View source for Nas

{{Short description|American rapper (born 1973)}}{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Nas
| image              = Nas (52380600682) (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Nas at [[Jiffy Lube Live]] in 2022
| birth_name         = Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1973|9|14}}
| birth_place        = New York City, U.S.
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| death_cause        = 
| other_names        = {{flatlist|
* Classic
* God's Son
* Nas Escobar
* Nasty Nas
* Scarlett
}}
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* songwriter
* record producer
* actor
* entrepreneur
}}
| works              = {{hlist|[[Nas discography|Discography]]|[[#Filmography|filmography]]|[[Nas discography#Production discography|production]]}}
| years_active       = 1989–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Kelis]]|2005|2010|reason=divorced}}
| father             = [[Olu Dara]]
| relatives          = [[Bravehearts|Jungle]] (brother)<br/>[[Yara Shahidi]] (cousin)<br/>[[Sayeed Shahidi]] (cousin)<br/>[[Tracy Morgan]] (third cousin)<ref>{{cite web|author=Jessica Wang|url=https://ew.com/tracy-morgan-discovered-related-nas-crying-8414277|title=Tracy Morgan discovered he's related to longtime friend Nas: 'He started crying, I started crying'|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=December 11, 2023|access-date=March 28, 2024|archive-date=March 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328150821/https://ew.com/tracy-morgan-discovered-related-nas-crying-8414277|url-status=live}}</ref>
| awards             = [[#Awards and nominations|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| embed = yes
| origin = [[Queens]], New York City, U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[East Coast hip-hop]]
* [[boom bap]]
* [[jazz rap]]
* [[conscious rap]]
}}
| background = solo_singer<!-- mandatory format: please do not change or remove -->
| label = {{flatlist|
* [[Mass Appeal Records|Mass Appeal]]
* [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
* [[Ill Will Records|Ill Will]]
* [[Ruffhouse Records|Ruffhouse]]
* [[Sony Urban Music|Sony Urban]]
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
* [[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]]
}}
| past_member_of = [[The Firm (hip-hop group)|The Firm]]
{{Infobox
| child = yes
| label1 = Producer(s)
| data1 = {{hlist|[[DJ Premier]]|[[Hit-Boy]]|[[Large Professor]]|[[LES (music producer)|L.E.S.]]|[[Salaam Remi]]|[[Steve Stoute]]}}}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.nasirjones.com/}}
{{Infobox
| child = yes
| header = Logo
| headerstyle = background:#b0c4de
| data1 = }}
}}
| signature  = Nas sig.svg
}}

'''Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones''' ({{IPAc-en|n|ɑː|ˈ|s|ɪər}} {{respell|nah|SEER}}; born September 14, 1973), known professionally as '''Nas''' ({{IPAc-en|n|ɑː|z}} {{Respell|NAHZ}}), is an American rapper and entrepreneur. Rooted in [[East Coast hip-hop]], he is regarded as [[Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|one of the greatest rappers of all time]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=November 12, 2015|title=The 10 Best Rappers of All Time|url=http://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/the-10-best-rappers-of-all-time|access-date=September 20, 2020|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=June 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609154924/https://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/the-10-best-rappers-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Bofah|first1=Kofi|date=February 24, 2018|title=The 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/10-of-the-greatest-rappers-of-all-time.html/|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet|language=en-US|archive-date=February 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226205613/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/10-of-the-greatest-rappers-of-all-time.html/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Henry|last=Adaso|title=The 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|url=https://www.liveabout.com/greatest-rappers-of-all-time-2858004|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=LiveAbout|language=en|archive-date=May 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531103359/https://www.liveabout.com/greatest-rappers-of-all-time-2858004|url-status=live}}</ref> 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".

Nas signed with [[Columbia Records]] in 1992, and released his debut studio album, ''[[Illmatic]]'' on April 19, 1994. An inductee of the [[Library of Congress]]'s [[National Recording Registry]], it has been regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top100RapAlbums_10.htm|title=100 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums|last=Adaso|first=Henry|publisher=About.com|access-date=January 17, 2010|archive-date=April 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405151731/http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top100RapAlbums_10.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="prefix">{{cite web|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/features/nas/a-look-at-a-hip-hop-masterpiece-ten-years-removed/12483/|title=A look at a hip-hop masterpiece, ten years removed|date=January 1, 2001|work=Prefix|access-date=January 17, 2010|archive-date=November 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124141429/http://www.prefixmag.com/features/nas/a-look-at-a-hip-hop-masterpiece-ten-years-removed/12483/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=March 24, 2021|title=National Recording Registry Adds Titles From Nas, Janet Jackson, Kool & the Gang and More|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/national-recording-registry-nas-janet-jackson-kool-the-gang-9545188|access-date=March 24, 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=en|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123220008/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/national-recording-registry-nas-janet-jackson-kool-the-gang-9545188/|url-status=live}}</ref> His second album, ''[[It Was Written]]'' (1996), debuted atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and sold over a quarter-million units in its first week; the album, along with its lead single "[[If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)]]" (featuring [[Lauryn Hill]]), propelled Nas into mainstream success.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2020|title=Nas's 6 Best Albums|url=https://www.popdust.com/nas-6-best-albums-2649497911.html|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Popdust|language=en}}</ref> Both released in 1999, Nas's third and fourth albums ''[[I Am... (Nas album)|I Am]]'' and ''[[Nastradamus]]'' were criticized as inconsistent and too commercially oriented, with critics and audiences fearing a decline in the quality of his output.

From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a highly publicized feud with fellow New York rapper [[Jay-Z]], popularized by the former's [[diss track]] "[[Ether (song)|Ether]]". The feud, along with Nas's subsequent releases ''[[Stillmatic]]'' (2001), ''[[God's Son (album)|God's Son]]'' (2002), and the double album ''[[Street's Disciple]]'' (2004) helped him restore his critical standing. Nas then reconciled with Jay-Z prior to signing with his then-spearheaded label, [[Def Jam Recordings]] in 2006; he adopted a more provocative, politicized direction with the albums ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'' (2006) and his [[Untitled Nas album|untitled ninth studio album]] (2008). In 2010, Nas released ''[[Distant Relatives]]'', a collaborative album with [[Damian Marley]] that donated its royalties to active African charities. His tenth studio album, ''[[Life Is Good (Nas album)|Life Is Good]]'' (2012), was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]] at the [[55th Annual Grammy Awards]]. After thirteen nominations, his thirteenth studio album, ''[[King's Disease]]'' (2020) won his first Grammy for Best Rap Album at the [[63rd Annual Grammy Awards]]. His five subsequent albums—''[[King's Disease II]]'', ''[[Magic (Nas album)|Magic]]'' (2021), ''[[King's Disease III]]'' (2022), ''[[Magic 2]]'', and ''[[Magic 3]]'' (2023)—were each produced entirely by [[Hit-Boy]] and met with critical praise.

Nas has been second ranked by ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' on their "Top 50 Lyricists of All Time" list in 2012, fourth on [[MTV's Hottest MCs in the Game|MTV's Annual Hottest MCs in the Game]] list in 2013, and was named the "Greatest MC of All Time" by [[About.com]] in 2014. The following year, Nas was featured on the "10 Best Rappers of All Time" list by [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']]. Outside of recording, he serves as [[Publishing|associate publisher]] of [[Mass Appeal (media)|''Mass Appeal'']] magazine, and co-founded its spin-off division [[Mass Appeal Records]], a record label that has signed artists including [[Dave East]], [[N.O.R.E.]], [[Run the Jewels]], and [[Swizz Beatz]], among others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Swizz Beatz Releases 'Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2' Via Mass Appeal|url=https://thesource.com/2023/04/21/swizz-beatz-releases-hip-hop-50-vol-2-via-mass-appeal|website=TheSource.com|date=April 21, 2023|access-date=March 28, 2024|archive-date=May 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525103648/https://thesource.com/2023/04/21/swizz-beatz-releases-hip-hop-50-vol-2-via-mass-appeal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nas has released seventeen studio albums since 1994, ten of which are certified [[Music recording certification|gold]], platinum or multi-platinum in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=October 3, 2020|website=RIAA|language=en-US|archive-date=September 29, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929033640/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/05/01/2009-05-01_say_pregnant_kelis_set_to_divorce_nas.html|title=Pregnant singer Kelis set to divorce rapper Nas|date=May 1, 2009|work=[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]|access-date=October 25, 2009|archive-date=May 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504085026/http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/05/01/2009-05-01_say_pregnant_kelis_set_to_divorce_nas.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> was born in the [[Brooklyn]] borough of New York City on September 14, 1973, to African American parents.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2sg3CwAAQBAJ|title=Finding Your Roots, Season 2: The Official Companion to the PBS Series|last=Gates|first=Henry Louis Jr.|date=January 28, 2016|publisher=UNC Press Books|isbn=9781469626192|pages=219|language=en}}</ref><ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p44732|title=Nas&nbsp;– Biography|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 23, 2008|archive-date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121225141/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p44732|url-status=live}}</ref> His father, [[Olu Dara]] (born Charles Jones III), is a jazz and blues musician from [[Mississippi]]. His mother, Fannie Ann (née Little; 1941–2002) was a [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Postal Service]] worker from [[North Carolina]].<ref>Stated on ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'', PBS, October 28, 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/arts/music/hiphop-family-values.html|title=Hip-Hop Family Values|first=Alex|last=Abramovich|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 5, 2004|access-date=October 10, 2019|archive-date=October 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010122356/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/arts/music/hiphop-family-values.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media | people=One9 (director) | date=April 16, 2014 | title=[[Time Is Illmatic]] | medium=Motion picture | location=United States | publisher=Illa Films|minutes=20}}</ref> He has a brother, Jabari Fret, who raps under the name Jungle and is a member of [[hip-hop]] group [[Bravehearts]]. His father adopted the name "Olu Dara" from the [[Yoruba people]].<ref name=findbookref1>{{cite book|last=Gates|first=Henry Louis|date=2016|title=Finding Your Roots, Season 2: The Official Companion to the PBS Series|publisher=UNC Press Books|page=229|isbn=978-1469626192}}</ref> "[[Nasir]]" is an [[Arabic]] name meaning "helper and protector", while "bin" means "son of" in Arabic.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dyson |first1=Michael Eric |last2=Daulatzai |first2=Sohail |title=Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic |date=2009 |publisher=[[Basic Books]] |isbn=9780786727650 |page=163 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gno4DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT163}}</ref> He is a cousin of actors [[Yara Shahidi]] and [[Sayeed Shahidi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/black-celeb-couples/yara-shahidi-flower-girl-nas-kelis-wedding|title=Flashback! Yara Shahidi Was The Cutest Flower Girl Ever In Her Cousin Nas' Wedding|website=Essence.com|access-date=July 8, 2018|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108234003/https://www.essence.com/celebrity/black-celeb-couples/yara-shahidi-flower-girl-nas-kelis-wedding|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a young child, Nas and his family relocated to the [[Queensbridge Houses]] of the [[Long Island City]] community area in the borough of [[Queens]]. His neighbor, Willie "Ill Will" Graham, influenced his interest in hip-hop by playing him records.<ref name="Exclaim">{{cite web| last = Cowie| first = Del F.| title = Battle Ready| url = http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=65&csid2=9&fid1=3570| access-date = September 16, 2006| archive-date = November 1, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091101173446/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=65&csid2=9&fid1=3570| url-status = live}}</ref> His parents divorced in 1985,<ref name="Exclaim" /> and he dropped out of school after the eighth grade.<ref name="allmusic" /> He educated himself about [[African culture]] through the [[Five-Percent Nation]] (a splinter group of the [[Nation of Islam]])<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dyson |first1=Michael Eric |last2=Daulatzai |first2=Sohail |title=Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas's Illmatic |date=2009 |publisher=[[Basic Books]] |isbn=9780786727650 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gno4DgAAQBAJ |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Nuwaubian Nation]]. In his early years, he played the trumpet and began writing his own rhymes.<ref>Jackson, Margaret. "Nas". Grove Music Online. (January 2014): 1. Oxford Music Online. Web. February 21, 2015.</ref>

==Career==
===1989–1994: Early career and ''Illmatic''===
[[File:Nas - Interview - YO! MTV Raps - MTV Music.webm|thumb|right|Nas interviewed in 1993]]
As a teenager, Nas enlisted his best friend and upstairs neighbor Willie "Ill Will" Graham as his DJ. Nas initially went by the nickname '''Kid Wave''' before adopting his more commonly known alias of '''Nasty Nas'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listen to the DJ Mega Skills Traffic Jam Episode – 5' O Clock Traffic Jam Mix Feat Nasty "NAS" on iHeartRadio |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-dj-mega-skills-traf-29047066/episode/5-o-clock-traffic-jam-mix-29121958/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122014449/https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-dj-mega-skills-traf-29047066/episode/5-o-clock-traffic-jam-mix-29121958/ |archive-date=January 22, 2020 |access-date=April 9, 2019 |website=www.iheart.com}}</ref> In 1989, then-16-year-old Nas met up with producer [[Large Professor]]<ref>{{cite web |date=November 4, 2013 |title=Hip-Hop Gem: Nas' First Recording Session Was With Large Professor |url=https://www.stopthebreaks.com/gems/nas-first-recording-session-large-professor/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210092853/https://www.stopthebreaks.com/gems/nas-first-recording-session-large-professor/ |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |website=Stopthebreaks.com}}</ref> and went to the studio where [[Rakim]] and [[Kool G Rap]] were recording their albums. When they were not in the recording studio, Nas would go into the booth and record his own material. However, none of it was ever released.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 14, 1973 |title=Nas Fans- Good long read. Nas Biography |url=http://www.realraptalk.com/f16/nas-fans-good-long-read-nas-biography-67275/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727130555/http://www.realraptalk.com/f16/nas-fans-good-long-read-nas-biography-67275/ |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |publisher=Real Rap Talk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2004 |title=Bridging the Gap (Part 2) |url=http://www.theavemagazine.com/Gems/Nasolu02.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818020834/http://www.theavemagazine.com/Gems/Nasolu02.htm |archive-date=August 18, 2007 |access-date=August 10, 2007 |work=The Ave}}</ref>

In 1991, Nas performed on [[Main Source]]'s "[[Live at the Barbeque]]", also produced by Large Professor. In mid-1992, Nas was approached by [[MC Serch]] of [[3rd Bass]], who became his manager and secured Nas a record deal with [[Columbia Records]] during the same year. Nas made his solo debut under the name of "Nasty Nas" on the single "[[Halftime (song)|Halftime]]" from MC Serch's soundtrack for the film ''[[Zebrahead (film)|Zebrahead]]''.<ref name="allmusic" /> Called the new [[Rakim]],<ref name="Greatest MCs">{{cite web|title=The Greatest MCs of All Time – 5. Nas|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index7.jhtml|publisher=[[MTV News]]|year=2006|url-status=dead|access-date=July 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514175558/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index7.jhtml|archive-date=May 14, 2008}}</ref> his rhyming skills attracted a significant amount of attention within the hip-hop community.

