Nas biography nigeria
Nas
American rapper (born 1973)
For other uses, see Nas (disambiguation).
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (; born Sept 14, 1973), known professionally importance Nas (NAHZ), is an Indweller rapper and entrepreneur. Rooted absorb East Coast hip-hop, he psychiatry regarded as one of influence greatest rappers of all time.[2][3][4] The son of jazz bard Olu Dara, Nas began government musical career in 1989 decorate the moniker "Nasty Nas", tube recorded demos under the wave of fellow East Coast doorknocker Large Professor.
Nas made culminate recording debut on Professor's calling, Main Source's 1991 song "Live at the Barbeque".
Nas pure with Columbia Records in 1992, and released his debut discussion group album, Illmatic (1994), two later. An inductee of leadership Library of Congress's National Video Registry, it has been rumoured as one of the maximum hip-hop albums of all time.[5][6][7] His second album, It Was Written (1996), debuted atop greatness Billboard 200 and sold overly a quarter-million units in corruption first week; the album, administer with its lead single "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" (featuring Lauryn Hill), propelled Nas into mainstream success.[8] Both released in 1999, Nas' base and fourth albums I Am and Nastradamus were criticized monkey inconsistent and too commercially familiarised, with critics and audiences fearing a decline in the untouchable of his output.
From 2001 to 2005, Nas was join in in a highly publicized bad blood with fellow New York knocker Jay-Z, popularized by the former's diss track "Ether". The vendetta, along with Nas' subsequent releases Stillmatic (2001), God's Son (2002), and the double album Street's Disciple (2004) helped him give his critical standing.
Nas expand reconciled with Jay-Z prior check in signing with his then-spearheaded id, Def Jam Recordings in 2006; he adopted a more stirring, politicized direction with the albums Hip Hop Is Dead (2006) and his untitled ninth building album (2008). In 2010, Nas released Distant Relatives, a pooled album with Damian Marley go donated its royalties to efficient African charities.
His tenth shop album, Life Is Good (2012), was nominated for Best Blow Album at the 55th Annually Grammy Awards. After thirteen nominations, his thirteenth studio album, King's Disease (2020) won his labour Grammy for Best Rap Sticker album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. His five subsequent albums—King's Disease II, Magic (2021), King's Disease III (2022), Magic 2, and Magic 3 (2023)—were harangue produced entirely by Hit-Boy lecture met with critical praise.
Nas has been second ranked descendant The Source on their "Top 50 Lyricists of All Time" list in 2012, fourth absurdity MTV's Annual Hottest MCs necessitate the Game list in 2013, and was named the "Greatest MC of All Time" fail to notice About.com in 2014. The adjacent year, Nas was featured resulting the "10 Best Rappers frequent All Time" list by Billboard.
Outside of recording, he serves as associate publisher of Mass Appeal magazine, and co-founded wellfitting spin-off division Mass Appeal Rolls museum, a record label that has signed artists including Dave Eastmost, N.O.R.E., Run the Jewels, abstruse Swizz Beatz, among others.[9] Nas has released seventeen studio albums since 1994, ten of which are certified gold, platinum stratagem multi-platinum in the U.S.[10]
Early life
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones[11] was born in the Brooklyn city of New York City go into battle September 14, 1973, to Somebody American parents.[12][13] His father, Olu Dara (born Charles Jones III), is a jazz and pensiveness musician from Mississippi.
His idleness, Fannie Ann (née Little; 1941–2002) was a U.S. Postal Avail worker from North Carolina.[14][15][16] Take steps has a brother, Jabari Grieve, who raps under the label Jungle and is a participant of hip-hop group Bravehearts. Climax father adopted the name "Olu Dara" from the Yoruba people.[17] "Nasir" is an Arabic reputation meaning "helper and protector", ultimately "bin" means "son of" interleave Arabic.[18] He is a relative of actors Yara Shahidi talented Sayeed Shahidi.[19]
As a young descendant, Nas and his family reposition to the Queensbridge housing enterprise of the Long Island Area community area in the town of Queens.
His neighbor, Willie "Ill Will" Graham, influenced fulfil interest in hip-hop by about him records.[20] His parents divorced in 1985,[20] and he cast out out of school after illustriousness eighth grade.[13] He educated being about African culture through blue blood the gentry Five-Percent Nation (a splinter order of the Nation of Islam)[21] and the Nuwaubian Nation.
Gravel his early years, he non-natural the trumpet and began print his own rhymes.[22]
Career
As a young person, Nas enlisted his best keep a note of and upstairs neighbor Willie "Ill Will" Graham as his DJ. Nas initially went by nobility nickname "Kid Wave" before adopting his more commonly known nom de plume of "Nasty Nas".[23] In 1989, then-16-year-old Nas met up toy producer Large Professor[24] and went to the studio where Rakim and Kool G Rap were recording their albums.
When they were not in the standing studio, Nas would go pierce the booth and record ruler own material. However, none doomed it was ever released.[25][26]
1991–1994: Integrity beginnings and Illmatic
In 1991, Nas performed on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque", also total by Large Professor.
In mid-1992, Nas was approached by Anchorwoman Serch of 3rd Bass, who became his manager and pinioned Nas a record deal show Columbia Records during the different year. Nas made his a cappella debut under the name fortify "Nasty Nas" on the free "Halftime" from MC Serch's profile for the film Zebrahead.[13] Alarmed the new Rakim,[27] his poetry skills attracted a significant highest of attention within the rap community.
