NAS: “THE STRONG WILL CONTINUE”
Rapper Nas has pleaded not guilty to a criminal contempt charge for unpaid child and spousal support. According to reports, Nas owes more than $200,000 in child and spousal support to his estranged wife Kelis.
In March, Nas will have to attend a court hearing to show why he has been unable to pay the ordered support amounts. If he is found to be in contempt of court, he could face jail time.
Meanwhile, the rapper has vented out his frustrations in a new song titled, The Strong Will Continue. In a verse of the song, he raps about his son Knight and his child support woes:
“Twisted and mangled, sort of like Bruce Lee life, cursed with his son Brandon. If that’s you and me Knight, I pray our fates greater. How in the hell am I supposed to stay comfy, when I pay child support, alimony monthly (source).”
36 Comments to “NAS: “THE STRONG WILL CONTINUE””
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What does he mean in that line? I hate that! He talking about the fate of Bruce and Brandon? They are both dead! And why is he worried about living comfy? He should be worried about living period! These rappers kill me, so worried about their images and how they living more than how their children are living. Don’t get me wrong, I feel he got a raw deal on the amount he has to pay, but hey you face that risk whenever you get someone preggers….wifey or not!
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I was just about to post the same thing. Nas, do better bruh!
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He seems like such an a#@. If he feels that he has to pay too much spousal support he should seek legal advice. However, to talk about your comfort and then deny support to your child is just low. I certainly wouldn’t support his ideas by purchasing his songs. He should be too embarassed to say such a thing.
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I think he is more bothered by paying spousal support not child support. The child support is a given. Why does he have to pay Kelis spousal suport. Can’t she work?
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I was wondering the same thing. Has she stopped shaking her milkshakes already?
Seriously though, Kelis needs to go back to singing. Nas shouldn’t be expected to take care of her, she did not give up her life or singing career to support him in his career.
All the boys in the yard are still waiting for Kelis new songs. Lol. Sorry, I had to say it
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People Kill me its all good until a baby comes along then you all of a sudden need to be seperated “what the heck is that” if you can make it b4 u make a baby u should be able to make it work after you have a baby by any means Necessary!!!! Get it together people at least make it thru the pregnancy together!!! I will agree w/ Lisa Lisa he is getting a raw deal, Kelis probably didnt see 200,000 a year prior to marrying Nas!!!
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i mean…i can say that Kelis is absolutely robbing Nas. There is no reason that any child, celebrity or not, requires that much money to be supported by one parent alone. If they two parents were together there is no way that they would spend that much money on the child combined.
Even as a woman, I have to say that what the child support system does to most men is unfair. I heard a quote that said that some odd millions of dollars are owed in child support to men who make less than 12,000 dollars a years. I mean maybe that is what Nas is talking about. I mean his yearly income is certainly not that, but in comparison to how much his cost of living in, the expectation to pay that amount is absurd.
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While I have no comment regarding your views on Kellis, its really hard for me to feel sorry for the many deadbeat dads out here. Some will skip state or country not to make a payment or quit a job. It is the kids that suffer. You have some men who do not blink at a monthly car note, but cry to the great heavens when it comes to supporting a child they laid down to create.
The average single mom Jill with full custody is pulling a huge load, and having money thrown at or not is only half of it. Many do not receive half of what is due them financially from the non-custodial to adequately raise the child. The system is clogged with people who can’t amicably solve parenting and support issues privately.
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i have to say i disagree to with this comment to a certain extent. i know of so many cases where men are being treated unfairly in the court system and by baby mamas because the men have moved on. i’m in a situation now with the hubby where he pays on time in accordance with the court order. he was paying before the court order but everytime him and the child’s mother argued she hauled him back to court. We racked up massive lawyer fees (10k+) in less than a year from going to court. In the end the judge order him to continue paying her directly b/c of his history of paying. Now she has sent the case to child support enforcement and he’s getting letters stating he is in arrears several thousands of dollars, they are threatning to take his income tax refund, his driver’s license, to put him in jail, but yet he is still paying her per the court order. he can’t stop paying her because he will be in contempt of the court order per our lawyer. she’s cashing the checks and making our lives hell. he can’t see the child now b/c she said if he wants to see him we have to take it to court (which would be in another state) and we don’t have the money to go to court again. oh and she’s mad b/c he has a house and a car (her words not mine) but mind you, she has a house and 2 cars herself (one of which is a BMW). i have cases like this for days, not just the hubby’s but other people i know. i just know it goes both ways. i know women who are fair and split all expenses down the middle and are open to sharing custody but i also know just as many women who are petty and try to break a man.
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I dont know your whole story MDGirl so I can’t comment. I hope you and your hubby remain happily wed.
