Nas, whose real name is Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, was born on September 14, 1973 and has developed an iconic career that is unmatched in hip hop history. In 1994, Illmatic, his first album, was released and it launched his career and revolutionized East Coast hip hop with its complex lyricism and raw energy. Nas’s biography is a compelling account of his artistic brilliance and transformational contributions to music
| Real Name/Full Name | Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones |
| Date Of Birth | 14 September 1973 |
| Age | 50 years old |
| Birthplace | Crown Heights, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Cristian |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inch |
| Weight | 70 kg |
| Spouse | Kelis |
| Children | Destiny, and Knight Jones. |
| Siblings | Jabari Fret and Kiani. |
| Profession | Rapper, actor |
| Net worth | $70 million |
Biography
In September 14, 1973, Nas was born in the lively borough of Brooklyn, which is situated in the bustling metropolis of New York City. Olu Dara and Fannie Ann Jones, renowned jazz artists, are his offspring, making his lineage rich in musical talent.
The Queensbridge Houses, considered the most significant public housing project in the United States, was where Nas spent his formative years. His brothers and sisters are Jabari Fret and Kiani.
Nas’ life had a significant impact when his parents went through a divorce when he was just 12 years old. He ended up dropping out of school in the eighth grade because of a troubled path caused by this problematic situation.
Personal Life
Nas and his ex-fiancée Carmen Bryan had their daughter, Destiny, on June 15, 1994. Nas has been romantically involved with singer Mary Blige. In 2005, he wed R&B singer Kelis after a two-year relationship. July 21, 2009 marked the birth of their son Knight. May 21, 2010 was the date of their divorce.
Career
His breakthrough album was Illmatic, which was released in 1994 and received universal acclaim, leading to its inclusion in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2020. In 1996, His follow-up album, It Was Written, went on top of the Billboard 200 and achieved significant sales in its first week. Nas’s popularity in mainstream music was strengthened with the hit single ‘If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)’ from the album. In 1999, I Am and Nastradamus, his next two albums, received mixed reviews and suggested a possible decline in their musical quality.
Nas’ second album, ‘It Was Written’, was released in 1996 and gained him international fame. In just two months, it became certified double platinum and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Nas, Steve Stoute, Dr. Dre, and the production team ‘Trackmasters’ came together to form ‘The Firm’, a supergroup of hip-hop artists in 1996. In 1997, ‘The Album’ was released by the group as their debut album.
Negative criticism was received and the album was disappointing. The group was eventually dissolved in 1998. December 18, 2001 saw the release of his album ‘Stillmatic’, which featured themes that were socially conscious. The subject matter of his lyrics included ghetto life, US policies, and his feud with rapper Jay-Z. The album became a hit.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dave East, and Aloe Blacc worked together to release a song named ‘Wrote My Way Out’ in November 2016. The song ‘Angel Dust’ was released by him on April 12, 2017, as part of the soundtrack for the TV series ‘The Getdown’. Nas made an appearance in the 2017 documentary ‘The American Epic Sessions,’ which was directed by Bernard MacMahon and won an award.
Nas’ second studio album, ‘Nasir’, was produced by Mass Appeal Records and Def Jam Recordings on June 15, 2018.
Illmatic (1994)
It Was Written (1996)
I Am… (1999)
Nastradamus (1999)
Stillmatic (2001)
God’s Son (2002)
Street’s Disciple (2004)
Hip Hop Is Dead (2006)
Untitled (2008)
Life Is Good (2012)
Nasir (2018)
King’s Disease (2020)
King’s Disease II (2021)
Magic (2021)
King’s Disease III (2022)
Magic 2 (2023)
Magic 3 (2023)
Net Worth
Nas’ net worth is $70 million, which includes being an American rapper, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and investor. ‘Illmatic’ (1994), Nas’s debut album, is frequently acknowledged as one of the most influential hip-hop albums ever created. The genre received a new standard in storytelling thanks to its vivid storytelling, complex lyricism, and innovative production. The album profoundly affected a generation of artists and helped to shape the sound of East Coast hip-hop in the 1990s.
Conclusion
Nas is the sole rapper who has a verified personal account on Rap Genius, where he discusses his lyrics. He also discusses the lyrics of other rappers.
He was ranked first in the ’50 Greatest MCs’ list for two years in a row. He has been acknowledged for his ability to create magic with lyrics and music. He was named fourth on MTV’s ‘Hottest MCs’ list and second on The Source magazine’s list of ‘Top 50 Lyricists’. Adam Bradley, a writer, states in his book ‘Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop’ that Nas is the most innovative rap artist of our time. Nas is an outstanding entrepreneur who has made investments in several startups that cover various sectors, such as online retail, technology, job placement, and restaurants.