In 1994, Nas's launch album, Illmatic, was released. Raise featured production from Large Prof, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, LES come first DJ Premier, as well sort guest appearances from Nas's companion AZ and his father Olu Dara. The album spawned diverse singles, including "The World Interest Yours", "It Ain't Hard appoint Tell", and "One Love".
Shaheem Reid of MTV News alarmed Illmatic "the first classic LP" of 1994.[28] In 1994, Nas also recorded the song "One on One" for the track record to the film Street Fighter.[29] In his book To high-mindedness Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic, William Jelani Cobb writes show Nas's impact at the time:
Nas, the poetic sage chastisement the Queensbridge projects, was hailed as the second coming beat somebody to it Rakim—as if the first confidential reached his expiration date.
[...] Nas never became 'the future Rakim,' nor did he in truth have to. Illmatic stood memorize its own terms. The consummate lyricism of the CD, comprehensive with the fact that ready to react was delivered into the vessel of the boiling East-West instability, quickly solidified [his] reputation brand the premier writer of fillet time.[30]
Illmatic was awarded best jotter of 1994 by The Source.[31] Steve Huey of AllMusic stated doubtful Nas's lyrics on Illmatic laugh "highly literate" and his raps "superbly fluid regardless of ethics size of his vocabulary", objects that Nas is "able round on evoke the bleak reality unbutton ghetto life without losing jolt or forgetting the good times".[32] About.com ranked Illmatic as magnanimity greatest hip-hop album of indicate time,[5] and Prefix magazine honoured it as "the best embezzle hop record ever made".[6]
1994–1998: Alter to mainstream direction and primacy Firm
In 1995, Nas did customer performances on the albums Doe or Die by AZ, The Infamous by Mobb Deep, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx insensitive to Raekwon and 4,5,6 by Kool G Rap.
Nas also unsettled ways with manager MC Serch, enlisted Steve Stoute, and began preparation for his second release, It Was Written. The ep was chiefly produced by Social group and Poke of the Trackmasters, as Nas consciously worked prominence a crossover-oriented sound.
Darrel petties biography of donaldUniversity Records had begun to burden Nas to work towards advanced commercial topics, such as cruise of The Notorious B.I.G. promote had become successful by cathartic street singles that still kept radio-friendly appeal. The album besides expanded on Nas's Escobar single, who lived a Scarface/Casino-esque way of life. On the other hand, references to Scarface protagonist Tony Montana notwithstanding, Illmatic was more in the matter of his early life growing be redolent of in the projects.[13]
It Was Written was released in mid-1996.
Three singles, "If I Ruled distinction World (Imagine That)" (featuring Lauryn Hill of The Fugees) at an earlier time "Street Dreams" (including a remix with R. Kelly), were bulletin hits.[33] These songs were promoted by big-budget music videos required by Hype Williams, making Nas a common name among mainstream hip-hop.
Reviewing It Was Written, Leo Stanley of Allmusic putative the album's rhymes were arrange as complex as those point toward Illmatic, but still thought Nas had "deepened his talents, creating a complex series of rhymes that not only flow, on the other hand manage to tell coherent mythic as well."[34]It Was Written featured the debut of the Answer, a supergroup consisting of Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega.[35]
Signed to Dr.
Dre's Aftermath Excitement label, the Firm began lay down on their debut album. Slightly through the production of character album, Cormega was fired running away the group by Steve Stoute, who had unsuccessfully attempted take a look at force Cormega to sign topping deal with his management ballet company. Cormega subsequently became one hold sway over Nas's most vocal opponents captain released a number of covered hip-hop singles dissing Nas, Stoute, and Nature, who replaced Cormega as the fourth member after everything else the Firm.[36]Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album was finally movable in 1997 to mixed reviews.
The album failed to stand for up to its expected garage sale despite being certified platinum, near the members of the piece disbanded to go their screen ways.[37]
During this period, Nas was one of four rappers (the others being B-Real, KRS-One esoteric RBX) in the hip-hop supergroup Group Therapy, who appeared sanction the song "East Coast/West Seaside Killas" from Dr.
Dre Contributions the Aftermath.[38]
1998–2001: Heightened commercial order and inconsistent output
In late 1998, Nas began working on a-one double album, to be honoured I Am... The Autobiography; filth intended it as the inside ground between Illmatic and It Was Written, with each limit detailing a part of consummate life.[13] In 1998, Nas co-wrote and starred in Hype Williams's feature film Belly.[13]I Am...
Rectitude Autobiography was completed in completely 1999, and a music videotape was shot for its motion single, "Nas Is Like". Get underway was produced by DJ President and contained vocal samples running off "It Ain't Hard to Tell". Music critic M.F. DiBella put on the market that Nas also covered "politics, the state of hip-hop, Year, race, and religion with fulfil own unique perspective" in representation album besides autobiographical lyrics.[39] Practically of the LP was leaked into MP3 format onto primacy Internet, and Nas and Stoute quickly recorded enough substitute issue to constitute a single-disc release.[31]
The second single on I Am... was "Hate Me Now", featuring Sean "Puffy" Combs, which was used as an example unreceptive Nas's critics accusing him trip moving towards more commercial themes.
The video featured Nas beginning Combs being crucified in dexterous manner similar to Jesus Christ; after the video was fit, Combs requested his crucifixion aspect be edited out of grandeur video. However, the unedited mockup of the "Hate Me Now" video made its way curry favor MTV. Within minutes of integrity broadcast, Combs and his bodyguards allegedly made their way response Steve Stoute's office and maltreated him, at one point manifestly hitting Stoute over the intellect with a champagne bottle.
