce. They're not easy - divorces - and it took me a long time to really get through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-had-a-pretty-public-divorce-they-re-not-easy-divorces-and-it-took/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If you scared to take chances, you'll never have the answers...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/if-you-scared-to-take-chances-you-ll-never-have-the-answers/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Read more learn more, change the globe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/read-more-learn-more-change-the-globe/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think hip hop allows us to talk about everything, and Africa is what I choose to talk about now. If people are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-hip-hop-allows-us-to-talk-about-everything-and-africa-is-what/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Life is short is what some n\* said, not if you measure life - by how one lives and what he did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/life-is-short-is-what-some-n-said-not-if-you-measure-life-by-how-one/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Calling Michelle 'Obama Barack's baby mama?' Tell me, is that acceptable? But the Obamas aren't the only targets. Fox's pattern of race-baiting and fear-mongering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/calling-michelle-obama-barack-s-baby-mama-tell-me-is-that-acceptable/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [With age comes common sense and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/with-age-comes-common-sense-and-wisdom/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [It's foul what this money could do, cash corrupts the loyal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/it-s-foul-what-this-money-could-do-cash-corrupts-the-loyal/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [This morning I got a call, nearly split my wig. This social network said Nas go and get your kid. She's on Twitter, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/this-morning-i-got-a-call-nearly-split-my-wig-this-social-network/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I want to sound like an instrument. I want my voice and my words to marry the beat. I go with the rhythm of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-want-to-sound-like-an-instrument-i-want-my-voice-and-my-words-to/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [There needs to be structures in place to do something about misrepresentation about hip hop. When awards are given out and the media talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/there-needs-to-be-structures-in-place-to-do-something-about/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I've learned not to be surprised by what people do no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-ve-learned-not-to-be-surprised-by-what-people-do-no-more/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Nasty Nas Enterprises, mastermind, made men. My success symbolizes loyalty, great friends. Dedication, hard work, routine builds character. In a world full of snakes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/nasty-nas-enterprises-mastermind-made-men-my-success-symbolizes/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) [Explore all 427 Nas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## More Exploiting quotes > [When the idea came up, (Newman's Own) I said, "Are you crazy? Stick my face on the label of salad dressing?" And then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-newman/when-the-idea-came-up-newman-s-own-i-said-are-you-crazy-stick-my-face/) [Paul Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-newman/) > [We know we cannot be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them -- exploiting animals in the name of science, exploiting animals in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-know-we-cannot-be-kind-to-animals-until-we-stop-exploiting-them/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [Renounce all those material things that you gained by exploiting other human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chapman/renounce-all-those-material-things-that-you-gained-by-exploiting/) [Tracy Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chapman/) > [“It’s fairly intuitive that never exploring is no way to live. But it’s also worth mentioning that never exploiting can be every bit as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-christian/it-s-fairly-intuitive-that-never-exploring-is-no-way-to-live-but-it-s/) [Brian Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-christian/) > [Unfortunately, the food industry has not yet faced this situation and begun taking measures to avoid exploiting our weakness for not knowing when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-harris/unfortunately-the-food-industry-has-not-yet-faced-this-situation-and/) [Marvin Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-harris/) > [WMR is wholly devoted to acquiring and exploiting rights. We're not a production company, and we're not a broadcaster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-neil/wmr-is-wholly-devoted-to-acquiring-and-exploiting-rights-we-re-not-a/) [Andrew Neil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-neil/) > [There is no point in developing anything at the cost of exploiting and abusing animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-von-d/there-is-no-point-in-developing-anything-at-the-cost-of-exploiting/) [Kat Von D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-von-d/) > [Results are obtained by exploiting opportunities, not by solving problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/results-are-obtained-by-exploiting-opportunities-not-by-solving/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Media outlets that are exploiting Ebola because they want a sensational story and politicians using it to their own ends ought to be ashamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reich/media-outlets-that-are-exploiting-ebola-because-they-want-a/) [Robert Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reich/) > [“problem solving, however necessary, does not produce results. It prevents damage. Exploiting opportunities produces results.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-f-drucker/problem-solving-however-necessary-does-not-produce-results-it/) [Peter F. Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-f-drucker/) > [You have to know what your talent is, and you have to exploit it. And then, while you're exploiting that talent, you find ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-miz/you-have-to-know-what-your-talent-is-and-you-have-to-exploit-it-and/) [The Miz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-miz/) > [Basically, I want to make all of humanity more efficient by exploiting the human cycles that get wasted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-von-ahn/basically-i-want-to-make-all-of-humanity-more-efficient-by-exploiting/) [Luis von Ahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-von-ahn/) > [I don't want people to think I'm exploiting my followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-pinsky/i-don-t-want-people-to-think-i-m-exploiting-my-followers/) [Drew Pinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-pinsky/) > [“As we all know, as if forever exploiting or attempting to exploit each other were not enough, a group of sane human beings who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/as-we-all-know-as-if-forever-exploiting-or-attempting-to-exploit-each/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [Certain things which were happening in the industry needed to be corrected or stopped. There were a lot of people who were taking undue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vatsal-sheth/certain-things-which-were-happening-in-the-industry-needed-to-be/) [Vatsal Sheth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vatsal-sheth/) Browse all 44 Exploiting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To me, hip-hop's been dead for years. We all should know that. With that being said, then, the object of the game now is to make money off of exploiting it. That's what it's all about - get this money. 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