In 1994, Nas's debut album, ''[[Illmatic]]'', was released. It featured production from [[Large Professor]], [[Pete Rock]], [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]], [[L.E.S. (producer)|LES]] and [[DJ Premier]], as well as guest appearances from Nas's friend [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]] and his father Olu Dara. The album spawned several singles, including "The World Is Yours", "It Ain't Hard to Tell", and "One Love". Shaheem Reid of [[MTV News]] called ''Illmatic'' "the first classic [[Gramophone record|LP]]" of 1994.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/123/1994/news_feature_010504/ |title=The Year Hip-Hop Was Reborn: A Look Back at 1994 |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=January 5, 2004 |publisher=MTV News |access-date=March 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104153747/http://www.mtv.com/bands/123/1994/news_feature_010504/ |archive-date=January 4, 2009 }}</ref> In 1994, Nas also recorded the song "One on One" for the soundtrack to the film ''[[Street Fighter (1994 film)|Street Fighter]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r210651|title=Street Fighter > Overview|website=allmusic|access-date=March 6, 2009|archive-date=March 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309015411/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r210651|url-status=live}}</ref> In his book ''To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic'', [[William Jelani Cobb]] writes of Nas's impact at the time:
{{blockquote|Nas, the poetic sage of the Queensbridge projects, was hailed as the second coming of [[Rakim]]—as if the first had reached his expiration date. [...] Nas never became 'the next Rakim,' nor did he really have to. ''Illmatic'' stood on its own terms. The sublime lyricism of the CD, combined with the fact that it was delivered into the crucible of the boiling [[East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry|East-West]] conflict, quickly solidified [his] reputation as the premier writer of his time.<ref name="Cobb">Cobb (2006, p. 142.)</ref>}}

''Illmatic'' was awarded best album of 1994 by ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]''.<ref name="Weinstein">Weinstein, S. "Nas". In Hess, M. (ed.), ''Icons of Hip-Hop'', vol. 1, pp.&nbsp;341–363.</ref> Steve Huey of [[AllMusic]] described Nas's lyrics on ''Illmatic'' as "highly literate" and his raps "superbly fluid regardless of the size of his vocabulary", adding that Nas is "able to evoke the bleak reality of ghetto life without losing hope or forgetting the good times".<ref name="allmusic Illmatic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r203123|title=Illmatic: Overview|last=Huey|first=Steve|website=allmusic|access-date=January 17, 2010|archive-date=December 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230050517/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r203123|url-status=live}}</ref> About.com ranked ''Illmatic'' as the greatest hip-hop album of all time,<ref name="about"/> and ''Prefix'' magazine praised it as "the best hip hop record ever made".<ref name="prefix"/>

===1994–1998: Transition to mainstream direction and the Firm===
In 1995, Nas did guest performances on the albums ''[[Doe or Die]]'' by [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]], ''[[The Infamous]]'' by [[Mobb Deep]], ''[[Only Built 4 Cuban Linx]]'' by [[Raekwon]] and ''[[4,5,6]]'' by [[Kool G Rap]]. Nas also parted ways with manager [[MC Serch]], enlisted [[Steve Stoute]], and began preparation for his second album, ''[[It Was Written]]''. The album was chiefly produced by Tone and Poke of the [[Trackmasters]], as Nas consciously worked towards a crossover-oriented sound. [[Columbia Records]] had begun to pressure Nas to work towards more commercial topics, such as that of [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] and had become successful by releasing street singles that still retained radio-friendly appeal. The album also expanded on Nas's Escobar persona, who lived a ''[[Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface]]''/''[[Casino (1995 film)|Casino]]''-esque lifestyle. On the other hand, references to ''Scarface'' protagonist [[Tony Montana]] notwithstanding, ''Illmatic'' was more about his early life growing up in the projects.<ref name="allmusic" />

''It Was Written'' was released on July 2, 1996. Two singles, "[[If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)]]" (featuring [[Lauryn Hill]] of [[The Fugees]]) and [[Street Dreams (song)|"Street Dreams"]] (including a remix with [[R. Kelly]]), were instant hits.<ref name="billboard">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r237850/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} It Was Written: Charts & Awards]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved August 1, 2008.</ref> These songs were promoted by big-budget music videos directed by [[Hype Williams]], making Nas a common name among mainstream [[hip-hop]]. Reviewing ''It Was Written'', Leo Stanley of Allmusic believed the album's rhymes were not as complex as those of ''Illmatic'', but still thought Nas had "deepened his talents, creating a complex series of rhymes that not only flow, but manage to tell coherent stories as well."<ref name="allmusic It Was Written">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r237850|pure_url=yes}}|title=It Was Written: Overview|last=Stanley|first=Leo|website=allmusic|access-date=January 17, 2010}}</ref> ''It Was Written'' featured the debut of [[The Firm (hip-hop group)|the Firm]], a supergroup consisting of Nas, [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], and [[Cormega]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allah |first1=Sha Be |title=The Source {{!}}Today in Hip-Hop History: The Firm Released 'The Album' 26 Years Ago |url=https://thesource.com/2023/10/21/today-in-hip-hop-history-the-firm-released-the-album-26-years-ago/ |access-date=October 13, 2024 |work=The Source |date=October 21, 2023 |archive-date=December 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217210731/https://thesource.com/2023/10/21/today-in-hip-hop-history-the-firm-released-the-album-26-years-ago/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Signed to [[Dr. Dre]]'s [[Aftermath Entertainment]] label, the Firm began working on their debut album. Halfway through the production of the album, [[Cormega]] was fired from the group by [[Steve Stoute]], who had unsuccessfully attempted to force Cormega to sign a deal with his management company. Cormega subsequently became one of Nas's most vocal opponents and released a number of [[underground hip-hop]] singles [[wikt:diss|dissing]] Nas, Stoute, and [[Nature (rapper)|Nature]], who replaced Cormega as the fourth member of the Firm.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269436/nas-recording-album-with-damian-marley|title=Nas Recording Album With Damian Marley|last=Concepcion|first=Mariel|date=February 10, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 10, 2009|archive-date=June 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623102522/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269436/nas-recording-album-with-damian-marley|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Album (The Firm album)|Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album]]'' was finally released in 1997 to mixed reviews. The album failed to live up to its expected sales despite being certified platinum, and the members of the group disbanded to go their separate ways.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/c9e81i/hip-hop-cliques-that-went-their-separate-ways/q5deph|title=Hip Hop Cliques That Went Their Separate Ways|website=[[BET]]|access-date=July 13, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812060957/https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/c9e81i/hip-hop-cliques-that-went-their-separate-ways/q5deph|url-status=live}}</ref>

During this period, Nas was one of four rappers (the others being [[B-Real]], [[KRS-One]] and [[RBX]]) in the hip-hop supergroup [[Group Therapy (group)|Group Therapy]], who appeared on the song "[[East Coast/West Coast Killas]]" from ''[[Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Dr. Dre Presents...The Aftermath > Overview|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r243986|website=allmusic|access-date=September 13, 2008|archive-date=December 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212161353/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r243986|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=East Coast/West Coast Killas|url={{AllMusic|class=song|id=t3084200|pure_url=yes}}|website=allmusic|access-date=September 13, 2008}}</ref>

===1998–2001: Heightened commercial direction and inconsistent output===
[[File:Nas-04.jpg|thumb|Nas in 1998]]
In late 1998, Nas began working on a double album, to be entitled ''I Am... The Autobiography''; he intended it as the middle ground between ''Illmatic'' and ''It Was Written'', with each track detailing a part of his life.<ref name="allmusic" /> In 1998, Nas co-wrote and starred in [[Hype Williams]]'s feature film ''[[Belly (film)|Belly]]''.<ref name="allmusic" /> ''I Am... The Autobiography'' was completed in early 1999, and a music video was shot for its lead single, "[[Nas Is Like]]". It was produced by [[DJ Premier]] and contained vocal samples from "[[It Ain't Hard to Tell]]". Music critic M.F. DiBella noticed that Nas also covered "politics, the state of hip-hop, Y2K, [[Race (classification of human beings)|race]], and religion with his own unique perspective" in the album besides autobiographical lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r400739|pure_url=yes}}|title=I Am...The Autobiography > Overview|last=DiBella|first=M.F.|date=April 6, 1999|website=allmusic|access-date=March 6, 2009}}</ref> Much of the LP was leaked into MP3 format onto the Internet, and Nas and Stoute quickly recorded enough substitute material to constitute a single-disc release.<ref name="Weinstein"/>

The second single on ''[[I Am... (Nas album)|I Am...]]'' was "[[Hate Me Now]]", featuring [[Sean Combs|Sean "Puffy" Combs]], which was used as an example by Nas's critics accusing him of moving towards more commercial themes. The video featured Nas and Combs being [[crucifixion|crucified]] in a manner similar to Jesus Christ; after the video was completed, Combs requested his crucifixion scene be edited out of the video. However, the unedited copy of the "Hate Me Now" video made its way to MTV. Within minutes of the broadcast, Combs and his bodyguards allegedly made their way into [[Steve Stoute]]'s office and assaulted him, at one point apparently hitting Stoute over the head with a champagne bottle. Stoute pressed charges, but he and Combs [[legal settlement|settled out-of-court]] that June.<ref name="Weinstein"/> Columbia had scheduled to release the [[music piracy|infringed]] material from ''I Am...'' under the title ''[[Nastradamus]]'' during the later half of 1999, but, at the last minute, Nas decided to record an entire new album for the 1999 release of ''[[Nastradamus]]''. ''Nastradamus'' was therefore rushed to meet a November release date. Though critical reviews were unfavorable, it did result in a minor hit, "[[You Owe Me (Nas song)|You Owe Me]]".<ref name="allmusic" /> Fans and critics feared that Nas's career was declining, artistically and commercially, as both ''I Am...'' and ''Nastradamus'' were criticized as inconsistent and overtly-commercialized.<ref name="cowie">Cowie, Del. [http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=3163 Nas: Battle Ready] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619193334/http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=3163 |date=June 19, 2006 }}. [[Exclaim!]]. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.</ref>

In 2000, ''[[Nas & Ill Will Records Presents QB's Finest]]'', which is popularly known as simply ''QB's Finest'', was released on Nas's [[Ill Will Records]].<ref name="allmusic" /> ''QB's Finest'' is a compilation album that featured Nas and a number of other rappers from [[Queensbridge Houses|Queensbridge]] projects, including [[Mobb Deep]], [[Nature (rapper)|Nature]], [[Capone-N-Noreaga|Capone]], the [[Bravehearts]], [[Tragedy Khadafi]], Millennium Thug and [[Cormega]], who had briefly reconciled with Nas. The album also featured guest appearances from Queensbridge hip-hop legends [[Roxanne Shanté]], [[MC Shan]], and [[Marley Marl]]. Shan and Marley Marl both appeared on the lead single "Da Bridge 2001", which was based on Shan & Marl's 1986 recording "The Bridge".<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r507398|pure_url=yes}}|title=QB Finest > Overview|last=Conaway|first=Matt|date=November 21, 2000|website=allmusic|access-date=March 6, 2009}}</ref>

===2001–2006: Feud with Jay-Z, ''Stillmatic'', ''God's Son'', and double album===
[[File:Nas-01-mika.jpg|thumb|left|Nas performing in 2003]]
After trading veiled criticisms on various songs, freestyles and mixtape appearances, the highly publicised dispute between Nas and [[Jay-Z]] became widely known to the public in 2001.<ref name="allmusic" /> Jay-Z, in his song "[[Takeover (Jay-Z song)|Takeover]]", criticised Nas by calling him "fake" and his career "lame".<ref name="Return to the Dis">{{cite news|last=Century|first=Douglas|title=Two of Rap's Hottest Return to the Dis |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E7D91E30F935A35752C0A9649C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=January 6, 2002|access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> Nas responded with "[[Ether (song)|Ether]]", in which he compared Jay-Z to such characters as [[J.J. Evans]] from the sitcom ''[[Good Times]]'' and cigarette company mascot [[Joe Camel]]. The song was included on Nas's fifth studio album, ''[[Stillmatic]]'', released on December 18, 2001. His daughter, Destiny, is listed as an executive producer on '' Stillmatic'' so she could receive royalty checks from the album.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ahmed|first1=Insanul|title=50 Things You Didn't Know About Nas|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/12/50-things-you-didnt-know-about-nas/executive-producer-stillmatic|website=complex.com|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227052927/https://www.complex.com/music/2012/12/50-things-you-didnt-know-about-nas/executive-producer-stillmatic|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Nas Disses Jay-Z, Endless List of Others on New LP|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451188/20011126/jay_z.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030904204355/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451188/20011126/jay_z.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2003|publisher=MTV News|date=November 26, 2001|access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> ''Stillmatic'' peaked at No. 5 on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart and featured the singles "[[Got Ur Self A...]]" and "[[One Mic]]".

In response to "Ether", Jay-Z released the song "Supa Ugly", which [[WQHT|Hot 97]] radio host [[Angie Martinez]] premiered on December 11, 2001.<ref name="Return to the Dis" /> In the song, Jay-Z explicitly boasts about having an affair with Nas's girlfriend, Carmen Bryan.<ref>Ashare, Matt. [http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12055074 Nas On His Battle With Jay-Z And Its Effects] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911170838/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12055074 |date=September 11, 2007 }}. Yahoo! Music: January 26, 2002.</ref> New York City hip-hop radio station [[WQHT|Hot 97]] issued a poll asking listeners which rapper made the better [[diss song]]; Nas won with 58% while Jay-Z got 42% of the votes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Nas vs. Jay-Z: Grade-a-Beef (page 1)|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/nas/news_feature_012102/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020213161951/http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/nas/news_feature_012102/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 13, 2002|publisher=MTV News|date=January 21, 2002|access-date=August 23, 2008}}</ref> In 2002, in the midst of the dispute between the two New York rappers, [[Eminem]] cited both Nas and Jay-Z as being two of the best MCs in the industry, in his song "[['Till I Collapse]]". Both the dispute and ''Stillmatic'' signaled an artistic comeback for Nas after a string of inconsistent albums.<ref name="Rabin">{{cite web|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|author-link=Nathan Rabin|url=https://www.avclub.com/nas-gods-son-1798198227|title=Nas: God's Son|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|publisher=[[The Onion|Onion Inc]]|date=February 3, 2003|access-date=August 12, 2011|archive-date=June 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619093824/https://www.avclub.com/nas-gods-son-1798198227|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Lost Tapes (Nas album)|The Lost Tapes]]'', a compilation of previously unreleased or bootlegged songs from 1998 to 2001, was released by Columbia in September 2002. The collection attained respectable sales and received rave reviews from critics.<ref name="Weinstein"/>

On December 13, 2002, Nas released the ''[[God's Son (album)|God's Son]]'' album including its lead single, "Made You Look" which used a pitched down sample of the [[Incredible Bongo Band]]'s "[[Apache (instrumental)|Apache]]". The album peaked at No. 12 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and No. 1 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] charts despite widespread Internet bootlegging.<ref name="album charts">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p44732|pure_url=yes}} |title=(((Nas > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums))) |website=allmusic |date=September 14, 1973 |access-date=September 18, 2010}}</ref> Time Magazine named his album best hip-hop album of the year. [[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] gave it four stars and [[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] gave it four mics. The second single, "[[I Can (Nas song)|I Can]]", which reworked elements from [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s "[[Für Elise]]", became Nas's biggest hit to date in 2003, garnering substantial radio airplay on urban, [[Rhythmic contemporary|rhythmic]], and [[top 40]] radio stations, as well as on the MTV and [[VH1]] music video networks. ''God's Son'' also includes several songs dedicated to Nas's mother, who died of cancer in April 2002, including "Dance". In 2003, Nas was featured on the [[Korn]] song "Play Me", from Korn's ''[[Take a Look in the Mirror]]'' LP. Also in 2003, a live performance in New York City, featuring [[Ludacris]], [[Jadakiss]], and [[Darryl McDaniels]] (of [[Run-D.M.C.]] fame), was released on DVD as ''Made You Look: God's Son Live''.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

''God's Son'' was critical in the power struggle between Nas and Jay-Z in the hip-hop industry at the time. In an article at the time, Joseph Jones of [[PopMatters]] stated, "Whether you like it or not, "Ether" did this. With ''God's Son'', Nas has the opportunity to cement his status as the King of NY, at least for another 3-4-year term, or he could prove that he is not the savior that hip-hop fans should be pinning their hopes on."<ref name="Jones">Jones, Joseph. [https://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/n/nas-gods.shtml Review: ''God's Son''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709192239/http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/n/nas-gods.shtml/ |date=July 9, 2017 }}. [[PopMatters]]. Retrieved October 28, 2009.</ref> After the album's release, he began helping [[the Bravehearts]], an act including his younger brother Jungle and friend Wiz (Wizard), put together their debut album, ''Bravehearted''. The album featured guest appearances from Nas, Nashawn (Millennium Thug), [[Lil Jon]], and [[Jully Black]].