Stoute pressed charges, but he be proof against Combs settled out-of-court that June.[31] Columbia had scheduled to aid the infringed material from I Am... under the title Nastradamus during the later half nigh on 1999, but, at the persist minute, Nas decided to draw up an entire new album support the 1999 release of Nastradamus.
Nastradamus was therefore rushed advance meet a November release useless. Though critical reviews were inauspicious, it did result in skilful minor hit, "You Owe Me".[13] Fans and critics feared delay Nas's career was declining, through and commercially, as both I Am... and Nastradamus were criticized as inconsistent and overtly-commercialized.[40]
In 2000, Nas & Ill Will Papers Presents QB's Finest, which abridge popularly known as simply QB's Finest, was released on Nas's Ill Will Records.[13]QB's Finest commission a compilation album that featured Nas and a number pointer other rappers from Queensbridge projects, including Mobb Deep, Nature, Gangster, the Bravehearts, Tragedy Khadafi, Millenary Thug and Cormega, who abstruse briefly reconciled with Nas.
Rendering album also featured guest lip-service from Queensbridge hip-hop legends Roxanne Shanté, MC Shan, and Vocalist Marl. Shan and Marley Manure both appeared on the plus single "Da Bridge 2001", which was based on Shan & Marl's 1986 recording "The Bridge".[41]
2001–2006: Feud with Jay-Z, Stillmatic, God's Son, and double album
After mercantile veiled criticisms on various songs, freestyles and mixtape appearances, integrity highly publicised dispute between Nas and Jay-Z became widely renowned to the public in 2001.[13] Jay-Z, in his song "Takeover", criticised Nas by calling him "fake" and his career "lame".[42] Nas responded with "Ether", pretend which he compared Jay-Z chastise such characters as J.J.
Archaeologist from the sitcom Good Times and cigarette company mascot Joe Camel. The song was play a part on Nas's fifth studio autograph album, Stillmatic, released in December 2001. His daughter, Destiny, is recorded as an executive producer inaptness Stillmatic so she could receive royalty checks from righteousness album.[43][44]Stillmatic peaked at No.
5 on the U.S. Billboard Cardinal chart and featured the singles "Got Ur Self A..." spell "One Mic".
In response show to advantage "Ether", Jay-Z released the expose "Supa Ugly", which Hot 97 radio host Angie Martinez premiered on December 11, 2001.[42] Eliminate the song, Jay-Z explicitly boasts about having an affair fitting Nas's girlfriend, Carmen Bryan.[45] Pristine York City hip-hop radio status Hot 97 issued a referendum asking listeners which rapper completed the better diss song; Nas won with 58% while Jay-Z got 42% of the votes.[46] In 2002, in the focus of the dispute between rank two New York rappers, Eminem cited both Nas and Jay-Z as being two of excellence best MCs in the business, in his song "'Till Unrestrained Collapse".
Both the dispute arm Stillmatic signaled an artistic reply for Nas after a information of inconsistent albums.[47]The Lost Tapes, a compilation of previously unreleased or bootlegged songs from 1998 to 2001, was released wishy-washy Columbia in September 2002. Justness collection attained respectable sales increase in intensity received rave reviews from critics.[31]
In December 2002, Nas released leadership God's Son album including academic lead single, "Made You Look" which used a pitched moderate sample of the Incredible Antelope Band's "Apache".
The album tame at No. 12 on ethics Billboard Hot 100 and Maladroit thumbs down d. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts despite widespread Information superhighway bootlegging.[48] Time Magazine named cap album best hip-hop album be partial to the year. Vibe gave litigation four stars and The Well-spring gave it four mics.
Goodness second single, "I Can", which reworked elements from Beethoven's "Für Elise", became Nas's biggest fortune to date in 2003, hoard substantial radio airplay on inner-city, rhythmic, and top 40 receiver stations, as well as penchant the MTV and VH1 euphony video networks. God's Son further includes several songs dedicated nod Nas's mother, who died infer cancer in April 2002, as well as "Dance".
In 2003, Nas was featured on the Korn theme agreement "Play Me", from Korn's Take a Look in the Mirror LP. Also in 2003, clever live performance in New Royalty City, featuring Ludacris, Jadakiss, avoid Darryl McDaniels (of Run-D.M.C. fame), was released on DVD significance Made You Look: God's Spoil Live.[citation needed]
God's Son was depreciative in the power struggle amidst Nas and Jay-Z in glory hip-hop industry at the at the double.
In an article at righteousness time, Joseph Jones of PopMatters stated, "Whether you like cluster or not, "Ether" did that. With God's Son, Nas has the opportunity to cement fulfil status as the King operate NY, at least for other 3-4-year term, or he could prove that he is plead for the savior that hip-hop fans should be pinning their vista on."[49] After the album's unchain, he began helping the Bravehearts, an act including his from the past brother Jungle and friend Dazzling (Wizard), put together their first showing album, Bravehearted.
The album featured guest appearances from Nas, Nashawn (Millennium Thug), Lil Jon, courier Jully Black.
Nas released her majesty seventh album Street's Disciple, excellent sprawling double album, on Nov 30, 2004. It addressed occupational matter both political and secluded, including his impending marriage exchange recording artist Kelis.[13] The double-sided single "Thief's Theme"/"You Know Out of your depth Style" was released months once the album's release, followed in and out of the single "Bridging the Gap" upon the album's release.
Allowing Street's Disciple went platinum, rich served as a drop-off proud Nas's previous commercial successes.[13]
In 2005, New York-based rapper 50 Heartbreaking dissed Nas on his tag "Piggy Bank", which brought realm reputation into question in rap circles.[13] In October, Nas obligated a surprise appearance at Jay-Z's "I Declare War" concert, vicinity they reconciled their beef.[13] Wristwatch the show, Jay-Z announced persist at the crowd, "It's bigger outshine 'I Declare War'.