I just know when a person splits, separates, divorces and what have you and their are children involved, tunes get changed.
Like you said, for every y example, there is a z. As I stated, its a shame when court systems are clogged at all for failure of two adults to come to a consensus on what is fair and right for the child.
Yes, your husbands ex is pulling a heavy load as the custodial-she is responsible for the 24-7 of raising this child, regardless of anything else you have to say on the matter. Should she use the child as a pawn, no–but keep in mind, the heavy lifting is hers to bare and money doesn’t buy or take care of everything. If you have kids on your own then maybe I am preaching to the choir and you do have some understanding of that.
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thanks for your response but not for nothing, the child’s mother chose to move just because she “always wanted to live in that city”, took her other kids away from their fathers, as well so it is her CHOICE to be a full-time custodian which is laughable because her mother lives with her and has her kids half the time. My husband asked for custody of the child and she said no and then she moved so she got what she wanted. She shouldn’t be compensated monetarily for raising her child. And I would say the same if my husband had custody. And I say that because it seems like you are saying she should get a medal or be commended or compensating for doing it on her own. Alos, it doesn’t matter whether I have children of my own or not, people make too many excuses for these jacked-up situations in the black community. My husband is to blame for what he did, just as well as her, however going in to the situation both parties knew that things could never be like “Leave It To Beaver”, yet she still chose to make choices that took her child away from the father and put more responsibility on her or her mother. Bottom line is, imo, is that she needs to suck it up and stop being so petty and stop trying to ruin us financially (by lying about the checks she is cashing) because we have a house and vehicles.
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MDGirl, I am by no means taking up for this woman. I put the disclaimer that I don’t know you or your situation. I should have also put “in general” regarding the custodial parents whether it be a mom or dad that has full custody.
The best to you and your husband in dealing with this person.
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ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW! SHAME ON U FOR PUTTING YOU COMFORT BEFORE YOU CHILDREN……
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When Nas son becomes a man he will dis this song for the short-sighted, self serving tripe that it appears to be, but hopefully Nas will do right by him and stop bellyaching so he doesn’t end up hating the man.
Word to Nas: your son is not your running buddy, he has a mom who if she does her job right, he is going to grow up loving and caring about how you treat her. How you treat her, WILL impact Knight, no matter if you like it or not. I doubt if he is going to side with you trying to show her up as some gold-digging trollop who has sent you to the cleaners. Please rethink your approach.
Also, here’s a suggestion: fire your current lawyer, show some proof of inability to pay at set amount (1 good thing, you guys weren’t married long so hopefully the alimonty will end soon enough). I just hope when you reference the impact on your “comfort” doesn’t mean your inability to ball and bankroll your “boys” and a harem of side show hoochies or perhaps you are finding it hard to keep up with the jones’ ala Jay-Z or Diddy or some other big balling rapper-lol.
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RIGHT ON, GTSA! Have a great day!
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This thing went to court and all of his holdings were taken into consideration. I remember that he had invested money and his ex knew about these investments. I am under the impression that the courts felt he was in a position to make the payments that they awarded her and the child. Just because he is a stingy, selfish soul he doesn’t want to pay what he owes. It is not for us to decide what is too much that’s already been done. Now he should just pay what he owes and move on with his life instead of whining about his needs. I don’t buy it. He shouldn’t have written his song; he should have just listened to Marvin Gaye’s song IF YOU WANT HAPPINESS, YOU GOT TO PAY. Man up!
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The amount does seem a bit much, but it’s what the court deemed suitable. I don’t know why many seem to have an issue w her receiving spousal support. She was his WIFE, not his BM or jump off. Just like the baby is entitled to child support from his father, she is entitled to spousal support from her ex-husband. So if she works a million jobs or never again, that’s her entitlement. Sorry he’s not feeling “comfy” anymore, but I imagine she wasn’t feeling comfy while having to deal with his abuse and cheating. SMH
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It’s always the child that ends up getting hurt and short-changed.
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Brief and to the point, yet your post speaks volumes.
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I FOR ONE AM NOT MAD AT HER. FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SHE IS SUPPOSED TO GET. IF THEY WENT TO COURT AND THE JUDGE RULED ON THIS, IT MEANS HE DISCLOSED HIS FINANCES, SO THEY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT HOW MUCH HE MAKES AND TOOK A CERTAIN PERCENT. IN THE STATE I AM IN IT GOES BY THE PERCENT. IF I COULD GET THAT AMOUNT WHY NOT. IT’S NOT LIKE SHE SAID THIS IS WHAT I WANT, THE JUDGE AWARDED HER THIS AMOUNT. SO FOR MOST PEOPLE TO SAY SHE KNOWS SHE CAN LIVE WITH A LOT LESS ARE TRUE TO SOME DEGREE. SHE PROBABLY COULD AND WILL ONCE THE SPOUSAL SUPPORT STOPS. BUT FOR SOME TO SAY SHE IS WRONG FOR THAT ARE LIVIG IN A FANTASY WORLD, IF THEY WERE GIVEN THIS AMOUNT WOULD THEY TURN IT DOWN, I THINK NOT. I WOULDN’T. TO (KELIS) GIRL GET YOUR MONEY WHILE YOU CAN. IMO.