Nas released his seventh album ''[[Street's Disciple]]'', a sprawling double album, on November 30, 2004. It addressed subject matter both political and personal, including his impending marriage to recording artist [[Kelis]].<ref name="allmusic" /> The double-sided single "[[Thief's Theme]]"/"You Know My Style" was released months before the album's release, followed by the single "[[Bridging the Gap (song)|Bridging the Gap]]" upon the album's release. Although ''Street's Disciple'' went [[platinum record|platinum]], it served as a drop-off from Nas's previous commercial successes.<ref name="allmusic" />

In 2005, New York-based rapper [[50 Cent]] dissed Nas on his song "[[Piggy Bank (song)|Piggy Bank]]", which brought his reputation into question in hip-hop circles.<ref name="allmusic" /> In October, Nas made a surprise appearance at Jay-Z's "I Declare War" concert, where they reconciled their beef.<ref name="allmusic" /> At the show, Jay-Z announced to the crowd, "It's bigger than 'I Declare War'. Let's go, Esco!" and Nas then joined him onstage,<ref>Sanneh, Kelefah. [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/29/arts/music/29jayz.html?ex=1288238400&en=d5ebd722ddd8cebd&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss A Show of Solidarity, With a Few Surprises] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112210134/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/29/arts/music/29jayz.html?ex=1288238400&en=d5ebd722ddd8cebd&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss |date=January 12, 2008 }}. ''[[The New York Times]]'': October 29, 2005.</ref> and the two performed Jay-Z's "[[Dead Presidents (song)|Dead presidents]]" (1996) together, a song that featured a prominent sample of Nas's 1994 track, "[[The World Is Yours (Nas song)|The World Is Yours]]" (1994).<ref name="allmusic" />

===2006–2008: ''Hip Hop Is Dead'', Untitled, and politicized efforts===
[[File:Nas in Ottawa, 2007.JPG|thumb|right|upright=0.9|Nas performing in [[Ottawa]], 2007]]
The reconciliation between Nas and Jay-Z created the opportunity for Nas to sign a deal with [[Def Jam Recordings]], of which Jay-Z was president at the time.<ref name="allmusic" /> Jay-Z signed Nas on January 23, 2006; the signing included an agreement that Nas was to be paid about $3,000,000, including a recording budget, for each of his first two albums with Def Jam.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/23/arts/music/23rap.html|title = Rapper Nas is to Join Label Led by Former Rival Jay-Z|newspaper = The New York Times|date = January 23, 2006|last1 = Leeds|first1 = Jeff|archive-date = May 21, 2021|access-date = March 22, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210521125753/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/23/arts/music/23rap.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

Tentatively called ''Hip Hop Is Dead...The N'',<ref name="Reid2006">Reid, Shaheem. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060716080149/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1532136/20060519/nas.jhtml Nas Says Hip-Hop Is Dead&nbsp;— New Album Due In September], MTV.com. May 19, 2006.</ref> ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'' was a commentary on the state of hip-hop and featured "Black Republican", a hyped collaboration with Jay-Z.<ref name="allmusic" /> The album debuted on Def Jam and Nas new imprint at that label, The Jones Experience, at No. 1 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] charts, selling 355,000 copies—Nas's third number one album, along with ''It Was Written'' and ''I Am...''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hasty|first=Katie|title=Nas Scores Third No. 1 Album with 'Hip-Hop Is Dead'|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nas-scores-third-no-1-album-with-hip-hop-is-dead-56357/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 27, 2006|access-date=August 18, 2007|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209211946/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nas-scores-third-no-1-album-with-hip-hop-is-dead-56357/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also inspired reactions about the state of hip-hop,<ref name="allmusic" /> particularly controversy with [[Southern hip-hop]] artists who felt the album's title was a criticism aimed at them.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first= Shaheem |author2=Dukes, Rahma |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p276628|pure_url=yes}}|work=Mixtape Monday|title=The Firm | publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=December 18, 2006|access-date=December 20, 2006}}{{clarify|reason=url does not match publisher|date=January 2017}}</ref> Nas's 2004 song, "Thief's Theme", was featured in the 2006 film, ''[[The Departed]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Soundtracks for "The Departed" (2006)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/soundtrack|website=[[IMDb]]|year=2006|access-date=February 28, 2008|archive-date=April 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423212351/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/soundtrack|url-status=live}}</ref> Nas's former label, [[Columbia Records]], released the compilation ''[[Greatest Hits (Nas album)|Greatest Hits]]'' in November.<ref>Petipas, Jolene. [http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/4/6881/1/ Nas Preps "Greatest Hits," Records New Material] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718230939/http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/4/6881/1/ |date=July 18, 2019 }}, hiphop-elements.com. August 13, 2007.</ref>

On October 12, 2007, Nas announced that his next album would be called ''Nigger''. Both [[progressivism|progressive]] commentators, such as [[Jesse Jackson]] and [[Al Sharpton]], and the conservative-aligned news channel [[Fox News]] were outraged; Jackson called on entertainers to stop using the epithet after comedian [[Michael Richards]] used it onstage in late 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jesse Jackson Calls For Ban of N-Word|url=http://cbs2chicago.com/local/jesse.jackson.michael.2.333693.html|publisher=CBS News|date=November 27, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725083212/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/jesse.jackson.michael.2.333693.html|archive-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref> Controversy escalated as the album's impending release date drew nearer, going as far as to spark rumors that [[Def Jam]] was planning to drop Nas unless he changed the title.<ref>Shake (January 23, 2008). [http://www.hiphopdx.com/blogs/MrZela/2008/01/23/def-jam-to-drop-nas-.html Def Jam to Drop Nas?!?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127120134/http://www.hiphopdx.com/blogs/MrZela/2008/01/23/def-jam-to-drop-nas-.html |date=January 27, 2008 }}. Retrieved January 28, 2008.</ref> Additionally, then-[[Fort Greene, Brooklyn]] assemblyman (later United States Representative) [[Hakeem Jeffries]] requested that New York State Comptroller [[Thomas DiNapoli]] withdraw $84,000,000 from the state [[pension fund]] that had been invested into [[Universal Music Group|Universal]] and its parent company, [[Vivendi]], if the album's title was not changed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/42/30_42nashakeem.html |title=Is it time for Nas and other rap artists to clean up their act? |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |date=October 22, 2016 |website=Brooklynpaper |access-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023052643/http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/30/42/30_42nashakeem.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On the opposite side of the spectrum, many of the most famous names in the entertainment industry supported Nas for using the racial epithet as the title of his full-length LP.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/010708/ |title=Nas Drops Exclusive New Lyrics; Snoop Dogg Insists He Can Out-Sing Diddy |work=Mixtape Monday |publisher=MTV News |date=January 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517211509/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/010708/ |archive-date=May 17, 2008 }}</ref><ref>Shaheem Reid (November 1, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071103012108/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573280/20071101/nas.jhtml Nas' Album Title Gets Support From Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Bishop Lamont, LL Cool J, GZA, Reverend Run, David Banner] [[MTV News]]. Retrieved November 1, 2007.</ref> Nas's management worried the album would not be sold by chain stores such as [[Wal-Mart]], thus limiting its distribution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ewing|first=Aliya|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7092/title.nas-names-album-nothing-sets-release-date|title=Nas Names Album Nothing & Sets Release Date|work=HipHopDX|date=June 10, 2008|access-date=June 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829213210/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7092/title.nas-names-album-nothing-sets-release-date|archive-date=August 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On May 19, 2008, Nas decided to forgo an album title.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587737/20080519/nas.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726135439/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587737/20080519/nas.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 26, 2008|title=Nas Changes Controversial Album Title: 'It's Important To Me That This Album Gets To The Fans'|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=May 19, 2008|publisher=MTV News|access-date=March 7, 2009}}</ref> Responding to [[Jesse Jackson]]'s remarks and use of the word "nigger", Nas called him "the biggest player hater", stating "His time is up. All you old niggas' time is up. We heard your voice, we saw your marching, we heard your sermons. We don't want to hear that shit no more. It's a new day. It's a new voice. I'm here now. We don't need Jesse; I'm here. I got this. We the voice now. It's no more Jesse. Sorry. Goodbye. You ain't helping nobody in the 'hood and that's the bottom line."<ref>Reid, Shaheem. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090113212806/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1590708/20080710/nas.jhtml?rsspartner=rssMozilla Nas Takes Jesse Jackson To Task For Barack Obama Comments: 'His Time Is Up']. ''MTV''. Retrieved July 10, 2008.</ref> He also said of the album's title: "It's important to me that this album gets to the fans. It's been a long time coming. I want my fans to know that creatively and lyrically, they can expect the same content and the same messages. The people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it."<ref>{{cite web|title=Nas drops ''Nigger'' album title|url=https://www.nme.com/news/nas/36731|work=NME|date=March 20, 2008|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508045728/http://www.nme.com/news/nas/36731|url-status=live}}</ref>

The album was ultimately released on July 15, 2008, untitled. It featured production from [[Polow da Don]], [[stic.man]] of [[Dead Prez]], Sons of Light and J. Myers,<ref>{{cite web|first=Jermy |last=Leeuwis |url=http://musicremedy.com/n/nas/videos/if-i-ruled-the-world-2009-33475.html |title=Nas: If I Ruled The World 2009 / Music Video & MP3 Song |publisher=Musicremedy.com |date=May 18, 2010 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622165148/http://musicremedy.com/n/nas/songs/if-i-ruled-the-world-2009-33475.html |archive-date=June 22, 2013}}</ref> "[[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]", the album's lead single released on June 23, 2008, reached No. 97 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and No. 87 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.<ref name="single charts">[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p44732|pure_url=yes}} Nas – Charts & Awards – Billboard Singles]. allmusic. Retrieved September 8, 2008.</ref> In July, Nas attained a shoe deal with [[Fila (company)|Fila]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/06/30/daily27.html |title=Fila inks hip-hop star Nas to shoe endorsement deal – Baltimore Business Journal |publisher=Bizjournals.com |date=July 2, 2008 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |first=Ryan |last=Sharrow |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620075101/http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/06/30/daily27.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with [[MTV News]] in July, Nas speculated that he might release two albums: one produced by [[DJ Premier]] and another by [[Dr. Dre]]—simultaneously the same day.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|title=Nas Wants To Drop Albums Produced By Dr. Dre, DJ Premier on Same Day|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591198/20080718/id_0.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919151100/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1591198/20080718/id_0.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2008|publisher=MTV News|date=July 21, 2008}}</ref> Nas worked on Dr. Dre's studio album ''[[Detox (Dr. Dre album)|Detox]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|title=Dr. Dre's 'Detox' has music industry buzzing|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-07-21-drdre-detox_N.htm|work=USA Today|date=July 21, 2008|archive-date=December 30, 2011|access-date=September 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230070411/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-07-21-drdre-detox_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Nas was also awarded 'Emcee of the Year' in the HipHopDX 2008 Awards for his latest solo effort, the quality of his appearances on other albums and was described as having "become an artist who thrives off of reinvention and going against the system."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/columns-editorials/id.1281/title.2008-hiphopdx-awards |title=2008 HipHopDX Awards &#124; Discussing Lil' Wayne, Drake & Many More Hip Hop Artists |publisher=HipHop DX |date=December 30, 2008 |access-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112013928/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/columns-editorials/id.1281/title.2008-hiphopdx-awards |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2009–2012: ''Distant Relatives'' and ''Life Is Good''===
[[File:Nas and Damian Marley performing in Wellington Photo By Brady Dyer.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Nas and [[Damian Marley]] performing in [[Wellington]], 2011]]
At the [[51st Grammy Awards|2009 Grammy Awards]], Nas confirmed he was collaborating on an album with [[reggae]] singer [[Damian Marley]] which was expected to be released in late 2009. Nas said of the collaboration in an interview "I was a big fan of his father and of course all the children, all the offspring, and Damian, I kind of looked at Damian as a rap guy. His stuff is not really singing, or if he does, it comes off more hard, like on some street shit. I always liked how reggae and hip-hop have always been intertwined and always kind of pushed each other, I always liked the connection. I'd worked with people before from the reggae world but when I worked with Damian, the whole workout was perfect".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=136&csid2=946&fid1=40691 |title=Exclaim! Canada's Music Authority |publisher=Exclaim.ca |access-date=September 18, 2010 |archive-date=September 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904174506/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=136&csid2=946&fid1=40691 |url-status=live }}</ref> A portion of the profit was planned to go towards building a school in Africa.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269436/nas-recording-album-with-damian-marley|title=Nas Recording Album With Damian Marley|date=February 10, 2009|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228234150/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269436/nas-recording-album-with-damian-marley|url-status=live}}</ref> He went on to say that it was "too early to tell the title or anything like that".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604589/20090209/nas.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211101202/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604589/20090209/nas.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 11, 2009|title=Nas Confirms Kelis' Pregnancy, Talks New Album|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=February 9, 2009|work=MTV|access-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that the album would be titled ''[[Distant Relatives]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/03/nas-damian-marl.html|title=Nas and Damian Marley to unveil new songs from 'Distant Relatives' on Friday at L.A. Live|last=Weiss|first=Jeff|work=Pop & Hiss|date=March 26, 2009|access-date=March 26, 2009|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225232104/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/03/nas-damian-marl.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Nas also revealed that he would begin working on his tenth studio album following the release of ''Distant Relatives''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nas-next-album-all-about-peace-and-love-268145/|title=Nas' Next Album All About 'Peace And Love'|last=Graff|first=Gary|date=July 10, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 10, 2009|archive-date=April 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428110357/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nas-next-album-all-about-peace-and-love-268145/|url-status=live}}</ref> During late 2009, Nas used his live band Mulatto with music director Dustin Moore for concerts in Europe and Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.entertainmentdepot.com.au/news/the-%E2%80%98lowfi%E2%80%99-tour-nas-chali-2na/ |title=Entertainment News " The 'low:fi' Tour Nas & Chali 2NA |publisher=Entertainmentdepot.com.au |date=August 31, 2009 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226120401/http://www.entertainmentdepot.com.au/news/the-%e2%80%98lowfi%e2%80%99-tour-nas-chali-2na/ |archive-date=February 26, 2011  }}</ref>

After announcing a possible release in 2010,<ref name="Nas on The Lost Tapes Vol. 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.twitter.com/Nas/status/24602949709|date=September 15, 2010|title=It's coming... Lost Tapes Volume Two!!!|access-date=September 15, 2010|location=Twitter.com|archive-date=September 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921091322/http://twitter.com/Nas/status/24602949709|url-status=live}}</ref> a follow-up compilation to ''[[The Lost Tapes (Nas album)|The Lost Tapes]]'' (2002) was delayed indefinitely due to issues between him and Def Jam.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rodriguez |first=Jayson |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655194/nas-talks-lost-tapes-vol-2-label-issues.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105013835/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655194/nas-talks-lost-tapes-vol-2-label-issues.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2011 |title=Nas Talks Lost Tapes Vol. 2, Label Issues |publisher=MTV |date=January 3, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref> His eleventh studio album, ''[[Life Is Good (Nas album)|Life Is Good]]'' (2012) was produced primarily by Salaam Remi and No I.D, and released on July 13, 2012. Nas called the album a "magic moment" in his rap career.<ref>[http://beta.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11765/title.nas-talks-distant-relatives-says-kanye-west-wants-to-produce-next-album] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510021203/http://beta.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11765/title.nas-talks-distant-relatives-says-kanye-west-wants-to-produce-next-album|date=May 10, 2012}}</ref>

In 2011, Nas announced that he would release collaboration albums with [[Mobb Deep]], [[Common (rapper)|Common]], and a third with [[DJ Premier]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Vasquez |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15279/title.mobb-deep-nas-to-collaborate-on-full-length-lp-says-havoc |title=Mobb Deep & Nas To Collaborate on Full-Length LP, Says Havoc |publisher=HipHop DX |date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112014025/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15279/title.mobb-deep-nas-to-collaborate-on-full-length-lp-says-havoc |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="hiphopdx1">{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17171/title.common-speaks-on-upcoming-lp-with-nas-current-standing-with-good-music |title=Common Speaks on Upcoming LP With Nas, Current Standing With G.O.O.D. Music |publisher=HipHop DX |date=October 10, 2011 |access-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720173546/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17171/title.common-speaks-on-upcoming-lp-with-nas-current-standing-with-good-music |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sohh">{{cite web |last=Harper |first=Rosario |url=http://www.sohh.com/2011/12/nas_dj_premier_collabo_album_in_the_work.html |title=News: Nas & DJ Premier Collabo Album Still In The Works |publisher=Sohh.com |date=December 13, 2011 |access-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020044315/http://www.sohh.com/2011/12/nas_dj_premier_collabo_album_in_the_work.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Common said of the project in a 2011 interview, "At some point, we will do that. We'd talked about it and we had a good idea to call it ''Nas.Com''. That was actually going to be a mixtape at one point. But we decided that we should make it an album."<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 10, 2011|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17171/title.common-speaks-on-upcoming-lp-with-nas-current-standing-with-good-music|title=Com Sense says his album with Nasir Jones will happen and explains its origins|magazine=HipHopDX|access-date=October 11, 2011|archive-date=October 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012033338/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17171/title.common-speaks-on-upcoming-lp-with-nas-current-standing-with-good-music|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Life is Good'' would be nominated for [[Best Rap Album]] at the [[2013 Grammy Awards]].

