Nas’ Ether is widely considered one of the greatest diss tracks in hip-hop history, primarily due to its brutal takedown of Jay-Z, its aggressive tone, and its cultural impact in the early 2000s. The song, released in 2001 on Stillmatic, was Nas’ response to Jay-Z’s Takeover, in which Jay-Z dissed Nas and his legacy.
1. The Title – “Ether”
The word Ether itself has since become synonymous with destroying an opponent in a battle, whether in rap or any other form of competition. The track was so effective that people now use “ethered” as slang for getting completely humiliated in a verbal exchange.
2. Opening Lines: The Tone is Set
Nas opens the track with an eerie, taunting chant:
“F*** Jay-Z
What’s up, n****, you know you love me.”
This immediately sets an aggressive tone, dismissing Jay-Z outright. The mocking delivery suggests that Jay-Z secretly admires Nas despite their beef.
3. Attacking Jay-Z’s Credibility
Nas then goes on to question Jay-Z’s originality and authenticity in rap:
“You a fan, a phony, a fake, a p****, a Stan
I still whip your a**, you thirty-six in a karate class.”
Here, Nas calls Jay-Z a “Stan,” referencing Eminem’s song about an obsessed fan, implying that Jay-Z idolized him before their feud. He also clowns Jay-Z for supposedly trying too hard despite being an older artist in the game.
4. Claiming Superiority Over Jay-Z
Nas suggests that Jay-Z only got big after Biggie’s death:
“I gave you life when n***** was forgetting you, MC
Remember that ‘I Will Survive’? Guess you forgot how Nas do.”
Nas argues that Jay-Z was irrelevant until Nas’ presence in the game legitimized him. The “I Will Survive” reference is about an early Jay-Z song (Sunshine), which flopped, reinforcing the idea that Jay-Z wasn’t always dominant.
5. Accusing Jay-Z of Biting (Copying)
A major insult in hip-hop is being a “biter” (someone who steals styles), and Nas goes in hard on this:
“You stole my flow, I’m the reason y’all draped in gold
Remember that ‘I’m out for presidents to represent me’?”
Nas suggests Jay-Z copied his style and even borrowed his famous The World Is Yours lyric from Illmatic for Dead Presidents.
6. Personal Attacks
Nas doesn’t just keep it lyrical—he goes personal too:
“Rocafella died of AIDS, that was the end of his chapter
And that’s the guy y’all chose to name your company after?”
Here, Nas references Jay-Z’s label Roc-A-Fella Records, named after John D. Rockefeller, but twists it by bringing up an unrelated historical figure, making it a savage and controversial line.
7. The “Gay-Z” & Money-Over-Loyalty Claims
Nas continues with more personal jabs:
“Y’all n***** deal with emotions like b****es
What’s sad is I love you ’cause you’re my brother
You traded your soul for riches.”
He implies that Jay-Z is emotionally weak and willing to betray people for money.
8. Cultural Impact
Ether didn’t just win the battle in fans’ eyes—it created a blueprint for future diss tracks. The phrase “getting ethered” is now used in battle rap and online debates when someone gets verbally destroyed.
The track forced Jay-Z to respond with Supa Ugly, but even Jay-Z admitted later that Ether was a powerful blow. The Nas vs. Jay-Z feud shaped early 2000s hip-hop and helped Nas reclaim his position in rap after some fans thought he was falling off.
Final Thoughts
Ether is legendary because:
- It attacked Jay-Z’s credibility, originality, and personality.
- It blended lyrical skill with raw aggression.
- It had a lasting cultural impact, changing how diss tracks are judged.
If Takeover was a calculated, strategic attack, Ether was a full-out, reckless, and emotional explosion that hit Jay-Z hard. Many fans still debate whether Ether or Takeover was the better diss, but Ether’s influence is undeniable.
What do you think—do you consider Ether the best diss track ever, or do you prefer something else?
Albert Initiative 
Leave a comment