Nas's unforgettable debut album, Illmatic, which was called a "hip-hop classic" by The Source magazine and for good reason: the album stood as a perfect hip-hop document, ten tight songs created by the best New York producers in the rap game. The record surpassed the gold mark in sales and sparked a rap renaissance in the infamous Queensbridge housing projects in Long Island City where Nas was raised. Always a fertile ground for hip-hop creativity, the neighborhood that Marley Marl and MC Shan immortalized on wax on the 1986 release The Bridge now serves as the foundation for Nas's universe of realness. Artists such as Mobb Deep, Tragedy, Capone, Noreaga and Nas's protege AZ are continuing to represent Queens to the fullest, inspired by the success of the young visionary many regard as the next Rakim.
In 2001 Nasir Jones (Nas) had his platinum-selling album called Stillmatic, with this Nas claimed the title of The King of New York Rap, he was a hip-hop hero.
Nas has seen both success and tragedy. During the release of his new album The Lost Tapes, Nas lost his mother and was deeply sad. Nas dedicated the final two tracks on the album God�s Don to his beloved mother.
Nas's understanding of urban politics and social pressures make him the ultimate street journalist, and his impeccable musical standards (he's extra-picky when it comes to his beats) leave room for only the true head-nodders. The man who claimed "I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death" is back to make the rap world his.
Nas released a single called Made You Look. This is a slice of hardcore street hip-hop that�s been blasting from every car on every corner of every hood since the moment it dropped. Nasir�s success continued and he was be coming even more famous by the second.
His second Columbia album "It Was Written" was poised to inject the rap world with refreshing rugged quality, a return to the fundamentals of hip-hop. Featuring fourteen cuts by a variety of producers including a groundbreaking collaboration with West Coast superstar Dr. Dre, It Was Written spills over with Nas's highly-advanced rhyme style. Fans expecting the best will not be disappointed
Nas has teamed up with some the industry�s best; these include Tupac Shakur, Alicia Keys, Kelis, Rakim and many more. All the while through Nas still expressed his message that money isn�t everything, and his lyrics still show how Nas really feels.
On the album God�s Son, Nas reached a level of lyrical skill and personal maturity that makes the unprecedented rapper in hip-hop. Nas gives a new meaning to the phase �Keep It Real�. Real to Nas is a life with all its pains and struggles. Nasir�s musical skills grow larger and more complex with every song. Nas proves that all he need is �one mic� and he still continues to spread his message through music that will be heard for years to come.