Nas is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, rooted in East Coast hip-hop.
Born on September 14, 1973, Nas grew up in a Christian Southern Baptist family in Brooklyn, New York City.
His debut album, "Illmatic," released in 1994, is often considered a classic and a defining moment in hip-hop.
Biography
Early Life
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known mononymously as Nas, was born on September 14, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in a Christian Southern Baptist family, with his father, Olu Dara, being a jazz and blues musician from Mississippi, and his mother, Fannie Ann, a U.S. Postal Service worker from North Carolina. After his parents divorced in 1985, Nas moved to the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, where he developed an interest in hip-hop, influenced by his neighbor Willie "Ill Will" Graham. Despite dropping out of school after the eighth grade, he educated himself about African culture and began writing rhymes, eventually adopting the stage name "Nasty Nas."
Career
Nas's career began in 1989 when he recorded demos with producer Large Professor. He made his debut on Main Source's 1991 track "Live at the Barbeque." After facing initial rejections from major labels, he secured a deal with Columbia Records in 1992. His groundbreaking debut album, "Illmatic," released in 1994, is often hailed as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Over the years, Nas has released numerous critically acclaimed albums, including "It Was Written," "I Am…," and the "King's Disease" series, showcasing his evolution as an artist and storyteller. His lyrical prowess and innovative storytelling have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest rappers in hip-hop history.
Personal Life
Nas has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including serving as a mentor for P'Tones Records, a non-profit music program for urban youth. He has faced personal challenges, including the loss of his mother to cancer in 2002 and a tumultuous marriage to R&B singer Kelis, which ended in divorce in 2010. Despite these hardships, Nas remains a prominent figure in music and culture, known for his deep connection to his roots and his advocacy for social issues.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Light‐Years2025
- 1.My Life Is Real2:39
- 2.GiT Ready2:52
- 3.NY State of Mind, Pt. 33:12
- 4.Welcome to the Underground3:19
- 5.Madman2:24
- 6.Pause Tapes2:37
- 7.Writers4:53
- 8.Sons (Young Kings)3:03
- 9.It’s Time2:29
- 10.Nasty Esco Nasir2:43
- 11.My Story Your Story3:49
- 12.Bouquet (To the Ladies)4:29
- 13.Junkie3:41
- 14.Shine Together2:41
- 15.3rd Childhood3:29
Magic 22023
- 1.Intro0:40
- 2.Abracadabra2:47
- 3.Office Hours3:52
- 4.Black Magic2:36
- 5.Motion2:53
- 6.Bokeem Woodbine3:00
- 7.Earvin Magic Johnson3:28
- 8.What This All Really Means3:00
- 9.Slow It Down3:31
- 10.Pistols on Your Album Cover3:23
- 11.One Mic, One Gun2:49
Magic 32023
- 1.Fever2:47
- 2.TSK3:04
- 3.Superhero Status2:51
- 4.I Love This Feeling3:17
- 5.No Tears3:11
- 6.Never Die3:10
- 7.Pretty Young Girl2:20
- 8.Based on True Events2:44
- 9.Based on True Events, Pt. 23:14
- 10.Sitting With My Thoughts3:00
- 11.Blue Bentley2:35
- 12.Jodeci Member2:47
- 13.Speechless, Pt. 23:05
- 14.Japanese Soul Bar3:01
- 15.1-800-Nas&Hit4:37
King’s Disease III2022
- 1.Ghetto Reporter2:37
- 2.Legit3:23
- 3.Thun3:26
- 4.Michael & Quincy2:48
- 5.302:19
- 6.Hood2Hood3:01
- 7.Recession Proof3:04
- 8.Reminisce3:33
- 9.Serious Interlude2:59
- 10.I’m on Fire2:30
- 11.WTF SMH3:49
- 12.Once a Man, Twice a Child4:00
- 13.Get Light2:53
- 14.First Time2:45
- 15.Beef3:05
- 16.Don’t Shoot2:32
- 17.Til My Last Breath3:10
King’s Disease II2021
- 1.The Pressure3:07
- 2.Death Row East3:20
- 3.40 Side2:40
- 4.EPMD 23:34
- 5.Rare3:26
- 6.YKTV3:23
- 7.Store Run3:19
- 8.Moments4:11
- 9.Nobody4:42
- 10.No Phony Love3:05
- 11.Brunch on Sundays3:51
- 12.Count Me In3:17
- 13.Composure3:23
- 14.My Bible3:48
- 15.Nas Is Good2:19
Magic2021
- 1.Speechless3:07
- 2.Meet Joe Black2:51
- 3.Ugly3:19
