Ab-Soul On Being "One Of The Best Authors Ever," Talks Taking Shots At Jay-Z & Nas

CrookedLetter

For Life+Times' Decoded series, Ab-Soul took time to explain one of his verses with more depth. The TDE emcee discussed his verse for "Illuminate." According to Soul, his shot at Jay-Z and Nas on the cut was a form of extending a challenge and he also explained why he feels he can become "one of the best authors ever."

"This is basically a traditional or a conventional jab at my favorite artists or favorite players in the game at the time. It was just extending a challenge to play on their same court, if you will," he said of his jabs at Jay-Z and Nas.

On the song, Soul says he feels he can "run laps 'round Jay-Z" and that "Nas ain't seen nothin' this nasty."

In the song, Soul also shares that he's "the best author ever to breathe."

"I think I have a shot at being one of the best authors ever," he clarified. "I do plan on publishing a few books in my lifetime. We'll see."

In the interview, he also shared that his Paid Dues tattoo is real.

"As for the Paid Dues reference. I did get Paid Dues tatted last year."

The tattoo is of the Paid Dues logo for Murs' annual festival for independent Hip Hop.

More from the interview can be seen below.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/m/index.php?s=news&id=22281

The Recipe

If Jay Z or Nas cared to respond they would say "he is supposed to fell/think/say that, because thats how I feel/felt coming up". Ab is my nigga and I dont mind him making bold claims because the game is a young mans sport.

usmarin3

You're suppose to feel like no one can fuck with you as a mc. Is he better than Nas or Jay, hell no. He ain't even better than his own homeboy Kendrick.

rip.dilla

usmarin3 wrote: »

He ain't even better than his own homeboy Kendrick.

That's debateable ..

The Recipe

rip.dilla wrote: »

usmarin3 wrote: »

He ain't even better than his own homeboy Kendrick.

That's debateable ..

Exactly, Ab >>> Kendrick

starvin

I like his attitude

clairascanbe

CrookedLetter wrote: »

Soul says he feels he can "run laps 'round Jay-Z" and that "Nas ain't seen nothin' this nasty."

usmarin3

LOL at Ab Soul being better than Kendrick, the nigga is basically a punchline rapper.

rip.dilla

LOL @ Soulo being a "punchline rapper"

memphis10

ab-soul dope as fuck doe, he was just poppin shit on that track "big and pac got it comin when I pass too". it's up for debate as to who better outta kendrick and soul. I just dont think that ab-soul is quite as polished as kendrick right now.

Like Water

I feel like Ab is the better lyricist of the two, but Kendrick may have the upper hand in constructing a song.

Whatever the case may be, Ab has the right attitude to be successful in the game.

dalyricalbandit

dudes need to put in some work before they claim to be better than the GOATs who have been doing it for 15+ years

Lou Cypher

Lol @ Murs dissing dude on the new Murs and 9th album.

Top Cat

Soulo hoe

Gooner

soulo is a punchline rapper?

s2jepeka

Rap is so wack. Thats a shot!?!/!? Haha Fukin generic ass love tap... WITH an explanation SMH

THIS is a fukin shot:

Face it, for you times is rough too (WHY?)
cause aint nobody buying ya albums but you (Talk 2 Em!)
from the sounds of everything I hear you lost it
still rap aight, but ya ears exhausted
fuck ya bunch of money, put ya ego to the side
and maybe its time to study ya understudy (Talk 2 Em!)
I mean, are we hustling or are we grown up?
everytime I hear you, you changing ya tone up
when the new generation think about Jordan
all they remember is when Iverson crossed him (Talk 2 Em!)
take off the blazer, lossing up the tie
nigga fell in love and superman died
better learn to cover ya ears when the toys pop
I hate ya last single (pause) Boys Roc
can we hear some new niggas with promise?
the new generation won't forget you we promise
we'll always pay homage
but let's get one thing understood son
every Encore ain't a good one! (Talk 2 Em!)

-Budden

MikeydaGawd

usmarine will say anything just to defend his god

Law Trafalgar

Man get that wack ass buttons verse out of here.

Lou Cypher

s2jepeka wrote: »

Rap is so wack. Thats a shot!?!/!? Haha Fukin generic ass love tap... WITH an explanation SMH

THIS is a fukin shot:

Face it, for you times is rough too (WHY?)
cause aint nobody buying ya albums but you (Talk 2 Em!)
from the sounds of everything I hear you lost it
still rap aight, but ya ears exhausted
fuck ya bunch of money, put ya ego to the side
and maybe its time to study ya understudy (Talk 2 Em!)
I mean, are we hustling or are we grown up?
everytime I hear you, you changing ya tone up
when the new generation think about Jordan
all they remember is when Iverson crossed him (Talk 2 Em!)
take off the blazer, lossing up the tie
nigga fell in love and superman died
better learn to cover ya ears when the toys pop
I hate ya last single (pause) Boys Roc
can we hear some new niggas with promise?
the new generation won't forget you we promise
we'll always pay homage
but let's get one thing understood son
every Encore ain't a good one! (Talk 2 Em!)

