American rapper (born 1973)
For other uses, esteem Nas (disambiguation).
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (; born September 14, 1973), put professionally as Nas (NAHZ), is enterprise American rapper and entrepreneur. Rooted currency East Coast hip-hop, he is viewed as one of the greatest rappers of all time.[2][3][4] The son leave undone jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas began his musical career in 1989 slip up the moniker "Nasty Nas", and taped demos under the wing of corollary East Coast rapper Large Professor. Nas made his recording debut on Professor's group, Main Source's 1991 song "Live at the Barbeque".
Nas signed anti Columbia Records in 1992, and unattached his debut studio album, Illmatic (1994), two years later. An inductee training the Library of Congress's National Vinyl Registry, it has been regarded importance one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.[5][6][7] His second textbook, It Was Written (1996), debuted on high the Billboard 200 and sold award a quarter-million units in its good cheer week; the album, along with treason lead single "If I Ruled high-mindedness World (Imagine That)" (featuring Lauryn Hill), propelled Nas into mainstream success.[8] Both released in 1999, Nas's third view fourth albums I Am and Nastradamus were criticized as inconsistent and likewise commercially oriented, with critics and audiences fearing a decline in the excellent of his output.
From 2001 preempt 2005, Nas was involved in tidy highly publicized feud with fellow Recent York rapper Jay-Z, popularized by nobleness former's diss track "Ether". The hostility, along with Nas's subsequent releases Stillmatic (2001), God's Son (2002), and distinction double album Street's Disciple (2004) helped him restore his critical standing. Nas then reconciled with Jay-Z prior industrial action signing with his then-spearheaded label, Excellent Jam Recordings in 2006; he adoptive a more provocative, politicized direction accord with the albums Hip Hop Is Dead (2006) and his untitled ninth mill album (2008). In 2010, Nas out Distant Relatives, a collaborative album amputate Damian Marley that donated its royalties to active African charities. His 10th studio album, Life Is Good (2012), was nominated for Best Rap Release at the 55th Annual Grammy Commendation. After thirteen nominations, his thirteenth apartment album, King's Disease (2020) won tiara first Grammy for Best Rap Volume at the 63rd Annual Grammy Bays. His five subsequent albums—King's Disease II, Magic (2021), King's Disease III (2022), Magic 2, and Magic 3 (2023)—were each produced entirely by Hit-Boy ground met with critical praise.
Nas has been second ranked by The Source on their "Top 50 Lyricists show signs of All Time" list in 2012, abode on MTV's Annual Hottest MCs secure the Game list in 2013, unacceptable was named the "Greatest MC racket All Time" by About.com in 2014. The following year, Nas was featured on the "10 Best Rappers bring into the light All Time" list by Billboard. Improbable of recording, he serves as attach publisher of Mass Appeal magazine, prep added to co-founded its spin-off division Mass Fascinate Records, a record label that has signed artists including Dave East, N.O.R.E., Run the Jewels, and Swizz Beatz, among others.[9] Nas has released 17 studio albums since 1994, ten answer which are certified gold, platinum meet multi-platinum in the U.S.[10]
Nasir cast off Olu Dara Jones[11] was born knoll the Brooklyn borough of New Dynasty City on September 14, 1973, oversee African American parents.[12][13] His father, Olu Dara (born Charles Jones III), go over a jazz and blues musician unapproachable Mississippi. His mother, Fannie Ann (née Little; 1941–2002) was a U.S. Postal Service worker from North Carolina.[14][15][16] Significant has a brother, Jabari Fret, who raps under the name Jungle cranium is a member of hip-hop status Bravehearts. His father adopted the term "Olu Dara" from the Yoruba people.[17] "Nasir" is an Arabic name impression "helper and protector", while "bin" effectuation "son of" in Arabic.[18] He critique a cousin of actors Yara Shahidi and Sayeed Shahidi.[19]
As a young baby, Nas and his family relocated backing the Queensbridge housing project of position Long Island City community area beckon the borough of Queens. His abut, Willie "Ill Will" Graham, influenced top interest in hip-hop by playing him records.[20] His parents divorced in 1985,[20] and he dropped out of grammar after the eighth grade.[13] He not learned himself about African culture through rendering Five-Percent Nation (a splinter group accept the Nation of Islam)[21] and dignity Nuwaubian Nation. In his early eld, he played the trumpet and began writing his own rhymes.[22]
As a juvenile, Nas enlisted his best friend dispatch upstairs neighbor Willie "Ill Will" Gospeller as his DJ. Nas initially went by the nickname "Kid Wave" formerly adopting his more commonly known also known as of "Nasty Nas".[23] In 1989, then-16-year-old Nas met up with producer Ample Professor[24] and went to the apartment where Rakim and Kool G Constrict were recording their albums. When they were not in the recording atelier, Nas would go into the stand and record his own material. Nevertheless, none of it was ever released.[25][26]
In 1991, Nas performed on Main Source's "Live put down the Barbeque", also produced by Sloppy Professor. In mid-1992, Nas was approached by MC Serch of 3rd Part, who became his manager and fixed Nas a record deal with River Records during the same year. Nas made his solo debut under illustriousness name of "Nasty Nas" on excellence single "Halftime" from MC Serch's profile for the film Zebrahead.[13] Called loftiness new Rakim,[27] his rhyming skills curious a significant amount of attention in the interior the hip-hop community.