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Just because the courts ruled it so doesn’t always make it right, imo. The courts also ruled at one time that blacks were property, that schools should be segregated, of course the courts later changed their minds. I think that alimony, child support and divorce settlements are sometimes out of control. Of course, every situation is unique but I for one think 30k or 25k a month to raise a child is ridiculous. I also think that its unreasonable to set a standard that if you make x amount of money you should spend x amount of money on a child. I know someone who is a multi-millionaire who if frugal when it comes to spending. My friend lives modestly and her kids are well provided for but she would never spend 15 or 20k a month on her children. Then you have people like Sean Combs who are extravagant and spend all boat loads of money on themselves and their kids. I just don’t think the one size fits all mantra is the solution. I also don’t think its fair for the courts to allow for women (or men) to stick it to their ex-wife/hubby or baby mamma/daddy just because they want to be spiteful or break them.
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I hear your point MDGirl, but what truly is the measure of a man? I just don’t think your comparisons hold up. In most support cases, basic quantifiable mathmetics are at play. Percentages of income or wealth are divied up with some determination of what is “fair” Its a given even with all the quantifiable math, fairness can still be left up for debate.
I wonder why Nas has not paid the $200k? If it is because he needs it to pay a house note on his mansion or main place of residence,than I can understand a little better-playing devil’s advocate here, because I also don’t think he should be living in a trailer park to support Kellis nor his child’s lifestyle at a rarified level if it boils down to that either. Fair is fair and middle ground should be reached for the sake of both parents and child.
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being angry at Kelis should not be a reason for him not paying child support.he doesn’t want to pay spousal support,whatever that’s his problem but he needs to pay child support..be a man and do the right thing instead of whining like a 2 year old who hasn’t received his bottle yet..
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His wife does seem a bit greedy, perhaps she is bitter and not thinking beyond her own needs. Neither of these individuals impress me, they should sit down and work something out for the benifit of their son, I think children should come first and not used as a tool for improving ones lifestyle. He should fight for custody or joint custody, that is if he actually wants to be a dad.
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I agree. Except he shouldn’t even have to go that route to try and get sole custody of his son. It can end up being even more of a mess than he would expect. Him not having full custody doesn’t make him any less of a father, they both need to come to some type of resolution for the sake of the child. Again, with them having more money than the average couple I SERIOUSLY believe they can make it work. They DO NOT have to be around each other when the child is being picked up or dropped off. They can communicate through assistants about the child if it’s THAT bad..I just think their is a more dignified way to go about it. Plus, it’s too much DRAMA..
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this is so sad. no one needs that much damn money a month for anything. I feel bad for Nas and the child
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i think that everyone one this post is jeslous of kellis. there are too amny dead beat dad. nas is making the monney he should pay up. too many women and chlildren are suffering. i can’t belive people are complaing because a multimillonaire is expected to pay a large sum in child support. black peoole will forever remain at the bottom of scociety for reasons such as this.
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Typical trifling[word omitted] man that won’t step up to his responsibility. The line from his song is a disgrace and an insult to his young son. If he has a problem with the amount, appeal it in court. But, your son has expenses too. Just look at Diddy manning up and taking care of Kims son and his sons and daughters. How could you be seated in the lap of luxury buying stupid things you don’t need when you child’s light is out or he has nothing to eat or wear?!Watch who fathers your child sisters.
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All I can say is WOW at some of these comments…I think people are reading WAAAY too much into this. IF anyone was a fan or knowledeabale about Nas, you would know that he LOVES being a father. Money is not the issue, he should be able to live comfy..that’s what he’s worked so hard for so that he AND his offspring could live comfy but when you have a chick who is vindictive and spiteful who is trying to take you for everything, how can you ensure your children (because he doesn’t just have Knight he also has a daughter Destiny) will be just as comfy, let alone you???! Stop reading so much into rap lyrics…sheesh it’s a form of expression. He’s comparing his situation and drama to another person’s. He didn’t write it in stone and say it’s now “The Word”, lol! That’s him expressing HIMSELF, the same way Kelis goes off on “Twitter” when she’s expressing HERSELF. I know of a couple of men who are getting taken to the BANK via child support. And these are VERY VERY good dads…
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NAS IS SO FINE,BUT I REALLY DONT GET THAT LINE THAT MUCH JUST A LIL.
