Nas 146167 226182258 2008-07-17T05:30:13Z Esanchez7587 2102073 Revert to revision 226176753 dated 2008-07-17 04:35:41 by Joaco using [[:en:Wikipedia:Tools/Navigation_popups|popups]] {{otheruses}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> |Name = Nas |Img = Nas 2006.jpg<!-- DO NOT REPLACE WITH A COPYRIGHTED IMAGE --> |Img_capt = Nas performing on [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]]'s ''[[106 & Park]]'' in 2006. |Img_size = |Background = solo_singer |Birth_name = Nasir Jones |Alias = Nasty Nas<!-- Only include *OFFICIAL* stage names, see [[Template:Infobox musical artist]]--> |Born = {{birth date and age|1973|9|14}} |Origin = [[Queensbridge, Queens|Queensbridge]], [[New York City]], [[New York]], [[United States]] |Genre = [[hip hop music|Hip hop]] |Occupation = [[rapping|Rapper]], [[songwriter]], [[record producer]], [[executive producer]], [[actor]] |Years_active = 1991&ndash;present |Label = [[Ill Will Records|Ill Will]]/[[Columbia Records|Columbia]], [[The Jones Experience]]/[[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]], |Associated_acts = [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]], [[Nashawn]], [[Kelis]], [[Nature (rapper)|Nature]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Chrisette Michele]], [[Bravehearts]], [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], [[Kanye West]], [[Foxy Brown (rapper)|Foxy Brown]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]], [[Mobb Deep]], [[Capone-N-Noreaga]] |Influences = [[Rakim]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[MC Shan]], [[Slick Rick]], [[Juice Crew]], [[Run-D.M.C.]], [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[KRS-One]], [[Big Daddy Kane]] |Spouse = [[Kelis]] (2005 - ) |URL = [http://nas.defjam.com/ Nas.Defjam.com] }} '''Nasir Jones''' (born [[September 14]], [[1973]]), better known by his [[stage name]] '''Nas''', formerly '''Nasty Nas''', is an [[United States|American]] [[rapper]]. The eldest son of jazz musician [[Olu Dara]] and Fannie Ann Jones, Nas is well known for his 1994 debut album ''[[Illmatic]]''.<ref>{{cite web | title = About.com : Rap : 100 Greatest Rap Albums of All-Time : 10-1 | url = http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top100RapAlbums_10.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref> This album established Nas as one of hip-hop's most profound [[lyricists]], introducing his signature poetic style. He has since then been regarded as one of hip-hop's greatest MCs [http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/]. Raised in the notorious [[Queensbridge, Queens|Queensbridge]] housing projects in [[New York City]], he represents a continuation of a hip-hop tradition in Queensbridge that has spanned through early hip-hop, including the [[Juice Crew]] and [[Mobb Deep]]. He reguards [[Rakim]] as the greatest rapper ever. ==Early life== Nas, whose given name Nasir means "helper and protector" in [[Arabic language|Arabic]], spent the first years of his life in the [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]] section of [[Brooklyn]].<ref>{{cite web | title = SoundCircuit.com: Artists: Tributes: Nas | url = http://www.soundcircuit.com/artists/tributes/nas.php | accessdate = 2006-09-06}}</ref> His father Olu Dara was a jazz trumpeter and his mother Fannie Ann Jones was a [[United States Postal Service|Postal Service]] worker. He has one sibling, a brother named Jabari who assumes the alias [[Bravehearts|Jungle]]. While in Brooklyn, Nas would listen to his father's trumpet in his house's stoop at age four.<ref>{{cite web | title = Exclaim.ca: Artists: Tributes: Nas | url = http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csijd1=3163 | accessdate = 2006-09-16}}</ref> The family soon after moved to the [[Queensbridge, Queens|Queensbridge Houses]], the largest public housing project in the [[United States]]. Olu Dara left the household in 1986, when Nas was 13, and Ann Jones raised her two boys on her own. Nas soon dropped out of school in the eighth grade and started participating in the drug trade.