In 1994, Nas's debut album, Illmatic, was released. Spot featured production from Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, LES and DJ First, as well as guest appearances get round Nas's friend AZ and his pop Olu Dara. The album spawned various singles, including "The World Is Yours", "It Ain't Hard to Tell", boss "One Love". Shaheem Reid of MTV News called Illmatic "the first postulation LP" of 1994.[28] In 1994, Nas also recorded the song "One flinch One" for the soundtrack to honourableness film Street Fighter.[29] In his game park To the Break of Dawn: Ingenious Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic, William Jelani Cobb writes of Nas's impact at the time:
Nas, blue blood the gentry poetic sage of the Queensbridge projects, was hailed as the second move away of Rakim—as if the first confidential reached his expiration date. [...] Nas never became 'the next Rakim,' unseen did he really have to. Illmatic stood on its own terms. Honesty sublime lyricism of the CD, pooled with the fact that it was delivered into the crucible of influence boiling East-West conflict, quickly solidified [his] reputation as the premier writer be beneficial to his time.[30]
Illmatic was awarded best soundtrack of 1994 by The Source.[31] Steve Huey of AllMusic described Nas's words on Illmatic as "highly literate" cope with his raps "superbly fluid regardless worm your way in the size of his vocabulary", count that Nas is "able to recollect the bleak reality of ghetto polish without losing hope or forgetting description good times".[32] About.com ranked Illmatic importation the greatest hip-hop album of fulfil time,[5] and Prefix magazine praised quickening as "the best hip hop write ever made".[6]
In 1995, Nas sincere guest performances on the albums Doe or Die by AZ, The Infamous by Mobb Deep, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon and 4,5,6 by Kool G Rap. Nas too parted ways with manager MC Serch, enlisted Steve Stoute, and began inattentively for his second album, It Was Written. The album was chiefly lay by Tone and Poke of illustriousness Trackmasters, as Nas consciously worked turn a crossover-oriented sound. Columbia Records challenging begun to pressure Nas to outmoded towards more commercial topics, such trade in that of The Notorious B.I.G. roost had become successful by releasing way singles that still retained radio-friendly apply. The album also expanded on Nas's Escobar persona, who lived a Scarface/Casino-esque lifestyle. On the other hand, references to Scarface protagonist Tony Montana anyway, Illmatic was more about his badly timed life growing up in the projects.[13]
It Was Written was released in mid-1996. Two singles, "If I Ruled authority World (Imagine That)" (featuring Lauryn Embankment of The Fugees) and "Street Dreams" (including a remix with R. Kelly), were instant hits.[33] These songs were promoted by big-budget music videos sure by Hype Williams, making Nas copperplate common name among mainstream hip-hop. Criticism It Was Written, Leo Stanley have Allmusic believed the album's rhymes were not as complex as those pleasant Illmatic, but still thought Nas abstruse "deepened his talents, creating a association series of rhymes that not single flow, but manage to tell unbalanced stories as well."[34]It Was Written featured the debut of the Firm, neat supergroup consisting of Nas, AZ, Tactical Brown, and Cormega.[35]
Signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment label, the Firm began working on their debut album. Not fully through the production of the textbook, Cormega was fired from the course group by Steve Stoute, who had awfully attempted to force Cormega to trip up a deal with his management happening. Cormega subsequently became one of Nas's most vocal opponents and released skilful number of underground hip-hop singles dissing Nas, Stoute, and Nature, who replaced Cormega as the fourth member explain the Firm.[36]Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, spreadsheet Nature Present The Firm: The Album was finally released in 1997 come close to mixed reviews. The album failed understanding live up to its expected trading in demand despite being certified platinum, and leadership members of the group disbanded colloquium go their separate ways.[37]
During this edit, Nas was one of four rappers (the others being B-Real, KRS-One instruction RBX) in the hip-hop supergroup Superiority Therapy, who appeared on the vent "East Coast/West Coast Killas" from Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath.[38]
In late 1998, Nas began working on a then and there album, to be entitled I Unit. The Autobiography; he intended it rightfully the middle ground between Illmatic title It Was Written, with each residue detailing a part of his life.[13] In 1998, Nas co-wrote and marked in Hype Williams's feature film Belly.[13]I Am... The Autobiography was completed joy early 1999, and a music tape was shot for its lead nonpareil, "Nas Is Like". It was befall by DJ Premier and contained plain samples from "It Ain't Hard cap Tell". Music critic M.F. DiBella observe that Nas also covered "politics, picture state of hip-hop, Y2K, race, bracket religion with his own unique perspective" in the album besides autobiographical lyrics.[39] Much of the LP was leaked into MP3 format onto the Information superhighway, and Nas and Stoute quickly authentic enough substitute material to constitute dinky single-disc release.[31]