===2013–2019: ''Nasir'' and ''The Lost Tapes 2''===
In January 2013, Nas announced he had begun working on his twelfth studio album, which would be his final album for [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22477/title.nas-begins-recording-twelfth-studio-album-names-favorite-albums-of-2012 |title=Nas Begins Recording Twelfth Studio Album, Names Favorite Albums of 2012 |publisher=HipHop DX |date=January 9, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406052516/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22477/title.nas-begins-recording-twelfth-studio-album-names-favorite-albums-of-2012 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album was supposed to be released during 2015.<ref name="huffingtonpost1">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/18/nas-new-album-nasir-jones_n_4122025.html?ir=Entertainment |title=Nas Reveals New Album Details, Business Ventures & More |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |access-date=October 19, 2013 |first=Brennan |last=Williams |date=October 18, 2013}}</ref> In October 2013, DJ Premier said that his collaboration album with Nas, would be released following his twelfth studio album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/dj-premier-will-produce-a-nas-lp/ |title=DJ Premier Will Produce A Nas LP |publisher=xxlmag.com |date=October 7, 2013 |access-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020040058/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/10/dj-premier-will-produce-a-nas-lp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2013, Nas confirmed that a rumored song "Sinatra in the Sands" featuring [[Jay-Z]], [[Justin Timberlake]], and [[Timbaland]] would be featured on the album.<ref name="huffingtonpost1"/>

On April 16, 2014, on the twentieth anniversary of ''Illmatic'',<ref name="The Detroit News 2014-10-10">{{cite news|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2014/10/10/nas-time-illmatic-review/16996751/|title=Review: "Nas: Time Is Illmatic"|last1=Graham|first1=Adam|date=October 10, 2014|newspaper=[[The Detroit News]]|access-date=October 13, 2014|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010045726/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2014/10/10/nas-time-illmatic-review/16996751/|url-status=live}}</ref> the documentary ''[[Nas: Time Is Illmatic]]'' was premiered which recounted circumstances leading up to Nas's debut album.<ref name="LA Times 2014-10-01">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-nas-time-illmatic-review-20141002-story.html|title=Review: 'Nas: Time Is Illmatic' is a reminder of rap's potential|last1=Tsai|first1=Martin|date=October 1, 2014|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=October 13, 2014|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010033130/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-nas-time-illmatic-review-20141002-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was reported on September 10, that Nas has finished his last album with Def Jam.<ref>{{cite magazine | url= https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/nas-finishes-final-def-jam-album-6244218/ | title= Nas Finishes Final Def Jam Album | first= Erika | last= Ramirez | magazine= Billboard.com | date= September 10, 2014 | access-date= September 12, 2014 | archive-date= January 19, 2022 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220119121822/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/nas-finishes-final-def-jam-album-6244218/ | url-status= live }}</ref> On October 30, Nas released a song which might have been the first single on his new album, titled "The Season", produced by [[J Dilla]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nas-dilla-song-the-season-20141031|title=Hear Nas' J Dilla–Sampling New Song 'The Season'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 31, 2014|access-date=September 5, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423095932/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nas-dilla-song-the-season-20141031|url-status=live}}</ref> Nas has also collaborated with the Australian hip-hop group, [[Bliss n Eso]], in 2014. They released the track "I Am Somebody" in May 2014. Nas was featured on the song "We Are" from [[Justin Bieber]]'s fourth studio album, ''[[Purpose (Justin Bieber album)|Purpose]]'', released in November 2015.

[[File:NAS performing at the 2015 Sugar Mountain festival, Melbourne, Australia.jpg|thumb|upright|Nas performing at the 2015 Sugar Mountain festival in [[Melbourne]]]]
Nas was announced as one of the executive producers of the Netflix original series, ''[[The Get Down]]'', prior to its release in August 2016. He narrated the series and rapped as adult Ezekiel of 1996.
 
On October 16, 2016, he received the Jimmy Iovine Icon Award at 2016 REVOLT Music Conference for having a lasting impact and unique influence on music, numerous years in the rap business, his partnership with Hennessy, and Mass Appeal imprint by [[Puff Daddy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40878/title.diddy-presents-nas-with-jimmy-iovine-icon-award-at-2016-revolt-music-conference |title=Puff Daddy awards Nas Jimmy Iovine Icon Award |last=Clark |first=Trent |date=October 16, 2016 |website=[[Hiphopdx]] |access-date=October 17, 2016 |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018194250/http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40878/title.diddy-presents-nas-with-jimmy-iovine-icon-award-at-2016-revolt-music-conference |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2016, Nas collaborated with [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]], [[Dave East]] and [[Aloe Blacc]] on a song called "Wrote My Way Out", which appears on ''[[The Hamilton Mixtape]]''. On April 12, 2017, Nas released the song ''Angel Dust'' as soundtrack for TV series ''[[The Getdown]]''. It contains a sample of the [[Gil Scott-Heron]] and [[Brian Jackson (musician)|Brian Jackson]] song ''Angel Dust''.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

In June 2017, Nas appeared in the award-winning 2017 documentary ''[[The American Epic Sessions]]'' directed by [[Bernard MacMahon (filmmaker)|Bernard MacMahon]], where he recorded live [[Direct-to-disc recording|direct-to-disc]] on the restored first [[History of sound recording#The electrical era (1925 to 1945) (including sound on film)|electrical sound recording]] system from the 1920s.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2017/05/american-epic-return-of-the-lathe/|title=The Long-Lost, Rebuilt Recording Equipment That First Captured the Sound of America|magazine=Wired|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230172640/https://www.wired.com/2017/05/american-epic-return-of-the-lathe/|url-status=live}}</ref> He performed "On the Road Again", a 1928 song by the [[Memphis Jug Band]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-nas-jack-white-reinterpret-1920s-blues-song-w481777|title=Watch Nas, Jack White Reinterpret 1920s Blues Song|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-date=March 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301044642/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-nas-jack-white-reinterpret-1920s-blues-song-w481777|url-status=live}}</ref> which ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' describing his performance as "fantastic"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/american-epic-sessions-london-review-831315|title='The American Epic Sessions': London Review|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230195754/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/american-epic-sessions-london-review-831315|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ''[[Financial Times]]'' praising his "superb cover of the Memphis Jug Band's "On the Road Again", exposing the hip-hop blueprint within the 1928 stomper."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/381605c6-3b1c-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/381605c6-3b1c-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=American Epic|last=Hunter-Tilney|first=Ludovic|date=May 19, 2017|newspaper=[[Financial Times]]|language=en-GB|access-date=February 28, 2018}}</ref> "On the Road Again", and a performance of "One Mic",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p055b035|title=Nas – One Mic, The Sessions, American Epic, Arena – BBC Four|website=BBC|date=June 10, 2017|language=en-GB|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-date=June 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629165832/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p055b035|url-status=live}}</ref> were released on ''[[Music from The American Epic Sessions: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]'' on June 9, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2017/04/28/american-epic-collection-american-epic-soundtrack-may-12th/|title=American Epic: The Collection & The Soundtrack Out May 12th {{!}} Legacy Recordings|date=April 28, 2017|work=Legacy Recordings|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327065937/https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2017/04/28/american-epic-collection-american-epic-soundtrack-may-12th/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2018, [[Kanye West]] announced on Twitter that Nas's twelfth studio album will be released on June 15, also serving as executive producer for the album.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/988199197781323776|title=KANYE WEST on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=April 23, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/988199097554296832|title=KANYE WEST on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=April 23, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210928/https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/988199097554296832|url-status=live}}</ref> The album was announced the day before release, titled ''[[Nasir (album)|Nasir]]''.

Nas also acted as the executive producer for 2019 Hindi-language film [[Gully Boy|''Gully Boy'']], a film loosely based on the lives of Indian-origin rappers [[Divine (rapper)|Divine]] and [[Naezy]]. Subsequently, on 20 August 2019, Nas' [[Mass Appeal Records]] and Universal Music India launched their subsidiary [[Mass Appeal India]] and signed Divine. Nas also featured on Divine's sophomore album under the label, ''Punya Paap'', on the track "Walking Miracle" alongside Cocoa Sarai.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gurbaxani |first1=Amit |date=13 September 2019 |title=Hindi Rapper Divine On Why He Signed With Mass Appeal India: 'It's Nas, Bro' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/hindi-rapper-divine-signed-mass-appeal-india-nas/ |access-date=18 June 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divine is taking Indian Hip-Hop Scene Global with Mass Appeal India |url=https://www.lyricsmint.com/articles/divine-mass-appeal-india |access-date=28 May 2020 |website=LyricsMINT |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 December 2020 |title=of sinner and Saints in Divine's New album'''Punya Paap''' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/divine-on-his-new-album-punya-paap-and-working-with-nas-and-dutchavelli/article33306326.ece |access-date=4 November 2022 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

Following the release of ''Nasir'', Nas confirmed he would return to completing a previous album, including production from [[Swizz Beatz]] and [[RZA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nas-swizz-beatz-and-rza-are-laying-foundations-for-a-new-nas-album-news.55975.html|title=Nas, Swizz Beatz, & RZA Are Laying Foundations For A New Nas Album|publisher=HotNewHipHop|date=July 27, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035646/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nas-swizz-beatz-and-rza-are-laying-foundations-for-a-new-nas-album-news.55975.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47818/title.nas-confirms-nasir-follow-up-is-coming|title=Nas Confirms "NASIR" Follow-Up Is Coming|magazine=HipHopDX|date=July 27, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035645/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47818/title.nas-confirms-nasir-follow-up-is-coming|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/nas-nasir-follow-up-out-soon|title=Nas Says His 'NASIR' Follow-Up Will Be Out Soon|magazine=Complex|date=July 27, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181924/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/nas-nasir-follow-up-out-soon|url-status=live}}</ref> This project was released as ''[[The Lost Tapes 2]]'' on July 19, 2019, which included 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''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://hauteliving.com/2019/10/nas-is-finding-new-inspiration-from-the-lost-tapes-2/674792/ | title = Nas Is Finding New Inspiration From 'The Lost Tapes 2' | date = October 18, 2019 | access-date = September 17, 2020 | work = [[Haute Living]] | author = Laura Schreffler | archive-date = September 19, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200919062039/https://hauteliving.com/2019/10/nas-is-finding-new-inspiration-from-the-lost-tapes-2/674792/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