-Budden

I almost feel as if Budden took a small shot at Em with that, or used Em as the example. I may just be reaching but the "One thing under stood son every ENCORE aint a good one" line could reference Jay Z's encore song. But i havent heard anything negative about that song. The album Encore by eminem however is clearly hated among his fans. I dont think he was meaning to diss him but that verse from joe was fucking dope man.

NothingButTheTruth

Uh who?

s2jepeka

Lou Cypher wrote: »

s2jepeka wrote: »

Rap is so wack. Thats a shot!?!/!? Haha Fukin generic ass love tap... WITH an explanation SMH

THIS is a fukin shot:

Face it, for you times is rough too (WHY?)
cause aint nobody buying ya albums but you (Talk 2 Em!)
from the sounds of everything I hear you lost it
still rap aight, but ya ears exhausted
fuck ya bunch of money, put ya ego to the side
and maybe its time to study ya understudy (Talk 2 Em!)
I mean, are we hustling or are we grown up?
everytime I hear you, you changing ya tone up
when the new generation think about Jordan
all they remember is when Iverson crossed him (Talk 2 Em!)
take off the blazer, lossing up the tie
nigga fell in love and superman died
better learn to cover ya ears when the toys pop
I hate ya last single (pause) Boys Roc
can we hear some new niggas with promise?
the new generation won't forget you we promise
we'll always pay homage
but let's get one thing understood son
every Encore ain't a good one! (Talk 2 Em!)

-Budden

I almost feel as if Budden took a small shot at Em with that, or used Em as the example. I may just be reaching but the "One thing under stood son every ENCORE aint a good one" line could reference Jay Z's encore song. But i havent heard anything negative about that song. The album Encore by eminem however is clearly hated among his fans. I dont think he was meaning to diss him but that verse from joe was fucking dope man.

Nah that was 100% speakin to Jay.

buttuh_b

usmarin3 wrote: »

You're suppose to feel like no one can fuck with you as a mc. Is he better than Nas or Jay, hell no. He ain't even better than his own homeboy Kendrick.

He's better than Jay right now.

Lab Baby

Lou Cypher wrote: »

s2jepeka wrote: »

Rap is so wack. Thats a shot!?!/!? Haha Fukin generic ass love tap... WITH an explanation SMH

THIS is a fukin shot:

Face it, for you times is rough too (WHY?)
cause aint nobody buying ya albums but you (Talk 2 Em!)
from the sounds of everything I hear you lost it
still rap aight, but ya ears exhausted
fuck ya bunch of money, put ya ego to the side
and maybe its time to study ya understudy (Talk 2 Em!)
I mean, are we hustling or are we grown up?
everytime I hear you, you changing ya tone up
when the new generation think about Jordan
all they remember is when Iverson crossed him (Talk 2 Em!)
take off the blazer, lossing up the tie
nigga fell in love and superman died
better learn to cover ya ears when the toys pop
I hate ya last single (pause) Boys Roc
can we hear some new niggas with promise?
the new generation won't forget you we promise
we'll always pay homage
but let's get one thing understood son
every Encore ain't a good one! (Talk 2 Em!)

-Budden

I almost feel as if Budden took a small shot at Em with that, or used Em as the example. I may just be reaching but the "One thing under stood son every ENCORE aint a good one" line could reference Jay Z's encore song. But i havent heard anything negative about that song. The album Encore by eminem however is clearly hated among his fans. I dont think he was meaning to diss him but that verse from joe was fucking dope man.

That diss was around KC/AG time, when Jay made his comeback... basically sayin everything he came out with since was garbage. *no shit sherlock post*

Lincoln

"nas ain't seen nothin' this nasty."

yes, this man is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest authors of all time. who would've thought to say something like that? crazy

bdbdbd

usmarin3 wrote: »

LOL at Ab Soul being better than Kendrick, the nigga is basically a punchline rapper.

have you even listened to his album?

i think you might be talking about his mixtapes.....his album is absolutely dope in every way...check it out if you havent already...you will learn he is far from a punchline rapper

fortyacres&amule

Control system >>> good kid maad city