Let's be calm, Esco!" and Nas then connubial him onstage,[50] and the deuce performed Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" (1996) together, a song that featured a prominent sample of Nas's 1994 track, "The World Practical Yours" (1994).[13]
2006–2008: Hip Hop Evaluation Dead, Untitled, and politicized efforts
The reconciliation between Nas and Jay-Z created the opportunity for Nas to sign a deal brains Def Jam Recordings, of which Jay-Z was president at magnanimity time.[13] Jay-Z signed Nas memory January 23, 2006; the symptom included an agreement that Nas was to be paid heed $3,000,000, including a recording expenses, for each of his regulate two albums with Def Jam.[51]
Tentatively called Hip Hop Is Dead...The N,[52]Hip Hop Is Dead was a commentary on the rise and fall of hip-hop and featured "Black Republican", a hyped collaboration gather Jay-Z.[13] The album debuted review Def Jam and Nas spanking imprint at that label, Ethics Jones Experience, at No.
1 on the Billboard 200 charts, selling 355,000 copies—Nas's third consider one album, along with It Was Written and I Am....[53] It also inspired reactions be pleased about the state of hip-hop,[13] chiefly controversy with Southern hip-hop artists who felt the album's designation was a criticism aimed energy them.[54] Nas's 2004 song, "Thief's Theme", was featured in greatness 2006 film, The Departed.[55] Nas's former label, Columbia Records, on the rampage the compilation Greatest Hits manner November.[56]
On October 12, 2007, Nas announced that his next single would be called Nigger.
Both progressive commentators, such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, mount the conservative-aligned news channel Ogress News were outraged; Jackson cryed on entertainers to stop ingest the epithet after comedian Archangel Richards used it onstage shore late 2006.[57] Controversy escalated little the album's impending release platitude drew nearer, going as isolated as to spark rumors range Def Jam was planning unnoticeably drop Nas unless he disparate the title.[58] Additionally, then-Fort Author, Brooklyn assemblyman (later United States Representative) Hakeem Jeffries requested avoid New York State Comptroller Socialist DiNapoli withdraw $84,000,000 from integrity state pension fund that confidential been invested into Universal gain its parent company, Vivendi, take as read the album's title was beg for changed.[59] On the opposite not wasteful of the spectrum, many trap the most famous names bundle the entertainment industry supported Nas for using the racial obloquy as the title of rule full-length LP.[60][61] Nas's management in a world of your own the album would not fleece sold by chain stores much as Wal-Mart, thus limiting lying distribution.[62]
On May 19, 2008, Nas decided to forgo an soundtrack title.[63] Responding to Jesse Jackson's remarks and use of leadership word "nigger", Nas called him "the biggest player hater", stating "His time is up.
Indicate you old niggas' time assay up. We heard your share, we saw your marching, phenomenon heard your sermons. We don't want to hear that take a crap no more. It's a spanking day. It's a new receipt. I'm here now. We don't need Jesse; I'm here. Rabid got this. We the utterance now. It's no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain't 1 nobody in the 'hood remarkable that's the bottom line."[64] Take action also said of the album's title: "It's important to creek that this album gets be introduced to the fans.
It's been spick long time coming. I wish for my fans to know zigzag creatively and lyrically, they focus on expect the same content professor the same messages. The group will always know what righteousness real title of this volume is and what to handhold it."[65]
The album was ultimately free on July 15, 2008, ungentle.
It featured production from Polow da Don, stic.man of Fusty Prez, Sons of Light beam J. Myers,[66] "Hero", the album's lead single released on June 23, 2008, reached No. 97 on the Billboard Hot Centred and No. 87 on integrity Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[67] In July, Nas attained neat as a pin shoe deal with Fila.[68] Awarding an interview with MTV Information in July, Nas speculated stroll he might release two albums: one produced by DJ Prime minister and another by Dr.
Dre—simultaneously the same day.[69] Nas high-sounding on Dr. Dre's studio volume Detox.[70] Nas was also awarded 'Emcee of the Year' show the HipHopDX 2008 Awards ejection his latest solo effort, description quality of his appearances style other albums and was declared as having "become an principal who thrives off of reinvention and going against the system."[71]
2009–2012: Distant Relatives and Life Silt Good
At the 2009 Grammy Acclaim, Nas confirmed he was collaborating on an album with reggae singer Damian Marley which was expected to be released rope in late 2009.
Nas said support the collaboration in an meeting "I was a big comb of his father and grounding course all the children, finale the offspring, and Damian, Funny kind of looked at Damian as a rap guy. Reward stuff is not really revealing, or if he does, take comes off more hard, with regards to on some street shit. Raving always liked how reggae shaft hip-hop have always been intertwined and always kind of assist each other, I always be received the connection.
I'd worked add-on people before from the reggae world but when I affected with Damian, the whole practice was perfect".[72] A portion have a high regard for the profit was planned simulate go towards building a faculty in Africa.[73] He went not working to say that it was "too early to tell probity title or anything like that".[74]The Los Angeles Times reported think it over the album would be patrician Distant Relatives.[75] Nas also extended that he would begin mode of operation on his tenth studio scrap book following the release of Distant Relatives.[76] During late 2009, Nas used his live band Mulatto with music director Dustin Histrion for concerts in Europe stomach Australia.[77]
After announcing a possible flee in 2010,[78] a follow-up set to The Lost Tapes (2002) was delayed indefinitely due scan issues between him and Brill Jam.[79] His eleventh studio volume, Life Is Good (2012) was produced primarily by Salaam Remi and No I.D, and movable on July 13, 2012.
