In "Ether (Unreleased Edition)" by Nas, the lyrics primarily revolve around a rivalry between Nas and Jay-Z. These lyrics were recorded during the time when the two artists were engaged in a highly publicized beef in the early 2000s. The song serves as a response to Jay-Z's diss track "Takeover", and Nas takes the opportunity to deliver sharp criticisms and assert his dominance in the rap game.
In the first verse, Nas challenges Jay-Z's self-proclaimed status as the "God MC" and accuses him of disrespecting religious beliefs ("Drunk the glass of blasphemy and forgot to pray over"). Nas dismisses Jay-Z's attempts to overtake him and claims that he was the one who helped Jay-Z rise to fame but was betrayed in return ("You're a makeover, My protege trying to Takeover"). Nas suggests that Jay-Z is jealous because Nas has always been more respected and accomplished in the industry ("Mad 'cause since I met you I never did respect you").
Furthermore, Nas implies that he was the one who influenced and inspired Jay-Z, portraying Jay-Z as a follower rather than a leader ("Another case of a boy and his teacher"). Nas takes credit for introducing a new style of rapping that Jay-Z later adopted, referring to himself as the first to "poison your speakers." He calls out Jay-Z's hypocrisy, stating that Jay-Z tries to undermine and criticize him but, in reality, is just trying to emulate his success.
The second verse continues to criticize Jay-Z, questioning his claims of being a gangsta ("Call yourself gangsta' but you were begging for pardon"). Nas references an incident at the nightclub Carbon where Jay-Z's crew, the Roc-a-Fella members, were confronted by Terror Squad, highlighting a moment of vulnerability and weakness for Jay-Z. Nas asserts that he doesn't need to dig up dirt on Jay-Z because his skill and flow alone are enough to expose him ("I leave it up to the flow, dispose you").
Throughout the song, Nas presents himself as the superior artist, asserting that he is "half man half-amazing" and a force to be reckoned with. He emphasizes that real recognizes real, implying that Jay-Z's claims and success are not authentic or genuine. Nas suggests that his knowledge and depth in his lyrics go beyond what Jay-Z can comprehend, implying that Jay-Z's understanding and talent are lacking ("Guess the knowledge I speak too deep to follow").
Symbolically, Nas refers to himself as a shepherd and Jay-Z as a sheep, highlighting the power dynamic between them. Additionally, Nas claims his place as the "greatest of all timers" and declares his success by stating, "Fuck skeletons, keep only weaponry in my closets."
Overall, "Ether (Unreleased Edition)" by Nas is a scathing diss track directed at Jay-Z. It serves as a testament to Nas' skill, influence, and the longstanding rivalry between the two artists. The song's significance lies in its role in rap history, particularly during the Nas vs. Jay-Z beef, and the competitiveness and confrontations that defined that era in hip-hop.