===2020–present: Collaborations with Hit-Boy and DJ Premier===
In August 2020, Nas announced that he would be releasing his 13th album. On August 13, he revealed the album's title, ''[[King's Disease]]''. The album, executive-produced by [[Hit-Boy]], was preceded by the lead single, "[[Ultra Black]]", a song detailing perseverance and pride "despite the system".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/nas-kings-disease-album-release-info-date-ultra-black-single-stream|title=Nas Announces New Album 'King's Disease' With Hit-Boy-Produced Single "Ultra Black"|website=[[Hypebeast (website)|Hypebeast]]|last=Caraan|first=Sophie|date=August 14, 2020|access-date=August 19, 2020|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426082630/https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/nas-kings-disease-album-release-info-date-ultra-black-single-stream|url-status=live}}</ref> The album won the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album]] at the [[63rd Annual Grammy Awards]], becoming Nas's first Grammy.<ref name="Revolt">{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jon |title=Nas wins his first Grammy for 'King's Disease' |url=https://www.revolt.tv/new-music/2021/3/14/22330639/nas-kings-disease-grammy |website=Revolt.tv |access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317232313/https://www.revolt.tv/new-music/2021/3/14/22330639/nas-kings-disease-grammy |url-status=live }}</ref> The sequel album, ''[[King's Disease II]]'', was released on August 6, 2021,<ref>{{cite web|title=Nas' New Album King's Disease II Features Ms. Lauryn Hill, Eminem, EPMD, and More|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/nas-new-album-kings-disease-ii-features-ms-lauryn-hill-eminem-epmd-and-more/|website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]]|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|date=August 3, 2021|access-date=August 3, 2021|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803200011/https://pitchfork.com/news/nas-new-album-kings-disease-ii-features-ms-lauryn-hill-eminem-epmd-and-more/|url-status=live}}</ref> and included the song "[[Nobody (Nas and Lauryn Hill song)|Nobody]]" featuring [[Lauryn Hill]]. ''King's Disease II'' debuted at number-three on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], becoming Nas's highest-charting album since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title="King's Disease II" Is Nas' Highest Performing Album In Nearly A Decade|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kings-disease-ii-is-nas-highest-performing-album-in-nearly-a-decade-news.137596.html?_amp|access-date=August 17, 2021|website=www.hotnewhiphop.com|date=August 16, 2021|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817004220/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kings-disease-ii-is-nas-highest-performing-album-in-nearly-a-decade-news.137596.html?_amp|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 24, Nas released the album ''[[Magic (Nas album)|Magic]]''. It is his third album executive produced by Hit-Boy, and includes guest appearances from [[ASAP Rocky]] and [[DJ Premier]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Nas Announces Surprise Project 'Magic' With Hit-Boy f/ ASAP Rocky and DJ Premier |url=https://www.complex.com/music/nas-hit-boy-magic-project-announcement-tracklist-features |website=Complex |access-date=December 23, 2021 |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226010904/https://www.complex.com/music/nas-hit-boy-magic-project-announcement-tracklist-features |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nas's third installment in the ''King's Disease'' series, ''[[King's Disease III]]'', was released the following year. Like its two predecessors, ''King's Disease III'' was mainly produced by Hit-Boy; however, it was notably Nas's first studio album to forgo any guest appearances from outside artists.<ref>{{Cite web  |date=November 17, 2022 |title=Hit-Boy Explains Why Nas' 'King's Disease 3' Has No Features |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/hit-boy-explains-nas-kings-disease-3-no-features |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> Upon release, ''King's Disease III'' would become one of the most critically acclaimed albums of Nas's career, becoming his highest-scoring new studio album on review aggregator [[Metacritic]] and receiving critical praise for the cohesion of Hit-Boy's production with Nas's storytelling and lyricism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nas |url=https://www.metacritic.com/person/nas |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=Metacritic |date=April 29, 2008 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Praising ''King's Disease III,'' British music publication [[NME]] stated that Nas, "three decades in, [is] still a force to be reckoned with", while Marcus Shorter of [[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] would write that the album was Nas's and Hit-Boy's "most focused and confident collaboration" and that Nas was "at peace with his legacy, life, and the fact that old age is inevitable".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Niall |date=November 14, 2022 |title=Nas – 'King's Disease III' review: hip-hop great delivers compelling conclusion to his album trilogy |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/nas-kings-disease-iii-review-hit-boy-3348759 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204132104/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/nas-kings-disease-iii-review-hit-boy-3348759 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ginsberg |first=Gab |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Nas' King's Disease III Saves the Best for Last: Album Review |url=https://consequence.net/2022/11/kings-disease-iii-review-nas/ |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317071830/https://consequence.net/2022/11/kings-disease-iii-review-nas/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 12, 2023, Nas announced the 3rd installment to the ''Magic'' album series, ''Magic 3'', which would be released two days later, on his 50th birthday,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Nas Announces "Magic 3" Release Date |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/712169-nas-magic-3-release |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913195733/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/712169-nas-magic-3-release |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=www.hotnewhiphop.com |language=en}}</ref> and stated it would be his sixth and final collaboration with [[Hit-Boy]] on an album.<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Andrew |title=Nas and Hit-Boy Take Victory Lap With Final Collab Album 'Magic 3' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/andrewwhitefreelancer/nas-magic-3-hit-boy-final-collab-album |access-date=October 13, 2024 |work=Complex |date=September 15, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910215620/https://www.complex.com/music/a/andrewwhitefreelancer/nas-magic-3-hit-boy-final-collab-album |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Jaelani Turner |title=Nas & Hit-Boy Announce Surprise Collaborative Album 'Magic 3' is Dropping Thursday – Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/nas-and-hit-boy-interview |access-date=October 13, 2024 |work=Okayplayer |date=September 12, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213163322/https://www.okayplayer.com/nas-and-hit-boy-interview |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 19, 2024, it was announced for the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, that Nas and [[DJ Premier]] would be releasing their [[Light-Years (Nas and DJ Premier album)|collaboration album]] in late 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Nas & DJ Premier Announce Long-Awaited Joint Album, Drop First Single 'Define My Name' |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/nas-dj-premier-announce-album-define-my-name |access-date=April 19, 2024 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en-US |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419102011/https://hiphopdx.com/news/nas-dj-premier-announce-album-define-my-name |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, he [[Executive producer|executive produced]] the 2024 [[concept album]] ''[[Warriors (Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis album)|Warriors]]'' by [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]] and [[Eisa Davis]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis on their 'Warriors' musical concept album with Lauryn Hill |url=https://apnews.com/article/linmanuel-miranda-eisa-davis-warriors-lauryn-hill-album-942ba5ca1e424f82ca55a91c938c6322 |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=September 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927201053/https://apnews.com/article/linmanuel-miranda-eisa-davis-warriors-lauryn-hill-album-942ba5ca1e424f82ca55a91c938c6322 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2025, Nas visited India again to perform at the Mass Appeal Presents: The World Reunion—A Charity Concert, hosted by Mass Appeal India, at The Nesco Center, in Mumbai. He was accompanied by various Indian-origin rappers, such as, Divine, [[Raftaar]], [[Ikka Singh|Ikka]], [[KR$NA]], [[King (singer)|King]], and [[Steel Banglez]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aurelius |first=Marcus |date=April 22, 2025 |title=Nas spends Easter weekend in India |url=https://liftedasia.com/article/nas-india |access-date=April 28, 2025 |website=LIFTED Asia |archive-date=August 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250807165141/https://liftedasia.com/article/nas-india |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 16, 2025, Mass Appeal Records announced a series titled ''Legend Has It...'', which featured seven albums coming in 2025, from Nas & DJ Premier, [[Ghostface Killah]], [[Raekwon]], [[Mobb Deep]], [[De La Soul]], [[Big L]], and [[Slick Rick]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Carol |date=April 16, 2025 |title=Mass Appeal Announces "Legend Has It" Series Featuring New Albums From Nas, De La Soul & More |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/902892-mass-appeal-legend-has-it-hip-hop-news |access-date=April 16, 2025 |website=Hot New Hip Hop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 15, 2025 |title=Slick Rick Announces First New Album In 26 Years, Produced With Idris Elba |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2308134/slick-rick-announces-first-new-album-in-26-years-produced-with-idris-elba/news/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Stereogum}}</ref> On October 7, 2025, Nas revealed in an interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', that he and Premier recorded older songs that date back when the project was announced, which would be included for the album.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=October 7, 2025 |title=Nas Wants the World to See Hip-Hop Legends as Superheroes |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/nas-legend-has-it-comic-books-dj-premier-album-1235441737/ |access-date=October 26, 2025 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> On November 20, 2025, Premier revealed at a [[Bristol]] concert with fellow producer [[The Alchemist (musician)|The Alchemist]] that the album, concluding the ''Legend Has It...'' series, would be released on December 12<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gee |first1=Andre |title=DJ Premier Announces Release Date For His Album With Nas |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dj-premier-nas-release-date-1235469630/ |access-date=20 November 2025 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=November 20, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1991336195046142328 |user=ObiTriceKenobi |title=Apparently @REALDJPREMIER confirmed at a Alchemist/Premier show tonight that the Nas/DJ premier album is coming on 12/12}}</ref> and the album's title, [[Light-Years (Nas and DJ Premier album)|''Light-Years'']], and the album cover was revealed on November 25, 2025, via Nas' Instagram.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=November 25, 2025 |title=Nas and DJ Premier Announce New Album Light-Years |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/nas-and-dj-premier-announce-new-album-light-years/ |access-date=November 25, 2025 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref>

==Artistry==
Nas has been praised for his ability to create a "devastating match between lyrics and production" by journalist [[Peter Shapiro (journalist)|Peter Shapiro]], as well as creating a "potent evocation of life on the street", and he has even been compared to [[Rakim]] for his lyrical technique. In his book ''[[Book of Rhymes|Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop]]'' (2009), writer Adam Bradley states, "Nas is perhaps contemporary rap's greatest innovator in storytelling. His catalog includes songs narrated before birth ('Fetus') and after death ('Amongst Kings'), biographies ('UBR [Unauthorized Biography of Rakim]') and autobiographies ('Doo Rags'), allegorical tales ('Money Is My Bitch') and epistolary ones ('One Love'), he's rapped in the voice of a woman ('Sekou Story') and even of a gun ('I Gave You Power')."<ref>{{harvnb|Bradley|2009|p=173}}</ref> [[Robert Christgau]] writes that "Nas has been transfiguring <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[gangsta rap]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> since ''Illmatic''".<ref>{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=August 2008|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2008-08.php|title=Consumer Guide|publisher=[[MSN Music]]|access-date=March 3, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303193935/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2008-08.php|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kool Moe Dee]] notes that Nas has an "off-beat conversational flow" in his book ''[[There's a God on the Mic]]'' – he says: "before Nas, every [[MC]] focused on rhyming with a cadence that ultimately put the words that rhymed on beat with the [[snare drum]]. Nas created a style of [[rapping]] that was more conversational than ever before".<ref>{{harvnb|Dee|2003|p=248}}</ref>

[[O.C. (rapper)|OC]] of [[D.I.T.C.]] comments in the book ''[[How to Rap]]'': "Nas did the song backwards ['Rewind']... that was a brilliant idea".<ref>{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=30}}</ref> Also in ''[[How to Rap]]'', [[2Mex]] of [[The Visionaries]] describes Nas's flow as "effervescent",<ref>{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=73}}</ref> [[Rah Digga]] says Nas's lyrics have "intricacy",<ref>{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=81}}</ref> [[Bootie Brown]] of [[The Pharcyde]] explains that Nas does not always have to make words rhyme as he is "charismatic",<ref>{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=94}}</ref> and Nas is also described as having a "densely packed"<ref>{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|pp=74–75}}</ref> flow, with [[compound rhymes]] that "run over from one beat into the next or even into another bar".<ref>{{harvnb|Edwards|2009|p=108}}</ref>

On March 15, 2012, Nas became the first rapper to have a personal verified account on [[Genius (website)|Genius]], where he explains his own lyrics and occasionally comments on lyrics from other rappers he admires.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nas's profile |url=http://rapgenius.com/Nas |access-date=April 11, 2014 |website=Rapgenius.com |archive-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411153201/http://rapgenius.com/Nas |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 15, 2012 |title=Nas Interview: why Nas wants to explain his own lyrics on Rap Genius |url=http://rapgenius.com/posts/Nas-interview-why-nas-wants-to-explain-his-own-lyrics-on-rap-genius |access-date=April 11, 2014 |website=Rapgenius.com |archive-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115181900/http://rapgenius.com/posts/Nas-interview-why-nas-wants-to-explain-his-own-lyrics-on-rap-genius |url-status=live }}</ref>

About.com ranked him 1st on their list 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 (magazine)|The Source]]'' ranked him No. 2 on their list of the ''Top 50 Lyricists of All Time''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Source's Top 50 Lyricists of All Time **Complete List Inside**|url=http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside|publisher=ThisIs50|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000719/http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside/|archive-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> In 2013, Nas was ranked fourth on MTV's "Hottest MCs in the Game" list.<ref name="03/12/2013 10:30:00">{{cite web |url=http://mtv.com/news/articles/1703129/hottest-mcs-2013-nas.jhtml |title=Nas Finally Breaks Through To 'Hottest MCs' At No. 4 |publisher=MTV.com |date=March 6, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2013 |archive-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331125808/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1703129/hottest-mcs-2013-nas.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> His debut, ''Illmatic'', is widely considered among the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.<ref name="Acclaimed -MTV">{{cite web|title=MTV.com: List – #2 Illmatic |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index10.jhtml |publisher=MTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206225228/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index10.jhtml |archive-date=December 6, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106061919/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2007 |title=Music News: Latest and Breaking Music News |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=April 11, 2014}}</ref> 

In July 2013, [[Harvard University]] established the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship as part of the Hip-Hop Archives and [[W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute]], to fund scholars and artists who show potential and creativity in the arts in connection to hip-hop.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Coulehan |first=Erin |date=July 16, 2013 |title=Harvard Establishes a Nas Hip-Hop Fellowship &#124; Music News |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/harvard-establishes-a-nas-hip-hop-fellowship-20130716 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-date=September 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917000943/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/harvard-establishes-a-nas-hip-hop-fellowship-20130716 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 12, 2019, Nas was honored by ''[[Haute Living]]'', along with [[Watches of Switzerland]] and [[Hennessy]], in a celebratory affair that included a violin rendition of iconic Nas songs performed by [[Edward W. Hardy]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mastrandrea |first1=Paige |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Haute Living's Nas Cover Launch With Watches Of Switzerland |work=Haute Living |url=https://hauteliving.com/2019/11/haute-livings-nas-cover-launch-watches-of-switzerland/675904/ |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815163123/https://hauteliving.com/2019/11/haute-livings-nas-cover-launch-watches-of-switzerland/675904/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mastrandrea |first1=Paige |date=January 20, 2020 |title=Q&A With Composer And Musician, Edward W. Hardy |work=Haute Living |url=https://hauteliving.com/2020/01/qa-with-composer-and-musician-edward-w-hardy/680518/ |quote=Another highlight was performing for Nas at his Watches of Switzerland and Haute Living event last year... |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815163124/https://hauteliving.com/2020/01/qa-with-composer-and-musician-edward-w-hardy/680518/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Controversies and feuds==
===2Pac===
After [[Tupac Shakur|2Pac]] interpreted lines directed to the [[The Notorious B.I.G.|Notorious B.I.G.]] on Nas's 1996 album ''[[It Was Written]]'' to be aimed towards him, he attacked Nas on the track "Against All Odds" from ''[[The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory]]''. Nas himself later admitted he was brought to tears when he heard the diss because he idolized 2Pac.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wweek.com/music/2017/08/15/a-history-of-nas-greatest-beefs/|title=A History of Nas' Greatest Beefs|website=Wweek.com|date=August 16, 2017|access-date=February 5, 2019|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020630/https://www.wweek.com/music/2017/08/15/a-history-of-nas-greatest-beefs/|url-status=live}}</ref> The two later met in [[Bryant Park]] after the [[1996 MTV Video Music Awards]] and ended their feud, with 2Pac promising to remove any disses aimed at Nas from the official album release; however, 2Pac was shot four times in [[Murder of Tupac Shakur|a drive-by shooting]] in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], three days later on September 7, dying of his wounds on September 13, before any edits to the album could be made.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stopthebreaks.com/gems/2pac-nas-squashed-beef/|title=Hip-Hop Gem: 2Pac & Nas Squashed Their Beef Before Pac's Death – Stop The Breaks {{!}} Independent Music Grind|language=en-US|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425055834/https://www.stopthebreaks.com/gems/2pac-nas-squashed-beef/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-06-07-nas-tupac|title=Nas Explains Why Tupac Was a One-of-a-Kind Artist|last=Zisook|first=Brian "Z"|work=DJBooth|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425075214/https://djbooth.net/features/2017-06-07-nas-tupac|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Jay-Z===
Initially friends, Nas and Jay-Z had met a number of times in the 1990s with no animosity between the two. Jay-Z requested that Nas appear on his 1996 album ''[[Reasonable Doubt (album)|Reasonable Doubt]]'' on the track "Bring it On"; however, Nas never showed up to the studio and was not included on the album. In response to this, Jay-Z asked producer Ski Beatz to sample a line from Nas's song "[[The World Is Yours (Nas song)|The World is Yours]]", with the sample featured heavily in what went on to be "[[Dead Presidents (song)|Dead Presidents]]". The two traded subliminal responses for the next couple of years, until the beef was escalated further in 2001 after Jay-Z publicly addressed Nas at the [[Summer Jam (festival)|Summer Jam]], performing what would go on to be known as "[[Takeover (Jay-Z song)|Takeover]]", ending the performance by saying "ask Nas, he don't want it with Hov". After Jay-Z eventually released the song on his 2001 album [[The Blueprint|''The Blueprint'']], Nas responded with the song "[[Ether (song)|Ether]]", from his album ''[[Stillmatic]]'', with both fans and critics saying that the song had effectively saved Nas's career and marked his return to prominence, and almost unanimously agreeing Nas had won their feud. Jay-Z responded with a freestyle over the instrumental to Nas's "[[Got Ur Self a Gun]]", known as "Supa Ugly". In the song, Jay-Z makes reference to Nas's girlfriend and daughter, going into graphic detail about having an affair with his girlfriend.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.liveabout.com/jay-z-vs-nas-story-behind-the-feud-2857354|title=Jay-Z vs. Nas: The Real Story Behind the Feud|website=Liveabout.com|access-date=April 13, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804052837/https://www.liveabout.com/jay-z-vs-nas-story-behind-the-feud-2857354|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="npr">{{cite web|date=February 13, 2013|url=http://slumz.boxden.com/f87/feb-17-bleek-ether-gloomy-day-jay-saying-s-t-s-hot-860019/|title=BLEEK ON ETHER:"IT WAS A GLOOMY DAY"|website=Slumz.boxden.com|access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2014/12/11/today-marks-the-anniversary-of-the-rap-beef-between-jay-z-nas/|title=The Source &#124;Today Marks The Anniversary Of The Rap Beef Between Jay-Z & Nas|first=Omari|last=White|website=Thesource.com|date=December 12, 2014|access-date=April 13, 2020|archive-date=March 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307203843/https://thesource.com/2014/12/11/today-marks-the-anniversary-of-the-rap-beef-between-jay-z-nas/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-10-wildest-rap-beefs-of-all-time-233953/|title=The 10 Wildest Rap Beefs of All Time|first1=Jeff|last1=Rosenthal|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=August 15, 2013|access-date=April 13, 2020|archive-date=May 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504202103/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-10-wildest-rap-beefs-of-all-time-233953/|url-status=live}}</ref> Jay-Z's mother was personally disgusted by the song, and demanded he apologise to Nas and his family, which he did in December 2001 on [[WQHT|Hot 97]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.591/title.jay-z-feud-with-nas-went-too-far|title=Jay-Z: Feud With Nas 'Went Too Far'|date=December 18, 2001|website=HipHopDX.com|access-date=April 13, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513000836/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.591/title.jay-z-feud-with-nas-went-too-far|url-status=live}}</ref> "Supa Ugly" marked the last direct diss song between Jay-Z and Nas, however, the two continued to trade subliminals on their subsequent releases. The feud was officially brought to an end in 2005, when Jay-Z and Nas performed on stage together in a surprise concert also featuring [[Sean Combs|P. Diddy]], [[Kanye West]] and [[Beanie Sigel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1512432/jay-z-and-nas-put-beef-to-sleep-in-onstage-show-of-unity/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308205734/http://www.mtv.com/news/1512432/jay-z-and-nas-put-beef-to-sleep-in-onstage-show-of-unity/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2015|title=Jay-Z And Nas Put Beef To Sleep In Onstage Show Of Unity|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|work=MTV News|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref> The following year, Nas signed with [[Def Jam Recordings]], of which Jay-Z then served as president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1521356/nas-signs-with-jay-z-according-to-report/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007031925/http://www.mtv.com/news/1521356/nas-signs-with-jay-z-according-to-report/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 7, 2015|title=Nas Signs With Jay-Z, According To Report|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|work=MTV News|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref>