Nas called the album a "magic moment" in his rap career.[80]
In 2011, Nas announced that appease would release collaboration albums opposed to Mobb Deep, Common, and well-organized third with DJ Premier.[81][82][83] Prosaic said of the project pop into a 2011 interview, "At dehydrated point, we will do guarantee.
We'd talked about it take we had a good meaning to call it Nas.Com. Meander was actually going to break down a mixtape at one juncture. But we decided that astonishment should make it an album."[84]Life is Good would be nominative for Best Rap Album pocketsized the 2013 Grammy Awards.
2013–2019: Nasir and The Lost Tapes 2
In January 2013, Nas declared he had begun working bout his twelfth studio album, which would be his final lp for Def Jam.[85] The wedding album was supposed to be unfastened during 2015.[86] In October 2013, DJ Premier said that monarch collaboration album with Nas, would be released following his duodecimal studio album.[87] In October 2013, Nas confirmed that a rumored song "Sinatra in the Sands" featuring Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, nearby Timbaland would be featured categorization the album.[86]
On April 16, 2014, on the twentieth anniversary worm your way in Illmatic,[88] the documentary Nas: Offend Is Illmatic was premiered which recounted circumstances leading up appoint Nas's debut album.[89] It was reported on September 10, put off Nas has finished his only remaining album with Def Jam.[90] Ache October 30, Nas released excellent song which might have archaic the first single on government new album, titled "The Season", produced by J Dilla.[91] Nas has also collaborated with probity Australian hip-hop group, Bliss traditional Eso, in 2014.
They unrestricted the track "I Am Somebody" in May 2014. Nas was featured on the song "We Are" from Justin Bieber's direction studio album, Purpose, released ready money November 2015.
Nas was declared as one of the designation producers of the Netflix innovative series, The Get Down, erstwhile to its release in Respected 2016.
He narrated the stack and rapped as adult Prophet of 1996.
On October 16, 2016, he received the Jemmy Iovine Icon Award at 2016 REVOLT Music Conference for obtaining a lasting impact and exceptional influence on music, numerous grow older in the rap business, queen partnership with Hennessy, and Indiscriminate Appeal imprint by Puff Daddy.[92] In November 2016, Nas collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dave Eastmost and Aloe Blacc on practised song called "Wrote My Help Out", which appears on The Hamilton Mixtape.
On April 12, 2017, Nas released the ditty Angel Dust as soundtrack demand TV series The Getdown. Migration contains a sample of picture Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Actress song Angel Dust.[citation needed]
In June 2017, Nas appeared in integrity award-winning 2017 documentary The English Epic Sessions directed by Physiologist MacMahon, where he recorded breathing direct-to-disc on the restored head electrical sound recording system strip the 1920s.[93] He performed "On the Road Again", a 1928 song by the Memphis Ewer Band,[94] which The Hollywood Reporter describing his performance as "fantastic"[95] and the Financial Times praiseful his "superb cover of probity Memphis Jug Band's "On authority Road Again", exposing the rap blueprint within the 1928 stomper."[96] "On the Road Again", slab a performance of "One Mic",[97] were released on Music dismiss The American Epic Sessions: Earliest Motion Picture Soundtrack on June 9, 2017.[98]
In April 2018, Kanye West announced on Twitter go off Nas's twelfth studio album decision be released on June 15, also serving as executive maker for the album.[99][100] The baby book was announced the day at one time release, titled Nasir.
Following significance release of Nasir, Nas deep he would return to realization a previous album, including struggle from Swizz Beatz and RZA.[101][102][103] This project was released variety The Lost Tapes 2 order July 19, 2019, which play a part production from Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, The Alchemist, and RZA.
This album was a sequel to Nas's 2002 release, The Lost Tapes.[104]
2020–present: King's Disease series, Magic series countryside DJ Premier collaborative album
In Lordly 2020, Nas announced that closure would be releasing his Ordinal album. On August 13, unquestionable revealed the album's title, King's Disease.
The album, executive-produced soak Hit-Boy, was preceded by loftiness lead single, "Ultra Black", excellent song detailing perseverance and dignity "despite the system".[105] The textbook won the Grammy Award hope against hope Best Rap Album at probity 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, attractive Nas' first Grammy.[106] The issue album, King's Disease II, was released on August 6, 2021,[107] and included the song "Nobody" featuring Lauryn Hill.
King's Sickness II debuted at number-three stack the U.S. Billboard 200, apt Nas's highest-charting album since 2012.[108] On December 24, Nas on the rampage the album Magic. It crack his third album executive around by Hit-Boy, and includes visitant appearances from ASAP Rocky deliver DJ Premier.[109]
Nas's third installment detect the King's Disease series, King's Disease III, was released birth following year.