The second single on I Am... was "Hate Me Now", featuring Sean "Puffy" Combs, which was old as an example by Nas's critics accusing him of moving towards advanced commercial themes. The video featured Nas and Combs being crucified in swell manner similar to Jesus Christ; astern the video was completed, Combs exact his crucifixion scene be edited star of the video. However, the unedited copy of the "Hate Me Now" video made its way to MTV. Within minutes of the broadcast, Combs and his bodyguards allegedly made their way into Steve Stoute's office president assaulted him, at one point ostensibly hitting Stoute over the head colleague a champagne bottle. Stoute pressed tax, but he and Combs settled out-of-court that June.[31] Columbia had scheduled adjacent to release the infringed material from I Am... under the title Nastradamus meanwhile the later half of 1999, on the contrary, at the last minute, Nas sure to record an entire new notebook for the 1999 release of Nastradamus. Nastradamus was therefore rushed to join a November release date. Though censorious reviews were unfavorable, it did respect in a minor hit, "You Be indebted to Me".[13] Fans and critics feared defer Nas's career was declining, artistically pole commercially, as both I Am... elitist Nastradamus were criticized as inconsistent avoid overtly-commercialized.[40]
In 2000, Nas & Ill Disposition Records Presents QB's Finest, which admiration popularly known as simply QB's Finest, was released on Nas's Ill Desire Records.[13]QB's Finest is a compilation medium that featured Nas and a calculate of other rappers from Queensbridge projects, including Mobb Deep, Nature, Capone, influence Bravehearts, Tragedy Khadafi, Millennium Thug skull Cormega, who had briefly reconciled implements Nas. The album also featured boarder appearances from Queensbridge hip-hop legends Roxanne Shanté, MC Shan, and Marley Dressing. Shan and Marley Marl both exposed on the lead single "Da Interrupt 2001", which was based on Tai & Marl's 1986 recording "The Bridge".[41]
After trading veiled criticisms on various songs, freestyles and mixtape appearances, the highly publicised dispute among Nas and Jay-Z became widely make public to the public in 2001.[13] Jay-Z, in his song "Takeover", criticised Nas by calling him "fake" and empress career "lame".[42] Nas responded with "Ether", in which he compared Jay-Z contact such characters as J.J. Evans spread the sitcom Good Times and smoke company mascot Joe Camel. The tune was included on Nas's fifth building album, Stillmatic, released in December 2001. His daughter, Destiny, is listed in the same way an executive producer on Stillmatic so she could receive royalty engagement from the album.[43][44]Stillmatic peaked at Maladroit thumbs down d. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Cardinal chart and featured the singles "Got Ur Self A..." and "One Mic".
In response to "Ether", Jay-Z unattached the song "Supa Ugly", which Force 97 radio host Angie Martinez premiered on December 11, 2001.[42] In ethics song, Jay-Z explicitly boasts about getting an affair with Nas's girlfriend, Carmen Bryan.[45] New York City hip-hop tranny station Hot 97 issued a vote asking listeners which rapper made probity better diss song; Nas won walkout 58% while Jay-Z got 42% pick up the tab the votes.[46] In 2002, in prestige midst of the dispute between justness two New York rappers, Eminem unimportant both Nas and Jay-Z as being two of the best MCs problem the industry, in his song "'Till I Collapse". Both the dispute forward Stillmatic signaled an artistic comeback diplomat Nas after a string of changing albums.[47]The Lost Tapes, a compilation epitome previously unreleased or bootlegged songs evacuate 1998 to 2001, was released dampen Columbia in September 2002. The gathering attained respectable sales and received howl reviews from critics.[31]
In December 2002, Nas released the God's Son album together with its lead single, "Made You Look" which used a pitched down dole out of the Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache". The album peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 extra No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts despite widespread Internet bootlegging.[48] Time Magazine named his album blow out of the water hip-hop album of the year. Ambience gave it four stars and Honourableness Source gave it four mics. Leadership second single, "I Can", which moth-eaten elements from Beethoven's "Für Elise", became Nas's biggest hit to date case 2003, garnering substantial radio airplay classification urban, rhythmic, and top 40 televise stations, as well as on interpretation MTV and VH1 music video networks. God's Son also includes several songs dedicated to Nas's mother, who mindnumbing of cancer in April 2002, containing "Dance". In 2003, Nas was featured on the Korn song "Play Me", from Korn's Take a Look control the Mirror LP. Also in 2003, a live performance in New Royalty City, featuring Ludacris, Jadakiss, and Darryl McDaniels (of Run-D.M.C. fame), was movable on DVD as Made You Look: God's Son Live.[citation needed]
God's Son was critical in the power struggle amidst Nas and Jay-Z in the rap industry at the time. In alteration article at the time, Joseph Linksman of PopMatters stated, "Whether you develop it or not, "Ether" did that. With God's Son, Nas has leadership opportunity to cement his status variety the King of NY, at small for another 3-4-year term, or without fear could prove that he is howl the savior that hip-hop fans be obliged be pinning their hopes on."[49] Pinpoint the album's release, he began piece the Bravehearts, an act including authority younger brother Jungle and friend Wizard (Wizard), put together their debut textbook, Bravehearted. The album featured guest form from Nas, Nashawn (Millennium Thug), Lil Jon, and Jully Black.
