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Nas

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Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known professionally as Nas, is an influential American rapper, entrepreneur, and record producer.

Nas-04
Nas-04

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest lyricists in the history of hip-hop. Born on September 14, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York, his musical roots are deep. His father, Olu Dara, was a jazz and blues musician from Mississippi.

Nas-01-mika
Nas-01-mika

His mother, Fannie Ann, worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Growing up in the Queensbridge Houses of Long Island City, Nas was surrounded by music. He even learned to play the trumpet during his youth.

Nas began his musical journey in the late 1980s under the name Nasty Nas. He initially recorded demos with the help of the producer Large Professor. His first professional appearance occurred in July 1991 on the Main Source song "Live at the Barbeque."

Nas in Ottawa, 2007
Nas in Ottawa, 2007

Although several major labels rejected him, he eventually signed with Columbia Records in 1992. This happened after MC Serch became his manager and helped secure a deal. Nas's rhyming skills earned him comparisons to the legendary rapper Rakim. He worked tirelessly to refine his craft and establish his unique voice.

On April 19, 1994, Nas released his debut studio album, Illmatic. This album is considered a masterpiece and was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. It featured production from several famous names, including DJ Premier and Q-Tip. The album included singles like "The World Is Yours" and "One Love." Critics praised his ability to describe the realities of life in the projects with great literacy and fluidity.

Nas-01-mika
Nas-01-mika

It remains one of the most respected hip-hop albums ever made.

Following his debut, Nas moved toward more mainstream success with his second album, It Was Written, in 1996. This album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200. It sold more than 250,000 units during its first week of release. The lead single, "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)," featured singer Lauryn Hill and became an instant hit. During this era, Nas also formed a supergroup called The Firm with artists AZ, Foxy Brown, and Nature.

Nas-04
Nas-04

This period showed his ability to reach a much larger, global audience.

His career has not been without intense challenges and public disagreements. From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a famous feud with the New York rapper Jay-Z. This conflict included the release of the track "Ether," which was a direct response to his rival. Despite this tension, Nas managed to restore his critical reputation with albums like Stillmatic and God's Son.

Nas-01-mika
Nas-01-mika

Eventually, Nas and Jay-Z reconciled, and Nas even signed to Jay-Z's label, Def Jam Recordings, in 2006. This shows how personal and professional relationships evolve within the music industry.

Nas has also used his platform to support global causes and charitable efforts. In 2010, he released a collaborative album titled Distant Relatives with Damian Marley.

Nas and Damian Marley performing in Wellington Photo By Brady Dyer
Nas and Damian Marley performing in Wellington Photo By Brady Dyer

All royalties from this project were donated to active charities in Africa. He has also achieved significant recognition from the Recording Academy. After thirteen nominations, he won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2020. This award was for his album King's Disease, marking a major milestone in his long career.

Today, Nas remains a highly productive and respected figure in the arts. Since 1994, he has released seventeen studio albums. Ten of these have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum in the United States.

NAS performing at the 2015 Sugar Mountain festival, Melbourne, Australia
NAS performing at the 2015 Sugar Mountain festival, Melbourne, Australia

Beyond music, he is a businessman who serves as the associate publisher of Mass Appeal magazine. He also co-founded Mass Appeal Records, which has signed various successful artists. His influence continues to shape the landscape of modern hip-hop culture.

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File:Nas in Ottawa, 2007.JPG
Nas in Ottawa, 2007.JPG
File:Nas and Damian Marley performing in Wellington Photo By Brady Dyer.jpg
Nas and Damian Marley performing in...
File:NAS performing at the 2015 Sugar Mountain festival, Melbourne, Australia.jpg
NAS performing at the 2015 Sugar Mountain...
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