Nas

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Nas in Ottawa, 2007

Nas and Damian Marley performing in Wellington Photo By Brady Dyer

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

== Nas ==

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (born September 14, 1973), better known by his stage name Nas, is an American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers in the history of hip hop music. Nas has released numerous critically acclaimed albums and is known for his complex lyrics and storytelling ability.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Nas was born in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, but he grew up in the Queensbridge Houses in the Queens borough. His father, Olu Dara, is a jazz and blues musician, and his mother, Fannie Ann Jones, was a Postal Service worker. Nas dropped out of school after the eighth grade, but he developed a love for reading and self-education, which would later influence his lyrical content.

Music Career[edit | edit source]

Nas's debut album, Illmatic, was released in 1994 and is widely considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The album featured production from some of the most respected producers in hip hop, including DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip. Illmatic received universal acclaim for its lyrical content, production, and Nas's vocal performance.

Following Illmatic, Nas released several more successful albums, including It Was Written (1996), I Am... (1999), and Nastradamus (1999). His 2001 album, Stillmatic, marked a return to critical acclaim and featured the hit single "One Mic."

Business Ventures[edit | edit source]

In addition to his music career, Nas has been involved in various business ventures. He is a co-founder of Mass Appeal Records and has invested in several technology startups. Nas has also ventured into the restaurant business and has a partnership with Hennessy.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Nas has been married once, to singer Kelis, with whom he has a son. He also has a daughter from a previous relationship. Nas is known for his philanthropic efforts and has been involved in various charitable activities, particularly those aimed at improving education and opportunities for underprivileged youth.

Discography[edit | edit source]

Illmatic (1994)
It Was Written (1996)
I Am... (1999)
Nastradamus (1999)
Stillmatic (2001)
God's Son (2002)
Street's Disciple (2004)
Hip Hop Is Dead (2006)
Untitled (2008)
Life Is Good (2012)
Nasir (2018)
King's Disease (2020)
King's Disease II (2021)
Magic (2021)

Awards and Recognition[edit | edit source]

Nas has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including several Grammy Awards nominations. He is often cited as an influence by other artists and is considered a pioneer in the genre.