===Cam'ron===
After Nas was removed from the 2002 [[Summer Jam (festival)|Summer Jam]] lineup due to allegedly planning to perform the song ''[[Ether (song)|Ether]]'' while a mock [[lynching]] of a Jay-Z [[effigy]] took place behind him, [[Cam'ron]] was announced as a last minute replacement and headlined the show instead. Nas appeared on [[Power 105.1]] days later and addressed a number of fellow artists, including [[Nelly]], [[N.O.R.E.|Noreaga]] and Cam'ron himself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1455448/nas-a-no-show-at-summer-jam-denies-planned-mock-lynching-of-jay-z/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113034025/http://www.mtv.com/news/1455448/nas-a-no-show-at-summer-jam-denies-planned-mock-lynching-of-jay-z/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2016|title=Nas A No-Show At Summer Jam, Denies Planned Mock Lynching Of Jay-Z|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|work=MTV News|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref> Nas praised Cam'ron as a good lyricist, but branded his album ''[[Come Home With Me]]'' as "wack".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1455880/nas-calls-camron-a-dummy-retracts-call-to-steal-funkmaster-flexs-chain/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805000656/http://www.mtv.com/news/1455880/nas-calls-camron-a-dummy-retracts-call-to-steal-funkmaster-flexs-chain/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 5, 2015|title=Nas Calls Cam'ron A 'Dummy,' Retracts Call To Steal Funkmaster Flex's Chain|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|work=MTV News|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2019}}</ref> After Cam'ron heard of Nas's words, he appeared on [[Funkmaster Flex]]'s Hot 97 and performed a freestyle diss over the beat to Nas's "[[Hate Me Now]]", making reference to Nas's mother, baby mother and daughter. Nas did not respond directly but appeared on the radio days later, calling Cam'ron a "dummy" for supposedly being used by Hot 97 to generate ratings. Nas eventually responded on his 2002 album ''[[God's Son (album)|God's Son]]'' on the song "Zone Out", claiming Cam'ron had [[HIV/AIDS in the United States|HIV]]. Cam'ron and the rest of [[The Diplomats]], specifically [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]] continued to attack Nas throughout 2003, on numerous [[mixtape]]s, albums and radio freestyles, however, the feud between the two slowly died down and they eventually reconciled in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalgrind.cassiuslife.com/3933334/the-history-of-nas-and-camron-beef-list-details/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190207030749/https://globalgrind.cassiuslife.com/3933334/the-history-of-nas-and-camron-beef-list-details/|archive-date = February 7, 2019|title = HOW DID IT HAPPEN? Looking Back on How the Nas & Cam'ron Beef Popped off (LIST)| work=Global Grind |date = February 20, 2014}}</ref>

===Young Jeezy===
After Nas blamed [[Southern hip-hop]] as the cause of the perceived artistic decline of the genre on his 2006 single "[[Hip Hop Is Dead (song)|Hip Hop Is Dead]]", from the [[Hip Hop Is Dead|album of the same name]], his then-[[Def Jam]] labelmate [[Jeezy|Young Jeezy]] took offense by claiming that Nas had "no street credibility" and vowing his album ''[[Thug Motivation 102: The Inspiration|The Inspiration]]'' would outsell ''Hip Hop is Dead'', which were released one week apart from each other in December 2006. After failing to do so,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/bloggers/2006/12/nas-ethers-jeezys-1st-week/|title=Nas Ethers Jeezy's 1st Week|website=XXL Mag|date=December 27, 2006|access-date=April 13, 2020|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225140329/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/bloggers/2006/12/nas-ethers-jeezys-1st-week/|url-status=live}}</ref> Young Jeezy took back his disses towards Nas, and the two later collaborated on the 2008 hit single "[[My President]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jeezy (Ft. Nas) – My President|url=https://genius.com/Jeezy-my-president-lyrics|website=Genius.com|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331042823/https://genius.com/Jeezy-my-president-lyrics|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Lijadu Sisters===
On his 2006 mixtape, ''The Prophecy, Vol 2: The Beginning of the N,'' Nas had a track titled "Life's Gone Low". It was a substantial sampling of "Life's Gone Down Low", a song released by Nigerian musician twins [[Lijadu Sisters]] in their 1976 ''Danger'' album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Awosika |first=Tomisin |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Who Were the Lijadu Sisters? |url=https://republic.com.ng/gender/who-were-the-lijadu-sisters/ |access-date=May 8, 2023 |website=The Republic |language=en-GB |archive-date=May 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508215522/https://republic.com.ng/gender/who-were-the-lijadu-sisters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nas lifted vocal [[Hook (music)|hooks]] and the entire beats from the duo's work. Nas neither obtained clearance nor did he credit the Sisters for the reuse. Reacting to the issue, the Lijadu Sisters were reported to have said: "We can't forgive him," but "If other people want to use your stuff, that tells that you did something good."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hutchinson |first=Kate |date=November 12, 2019 |title=The Lijadu Sisters: the Nigerian twins who fought the elite with funk |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/nov/12/lijadu-sisters-kehinde-taiwo-lijadu-nigeria-pop-music |access-date=May 8, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Bill O'Reilly and Virginia Tech controversy===
On September 6, 2007, Nas performed at a free concert for the [[Virginia Tech]] student body and faculty, following the [[Virginia Tech shooting|school shooting there]]. He was joined by [[John Mayer]], [[Alan Jackson]], [[Phil Vassar]], and [[Dave Matthews Band]].<ref name="vt.edu">[http://www.vt.edu/concert/ A Concert For Virginia Tech] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823205848/http://www.vt.edu/concert/ |date=August 23, 2007 }}. The Virginia Tech massacre; the bloodiest school massacre in American history, had taken place earlier that year, on April 16, 2007, when student Seung-Hui Cho, killed thirty-two people and wounded more, before committing suicide. Vt.edu. Retrieved August 1, 2007.</ref> When announced that Nas was to perform, political commentator [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] and [[Fox News]] denounced the concert and called for Nas's removal, citing "violent" lyrics on songs such as "Shoot 'Em Up", "Got Urself a Gun", and "Made You Look". During his "Talking Points Memo" segment for August 15, 2007, an argument erupted in which O'Reilly claimed that it was not only Nas's lyrical content that made him inappropriate for the event, citing the gun conviction on Nas's [[criminal record]].<ref>{{cite web|title=October 2007|url=http://www.radioswisspop.ch/en/music-database/musician/11133fec98642f34fc235ab06486e342c531a/biography|website=Radioswisspop.ch|access-date=October 20, 2016|archive-date=October 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021011226/http://www.radioswisspop.ch/en/music-database/musician/11133fec98642f34fc235ab06486e342c531a/biography|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On September 6, 2007, during his set at "A Concert for Virginia Tech", Nas twice referred to Bill O'Reilly as "a chump", prompting loud cheers by members of the crowd. About two weeks later, Nas was interviewed by Shaheem Reid of MTV News, where he criticised O'Reilly, calling him uncivilized and willing to go to extremes for publicity.<ref>Reid, Shaheem; Rodriguez, Jayson; Dukes, Rahman; Kash, Tim. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071001095939/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/091707/ Mixtape Monday: Nas Sounds Off On Bill O'Reilly (Again!); Havoc Finally Drops The Kush]. MTV: September 17, 2007</ref> Responding to O'Reilly, Nas, in an interview with [[MTV News]], said:
{{blockquote|He doesn't understand the younger generation. He deals with the past. The people he represents are Republican, older, a generation that has nothing to do with the reality of what's happening now with my generation. ... He's not really on my radar. People like him are supposed to be taught and people like me are supposed to let niggas like him know. I don't take him serious. His shit is all about getting facts twisted or whatever. I wouldn't honor anything Bill O'Reilly has to say. It just shows you what bloodsuckers like him do: They abuse something like the Virginia Tech tragedy for show ratings. You can't talk to a person like that.<ref>Reid, Shaheem. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214051308/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1569047/20070906/nas.jhtml?rsspartner=rssMozilla Nas Slams Bill O'Reilly Over Virginia Tech Comments]. MTV: September 6, 2007.</ref>}}

On July 23, 2008, Nas appeared on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' to discuss his opinion of O'Reilly and Fox News, which he accused of [[Media bias|bias]] against the African-American community and re-challenged O'Reilly to a debate.<ref name="Colbert" /> During the appearance, Nas sat on boxes of more than 625,000 signatures gathered by online advocacy organisation [[Color of Change]] in support of a petition accusing Fox of [[Race baiting|race-baiting]] and fear-mongering.<ref name="Colbert">{{cite episode|title=Episode 04093 |url=http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/176358/july-23-2008/nas-pt--1 |series=The Colbert Report |series-link=The Colbert Report |network=Comedy Central |air-date=July 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116184558/http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/176358/july-23-2008/nas-pt--1 |archive-date=January 16, 2014 }}</ref>

===Doja Cat===
In 2020, after [[Doja Cat]] faced accusations of participating in racist conversations on the internet, Nas referenced her in his song "[[Ultra Black (Nas song)|Ultra Black]]"; in the song, Nas describes himself as "unapologetically black, the opposite of Doja Cat". The response to the lyric was mixed, with some defending his right to criticize her, and others resurfacing allegations that he verbally abused his ex-wife, [[Kelis]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tenbarge|first=Kat|title=Nas took aim at Doja Cat in his latest song, calling her 'the opposite' of 'unapologetically Black,' referencing her presence in fringe chat rooms|url=https://www.insider.com/nas-doja-cat-music-song-ultra-black-lyrics-racist-cancelled-2020-8|access-date=February 8, 2021|website=Insider}}</ref> Doja Cat shrugged off the namedrop, jokingly referencing the lyric in a [[TikTok]] video.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2020|title=Doja Cat shrugs off Nas' diss on 'Ultra Black'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-responds-to-nas-diss-ultra-black-2730084|access-date=February 8, 2021|website=NME {{!}} Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News|language=en-GB|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226032133/https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-responds-to-nas-diss-ultra-black-2730084|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with [[Fat Joe]], Doja Cat said that she has no interest in "beefing" with Nas saying  "I fucking love Nas, thank fucking god he noticed me. I love Nas. So I don't give a shit. He can say whatever he wants. I really don't care".<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 12, 2020|title=Doja Cat says "you will never see me beef with Nas" over 'Ultra Black' diss|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-never-see-beef-nas-ultra-black-diss-2751409|access-date=February 8, 2021|website=NME {{!}} Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News|language=en-GB|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116152000/https://www.nme.com/news/music/doja-cat-never-see-beef-nas-ultra-black-diss-2751409|url-status=live}}</ref> Nas later claimed that the line was not meant to be perceived as a "diss", and that he was "just trying to find another word that worked with the scheme of the song."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Cherise|date=August 22, 2020|title=Nas explains Doja Cat line on "Ultra Black"|url=https://www.revolt.tv/news/2020/8/22/21397444/nas-explains-doja-cat-line-ultra-black|access-date=February 8, 2021|website=REVOLT|language=en|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214225337/https://www.revolt.tv/news/2020/8/22/21397444/nas-explains-doja-cat-line-ultra-black|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Business ventures==
On April 10, 2013, Nas invested an undisclosed six-figure sum into [[Mass Appeal Magazine|''Mass Appeal'' magazine]], where he went on to serve as the publication's associate publisher, joined by creative firm Decon and White Owl Capital Partners.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23540/title.nas-invests-six-figure-sum-in-mass-appeal-magazine | title=Nas Invests Six-Figure Sum in Mass Appeal Magazine | publisher=HiphopDX | date=April 10, 2013 | access-date=April 25, 2013 | first=Jake | last=Paine | archive-date=April 17, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417025733/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23540/title.nas-invests-six-figure-sum-in-mass-appeal-magazine | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/04/10/all-i-need-is-one-mag-nas-invests-in-mass-appeal-media/ | title=All I Need Is One Mag: Nas Invests In Mass Appeal Media | magazine=Forbes | date=April 10, 2013 | access-date=April 25, 2013 | first=Zack O'Malley |last=Greenburg}}</ref> In May 2013, it was announced that Nas would open a sneaker store in Las Vegas called 12&nbsp;am RUN (pronounced Midnight Run) as part of [[The LINQ]] retail development,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nas is Opening a Sneaker Store in Las Vegas |url=http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2013/05/nas-is-opening-a-sneaker-store-in-las-vegas |magazine=Complex |access-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208181353/http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2013/05/nas-is-opening-a-sneaker-store-in-las-vegas |url-status=live }}</ref> with it opening the following month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/nas-launching-new-sneaker-store-las-vegas |title=Nas Launching New Sneaker Store in Las Vegas |publisher=Vibe |date=June 5, 2013 |access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://thesource.com/2013/06/05/nas-to-open-sneaker-store-in-las-vegas/ |title=Nas To Open Sneaker Store in Las Vegas |date=June 5, 2013 |publisher=TheSource |access-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020070346/http://thesource.com/2013/06/05/nas-to-open-sneaker-store-in-las-vegas/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nas has a partnership with [[Hennessy]] and worked on their "Wild Rabbit" campaign.<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Brennan|title=Nas Reveals New Album Details, Business Ventures & More|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/18/nas-new-album-nasir-jones_n_4122025.html|work=Huffington Post|access-date=March 4, 2014|date=October 18, 2013|archive-date=April 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402092906/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/18/nas-new-album-nasir-jones_n_4122025.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2013, he invested in a technology startup company, a job search appmaker called Proven.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nas-invests-proven-20131002,0,3067395.story | title=Rapper Nas invests in San Francisco job-search app-maker Proven | newspaper=LA Times | access-date=October 6, 2013 | first=Ryan | last=Faughnder | date=October 4, 2013 | archive-date=October 6, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006040401/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nas-invests-proven-20131002,0,3067395.story | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Nas invested as part of a $2.8M round in viral video startup ViralGains another addition to Queens-bridge venture partners portfolio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qbvp.com/|website=Qeensbridge venture partners|title=Investment Fund|access-date=August 2, 2015|archive-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810083353/http://qbvp.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/08/01/this-video-advertising-startup-just-raised-2-8m-to-do-its-thing-in-more-places | title=This video advertising startup just raised $2.8M to do its thing in more places | publisher=VentureBeat | access-date=August 1, 2014 | first=Larry | last=Zhou | date=August 1, 2014 | archive-date=August 2, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802055406/http://venturebeat.com/2014/08/01/this-video-advertising-startup-just-raised-2-8m-to-do-its-thing-in-more-places/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2014, Nas partnered with job placement startup Koru to fund a scholarship for 10 college graduates to go through Koru's training program. Nas will also be joining the startup as a guest coach.<ref>Jack Smith IV. [http://betabeat.com/2014/05/rapper-nas-teams-up-with-koru-to-sponsor-even-more-tech-scholarships/ Rapper Nas Teams Up With Koru To Sponsor Even More Tech Scholarships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602084320/http://betabeat.com/2014/05/rapper-nas-teams-up-with-koru-to-sponsor-even-more-tech-scholarships/ |date=June 2, 2014 }}. ''Betabeat''. May 28, 2014.</ref> Nas is a co-owner of a Cloud-based service LANDR, an automated, drag-and-drop digital audio postproduction tool which automates "mastering", the final stage in audio production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/index.php/news/read/nas-pete-tong-warner-invest-in-landr/062247|website=Music Week|title=Nas, Pete Tong, Warner invest in LANDR|first=Coral|last=Williamson|date=July 8, 2012|access-date=August 2, 2015|archive-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318194836/https://www.musicweek.com/news/read/nas-pete-tong-warner-invest-in-landr/062247|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2015, Nas joined forces with New York City soul food restaurant Sweet Chick.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/tony-triumph/superstar-rapper-nas-says_b_7607030.html | title=Rapper Nas Is Bringing New Flavor to Sweet Chick NYC | work=Huffington Post | date=July 18, 2015 | access-date=January 17, 2016 | first=Tony | last=Triumph | archive-date=December 8, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208095509/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tony-triumph/superstar-rapper-nas-says_b_7607030.html | url-status=live }}</ref> He plans to expand the restaurant brand nationally.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6598332/nas-chicken-waffles-sweet-chick-expansion | title=Nas Teams With Chicken & Waffles Joint Sweet Chick to 'Expand the Brand Nationally' | magazine=Billboard | date=July 17, 2015 | access-date=January 17, 2016 | first=Marc | last=Schneider | archive-date=February 2, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202080043/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6598332/nas-chicken-waffles-sweet-chick-expansion | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://massappeal.com/nas-talks-chicken-and-waffles-business-venture-sweet-chick/ | title=Nas Talks New Chicken and Waffles Business Venture With 'Sweet Chick' | publisher=Mass Appeal | access-date=January 17, 2016 | first=Levi | last=Felder | archive-date=April 1, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401052612/http://massappeal.com/nas-talks-chicken-and-waffles-business-venture-sweet-chick/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://theboombox.com/nas-wants-to-bring-sweet-chick-soul-food-to-your-plate/ | title=Nas Wants to Bring Sweet Chick Soul Food to Your Plate | date=June 18, 2015 | access-date=January 17, 2016 | first=Sowmya | last=Krishnamurthy | archive-date=January 2, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102000051/http://theboombox.com/nas-wants-to-bring-sweet-chick-soul-food-to-your-plate/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ourhealthhomelife.com/madamenoire/542918/nas-chicken-waffles/|title=Rapper Nas Teams Up With Chicken & Waffles Spot, Sweet Chick, in New York City|date=June 26, 2015|publisher=Madamnoire|access-date=August 2, 2015|first=Kimberly|last=Gedeon|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924062536/http://www.ourhealthhomelife.com/madamenoire/542918/nas-chicken-waffles/|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> The Los Angeles location opened in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nas-opens-sweet-chick-restaurant-in-los-angeles-news.31498.html| title= Nas Opens Sweet Chick Restaurant In Los Angeles| publisher= Hot New Hip Hop| date= April 20, 2017| first= Mitch| last= Findlay| access-date= August 15, 2017| archive-date= August 15, 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170815062748/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nas-opens-sweet-chick-restaurant-in-los-angeles-news.31498.html| url-status= live}}</ref> He owns his own clothing line called HSTRY.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hstryclothing.com/|website=HSTRY Clothing|title=New Arrivals|access-date=August 2, 2015|archive-date=July 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716001453/http://www.hstryclothing.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2018, Nas was paid $40&nbsp;million after [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] acquired the doorbell company [[Ring Inc.]] as well as [[PillPack]] – the latter of which he invested in via his investment firm, Queensbridge Venture Partners.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Copeland |first1=Corey |title=Nas Cashes In On Another Deal With Amazon |url=https://thesource.com/2018/07/05/nas-cashes-in-on-another-deal-with-amazon/ |website=thesource.com |date=July 5, 2018 |publisher=The Northstar Group |access-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804174040/https://thesource.com/2018/07/05/nas-cashes-in-on-another-deal-with-amazon/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Elijah C. |title=Another Nas-Backed Company Has Been Purchased By Amazon For $1 Billion |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/culture/nas-amazon-1-billion-pillpack.html |website=okayplayer.com |date=July 5, 2018 |publisher=Okayplayer |access-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804104541/https://www.okayplayer.com/culture/nas-amazon-1-billion-pillpack.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He has continued to invest heavily in technology startups including [[Dropbox (service)|Dropbox]], [[Lyft]], and [[Robinhood (Company)|Robinhood]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehustle.co/nas-investment-portfolio-is-straight-nasty|title=Nas' Investment Portfolio Is Straight Nasty|date=March 9, 2016|website=Thehustle.co|access-date=July 8, 2018|archive-date=June 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611075858/https://thehustle.co/nas-investment-portfolio-is-straight-nasty|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nas recently won a bid with [[Resorts World]] over a competing project by alleged rival [[Jay-Z]], to build a casino project in [[Queens]], New York.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Cole |date=2025-09-25 |title=Nas Responds To Winning New York's Casino War Against Jay-Z |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/951513-nas-breaks-silence-casino-bid-jay-z-rivalry-hip-hop-news |access-date=2025-10-10 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Nas is a spokesperson and mentor for P'Tones Records, a non-profit after-school music program with the mission "to create constructive opportunities for urban youth through no-cost music programs."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ptonesrecords.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105142238/http://www.ptonesrecords.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2007 |title=Home |publisher=PTones Records |access-date=April 11, 2014 }}</ref>