<ref name="allmusicguide"/> He educated himself, reading about [[culture of Africa|African culture]] and civilization, 120° Lessons, the [[Bible]],<ref name="Ydduy-Nas">{{cite web|url = http://www.yuddy.com/celebrity/nas/bio| title = Nas Bio|publisher = Yuddy|accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref> and the [[Qur'an]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nas: The Mature Voice of Hip-Hop|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6786474/|work=[[MSNBC]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=2005-01-04|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> He also studied the origin of [[hip hop music]], taping records that played on his local radio station. Nas interests moved away from playing the trumpet as a child to being a comic book hero artist.<ref>{{cite web|last=Frye|first= Sebastian|title=Master Series: Nas|url=http://www.lucidforge.com/Articles/Master-Series-Nas.html|work= Lucid Forge|date=2005|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref> ==Career== Nas had settled on pursuing a career as a rapper, and as a teenager enlisted his best friend and upstairs neighbor Willy "[[Ill Will Records|Ill Will]]" Graham as his DJ. Nas first went by the nickname Kid Wave before adopting his more commonly known alias of Nasty Nas<ref>{{cite web|title=Bridging the Gap (Part 2)|url=http://www.theavemagazine.com/Gems/Nasolu02.htm|work=The Ave|date=2004|accessdate=2007-08-10}}</ref>. Nas and Graham soon met hip-hop producer and Queens resident [[Large Professor]] (William Mitchell), who introduced Nas to his [[Toronto]]-based group, [[Main Source]]. In 1991, Nas made his on-record debut with a verse on "Live at the Barbeque", from Main Source's LP ''[[Breaking Atoms]]''. Despite the substantial buzz for Nas in the underground scene, the rapper was rejected by major labels and was not signed to a recording deal. Nas and Graham continued to work together, but their partnership was cut short when Graham was shot and killed by a gunman in Queensbridge on [[May 23]], [[1992]]. 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]] the same year. Nas made his solo debut under the name of "Nasty Nas" on the single "[[Halftime (song)|Halftime]]" from Serch's soundtrack for the film ''[[Zebrahead (film)|Zebrahead]]'' and became part of the Chang Gang productions with Freshy C. The single increased the buzz surrounding Nas and when MC Serch's solo album was released later in the year, Nas’ standout appearance on "Back To The Grill" only intensified interest. Hailed as the second coming of [[Rakim]],<ref>{{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]]|date=2006}}</ref> his rhyming skills attracted a significant amount of attention within the hip-hop community. ===1994: ''Illmatic''=== In 1994, Nas's debut album, ''[[Illmatic]]'' was finally released. Critically acclaimed and widely regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time, receiving a Five Mics award in [[The Source (magazine)|The Source magazine]].<ref name="nas">{{cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.hiponline.com/artist/music/n/nas/ | title = Biography: Nas | format = | work = http://www.ugo.com/ | publisher = | accessdate = April 1 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> Illmatic featured lyrics that portrayed stunning visual imagery. It also featured production from [[Large Professor]], [[Pete Rock]] (one half of legendary group with [[Pete Rock & CL Smooth|C.L. Smooth]]), [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]] (frontman for [[A Tribe Called Quest]]), [[L.E.S. (producer)|L.E.S.]] and [[DJ Premier]] (one half of [[Gang Starr]]) as well as guest appearances from Nas' friend [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]] and his father Olu Dara. Aside from ''Halftime'', three moderately popular singles were released in order to promote ''Illmatic''. However, due to widespread bootlegging and a lack of corporate appeal, the album did not do well in terms of record sales.However the album was Certified Platinum Following ''Illmatic'', Nas appeared on [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]]'s ''[[Doe or Die]]'' and with his Queensbridge associates [[Mobb Deep]] on their album, ''[[The Infamous]]''. One notable achievement during this period was Nas' verse on "Verbal Intercourse" on [[Raekwon]]'s ''[[Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...