- 4.40-16 Building2:55
- 5.Hollywood Gangsta3:15
- 6.Wu for the Children3:18
- 7.Wave Gods3:10
- 8.The Truth3:28
- 9.Dedicated3:53
King’s Disease2020
- 1.King’s Disease1:51
- 2.Blue Benz2:21
- 3.Car #853:29
- 4.Ultra Black3:18
- 5.27 Summers1:43
- 6.Replace Me2:51
- 7.Til the War Is Won3:22
- 8.All Bad3:49
- 9.The Definition2:01
- 10.Full Circle3:51
- 11.10 Points3:05
- 12.The Cure3:52
- 13.Spicy2:47
NASIR2018
- 1.Not for Radio3:23
- 2.Cops Shot the Kid2:48
- 3.White Label2:58
- 4.Bonjour3:22
- 5.everything7:33
- 6.Adam and Eve4:11
- 7.Simple Things2:20
Life Is Good2012
- 1.No Introduction4:15
- 2.Loco‐Motive3:41
- 3.A Queens Story4:35
- 4.Accident Murderers4:38
- 5.Daughters3:20
- 6.Reach Out3:47
- 7.World’s an Addiction5:01
- 8.Summer on Smash4:20
- 9.You Wouldn’t Understand4:36
- 10.Back When3:22
- 11.The Don3:02
- 12.Stay3:45
- 13.Cherry Wine5:56
- 14.Bye Baby3:59
Distant Relatives2010
- 1.As We Enter2:28
- 2.Tribes at War4:30
- 3.Strong Will Continue6:01
- 4.Leaders4:20
- 5.Friends4:49
- 6.Count Your Blessings4:24
- 7.Dispear5:53
- 8.Land of Promise3:54
- 9.In His Own Words5:00
- 10.Nah Mean4:09
- 11.Patience5:46
- 12.My Generation4:00
- 13.Africa Must Wake Up6:40
- 14.Ancient People4:35
![[untitled]](/img?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcoverartarchive.org%2Frelease-group%2Fcd12cd7c-e0a3-3224-b419-3a85b2f6c3df%2Ffront-250)
[untitled]2008
- 1.Queens Get the Money2:12
- 2.You Can’t Stop Us Now3:05
- 3.Breathe3:34
- 4.Make the World Go Round3:49
- 5.Hero4:00
- 6.America3:52
- 7.Sly Fox4:23
- 8.Testify2:46
- 9.N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)4:33
- 10.Untitled2:51
- 11.Fried Chicken2:50
- 12.Project Roach1:48
- 13.Y’all My Niggas4:16
- 14.We’re Not Alone5:40
- 15.Black President4:29
The Prophecy, Volume 2: The Beginning of the N2007
Tracklist not collected yet.
Greatest Hits2007
- 1.Surviving the Times4:44
- 2.Less Than an Hour (Theme From Rush Hour 3)3:16
- 3.It Ain't Hard to Tell3:23
- 4.Life's a Bitch3:30
- 5.N.Y. State of Mind4:54
- 6.One Love5:25
- 7.If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)4:43
- 8.Street Dreams (remix)4:28
- 9.Hate Me Now4:45
- 10.One Mic4:30
- 11.Got Ur Self a...3:50
- 12.Made You Look3:23
- 13.I Can4:15
- 14.Bridging the Gap3:57
- 15.Halftime4:22
- 16.Nas Is Like3:57
- 17.Thief's Theme2:59
Hip Hop Is Dead2006
Tracklist not collected yet.
Napalm2006
Tracklist not collected yet.
Street’s Disciple2004
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Freestyles2003
Tracklist not collected yet.
God’s Son2002
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Lost Tapes2002
Tracklist not collected yet.
Stillmatic2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Best of Nas2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
I Am…1999
Tracklist not collected yet.
Nastradamus1999
Tracklist not collected yet.
It Was Written1996
Tracklist not collected yet.
Illmatic1994
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Mass Appeal Records
- Record label
- Def Jam Recordings
- Record label
- Ill Will Records
- Record label
- Columbia Records
- Record label
- The Orchard
- Record label
- Sony Music
- Record label
- Ruffhouse Records
- Record label
- Sony Urban Music
Influenced by
Groups
- Artists Against AIDS Worldwidecurrent
- Beats by Dre Bandcurrent
- Group Therapycurrent
- QB Finestcurrent
- The Firmcurrent
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Kid Wave, N. Jones, Nas Escobar, Nasir Jones, Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, Nass
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known mononymously as Nas, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and record producer. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas began his musical career in 1989 under the moniker "Nasty Nas", and recorded demos under the wing of fellow East Coast rapper Large Professor. Nas made his recording debut on Professor's group, Main Source's 1991 song "Live at the Barbeque".
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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