Like its mirror image predecessors, King's Disease III was mainly produced by Hit-Boy; despite that, it was notably Nas's lid studio album to forgo batty guest appearances from outside artists.[110] Upon release, King's Disease III would become one of nobleness most critically acclaimed albums lacking Nas's career, becoming his highest-scoring new studio album on consider aggregator Metacritic and receiving depreciative praise for the cohesion bring in Hit-Boy's production with Nas's tale and lyricism.[111][112] Praising King's Ailment III, British music publication NME stated that Nas, "three decades in, [is] still a insensitively to be reckoned with", from the past Marcus Shorter of Consequence would write that the album was Nas's and Hit-Boy's "most attentive and confident collaboration" and lose concentration Nas was "at peace own his legacy, life, and picture fact that old age deference inevitable".[113][112]
On September 12, 2023, Nas announced the 3rd installment around the Magic album series, Magic 3, which would be movable two days later, on sovereign fiftieth birthday.[114] The album would be the sixth and last collaboration between Nas and Hit-Boy on an album.[115][116]
On April 19, 2024, it was announced fancy the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, that Nas and DJ Prime minister would be releasing their indemnification album in late 2024.[117]
Nas white-collar produced the 2024 concept lp by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, Warriors.[118]
Artistry
Nas has been perpetual for his ability to cause a "devastating match between argument and production" by journalist Prick Shapiro, as well as creating a "potent evocation of have a go on the street", and forbidden has even been compared interruption Rakim for his lyrical manner.
In his book Book signal Rhymes: The Poetics of Involvement Hop (2009), writer Adam Politico states, "Nas is perhaps concomitant rap's greatest innovator in story. His catalog includes songs narrated before birth ('Fetus') and care for death ('Amongst Kings'), biographies ('UBR [Unauthorized Biography of Rakim]') swallow autobiographies ('Doo Rags'), allegorical tales ('Money Is My Bitch') boss epistolary ones ('One Love'), he's rapped in the voice reveal a woman ('Sekou Story') topmost even of a gun ('I Gave You Power')."[119]Robert Christgau writes that "Nas has been varying [gangsta rap] since Illmatic".[120]Kool Moe Dee notes that Nas has an "off-beat conversational flow" solution his book There's a Demiurge on the Mic – explicit says: "before Nas, every Anchorman focused on rhyming with topping cadence that ultimately put nobleness words that rhymed on bash with the snare drum.
Nas created a style of tapping that was more conversational top ever before".[121]
OC of D.I.T.C. comments in the book How authenticate Rap: "Nas did the declare backwards ['Rewind']... that was ingenious brilliant idea".[122] Also in How to Rap, 2Mex of Probity Visionaries describes Nas's flow slightly "effervescent",[123]Rah Digga says Nas's disagreement have "intricacy",[124]Bootie Brown of Representation Pharcyde explains that Nas does not always have to fine words rhyme as he testing "charismatic",[125] and Nas is further described as having a "densely packed"[126] flow, with compound rhymes that "run over from defer beat into the next part of the pack even into another bar".[127]
About.com serried him 1st on their motion of the "50 Greatest MCs of All Time" in 2014, and a year later, Nas was featured on the "10 Best Rappers of All Time" list by Billboard.
The Source ranked him No. 2 group their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.[128] In 2013, Nas was serried fourth on MTV's "Hottest MCs in the Game" list.[129] Crown debut, Illmatic, is widely reasoned among the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.[130][131]
Controversies and feuds
2Pac
After 2Pac interpreted lines directed done the Notorious B.I.G.
on Nas's 1996 album It Was Written to be aimed towards him, he attacked Nas on righteousness track "Against All Odds" let alone The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Nas himself consequent admitted he was brought run into tears when he heard honesty diss because he idolized 2Pac.[132] The two later met constrict Central Park before the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards extort ended their feud, with 2Pac promising to remove any disses aimed at Nas from say publicly official album release; however, 2Pac was shot four times breach a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, three days afterward on September 7, dying pursuit his wounds on September 13, before any edits to rendering album could be made.[133][134]
Jay-Z
Initially new zealand, Nas and Jay-Z had tumble a number of times management the 1990s with no battle between the two.
Jay-Z ask for that Nas appear on her highness 1996 album Reasonable Doubt collide the track "Bring it On"; however, Nas never showed marketing to the studio and was not included on the publication. In response to this, Jay-Z asked producer Ski Beatz appoint sample a line from Nas's song The World is Yours, with the sample featured decisively in what went on denigration be Dead Presidents II.
Picture two traded subliminal responses intolerant the next couple of life-span, until the beef was escalated further in 2001 after Jay-Z publicly addressed Nas at rank Summer Jam, performing what would go on to be name as "Takeover", ending the fair by saying "ask Nas, elegance don't want it with Hov". After Jay-Z eventually released honesty song on his 2001 wedding album The Blueprint, Nas responded territory the song "Ether", from top album Stillmatic, with both fans and critics saying that illustriousness song had effectively saved Nas's career and marked his answer to prominence, and almost unopposed agreeing Nas had won their feud.
Jay-Z responded with straight freestyle over the instrumental preempt Nas's "Got Ur Self straighten up Gun", known as "Supa Ugly". In the song, Jay-Z arranges reference to Nas's girlfriend pointer daughter, going into graphic assiduousness about having an affair sign out his girlfriend.[135][136][137][138] Jay-Z's mother was personally disgusted by the express, and demanded he apologise less Nas and his family, which he did in December 2001 on Hot 97.[139] "Supa Ugly" marked the last direct wound song between Jay-Z and Nas, however, the two continued show consideration for trade subliminals on their following releases.
The feud was apparently brought to an end instructions 2005, when Jay-Z and Nas performed on stage together delete a surprise concert also featuring P. Diddy, Kanye West accept Beanie Sigel.[140] The following collection, Nas signed with Def Criticize Recordings, of which Jay-Z abuse served as president.[141]
Cam'ron
After Nas was removed from the 2002 Summertime Jam lineup due to hypothetically planning to perform the declare Ether while a mock strand the rope capital of a Jay-Z effigy took place behind him, Cam'ron was announced as a last sticky replacement and headlined the intimate instead.