Nas grew up in a Christian [[Baptists|Southern Baptist]] family, and while not directly affiliated with any religious denomination, believes there to be a higher power.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/nas-mature-voice-hip-hop-wbna6786474 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508005207/https://www.today.com/popculture/nas-mature-voice-hip-hop-wbna6786474 |url-status=live |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |date=January 4, 2005 |title=Nas: The mature voice of hip-hop |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal Media Group]] |access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref>

Nas is a fan of his hometown baseball team the [[New York Mets]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Nasir |date=April 15, 2014 |title=Nasir Jones sports tweet |url=https://twitter.com/nas/status/456143361519284224?lang=en |website=Twitter.com |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-date=March 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315143614/https://twitter.com/nas/status/456143361519284224?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> and English soccer team [[Everton F.C.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Koncienzcy |first1=Rebecca |last2=Kay |first2=Dan |date=August 6, 2016 |title=Liverpool and Everton's most unlikely celebrity fans |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-evertons-most-unlikely-celebrity-11710854 |website=Liverpoolecho.co.uk |access-date=April 13, 2020 |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205212027/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-evertons-most-unlikely-celebrity-11710854 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2014 |title=Hi @Nas. Are you watching @TimHowardGK and our boys today? #EFCvAFCpic.twitter.com/S9UlELDVW2 |url=https://twitter.com/everton/status/503182241460412416 |website=Twitter.com |access-date=February 5, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308172932/https://twitter.com/everton/status/503182241460412416 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Relationships and family ===
In the spring of 2002, Nas lost his mother to cancer. She died in his arms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nas' Mother Died in His Arms |url=https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/musicnews/Rapper+Nas-236026.html |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=www.femalefirst.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925171354/https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/musicnews/Rapper%20Nas-236026.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On June 15, 1994, Nas's ex-fiancée, Carmen Bryan, gave birth to their daughter, Destiny.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Imani|date=December 11, 2006|title=Kiss and Tell: Carmen Bryan|work=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]|url=http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/kissandtellcarmenbryan|access-date=December 12, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113171435/http://www.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/kissandtellcarmenbryan|archive-date=January 13, 2009}}</ref><ref name="MTV">{{cite web|last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Nas's ex Spills The Beans, T.I. Beats The Bootleggers |work=MTV |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/012306/ |access-date=December 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911024358/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/012306/ |archive-date=September 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mooney|first=Paula|date=December 21, 2006|title=Carmen Bryan says Jay-Z and Nas Started the Public Diss-Fest|work=California Chronicle|url=http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/18262|access-date=December 12, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911144619/http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/18262|archive-date=September 11, 2011}}</ref>

In January 2005, Nas married [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] singer [[Kelis]] in [[Atlanta]] after a two-year relationship.<ref>{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Julie|date=January 10, 2005|title=Nas, Kelis Married|work=[[E!]]|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b48990_nas_kelis_married.html|access-date=December 11, 2008|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629154134/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b48990_nas_kelis_married.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=January 11, 2005|title=Nas, Kelis tie the knot in Atlanta|work=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-01-11-nas-kelis-wed_x.htm|access-date=December 11, 2008}}</ref> On April 30, 2009, a spokesperson confirmed that Kelis filed for divorce, citing [[irreconcilable differences]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/04/nas_and_kelis_divorce_confirmed/|title=Vibe Exclusive: Nas and Kelis' Divorce Confirmed|last=Murphy|first=Keith|date=April 30, 2009|work=Vibe|publisher=Vibe Media Group|access-date=May 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502091529/http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2009/04/nas_and_kelis_divorce_confirmed/|archive-date=May 2, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610426/20090430/nas.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504031727/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610426/20090430/nas.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 4, 2009|title=Kelis Files For Divorce From Nas|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=April 30, 2009|work=[[MTV News]]|access-date=May 3, 2009}}</ref> Kelis gave birth to Nas's first son on July 21, 2009. Nas announced the birth of his son, Knight, at a gig in [[Queens]], New York, against Kelis's wishes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/93260/nas|title=Nas Announces Son's Birth to Get Back at Kelis?|access-date=July 23, 2009|date=July 23, 2009|publisher=idiomag|archive-date=September 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918152513/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/93260/nas|url-status=live}}</ref> The birth was also announced by Nas via an online video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616720/20090722/nas.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723222529/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616720/20090722/nas.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2009|title=Nas Announces Birth of Son With Kelis in Online Video|last=Jayson |first=Rodriguez|date=July 22, 2009|publisher=mtv|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> The couple's divorce was finalized on May 21, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2010/05/24/nas-kelis-divorced/|title=Nas & Kelis – Officially Divorced!|website=TMZ|date=May 25, 2010|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205070633/http://www.tmz.com/2010/05/24/nas-kelis-divorced|url-status=live}}</ref> Their divorce was visually reflected in Nas's song, "Bye Baby", and in the music video with him holding his ex-wife's green wedding dress in a black leather chair, which would also be the backdrop of the album cover for ''Life Is Good'' (2012).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nas Explains Kelis' Wedding Dress On 'Life Is Good' Cover |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/881bng/nas-life-is-good-cover-kelis-wedding-dress |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925172850/https://www.mtv.com/news/881bng/nas-life-is-good-cover-kelis-wedding-dress |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Kelis accused Nas of being [[Domestic violence|physically and mentally abusive]] during their marriage.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kelis-interview-nas-hollywood-unlocked-8390284/|title=Kelis Accuses Nas of Being Physically Abusive During Their 5-Year Marriage|last=Lamarre|first=Carl|date=April 26, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 11, 2025|archive-date=August 12, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250812053210/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kelis-interview-nas-hollywood-unlocked-8390284/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nas replied to the accusations on social media, accusing Kelis of attempting to slander him in the time of a custody battle and accusing Kelis of abusing his daughter, Destiny.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thesource.com/2018/09/07/nas-writes-seven-part-series-of-instagram-posts-to-ex-wife-kelis/|title=Nas Writes Seven-Part Series of Instagram Posts to Ex-Wife Kelis|date=September 7, 2018|work=The Source|access-date=November 1, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110124004/http://thesource.com/2018/09/07/nas-writes-seven-part-series-of-instagram-posts-to-ex-wife-kelis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nas briefly dated [[Mary J. Blige]] and [[Nicki Minaj]].<ref name="MTV" />

In an October 2014 episode of [[PBS]]'s ''[[Finding Your Roots]]'', Nas learned about five generations of his ancestry. His great-great-great-grandmother, Pocahontas Little, was an enslaved woman who was sold for $830. When host [[Henry Louis Gates]] showed Nas her bill of sale and told him more about the man who bought her, Nas remarked that he is considering buying the land where the slave owner lived. Nas was also shown the marriage certificate of his great-great-great-grandmother, Pocahontas, and great-great-great-grandfather, Calvin.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |date=October 29, 2014 |title=Nas Learns About His Ancestors on PBS's "Finding Your Roots" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/57247-nas-learns-about-his-ancestors-on-pbs-finding-your-roots/ |access-date=October 29, 2014 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031143643/http://pitchfork.com/news/57247-nas-learns-about-his-ancestors-on-pbs-finding-your-roots/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 28, 2014 |title=Nas Researches His Ancestry And Finds The Man Who Enslaved His Family |website=Vibe.com |url=http://www.vibe.com/2014/10/nas-finding-your-roots |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref>

== Legal issues ==
In September 2009 the U.S. [[Internal Revenue Service]] filed a federal [[tax lien]] against Nas for over $2.5&nbsp;million, seeking unpaid taxes dating back to 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2009/10/19/nas-kelis-federal-tax-lien/ |title=Federal Tax Lien Against Nas |date=October 19, 2009 |website=Tmz.com |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-date=February 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208130138/https://www.tmz.com/2009/10/19/nas-kelis-federal-tax-lien/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By early 2011 this figure had ballooned to over $6.4&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nas-owes-the-irs-nearly-6-5-million-20110126 |title=Nas Owes the IRS Nearly $6.5 Million |date=January 26, 2011 |first=Matthew |last=Perpetua |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-date=June 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619211253/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nas-owes-the-irs-nearly-6-5-million-20110126 |url-status=live }}</ref> Early in 2012 reports emerged that the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]] had filed papers in Georgia to [[garnishment|garnish]] a portion of Nas's earnings from material published under [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]] and [[ASCAP]], until his delinquent tax bill is settled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bet.com/article/3lcm8a/irs-to-garnish-nas-s-wages |title=IRS to Garnish Nas's Wages |date=March 26, 2012 |website=Bet.com |access-date=July 13, 2024 |archive-date=June 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623020644/https://www.bet.com/article/3lcm8a/irs-to-garnish-nas-s-wages |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2012, Nas was involved in a dispute with a concert promoter in [[Angola]], having accepted $300,000 for a concert in [[Luanda]], Angola's capital for New Year's Eve and then not showing up. American promoter Patrick Allocco and his son, who arranged for Nas's concert, were detained at gunpoint and taken to an Angolan jail by the local promoter who fronted the $300,000 for the concert. Only after the U.S. Embassy intervened were the promoter and his son allowed to leave jail—but were placed under house arrest at their hotel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/after_rapper_nas_is_no-show_at.html |title=After rapper Nas is no-show at Angolan concert, N.J. father and son are detained in country |date=January 9, 2012 |first=Jessica |last=Calefati |access-date=January 10, 2012 |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601205247/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/after_rapper_nas_is_no-show_at.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By the end of the month Nas had returned all $300,000, and, after 49 days of travel ban, Allocco and his son were both released.<ref>[http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/concert-promoter-patrick-allocco-his-son-finally-free-after-being Concert Promoter Patrick Allocco & His Son Finally Free After Being Held In Angola For 49 Days Following No Show By Nas For Concert] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920025711/http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/concert-promoter-patrick-allocco-his-son-finally-free-after-being |date=September 20, 2016 }}. ThisIs50.com (February 18, 2012). Retrieved December 19, 2012.</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Nas discography}}
<!-- Per [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians/Article guidelines]], The discography section of the musician's primary article should "provide a summary of the musician's major works. In most cases, this is done using a simple list of their studio albums, leaving a complete listing of releases to the discography article." -->

'''Studio albums'''
{{div col}}
*''[[Illmatic]]'' (1994)
*''[[It Was Written]]'' (1996)
*''[[I Am... (Nas album)|I Am...]]'' (1999)
*''[[Nastradamus]]'' (1999)
*''[[Stillmatic]]'' (2001)
*''[[God's Son (album)|God's Son]]'' (2002)
*''[[Street's Disciple]]'' (2004)
*''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'' (2006)
*<!--Do not italicize title, it is an untitled album, not titled 'NAS'.-->[[Untitled Nas album|Untitled]] (2008)
*''[[Life Is Good (Nas album)|Life Is Good]]'' (2012) 
*''[[Nasir (album)|Nasir]]'' (2018)
*''[[King's Disease]]'' (2020)
*''[[King's Disease II]]'' (2021)
*''[[Magic (Nas album)|Magic]]'' (2021)
*''[[King's Disease III]]'' (2022)
*''[[Magic 2]]'' (2023)
*''[[Magic 3]]'' (2023)
{{div col end}}