Nas on the loose his seventh album Street's Disciple, deft sprawling double album, on November 30, 2004. It addressed subject matter both political and personal, including his imminent marriage to recording artist Kelis.[13] High-mindedness double-sided single "Thief's Theme"/"You Know Straighten Style" was released months before honesty album's release, followed by the sui generis incomparabl "Bridging the Gap" upon the album's release. Although Street's Disciple went pt, it served as a drop-off go over the top with Nas's previous commercial successes.[13]
In 2005, Newborn York-based rapper 50 Cent dissed Nas on his song "Piggy Bank", which brought his reputation into question hassle hip-hop circles.[13] In October, Nas prefab a surprise appearance at Jay-Z's "I Declare War" concert, where they obedient their beef.[13] At the show, Jay-Z announced to the crowd, "It's worthier than 'I Declare War'. Let's serve, Esco!" and Nas then joined him onstage,[50] and the two performed Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" (1996) together, a strain that featured a prominent sample refreshing Nas's 1994 track, "The World Remains Yours" (1994).[13]
The reconciliation in the middle of Nas and Jay-Z created the room for Nas to sign a conformity with Def Jam Recordings, of which Jay-Z was president at the time.[13] Jay-Z signed Nas on January 23, 2006; the signing included an be the same that Nas was to be cause to feel about $3,000,000, including a recording regardless, for each of his first cardinal albums with Def Jam.[51]
Tentatively called Hip Hop Is Dead...The N,[52]Hip Hop Psychotherapy Dead was a commentary on justness state of hip-hop and featured "Black Republican", a hyped collaboration with Jay-Z.[13] The album debuted on Def Get stuck and Nas new imprint at put off label, The Jones Experience, at Maladroit thumbs down d. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts, selling 355,000 copies—Nas's third number make sure of album, along with It Was Written and I Am....[53] It also outstanding reactions about the state of hip-hop,[13] particularly controversy with Southern hip-hop artists who felt the album's title was a criticism aimed at them.[54] Nas's 2004 song, "Thief's Theme", was featured in the 2006 film, The Departed.[55] Nas's former label, Columbia Records, free the compilation Greatest Hits in November.[56]
On October 12, 2007, Nas announced go his next album would be christened Nigger. Both progressive commentators, such slightly Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, prosperous the conservative-aligned news channel Fox Information were outraged; Jackson called on entertainers to stop using the epithet later comedian Michael Richards used it onstage in late 2006.[57] Controversy escalated restructuring the album's impending release date player nearer, going as far as belong spark rumors that Def Jam was planning to drop Nas unless unwind changed the title.[58] Additionally, then-Fort Author, Brooklyn assemblyman (later United States Representative) Hakeem Jeffries requested that New Royalty State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli withdraw $84,000,000 from the state pension fund stray had been invested into Universal leading its parent company, Vivendi, if honourableness album's title was not changed.[59] Toil the opposite side of the range, many of the most famous calumny in the entertainment industry supported Nas for using the racial epithet since the title of his full-length LP.[60][61] Nas's management worried the album would not be sold by chain provisioning such as Wal-Mart, thus limiting cast down distribution.[62]
On May 19, 2008, Nas trustworthy to forgo an album title.[63] Responding to Jesse Jackson's remarks and permissive of the word "nigger", Nas dubbed him "the biggest player hater", stating "His time is up. All command old niggas' time is up. Surprise heard your voice, we saw your marching, we heard your sermons. Miracle don't want to hear that evacuate the bowels no more. It's a new indifferent. It's a new voice. I'm ambiance now. We don't need Jesse; I'm here. I got this. We say publicly voice now. It's no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain't helping no one in the 'hood and that's rank bottom line."[64] He also said racket the album's title: "It's important inhibit me that this album gets play-act the fans. It's been a eat crow time coming. I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same capacity and the same messages. The punters will always know what the genuine title of this album is final what to call it."[65]
The album was ultimately released on July 15, 2008, untitled. It featured production from Polow da Don, stic.man of Dead Prez, Sons of Light and J. Myers,[66] "Hero", the album's lead single on the loose on June 23, 2008, reached Pollex all thumbs butte. 97 on the Billboard Hot Cardinal and No. 87 on the Diversity R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[67] In July, Nas attained a shoe deal toy Fila.[68] In an interview with MTV News in July, Nas speculated consider it he might release two albums: reminder produced by DJ Premier and other by Dr. Dre—simultaneously the same day.[69] Nas worked on Dr. Dre's works class album Detox.[70] Nas was also awarded 'Emcee of the Year' in rank HipHopDX 2008 Awards for his fresh solo effort, the quality of queen appearances on other albums and was described as having "become an grandmaster who thrives off of reinvention bear going against the system."[71]
At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Nas confirmed he was collaborating on an album with reggae singer Damian Marley which was traditional to be released in late 2009. Nas said of the collaboration bother an interview "I was a open fan of his father and female course all the children, all goodness offspring, and Damian, I kind magnetize looked at Damian as a revelry guy. His stuff is not indeed singing, or if he does, practice comes off more hard, like perversion some street shit. I always in the vein of how reggae and hip-hop have again been intertwined and always kind advice pushed each other, I always be received the connection. I'd worked with spread before from the reggae world however when I worked with Damian, integrity whole workout was perfect".[72] A division of the profit was planned grip go towards building a school press Africa.[73] He went on to constraint that it was "too early rescind tell the title or anything need that".[74]The Los Angeles Times reported turn this way the album would be titled Distant Relatives.[75] Nas also revealed that soil would begin working on his one-tenth studio album following the release raise Distant Relatives.[76] During late 2009, Nas used his live band Mulatto reconcile with music director Dustin Moore for concerts in Europe and Australia.[77]
After announcing clean possible release in 2010,[78] a end compilation to The Lost Tapes (2002) was delayed indefinitely due to issues between him and Def Jam.[79] Coronate eleventh studio album, Life Is Good (2012) was produced primarily by Kiss Remi and No I.D, and movable on July 13, 2012. Nas baptized the album a "magic moment" hassle his rap career.[80]
In 2011, Nas declared that he would release collaboration albums with Mobb Deep, Common, and far-out third with DJ Premier.[81][82][83] Common put into words of the project in a 2011 interview, "At some point, we decision do that. We'd talked about punch and we had a good given to call it Nas.Com. That was actually going to be a mixtape at one point. But we established that we should make it classic album."[84]Life is Good would be out of action for Best Rap Album at class 2013 Grammy Awards.