|Only Built 4 Cuban Linx]]''. It earned Nas a ''[[The Source (magazine)|Source]]'' Quotable, and gave him the distinction (at the time) of being the only non-[[Wu-Tang Clan]] member to be featured on one of their songs. It also continued his "Nas Escobar" persona, in keeping with the [[Mafia]] theme of the album (the alias was introduced on [[Mobb Deep]]'s "Eye for an Eye" from "[[The Infamous]]" album. ===1996–1998: ''It Was Written'' & ''The Firm''=== [[Image:NasirJones.png|thumb|180px|right]] Columbia began to press Nas to work towards more commercial topics, such as that of the rapper [[Ben Giska]], who had become successful by releasing street singles that still retained pop-friendly appeal. Nas traded manager MC Serch for [[Steve Stoute]], and began preparation for his second LP, ''[[It Was Written]]'', consciously working towards a crossover-oriented sound. ''[[It Was Written]],'' chiefly produced by Tone and Poke of [[Trackmasters]], was released during the summer of [[1996]]. Two singles, "[[If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)]]" (featuring [[Lauryn Hill]] of [[The Fugees]]) and "Street Dreams" using the same sample as [[Tupac Shakur|Tupac Shakur's]] ''[[All Eyez on Me]]'' base track and a remix with [[R. Kelly]] were instant hits. These songs were promoted by big-budget music videos directed by [[Hype Williams]], making Nas a common name among mainstream [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]. ''It Was Written'' featured the debut of [[Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and cormega Present The Firm: The Album|The Firm]], a super group consisting of Nas, [[AZ (rapper)|AZ]], Foxy Brown, and at the time [[Cormega]]. The album also expanded on Nas Escobar persona, who lived more of a ''[[Scarface (1983 film)|Scarface]]''/''[[Casino (film)|Casino]]''-esque lifestyle. On the other hand, ''Illmatic'', which, while having numerous references to [[Tony Montana]] and the theatrical hit featuring [[Al Pacino]], was more about his life as a teenager in the projects.<ref name="allmusicguide">Birchmeier, Jason. [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fxfexqe5ldde~T1 Nas Biography]. [[Allmusic]]. Last accessed August 13, 2007.</ref> The Firm signed to [[Dr. Dre]]'s [[Aftermath Entertainment]] label, and 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 therefore became one of Nas most vocal opponents, releasing a number of [[underground hip hop]] singles "[[wikt:diss|dissing]]" Nas, Stoute, and [[Nature (rapper)|Nature]], who was Cormega's replacement in The Firm. <ref name="firmamg">Birchmeier, Jason. [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:abfwxqthldse~T1 The Firm - Biography]. [[Allmusic]]. Last accessed August 13, 2007]</ref>''[[Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album]]'' was finally released in 1997 to mixed reviews and lackluster sales (though still reaching platinum) and the members of the super group went their separate ways. At about this time, Nas became a spokesperson for the Willie Esco urban clothing line, but had no other connection with the clothing line. He stopped promoting Willie Esco in [[2000]], dissatisfied with the company's operations. During the same period, Nas co-wrote and starred in [[Hype Williams]]' 1998 feature film ''[[Belly (film)|Belly]] ===1999–2000: ''I Am…'' to ''Nastradamus''=== In 1998, Nas began work on a double album. It was to be entitled ''I Am…The Autobiography'', which he intended as the middle ground between the extremes of ''[[Illmatic]]'' and ''[[It Was Written]]''. The plans were for it to be a double album autobiography of Nas with each track detailing a part of his life. The album 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]]." 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. Those leaked tracks include "Amongst Kings," "Blaze a 50," "Drunk By Myself," "Hardest Thing to Do Is Stay Alive," "U Gotta Love It," "Find Ya Wealth," "Project Windows," "Fetus," "Wanna Play Rough," "Sometimes I Wonder," and "Daydreamin', Stay Scheming." The second single for ''[[I Am…]]'' was "[[Hate Me Now]]," featuring [[Sean Combs|Diddy]], which was used as an example by Nas critics of him moving towards commercial themes. [[Hype Williams]] shot an allegorical video for the single, which featured Nas and Diddy being crucified in a manner similar to [[Jesus]]; after the video was completed, Diddy, a [[Catholic]], 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]], and was premiered on [[April 15]], [[1999]] on ''[[Total Request Live|TRL]]''. Within minutes of the broadcast, a furious 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 (wine)|champagne]] bottle<ref>Rock, Rich. [http://www.streetgangs.com/topics/tupac/100303biggie.html Diddy Ordered Tupac Hit Says Lawsuit]. StreetGangs.com: October 3, 2003.