'''Collaborative albums'''
*''[[The Album (The Firm album)|The Album]]'' (with [[The Firm (hip-hop group)|The Firm]]) (1997)
*''[[Distant Relatives]]'' (with [[Damian Marley]]) (2010)
*''[[Light-Years (Nas and DJ Premier album)|Light-Years]]''  (with [[DJ Premier]]) (2025)

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Belly (film)|Belly]]''
| Sincere
|
|-
| 1999
| ''[[In Too Deep (1999 film)|In Too Deep]]''
| Drug Dealer
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2001
| ''[[Ticker (2001 film)|Ticker]]''
| Det. Art "Fuzzy" Rice
|
|-
| ''Sacred is the Flesh''
| Isa Paige
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[John Q.]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Uptown Girls]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Black Nativity (film)|Black Nativity]]''
| Prophet Isaiah
|
|-
| 2014
| ''Waltz''
| Henchman 
| Short
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Monster (2018 film)|Monster]]''
| Raymond "Sunset" Green
| 
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Showtime at the Apollo|It's Showtime at the Apollo]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 10.3"
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Diary (American TV series)|Diary]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Diary of Nas"
|-
| 2004
| ''[[And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Back in the Day"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2005
| ''Driven''
| Himself
| Episode: "Nas"
|-
| ''The Life & Rhymes of...''
| Himself
| Episode: "Nas"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2010
| ''[[30 for 30]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "One Night in Vegas"
|-
| ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''
| Gordon Smith
| Episode: "Race"
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Behind the Music]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Nas"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2014
| ''The Tanning of America''
| Himself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| ''[[Finding Your Roots]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 2.6" & "2.10"
|-
| 2016
| ''Generation X''
| Himself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| 2016–17
| ''[[The Get Down]]''
| Narrator
| Main Narrator
|-
|rowspan=2| 2017
| ''[[American Epic (documentary)|American Epic]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Big Bang"
|-
| ''[[The Defiant Ones (TV series)|The Defiant Ones]]''
| Himself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Rapture (TV series)|Rapture]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Nas & Dave East: The Bridge"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2019
| ''[[Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "101"
|-
| ''[[Free Meek]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Trap"
|-
|rowspan=2| 2020
| ''[[You Ain't Got These]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Intro" & "Jordan"
|-
| ''[[The Last Dance (miniseries)|The Last Dance]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode V"
|-
|rowspan=4| 2022
| ''[[Soul of a Nation]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Sound of Freedom – A Juneteenth Celebration"
|-
| ''Origins of Hip Hop''
| Himself/Narrator
| Main Narrator
|-
| ''Supreme Team''
| Himself
| Main Guest
|-
| ''Murder Inc Records Docu''
| Himself
| Recurring Guest
|-
| 2023
| ''[[AP Dhillon|AP Dhillon: First of a Kind]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Episode 1.4"
|}

===Music Videos===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Song 
! Artist
|-
|rowspan=2| 1995
| "[[Survival of the Fittest (song)|Survival of the Fittest]]"
| [[Mobb Deep]]
|-
| "[[Live Niguz]]"
| [[Onyx (hip-hop group)|Onyx]]
|-
| 1999
| "[[Notorious B.I.G. (song)|Notorious B.I.G.]]"
| [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] featuring [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]] & [[Lil' Kim]]
|-
| 2000
| "[[It's So Hard (Big Pun song)|It's So Hard]]"
| [[Big Pun]] featuring [[Donell Jones]]
|-
| 2001
| "[[Bad Boy for Life]]"
| [[Sean Combs|P. Diddy]] featuring [[Black Rob]] & [[Mark Curry (rapper)|Mark Curry]]
|-
| 2006
| "[[Smack That]]"
| [[Akon]] featuring [[Eminem]]
|-
| 2012
| "[[Right by My Side]]"
| [[Nicki Minaj]] featuring [[Chris Brown]]
|}

===Documentary===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
|-
|rowspan=2| 2003
| ''[[Beef (film)|Beef]]''
|-
| ''Scarface: Origins of a Hip Hop Classic''
|-
|rowspan=2| 2011
| ''How Hip Hop Changed the World''
|-
| ''Re:Generation''
|-
|rowspan=2| 2012
| ''The Art of Rap: Something from Nothing''
|-
| ''Uprising: Hip Hop and the LA Riots''
|-
|rowspan=2| 2014
| ''[[Nas: Time Is Illmatic]]''
|-
| ''Hidden Colors 3: The Rules of Racism''
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives]]''
|-
|rowspan=3| 2016
| ''Hamilton's America''
|-
| ''[[I Am Bolt]]''
|-
| ''Coked Up!''
|-
|rowspan=3| 2017
| ''[[Quest (2017 film)|Quest]]''
|-
| ''Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story''
|-
| ''Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G.''
|-
| 2018
| ''Word Is Bond''
|-
|rowspan=2| 2021
| ''[[Mary J. Blige's My Life]]''
|-
| ''You're Watching Video Music Box''
|-
|rowspan=2| 2022
| ''[[Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues]]''
|-
| ''Coin''
|}

===Executive Producer===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Gully Boy]]''
|<ref name="hotnewhiphop">{{cite news |title=Nas Joins Divine, Naezy & Ranveer Singh For "NY Se Mumbai" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nas-joins-divine-naezy-and-ranveer-singh-for-ny-se-mumbai-new-song.1982047.html |access-date=March 1, 2019 |work=HotNewHipHop |date=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302025000/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nas-joins-divine-naezy-and-ranveer-singh-for-ny-se-mumbai-new-song.1982047.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="rollingstone">{{cite magazine |title=Hear Nas Jump In with Divine and Naezy on 'NY Se Mumbai' – |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/hear-nas-jump-divine-naezy-ny-se-mumbai/ |access-date=March 1, 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=February 12, 2019 |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302024732/https://rollingstoneindia.com/hear-nas-jump-divine-naezy-ny-se-mumbai/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

==Awards and nominations==

=== Berlin Music Video Awards ===
The [[Berlin Music Video Awards]] is a festival that promoted the art of music videos.
{{awards table}}
!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2023
| Ugly
| Best Editor
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://theemmys.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/news-44th-nominations-release-rev-20230918.pdf|title=Nominees Announced for the 44th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards|publisher=[[National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]]|page=116|date=July 27, 2023|access-date=September 24, 2023}}</ref>
|}
===Grammy Awards===
The Grammy Awards are held annually by the [[The Recording Academy|National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]. Nas has won one Grammy out of 17 nominations altogether.<ref name=Grammy>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/nas/5218|title=Nas|website=Grammy.com|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=September 24, 2023|archive-date=September 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920165007/https://www.grammy.com/artists/nas/5218|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{award table}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[39th Annual Grammy Awards|1997]]
| "[[If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance|Best Rap Solo Performance]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[42nd Annual Grammy Awards|2000]]
| ''[[I Am... (Nas album)|I Am...]]''
| [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[45th Grammy Awards|2003]]
| "[[One Mic]]"
| [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| "[[Aziatic|The Essence]]" <small>(with [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]])</small>
| rowspan="2" |[[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or a Group]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[50th Grammy Awards|2008]]
| "[[Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)|Better Than I've Ever Been]]" <small>(with [[Kanye West]] & [[KRS-One]])</small>
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'' 
| rowspan="2" |Best Rap Album
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[51st Grammy Awards|2009]]
| rowspan="1" | ''[[Untitled Nas album|Nas]]'' 
| {{nom}}
|-
| "[[N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)]]"
| Best Rap Solo Performance
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[52nd Grammy Awards|2010]]
| "[[Too Many Rappers]]" <small> (with [[Beastie Boys]]) </small>
| Best Rap Performance by a Duo or a Group
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[55th Grammy Awards|2013]]
|rowspan="2"|"[[Daughters (Nas song)|Daughters]]"
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance|Best Rap Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song|Best Rap Song]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|"[[Cherry Wine (Nas song)|Cherry Wine]]" <small>(featuring [[Amy Winehouse]])</small>
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|''[[Life Is Good (Nas album)|Life Is Good]]''
|rowspan="3"| Best Rap Album
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[63rd Annual Grammy Awards|2021]]
| ''[[King's Disease]]''
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[64th Annual Grammy Awards|2022]]
| ''[[King's Disease II]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Bath Salts" <small> (with [[DMX]] & [[Jay-Z]]) </small>
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song|Best Rap Song]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[66th Annual Grammy Awards|2024]]
| ''[[King's Disease III]]''
| Best Rap Album
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}

===News and Documentary Emmy Awards===
{{awards table}}
!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[44th News and Documentary Emmy Awards|2023]]
| ''Supreme Team''
| Outstanding Crime and Justice Documentary
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="auto"/>
|}

===Sports Emmy Awards===
{{awards table}}
!{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[32nd Sports Emmy Awards|2011]]
| ''Survival 1''
| Outstanding Long Feature
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/96vnsq/nas-wins-an-emmy-before-a-grammy#:~:text=Nas%20has%20been%20nominated%20for%20Grammys%20on%20a,Lyrics%20for%20Hova%E2%80%99s%20rendition%20of%20%E2%80%9CRun%20This%20Town.%E2%80%9D |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022162033/https://www.mtv.com/news/96vnsq/nas-wins-an-emmy-before-a-grammy#:~:text=Nas%20has%20been%20nominated%20for%20Grammys%20on%20a,Lyrics%20for%20Hova%E2%80%99s%20rendition%20of%20%E2%80%9CRun%20This%20Town.%E2%80%9D |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |title=Nas Wins An Emmy ... Before A Grammy? |publisher=[[MTV]] |access-date=August 26, 2023}}</ref>
|}

===MTV Europe Music Awards===
{{award table}}
|-
| [[2012 MTV Europe Music Awards|2012]]
| Nas
| [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Hip Hop|Best Hip-Hop]]
|{{nom}}
|}

===MTV Video Music Awards===
{{award table}}
|-
| [[1999 MTV Video Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Hate Me Now]]" <small>(featuring [[Puff Daddy]])</small>
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video|Best Rap Video]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[2002 MTV Video Music Awards|2002]]
|rowspan="2"| "One Mic"
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| Best Rap Video
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[I Can (Nas song)|I Can]]"
|{{nom}}
|-
| "[[Thugz Mansion]]" <small>(with [[Tupac Shakur]] and J. Phoenix)</small>
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards|2005]]
| "[[Bridging the Gap (song)|Bridging the Gap]]" <small>(featuring [[Olu Dara]])</small>
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video|Best Hip-Hop Video]]
|{{nom}}
|}

===BET Awards===
{{award table}}
|-
| [[BET Awards 2002|2002]]
| Nas
| [[BET Award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist|Best Male Hip Hop Artist]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[BET Awards 2013|2013]]
| "[[Daughters (Nas song)|Daughters]]"
| [[BET Her Award|Centric Award]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[BET Awards 2021|2021]]
| "[[King's Disease]]"
| [[BET Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|}

===BET Hip Hop Awards===
{{award table}}
|-
| [[2006 BET Hip Hop Awards|2006]]
| Nas
| I Am Hip-Hop Icon Award
| {{won}}
|-
| 2007
| "[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]"
| [[BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year|Hip Hop Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[2008 BET Hip Hop Awards|2008]]
| "[[Untitled Nas album|Untitled]]"
| [[BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year|Hip Hop Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| Nas
| rowspan="2" |Lyricist of the Year Award
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[2012 BET Hip Hop Awards|2012]]
| Nas
| {{nom}}
|-
| "[[Daughters (Nas song)|Daughters]]"
| Impact Track
| {{won}}
|-
| [[2013 BET Hip Hop Awards|2013]]
| "[[Life Is Good (Nas album)|Life is Good]]"
| [[BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year|Hip Hop Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2021 BET Hip Hop Awards|2021]]
| Nas
| Lyricist of the Year Award
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[2022 BET Hip Hop Awards|2022]]
| "[[King's Disease II]]"
| [[BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year|Hip Hop Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| "[[Nobody (Nas and Lauryn Hill song)|Nobody]]" featuring [[Lauryn Hill]]
| rowspan="2" | Impact Track
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2023 BET Hip Hop Awards|2023]]
| "30"
|{{nom}}
|-
|}

===Soul Train Music Awards===
{{award table}}
|-
| [[1999 Soul Train Music Awards|1999]]
| "[[Grand Finale (song)|Grand Finale]]"<small>(with [[DMX]], [[Ja Rule]] and [[Method Man]])</small>
| rowspan="2" | Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video
| {{won}}
|-
| [[2000 Soul Train Music Awards|2000]]
| "[[Hot Boyz (song)|Hot Boyz]]" <small>(with [[Missy Elliott]], [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]] and [[Lil' Mo]])</small>
|{{nom}}
|-
| [[2003 Soul Train Music Awards|2003]]
| "[[Stillmatic]]"
| R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3" | [[2012 Soul Train Music Awards|2012]]
| "[[Life Is Good (Nas album)|Life Is Good]]"
| [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2" | "[[Daughters (Nas song)|Daughters]]"
| [[Soul Train Music Award for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award|The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award]]
|{{nom}}
|-
| Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[2022 Soul Train Music Awards|2022]]
| "Be Like Water" <small>(with [[PJ Morton]] and [[Stevie Wonder]])</small>
| [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Collaboration|Best Collaboration]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|}

===Teen Choice Awards===
{{award table}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[2003 Teen Choice Awards|2003]]
| Nas
| Choice Rap Artist
|{{nom}}
|-
| "[[I Can (Nas song)|I Can]]"
| Choice Rap Track
|{{nom}}
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book|last=Bradley|first=Adam|title=Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop|publisher=[[Perseus Books Group|Basic Civitas Books]]|date=February 23, 2009|isbn=978-0-465-00347-1|title-link=Book of Rhymes}}
*{{Cite book|last=Dee|first=Kool Moe|title=There's a God on the Mic: The True 50 Greatest MC's|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LYDwNW5YBo0C|place=New York, N.Y., U.S.|publisher=Thunder's Mouth Press|year=2003|isbn=1-56025-533-1}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{Cite book|last=Edwards|first=Paul|title=How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC|place=Chicago, Ill., U.S.|publisher=Chicago Review Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-55652-816-3|url=https://archive.org/details/howtorapartscien00edwa}}
*{{Cite book|editor-last=Hess|editor-first=Mickey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bXy2wTEsbCsC|title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture|place=Westport, Conn., U.S.|publisher=Greenwood|year=2007|isbn=978-0-313-33904-2|archive-date=September 29, 2024|access-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929034834/https://books.google.com/books?id=bXy2wTEsbCsC|url-status=live}}
*{{Cite book|last=Shapiro|first=Peter|title=The Rough Guide to Hip-hop|place=London, England|publisher=Rough Guides|year=2005|edition=2nd|isbn=1-85828-637-9|url=https://archive.org/details/roughguidetohiph00pete}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|d=Q194220|c=Category:Nas|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
*{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p44732}}
*{{IMDb name|0621576}}
*[https://open.spotify.com/artist/20qISvAhX20dpIbOOzGK3q Nas] on [[Spotify]]

{{Nas}}
{{Nas singles}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Album}}
{{Def Jam}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Music|United States}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}

[[Category:Nas| ]]
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:African-American fashion designers]]
[[Category:American fashion designers]]
[[Category:African-American investors]]
[[Category:American investors]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male rappers]]
[[Category:American chief executives in retailing]]
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[[Category:American music industry executives]]
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[[Category:Businesspeople from Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Columbia Records artists]]
[[Category:Def Jam Recordings artists]]
[[Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists]]
[[Category:Ill Will Records artists]]
[[Category:Male actors from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Male actors from Queens, New York]]
[[Category:People from Long Island City, Queens]]
[[Category:Rappers from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Rappers from Queens, New York]]
[[Category:Songwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:The Firm (hip-hop group) members]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]