Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones
Nas is an American rapper from New York City, New York active since 1991.
- Profession
- Rapper, Songwriter, Entrepreneur
- Born
- September 14, 1973
- Years active
- 1991–present
Early life
Raised in the Queensbridge Houses in Queens, Nas grew up surrounded by music — his father was the jazz cornetist Olu Dara — and began writing rhymes as a child.
Career
His 1994 debut "Illmatic" is frequently cited as the greatest hip-hop album ever made for its dense, cinematic portrait of New York life. He sustained a decades-long career through albums such as "It Was Written," "Stillmatic," and the Grammy-winning "King's Disease."
Major achievements
After decades of acclaim, Nas won his first Grammy for "King's Disease" in 2021. He has also become a noted technology investor through the venture firm QueensBridge Venture Partners.
Legacy
Nas set a benchmark for lyrical storytelling in hip-hop, and "Illmatic" remains a touchstone studied for its poetry and realism.
References
Frequently asked questions about Nas
- What is Nas known for?
- Nas is an American rapper from New York City, New York active since 1991. Nas is recognized as a rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur.
- Where is Nas from?
- Nas is from New York City, New York.
- When was Nas born?
- Nas was born on September 14, 1973, in New York City, New York.
- What kind of music does Nas make?
- Nas's music spans Hip-hop and East Coast hip-hop.
- Is Nas still active?
- Yes — Nas has been active since 1991 and continues to work today.
- What record labels has Nas been associated with?
- Nas has been associated with Columbia, Def Jam, and Mass Appeal.
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