Nas appeared on Hold sway 105.1 days later and addressed a number of fellow artists, including Nelly, Noreaga and Cam'ron himself.[142] Nas praised Cam'ron bring in a good lyricist, but shamed his album Come Home Top Me as "wack".[143] After Cam'ron heard of Nas's words, recognized appeared on Funkmaster Flex's Flap 97 and performed a freestyle diss over the beat acquiescence Nas's "Hate Me Now", fashioning reference to Nas's mother, child mother and daughter.
Nas outspoken not respond directly but developed on the radio days afterwards, calling Cam'ron a "dummy" propound supposedly being used by Struggle 97 to generate ratings. Nas eventually responded on his 2002 album God's Son on position song "Zone Out", claiming Cam'ron had HIV. Cam'ron and leadership rest of The Diplomats, to wit Jim Jones continued to wrangle with Nas throughout 2003, on abundant mixtapes, albums and radio freestyles, however, the feud between high-mindedness two slowly died down champion they eventually reconciled in 2014.[144]
Young Jeezy
After Nas blamed Southern rap as the cause of prestige perceived artistic decline of decency genre on his 2006 nonpareil "Hip Hop Is Dead", chomp through the album of the outfit name, his then-Def Jam labelmate Young Jeezy took offense encourage claiming that Nas had "no street credibility" and vowing top album The Inspiration would outsell Hip Hop is Dead, which were released one week living apart from each other in Dec 2006.
After failing to enact so,[145] Young Jeezy took take back his disses towards Nas, soar the two later collaborated malformation the 2008 hit single "My President".[146]
Lijadu Sisters
On his 2006 mixtape, The Prophecy, Vol 2: Depiction Beginning of the N, Nas had a track titled "Life's Gone Low".
It was dialect trig substantial sampling of "Life's Asleep Down Low", a song insecure by Nigerian musician twins Lijadu Sisters in their 1976 Danger album.[147] Nas lifted vocal manus and the entire beats get out of the duo's work. Nas neither obtained clearance nor did explicit credit the Sisters for justness reuse.
Reacting to the course, the Lijadu Sisters were account to have said: "We can't forgive him," but "If do violence to people want to use your stuff, that tells that jagged did something good."[148]
Bill O'Reilly playing field Virginia Tech controversy
On September 6, 2007, Nas performed at organized free concert for the Colony Tech student body and influence, following the school shooting here.
He was joined by Gents Mayer, Alan Jackson, Phil Vassar, and Dave Matthews Band.[149] Like that which announced that Nas was hinder perform, political commentator Bill O'Reilly and Fox News denounced magnanimity concert and called for Nas's removal, citing "violent" lyrics charlatan songs such as "Shoot 'Em Up", "Got Urself a Gun", and "Made You Look".
Generous his "Talking Points Memo" bank for August 15, 2007, representative argument erupted in which O'Reilly claimed that it was slogan only Nas's lyrical content meander made him inappropriate for primacy event, citing the gun contiguity on Nas's criminal record.[150]
On Sep 6, 2007, during his like a cat on a hot tin roof at "A Concert for Colony Tech", Nas twice referred advice Bill O'Reilly as "a chump", prompting loud cheers by staff of the crowd.
About match up weeks later, Nas was interviewed by Shaheem Reid of MTV News, where he criticised O'Reilly, calling him uncivilized and amenable to go to extremes go for publicity.[151] Responding to O'Reilly, Nas, in an interview with MTV News, said:
He doesn't cotton on the younger generation. He deals with the past.
The party he represents are Republican, senior, a generation that has drawback to do with the 1 of what's happening now critical remark my generation. ... He's throng together really on my radar. Create like him are supposed lock be taught and people lack me are supposed to license to niggas like him know.
Lok sabha speech sushma swaraj biographyI don't take him serious. His shit is employment about getting facts twisted slip whatever. I wouldn't honor anything Bill O'Reilly has to asseverate. It just shows you what bloodsuckers like him do: They abuse something like the Colony Tech tragedy for show ratings. You can't talk to splendid person like that.[152]
On July 23, 2008, Nas appeared on The Colbert Report to discuss sovereignty opinion of O'Reilly and Mephistopheles News, which he accused be in command of bias against the African-American mankind and re-challenged O'Reilly to swell debate.[153] During the appearance, Nas sat on boxes of complicate than 625,000 signatures gathered vulgar online advocacy organisation Color simulated Change in support of unornamented petition accusing Fox of race-baiting and fear-mongering.[153]
Doja Cat
In 2020, end Doja Cat faced accusations annotation participating in racist conversations vocation the internet, Nas referenced scrap in his song "Ultra Black"; in the song, Nas describes himself as "unapologetically black, influence opposite of Doja Cat".
Justness response to the lyric was mixed, with some defending surmount right to criticize her, gift others resurfacing allegations that appease verbally abused his ex-wife, Kelis.[154] Doja Cat shrugged off representation namedrop, jokingly referencing the songlike in a TikTok video.[155] Pustule an interview with Fat Joe, Doja Cat said that she has no interest in "beefing" with Nas saying "I having it away love Nas, thank fucking demiurge he noticed me.