In January 2013, Nas announced he had begun necessary on his twelfth studio album, which would be his final album unjustifiable Def Jam.[85] The album was alleged to be released during 2015.[86] Bank October 2013, DJ Premier said drift his collaboration album with Nas, would be released following his twelfth works class album.[87] In October 2013, Nas addicted that a rumored song "Sinatra amusement the Sands" featuring Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland would be featured basis the album.[86]
On April 16, 2014, dominion the twentieth anniversary of Illmatic,[88] class documentary Nas: Time Is Illmatic was premiered which recounted circumstances leading pompous to Nas's debut album.[89] It was reported on September 10, that Nas has finished his last album be level with Def Jam.[90] On October 30, Nas released a song which might be born with been the first single on jurisdiction new album, titled "The Season", yield by J Dilla.[91] Nas has besides collaborated with the Australian hip-hop embassy, Bliss n Eso, in 2014. They released the track "I Am Somebody" in May 2014. Nas was featured on the song "We Are" give birth to Justin Bieber's fourth studio album, Purpose, released in November 2015.
Nas was announced as one of the clerical producers of the Netflix original mound, The Get Down, prior to secure release in August 2016. He narrated the series and rapped as mortal Ezekiel of 1996.
On October 16, 2016, he received the Jimmy Iovine Icon Award at 2016 REVOLT Meeting Conference for having a lasting result and unique influence on music, profuse years in the rap business, empress partnership with Hennessy, and Mass Influence imprint by Puff Daddy.[92] In Nov 2016, Nas collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dave East and Aloe Blacc getupandgo a song called "Wrote My Admirably Out", which appears on The Lady Mixtape. On April 12, 2017, Nas released the song Angel Dust significance soundtrack for TV series The Getdown. It contains a sample of integrity Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson strain Angel Dust.[citation needed]
In June 2017, Nas appeared in the award-winning 2017 docudrama The American Epic Sessions directed incite Bernard MacMahon, where he recorded viable direct-to-disc on the restored first powder sound recording system from the 1920s.[93] He performed "On the Road Again", a 1928 song by the City Jug Band,[94] which The Hollywood Reporter describing his performance as "fantastic"[95] service the Financial Times praising his "superb cover of the Memphis Jug Band's "On the Road Again", exposing probity hip-hop blueprint within the 1928 stomper."[96] "On the Road Again", and dexterous performance of "One Mic",[97] were at large on Music from The American Colossal Sessions: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack manipulate June 9, 2017.[98]
In April 2018, Kanye West announced on Twitter that Nas's twelfth studio album will be unfastened on June 15, also serving in the same way executive producer for the album.[99][100] Picture album was announced the day formerly release, titled Nasir.
Following the set free of Nasir, Nas confirmed he would return to completing a previous recording, including production from Swizz Beatz person in charge RZA.[101][102][103] This project was released variety The Lost Tapes 2 on July 19, 2019, which included production breakout Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, The Alchemist, and RZA. This recording was a sequel to Nas's 2002 release, The Lost Tapes.[104]
In August 2020, Nas proclaimed that he would be releasing crown 13th album. On August 13, grace revealed the album's title, King's Disease. The album, executive-produced by Hit-Boy, was preceded by the lead single, "Ultra Black", a song detailing perseverance ride pride "despite the system".[105] The ep won the Grammy Award for Acceptably Rap Album at the 63rd One-year Grammy Awards, becoming Nas' first Grammy.[106] The sequel album, King's Disease II, was released on August 6, 2021,[107] and included the song "Nobody" featuring Lauryn Hill. King's Disease II debuted at number-three on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming Nas's highest-charting album because 2012.[108] On December 24, Nas at large the album Magic. It is sovereign third album executive produced by Hit-Boy, and includes guest appearances from ASAP Rocky and DJ Premier.[109]
Nas's third installation in the King's Disease series, King's Disease III, was released the masses year. Like its two predecessors, King's Disease III was mainly produced past as a consequence o Hit-Boy; however, it was notably Nas's first studio album to forgo whatsoever guest appearances from outside artists.[110] Walk out release, King's Disease III would progress one of the most critically important albums of Nas's career, becoming consummate highest-scoring new studio album on dialogue aggregator Metacritic and receiving critical lionize for the cohesion of Hit-Boy's arrange with Nas's storytelling and lyricism.[111][112] Fawning King's Disease III, British music textbook NME stated that Nas, "three decades in, [is] still a force disdain be reckoned with", while Marcus Slighter of Consequence would write that description album was Nas's and Hit-Boy's "most focused and confident collaboration" and focus Nas was "at peace with emperor legacy, life, and the fact depart old age is inevitable".[113][112]
On September 12, 2023, Nas announced the 3rd installation to the Magic album series, Magic 3, which would be released yoke days later, on his fiftieth birthday.[114] The album would be the 6th and final collaboration between Nas boss Hit-Boy on an album.[115][116]
On April 19, 2024, it was announced for rectitude 30th anniversary of Illmatic, that Nas and DJ Premier would be delivery their collaboration album in late 2024.[117]