ANYWAY NAS CONTINUE TO DO U MAN AND WHAT MAKES U HAPPY,AS FOR KELIS WATCH OUT CAUSE KARMA IS REAL GIRL LOL.
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Also, people are twisting words…who said HE DIDN’T WANT TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT???? He said he CAN’T PAY CHILD SUPPORT. Does anyone know the last time this dude came out with a hit album? I mean really, he’s not clocking dollars like Jay or Diddy for that matter! Nas is popular based off of his skills and his PAST projects. TODAY, he’s not brining home that kinda money, I don’t believe that. LOL! Hell some of us are struggling to pay our lil mediocore bills and if we get into a bind where we CAN’T pay, then we CAN’T PAY it’s not because we don’t want fresh water or heat in the house. So I guess everyone who lost their homes just DIDN’T want to pay a mortgage, huh? Yeah okay, they COULDN’T pay it. I don’t think Nas could afford to pay what the courts ordered him to pay and still live his life. Puffy is an exception, this dude GOT MONEY coming in from everywhere (endorsements as well as his own businesses), so he can have one of his baby mommas ask FOR MORE money and not hurt a bit. Same as Russell Simmons, he’s GOT LONG MONEY, so to him it would be NOTHING! Jay-Z is like Barack Obama, while Nas is like your local govenor or mayor…it’s soooo not the same,even though they are both public officials..it’s not the same playing field..
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Giggles you took the words right out my mouth. I was going to say that maybe he couldn’t afford to pay the amount of money the court ordered him to. He hasn’t put out a album in a long while, so he’s not raking in the money like he used to.
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I think it’s wonderful that we have a system that makes men step up, even if they don’t want to, and take care of the children they helped create. But it also has to be acknowledged that there are alot of woman, alot alot alot that take advantage of their ex-spouses just to spite them and use the children as pawns. There are women that really need the help of alimony and child support but then there are women where it’s like You’re feet and fingers are not broken, go get yourself a job! God forbid the man should die and then where would you be?
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I AGREE ANONYMOUS AND GIGGLES,I JUST HOPE NAS GETS TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS SON,BUT KELIS IS NOT ALLOWING THAT,SO THAT COULD BE A REASON WHY NAS NOT PAYIN IDK.ANYWAY I WISH NAS AND KNIGHT WELL WITH ALL OF THIS.
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Can Nas not afford the spousal and child support because he doesn’t have the income or is it that if he pays the support he would no longer be able to afford big fancy things? If its the former, then he should get a new lawyer. If it’s the latter, then he should change his lifestyle.
Spousal support is temporary, but Nas is being treated like every other divorcing non-custodial parent. Like Kanye said, “if you ain’t no punk, holler WE WANT PRENUP, WE WANT PRENUP”!!! Lol.
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I might be a little jealous…. but I ain’t mad at Kelis for the exorbitant amount of money she gets from Nas. If you a baby-momma (or Nas’ baby’s mother – since they were married) who got pregnant by a star, then by all means GET YOURS.
But I think it’s driving a wedge between the man and his child. I don’t know much about Nas, but this being the seemingly conscious and uplifting rapper of that great hit ‘If I Ruled the World’ with Lauryn Hill, I’m sure he knows the importance of raising his child, being there for him, and being in his life. You know you can pay all the child support in the world, and be a physical deadbeat daddy (or momma) by never being there for your child and becoming otherwise estranged. I couldn’t see Nas doing that, but that might be what is happening. He has problems with Kelis, and now his child will suffer as he becoming estranged from his own daddy.
I don’t care if Kelis doesn’t ever want to work again and would just rather open her support checks from Nas – more power to her. But there needs to be compromise and she is the one who probably needs to begin it so Knight doesn’t miss out having his biological daddy around.
Nas is not being selfish when he raps about ‘staying comfy’ – those spousal and child support check amounts are nothing to laugh at, and they do threaten to dip into his rather comfy lifestyle. I’d be a little miffed too if I were Nas. He should be able to take care of himself as well as his baby and his baby’s mother. But come on, Nas is not getting 50 Cent’s amount of money here.
Now that line about Bruce being cursed with Brandon, what the hell is that about? Bruce and his wife were married and I don’t think he ever had to pay his wife child support for Brandon.
Maybe Nas should get full custody of Knight and give Kelis visitation right and that might take down the amount of spousal and child support. Or get joint custody. Hate to see a baby without his father.
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