IS NAS A MOOR?: Hip-Hop and the Moorish Movement

by Shem El 2297

“The ghetto Othello, the Moor / Oh my God, they speak venomous on the boy”

~ Nas on “Adam and Eve”

To some readers, the question within the title may seem like a silly one. However, someone actually asked me that question after hearing songs from Nas’ “Nasir” album, which has been the topic of conversation among many Hip-Hop heads. So, I wanted to expound on some interesting things surrounding this particular release from “Nasty Nas” himself.

While there’s only a couple of “Moor” references on the album (the most interesting one being where he addresses “Catholics, Moors and Masons” to tell them how John Hanson was not the first “Black President”), Nas is no stranger to speaking on Moors. Probably his most notable line is from his song entitled “Y’all My Niggas” where he states, “The problem is we started thinking like the colonists/ ‘Til Noble Drew Ali started droppin’ that consciousness”. Noble Drew Ali is most noted for starting the Moorish Movement in America when he founded the Moorish Science Temple of America in 1913.

Now, just to be clear, Nas is as much of a member of the Moorish Science Temple as Jay-Z is a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths (remember his Universal Flag medallion that sparked so much controversy?). In other words, he’s not. With that stated, at best, Nas can be seen as a strong sympathizer to the Moorish Movement. His lyrics reveal that he has some familiarity with Moorish history and has a degree of respect for those who identify themselves as Moors (however, why he lumped Moors and Catholics together on a song is beyond me).

It should be noted that there are many rappers who have embrace the Moorish culture. I alluded to this fact in my other article entitled “Nick Cannon and the Moorish Mentality (His Interview on The View)”. Rappers such as Rick Ross, Talib Kweli, Styles P, Black Thought, NORE, David Banner, Ghostface Killah, Jay Electronica and others have made reference to Noble Drew Ali and/or the Moors. However, out of all the rappers, one in particular has seemed to embraced it the most (even more than Nas). That one is none other than the artist formerly known as “Mos Def”… now simply known as Yasiin Bey. Not only has Yasiin Bey changed his name, but he has been quite open about proclaiming his nationality and identity as a Moor.

To me, the most interesting aspect of the “Nasir” project is the merchandise that has been promoted with the album. Among the collection is a hoodie that clearly has Moorish symbols on it. These symbols include a pyramid with a scimitar behind it, a star and crescent, the “Circle Seven” logo and the “Hand Press of Unity” image (two hands clasped together in a firm grip). These symbols were actually taken directly from a “Moorish Passport”, which displays symbols commonly used in the Moorish Movement.

So, is Nas a Moor? Well… yes and maybe. When one researches the history of the word Moor and who it applies to, they will find that many people in America who are labeled as Negro, Black, Colored, etc. would qualify to be identified as Moors. However, whether or not Nas identifies himself as a Moor and a part of the Moorish Movement is yet to be confirmed. In either case, it opens up the conversation with others about Noble Drew Ali, Moors and the Moorish Movement. Plus, we get to hear some interesting music along the way. So, let’s enjoy. Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom and Justice.