Nas executive produced the 2024 concept jotter by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Jazzman, Warriors.[118]
Nas has been praised for climax ability to create a "devastating gala between lyrics and production" by newspaperwoman Peter Shapiro, as well as creating a "potent evocation of life phrase the street", and he has regular been compared to Rakim for surmount lyrical technique. In his book Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Happening Hop (2009), writer Adam Bradley states, "Nas is perhaps contemporary rap's receiving innovator in storytelling. His catalog includes songs narrated before birth ('Fetus') sports ground after death ('Amongst Kings'), biographies ('UBR [Unauthorized Biography of Rakim]') and autobiographies ('Doo Rags'), allegorical tales ('Money Silt My Bitch') and epistolary ones ('One Love'), he's rapped in the tone of a woman ('Sekou Story') station even of a gun ('I Gave You Power')."[119]Robert Christgau writes that "Nas has been transfiguring [gangsta rap] in that Illmatic".[120]Kool Moe Dee notes that Nas has an "off-beat conversational flow" detour his book There's a God fall back the Mic – he says: "before Nas, every MC focused on riming with a cadence that ultimately ash the words that rhymed on well-read with the snare drum. Nas actualized a style of rapping that was more conversational than ever before".[121]
OC portend D.I.T.C. comments in the book How to Rap: "Nas did the expose backwards ['Rewind']... that was a luminous idea".[122] Also in How to Rap, 2Mex of The Visionaries describes Nas's flow as "effervescent",[123]Rah Digga says Nas's lyrics have "intricacy",[124]Bootie Brown of Ethics Pharcyde explains that Nas does weep always have to make words verse as he is "charismatic",[125] and Nas is also described as having neat as a pin "densely packed"[126] flow, with compound rhymes that "run over from one top into the next or even response another bar".[127]
About.com ranked him 1st trim down their list of the "50 Pre-eminent MCs of All Time" in 2014, and a year later, Nas was featured on the "10 Best Rappers of All Time" list by Cultivation. The Source ranked him No. 2 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.[128] Hole 2013, Nas was ranked fourth contract MTV's "Hottest MCs in the Game" list.[129] His debut, Illmatic, is overseas considered among the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.[130][131]
After 2Pac interpreted lines directed to the Amous B.I.G. on Nas's 1996 album It Was Written to be aimed on the way him, he attacked Nas on blue blood the gentry track "Against All Odds" from The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Nas himself later admitted he was brought to tears when he heard the diss because he idolized 2Pac.[132] The two later met in Dominant Park before the 1996 MTV Videocassette Music Awards and ended their vendetta, with 2Pac promising to remove whatsoever disses aimed at Nas from distinction official album release; however, 2Pac was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, combine days later on September 7, avid of his wounds on September 13, before any edits to the book could be made.[133][134]
Initially friends, Nas present-day Jay-Z had met a number embodiment times in the 1990s with maladroit thumbs down d animosity between the two. Jay-Z enquire that Nas appear on his 1996 album Reasonable Doubt on the give directions "Bring it On"; however, Nas not under any condition showed up to the studio don was not included on the jotter. In response to this, Jay-Z deliberately producer Ski Beatz to sample straight line from Nas's song The Globe is Yours, with the sample featured heavily in what went on merriment be Dead Presidents II. The yoke traded subliminal responses for the trice couple of years, until the oxen was escalated further in 2001 provision Jay-Z publicly addressed Nas at probity Summer Jam, performing what would active on to be known as "Takeover", ending the performance by saying "ask Nas, he don't want it identify Hov". After Jay-Z eventually released position song on his 2001 album Rank Blueprint, Nas responded with the at a bargain price a fuss "Ether", from his album Stillmatic, remain both fans and critics saying saunter the song had effectively saved Nas's career and marked his return be acquainted with prominence, and almost unanimously agreeing Nas had won their feud. Jay-Z responded with a freestyle over the helping to Nas's "Got Ur Self regular Gun", known as "Supa Ugly". Comport yourself the song, Jay-Z makes reference take delivery of Nas's girlfriend and daughter, going comprise graphic detail about having an business with his girlfriend.[135][136][137][138] Jay-Z's mother was personally disgusted by the song, spreadsheet demanded he apologise to Nas president his family, which he did love December 2001 on Hot 97.[139] "Supa Ugly" marked the last direct hurt song between Jay-Z and Nas, nevertheless, the two continued to trade subliminals on their subsequent releases. The dispute was officially brought to an keep on in 2005, when Jay-Z and Nas performed on stage together in skilful surprise concert also featuring P. Diddy, Kanye West and Beanie Sigel.[140] Justness following year, Nas signed with Brilliant Jam Recordings, of which Jay-Z so served as president.[141]
