N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)

{{more citations needed|date=October 2015}}

{{Infobox song

| name = N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)

| cover =

| alt =

| type =

| artist = Nas

| album = {{noitalic|Untitled}}

| released = July 11, 2008

| format =

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Hip hop

| length = 4:33

| label = Def Jam, Columbia, The Jones Experience

| writer = N. Jones
Aldrin Davis
A. Bell
P. Hurtt

| producer = DJ Toomp

}}

"N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)" (stylized as "N.I.*.*.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)") is a song by rapper Nas from his untitled 2008 studio album. The song contains samples from "We're Just Trying to Make It" by The Persuaders.

The song was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the Grammys on December 3, 2008.{{Cite web |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/grammy-nominati.html?iid=top25-Grammy+nominations+announced! |title=Grammy nominations announced! | PopWatch Blog | EW.com |access-date=2008-12-04 |archive-date=2009-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708231200/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/grammy-nominati.html?iid=top25-Grammy+nominations+announced! |url-status=dead }}

Nas intended to convey a specific message through this song. Initially, he planned to name the entire album Nigger, but he ultimately decided against it due to the racial turmoil of the time, its reflection on the world around him, and the need for a reevaluation of societal norms.{{cite news |last1=Mclaughlin |first1=Eliott |title=Rapper has defiant words for new album - CNN.com |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/16/music.nas/index.html |accessdate=7 December 2018 |website=Cnnn.com |date=July 16, 2008}} Nas ultimately changed the album title out of concern that record stores might refuse to stock it. Despite the title change, the message conveyed through the songs remained unchanged, as Nas wanted to ensure that his message would reach as wide an audience as possible.{{cite news |title=Nas drops 'Nigger' album title |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nas-4-1323923 |accessdate=7 December 2018 |website=Nme.com |date=20 May 2008}} And while the album name has changed, the cover art "says nigger real loud."{{cite news |last1=Jonze |first1=Tim |title=Nas unveils controversial album cover |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/02/urban |accessdate=7 December 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 June 2008}}