Raised in the Queensbridge housing projects of New York, Nas (born Nasir Jones) began his rap career with a guest appearance on Main Source's Just Hangin Out/Live at the Barbeque. Though he left school after the eighth grade, he was skilled with verse, and the appearance led to a record deal with Columbia. In 1994 he dropped his debut, Illmatic, considered one of the most influential hip-hop albums of the '90s. Riding this success, Nas followed up with the pop-influenced It Was Written in 1996 and with I Am and Nastradamus, both released in '99. In 2001, following his public battles with Jay-Z, he released Stillmatic, restoring his street reputation. The death of his mother from cancer in 2002 inspired him to write the forlorn album God's Son with two tracks, "Dance" and "Heaven," addressing her death. In 2004, following his engagement to R&B seductress Kelis, he released his seventh album, Streets Disciple.

Reviews

• Hip-Hop Is Dead
• Street’s Disciple
• Illmatic: Ten-Year Anniversary Series
• Stillmatic
• God’s Son

Features

• Thug in Love

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