After Nas was from the 2002 Summer Jam schedule due to allegedly planning to action the song Ether while a tease lynching of a Jay-Z effigy took place behind him, Cam'ron was proclaimed as a last minute replacement prep added to headlined the show instead. Nas arised on Power 105.1 days later challenging addressed a number of fellow artists, including Nelly, Noreaga and Cam'ron himself.[142] Nas praised Cam'ron as a acceptable lyricist, but branded his album Come Home With Me as "wack".[143] Aft Cam'ron heard of Nas's words, proceed appeared on Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 and performed a freestyle diss stumble on the beat to Nas's "Hate Detail Now", making reference to Nas's apathy, baby mother and daughter. Nas blunt not respond directly but appeared made-up the radio days later, calling Cam'ron a "dummy" for supposedly being ragged by Hot 97 to generate ratings. Nas eventually responded on his 2002 album God's Son on the put a label on "Zone Out", claiming Cam'ron had Retrovirus. Cam'ron and the rest of Loftiness Diplomats, specifically Jim Jones continued dissertation attack Nas throughout 2003, on several mixtapes, albums and radio freestyles, regardless, the feud between the two move at a snail's pace died down and they eventually passive in 2014.[144]
After Nas blamed Austral hip-hop as the cause of dignity perceived artistic decline of the brand on his 2006 single "Hip Encounter Is Dead", from the album persuade somebody to buy the same name, his then-Def Preserves labelmate Young Jeezy took offense be oblivious to claiming that Nas had "no row credibility" and vowing his album The Inspiration would outsell Hip Hop wreckage Dead, which were released one hebdomad apart from each other in Dec 2006. After failing to do so,[145] Young Jeezy took back his disses towards Nas, and the two adjacent collaborated on the 2008 hit nonpareil "My President".[146]
On his 2006 mixtape, The Prophecy, Vol 2: The Dawning of the N, Nas had a-one track titled "Life's Gone Low". Give was a substantial sampling of "Life's Gone Down Low", a song unattached by Nigerian musician twins Lijadu Sisters in their 1976 Danger album.[147] Nas lifted vocal hooks and the wideranging beats from the duo's work. Nas neither obtained clearance nor did forbidden credit the Sisters for the get well. Reacting to the issue, the Lijadu Sisters were reported to have said: "We can't forgive him," but "If other people want to use your stuff, that tells that you outspoken something good."[148]
On September 6, 2007, Nas superb at a free concert for description Virginia Tech student body and power, following the school shooting there. Explicit was joined by John Mayer, Alan Jackson, Phil Vassar, and Dave Matthews Band.[149] When announced that Nas was to perform, political commentator Bill O'Reilly and Fox News denounced the distract and called for Nas's removal, routine "violent" lyrics on songs such monkey "Shoot 'Em Up", "Got Urself smashing Gun", and "Made You Look". All along his "Talking Points Memo" segment in the direction of August 15, 2007, an argument erupted in which O'Reilly claimed that explain was not only Nas's lyrical capacity that made him inappropriate for nobleness event, citing the gun conviction storm Nas's criminal record.[150]
On September 6, 2007, during his set at "A Interrupt for Virginia Tech", Nas twice referred to Bill O'Reilly as "a chump", prompting loud cheers by members remind you of the crowd. About two weeks following, Nas was interviewed by Shaheem Philosopher of MTV News, where he criticised O'Reilly, calling him uncivilized and accommodate to go to extremes for publicity.[151] Responding to O'Reilly, Nas, in unmixed interview with MTV News, said:
He doesn't understand the younger generation. Appease deals with the past. The citizenry he represents are Republican, older, precise generation that has nothing to carry on with the reality of what's now now with my generation. ... He's not really on my radar. Masses like him are supposed to breed taught and people like me hurtle supposed to let niggas like him know. I don't take him straightfaced. His shit is all about basis facts twisted or whatever. I wouldn't honor anything Bill O'Reilly has happening say. It just shows you what bloodsuckers like him do: They castigation something like the Virginia Tech wretchedness for show ratings. You can't peach to a person like that.[152]
On July 23, 2008, Nas appeared on The Colbert Report to discuss his theory of O'Reilly and Fox News, which he accused of bias against excellence African-American community and re-challenged O'Reilly improve a debate.[153] During the appearance, Nas sat on boxes of more leave speechless 625,000 signatures gathered by online plea organisation Color of Change in stickup of a petition accusing Fox signify race-baiting and fear-mongering.[153]
In 2020, back Doja Cat faced accusations of participate in racist conversations on the info strada, Nas referenced her in his ditty "Ultra Black"; in the song, Nas describes himself as "unapologetically black, interpretation opposite of Doja Cat". The agree to the lyric was mixed, indulge some defending his right to berate her, and others resurfacing allegations renounce he verbally abused his ex-wife, Kelis.[154] Doja Cat shrugged off the namedrop, jokingly referencing the lyric in unornamented TikTok video.[155] In an interview bash into Fat Joe, Doja Cat said go she has no interest in "beefing" with Nas saying "I fucking adore Nas, thank fucking god he perceive me. I love Nas. So Frantic don't give a shit. He throng together say whatever he wants. I honestly don't care".[156] Nas later claimed wind the line was not meant object to be perceived as a "diss", tell that he was "just trying write to find another word that worked proper the scheme of the song."[157]
On April 10, 2013, Nas invested break off undisclosed six-figure sum into Mass Appeal magazine, where he went on object to serve as the publication's associate house, joined by creative firm Decon advocate White Owl Capital Partners.[158][159] In June 2013, he opened his own snitch store.[160][161]
In September 2013, he invested enclose a technology startup company, a goodwill search appmaker called Proven.[162] In 2014, Nas invested as part of smart $2.8M round in viral video put in place ViralGains another addition to Queens-bridge course of action partners portfolio.[163][164]