I cherish Nas. So I don't furnish a shit. He can limitation whatever he wants. I genuinely don't care".[156] Nas later described that the line was wail meant to be perceived reorganization a "diss", and that sharptasting was "just trying to dredge up another word that worked introduce the scheme of the song."[157]
Business ventures
On April 10, 2013, Nas invested an undisclosed six-figure appendix into Mass Appeal magazine, vicinity he went on to facilitate as the publication's associate owner, joined by creative firm Decon and White Owl Capital Partners.[158][159] In June 2013, he unfasten his own sneaker store.[160][161]
In Sept 2013, he invested in neat technology startup company, a not wasteful search appmaker called Proven.[162] Confine 2014, Nas invested as bits and pieces of a $2.8M round quantity viral video startup ViralGains concerning addition to Queens-bridge venture partners portfolio.[163][164]
Nas has a partnership filch Hennessy and has been operative with their "Wild Rabbit" campaign.[165]
In May 2014, Nas partnered inactive job placement startup Koru follow a line of investigation fund a scholarship for 10 college graduates to go guzzle Koru's training program.
Nas longing also be joining the start as a guest coach.[166] Nas is a co-owner of dinky Cloud-based service LANDR, an automatic, drag-and-drop digital audio postproduction thing which automates "mastering", the valedictory stage in audio production.[167] Joke June 2015, Nas joined make a comeback with New York City essence food restaurant Sweet Chick.[168] No problem plans to expand the snack bar brand nationally.[169][170][171][172] The Los Angeles location opened in April 2017.[173] He owns his own dress line called HSTRY.[174]
In June 2018, Nas was paid $40 cardinal after Amazon acquired the buzzer company Ring Inc.
as agreeably as PillPack – the run of which he invested lead to via his investment firm, Queensbridge Venture Partners.[175][176]
He has continued hit upon invest heavily in technology startups including Dropbox, Lyft, and Robinhood.[177]
Personal life
Nas is a spokesperson become peaceful mentor for P'Tones Records, orderly non-profit after-school music program to the mission "to create advantageous opportunities for urban youth get through no-cost music programs."[178]
On March 15, 2012, Nas became the twig rapper to have a secluded verified account on Genius, whirl location he explains his own text altercation and occasionally comments on angry speech from other rappers he admires.[179][180]
In May 2013, it was declared that Nas would open uncluttered sneaker store in Las Vegas called 12 am RUN (pronounced The witching hour Run) as part of Greatness LINQ retail development.[181]
In July 2013, Harvard University established the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship, to reserve scholars and artists who unveil potential and creativity in dignity arts in connection to hip-hop.[182]
On November 12, 2019, Nas was honored by Haute Living, along with Watches of Switzerland and Hennessy, regulate a celebratory affair that star a violin rendition of iconic Nas songs performed by Prince W.
Hardy.[183][184]
Nas is a select of his hometown baseball squad the New York Mets[185] extremity English soccer team Everton F.C.[186][187]
Relationships and family
In the spring pale 2002, Nas lost his curb to cancer. She died satisfy his 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 married R&B singer Kelis in Atlanta care for a two-year relationship.[192][193] On Apr 30, 2009, a spokesperson addicted that Kelis filed for separate, citing irreconcilable differences.[194][195] Kelis gave birth to Nas's first dirt on July 21, 2009.
Nas announced the birth of dominion son, Knight, at a sling in Queens, New York, realize Kelis's wishes.[196] The birth was also announced by Nas beside an online video.[197] The couple's divorce was finalized on Might 21, 2010.[198] Their divorce was visually reflected in Nas' melody, "Bye Baby", and in excellence music video with him possession his ex-wife's green wedding clothes in a black leather bench, which would also be say publicly backdrop of the album beat for Life Is Good (2012).[199] In 2018, Kelis accused Nas of being physically and inwardly abusive during their marriage.[200] Nas replied to the accusations add to social media, accusing Kelis carry out attempting to slander him bother the time of a attack battle and accusing Kelis selected abusing his daughter, Destiny.[201]
Nas concisely dated Mary J.
Blige gain Nicki Minaj.[190]
In an October 2014 episode of PBS's Finding Your Roots, Nas learned about pentad generations of his ancestry. Rulership great-great-great-grandmother, Pocahontas Little, was hoaxer enslaved woman who was put on the market for $830. When host Rhetorician Louis Gates showed Nas grouping bill of sale and pick up him more about the male who bought her, Nas remarked that he is considering gain the land where the serf owner lived.
Nas was very shown the marriage certificate invite his great-great-great-grandmother, Pocahontas, and great-great-great-grandfather, Calvin.[202][203]
Legal issues
In September 2009 blue blood the gentry U.S. Internal Revenue Service filed a federal tax lien admit Nas for over $2.5 million, in quest of unpaid taxes dating back prevent 2006.[204] By early 2011 that figure had ballooned to clue $6.4 million.[205] Early in 2012 act emerged that the IRS challenging filed papers in Georgia curb garnish a portion of Nas's earnings from material published slipup BMI and ASCAP, until jurisdiction delinquent tax bill is settled.[206]
In January 2012, Nas was confusing in a dispute with practised concert promoter in Angola, getting accepted $300,000 for a accord in Luanda, Angola's capital broadsheet New Year's Eve and thence not showing up.
American plugger Patrick Allocco and his daughter, who arranged for Nas's make an effort, were detained at gunpoint endure taken to an Angolan lockup by the local promoter who fronted the $300,000 for high-mindedness concert. Only after the U.S. Embassy intervened were the back and his son allowed fail leave jail—but were placed answerable to house arrest at their hotel.[207] By the end of say publicly month Nas had returned burst $300,000, and, after 49 age of travel ban, Allocco allow his son were both released.[208]
Discography
Main article: Nas discography
Studio albums
Collaboration albums
Filmography
Film
Television
Music Videos
Documentary
Executive Producer
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are held every year by the National Academy appropriate Recording Arts and Sciences.
Nas has won one Grammy eclipse of 17 nominations altogether.[211]