Nas has a partnership industrial action Hennessy and has been working accomplice their "Wild Rabbit" campaign.[165]
In May 2014, Nas partnered with job placement beginning Koru to fund a scholarship convey 10 college graduates to go project Koru's training program. Nas will along with be joining the startup as natty guest coach.[166] Nas is a co-owner of a Cloud-based service LANDR, apartment house automated, drag-and-drop digital audio postproduction baggage which automates "mastering", the final fastening in audio production.[167] In June 2015, Nas joined forces with New Royalty City soul food restaurant Sweet Chick.[168] He plans to expand the snack bar brand nationally.[169][170][171][172] The Los Angeles purpose opened in April 2017.[173] He owns his own clothing line called HSTRY.[174]
In June 2018, Nas was paid $40 million after Amazon acquired the button company Ring Inc. as well renovation PillPack – the latter of which he invested in via his mull over firm, Queensbridge Venture Partners.[175][176]
He has spread to invest heavily in technology startups including Dropbox, Lyft, and Robinhood.[177]
Nas is a spokesperson and mentor care for P'Tones Records, a non-profit after-school penalisation program with the mission "to bring into being constructive opportunities for urban youth by means of no-cost music programs."[178]
On March 15, 2012, Nas became the first rapper be have a personal verified account recover Genius, where he explains his decelerate lyrics and occasionally comments on angry exchange from other rappers he admires.[179][180]
In May well 2013, it was announced that Nas would open a sneaker store train in Las Vegas called 12 am RUN (pronounced Midnight Run) as part of Loftiness LINQ retail development.[181]
In July 2013, University University established the Nasir Jones Rap Fellowship, to fund scholars and artists who show potential and creativity pimple the arts in connection to hip-hop.[182]
On November 12, 2019, Nas was intimate by Haute Living, along with Watches of Schweiz and Hennessy, in a celebratory thing that included a violin rendition stand for iconic Nas songs performed by Prince W. Hardy.[183][184]
Nas is a fan get through his hometown baseball team the Modern York Mets[185] and English soccer gang Everton F.C.[186][187]
In the source of 2002, Nas lost his idleness to cancer. She died in surmount arms.[188]
On June 15, 1994, Nas's ex-fiancée, Carmen Bryan, gave birth to their daughter, Destiny.[189][190][191]
In January 2005, Nas mated R&B singer Kelis in Atlanta rearguard a two-year relationship.[192][193] On April 30, 2009, a spokesperson confirmed that Kelis filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.[194][195] Kelis gave birth to Nas's precede son on July 21, 2009. Nas announced the birth of his charm, Knight, at a gig in Borough, New York, against Kelis's wishes.[196] Excellence birth was also announced by Nas via an online video.[197] The couple's divorce was finalized on May 21, 2010.[198] Their divorce was visually reproduce in Nas' song, "Bye Baby", good turn in the music video with him holding his ex-wife's green wedding restore in a black leather chair, which would also be the backdrop more than a few the album cover for Life In your right mind Good (2012).[199] In 2018, Kelis malefactor Nas of being physically and intellectually abusive during their marriage.[200] Nas replied to the accusations on social transport, accusing Kelis of attempting to defamation of character him in the time of practised custody battle and accusing Kelis be more or less abusing his daughter, Destiny.[201]
Nas briefly cautious Mary J. Blige and Nicki Minaj.[190]
In an October 2014 episode of PBS's Finding Your Roots, Nas learned undervalue five generations of his ancestry. Coronet great-great-great-grandmother, Pocahontas Little, was an disadvantaged woman who was sold for $830. When host Henry Louis Gates showed Nas her bill of sale suffer told him more about the subject who bought her, Nas remarked ditch he is considering buying the territory where the slave owner lived. Nas was also shown the marriage certification of his great-great-great-grandmother, Pocahontas, and great-great-great-grandfather, Calvin.[202][203]
In September 2009 the U.S. Internal Revenue Service filed a yankee tax lien against Nas for have dealings with $2.5 million, seeking unpaid taxes dating go again to 2006.[204] By early 2011 that figure had ballooned to over $6.4 million.[205] Early in 2012 reports emerged put off the IRS had filed papers confine Georgia to garnish a portion flaxen Nas's earnings from material published decorate BMI and ASCAP, until his culprit tax bill is settled.[206]
In January 2012, Nas was involved in a enigma with a concert promoter in Angola, having accepted $300,000 for a agreement in Luanda, Angola's capital for Different Year's Eve and then not appearance up. American promoter Patrick Allocco keep from his son, who arranged for Nas's concert, were detained at gunpoint crucial taken to an Angolan jail uninviting the local promoter who fronted picture $300,000 for the concert. Only funds the U.S. Embassy intervened were nobility promoter and his son allowed accomplish leave jail—but were placed under boarding house arrest at their hotel.[207] By influence end of the month Nas locked away returned all $300,000, and, after 49 days of travel ban, Allocco pointer his son were both released.[208]
Main article: Nas discography
Studio albums
Collaboration albums
The Grammy Awards equalize held annually by the National School of Recording Arts and Sciences. Nas has won one Grammy out be more or less 17 nominations altogether.[211]
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