</ref> Stoute pressed charges, but he and Combs settled out-of-court that June. Columbia had scheduled to release the pirated material from ''I Am…'' under the title ''[[Nastradamus]]'' during the latter half of [[1999]], but, at the last minute, Nas decided that he should record an entire new album for the 1999 release of ''[[Nastradamus]]''. ''Nastradamus'' was therefore rushed to meet a November release date. Though critics were not kind to the album, it did result in a minor hit, "[[You Owe Me]]." It was produced by [[Timbaland]] and featured [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer [[Ginuwine]]. The only pirated track from ''I Am…'' to make it onto ''Nastradamus'' was "Project Windows," featuring [[Ronald Isley]]. A number of the other bootlegged tracks later made their way onto ''[[The Lost Tapes]]'', a collection of underground Nas songs that was released by Columbia in September [[2002]]. The collection saw decent sales and received glowing reviews. ===2001: Nas vs. Jay-Z and ''Stillmatic''=== {{details|Nas vs. Jay-Z feud}} The highly publicized feud rivalry between Nas and [[Jay-Z]] started when Nas failed to show up to a scheduled recording session to record the hook on Jay-Z's [[Reasonable Doubt]] track, "[[Dead Presidents (song)|Dead Presidents]]." Even though it was obvious to most hip hop heads that a rivalry existed between Nas and Jay-Z, the rivalry wasn't made known to the general public until a rivalry between Nas, and Jay-Z's protégé, [[Memphis Bleek]]. On his debut album, ''[[The Coming of Age]]'', Bleek made a song entitled "Memphis Bleek Is," which was similar in concept to Nas single "Nas Is Like." On the same album, Bleek recorded "What You Think Of That," featuring [[Jay-Z]]. This contains the refrain, ''"I'ma ball 'til I fall/What you think of that?"''. In retaliation, "Nastradamus," the title track from Nas second 1999 album, featured the quote, ''"You wanna ball till you fall, I can help you with that/You want beef? I could let a slug melt in your hat."'' Memphis Bleek perceived the reference on "Nastradamus" as an insult, and retaliated against Nas on the lead single for his next album, ''[[The Understanding (Memphis Bleek album)|The Understanding]]''. That single, "My Mind Right," stated "''And only a few fit in, your lifestyle's written/So who you supposed to be, play your position''". In 2000, ''[[Nas and Ill Will Records Present QB's Finest|QB's Finest]]'' was released on Nas [[Ill Will Records]]. ''QB's Finest'' is a compilation album that featured Nas and a number of other rappers from [[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 in music|1986]] recording "The Bridge." "Da Bridge 2001" also featured a response from Nas to Memphis Bleek, in which Nas retaliated with ''"Oh you didn't, wanna know whose life was written/The life I'm livin"'' and ''"Jaws is broke, your whole crew is coffin bound/Your ho, your man, lieutenant, your boss get found"''. Jay-Z responded to Nas songs with an on stage swipe during the 2001 [[WQHT|Hot 97]] [[Summer Jam]] concert in [[New York City]], when he premiered his song "[[Takeover (song)|Takeover]]". Initially, the song was to only be a Mobb Deep diss it only included a single line about Nas near the end. Nevertheless, Nas recorded the "Stillmatic Freestyle", an underground single which sampled [[Eric B. & Rakim|Eric B.]] and [[Rakim]]'s "[[Paid in Full (album)|Paid in Full]]" beat, and attacked Jay-Z and his Roc-A-Fella label. On his [[2001 in music|2001]] album, ''[[The Blueprint]]'', [[Jay-Z]] added a third verse to "Takeover" dissing Nas, claiming that he had ''"...one hot album every ten year average"'' record (referring to ''Illmatic''), that his flow was weak, and that he had fabricated his past as a hustler. Nas responded with [[Ether (song)|Ether]], which begins with gunshots and a repeated, slowed-down sample from "Fuck Friendz" of [[Tupac Shakur]] rapping "Fuck Jay-Z." In "Ether," Nas accuses [[Jay-Z]] of stealing ("biting") lyrics from [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], getting the name "Blueprint" from a previous [[KRS-One]] [[Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop|album]] of the same name, and brown-nosing Nas and other rappers for fame. Nas also claimed that all of Jay-Z's raps on ''The Blueprint'' were inferior to the one guest verse on the album ([[Eminem]]'s on "Renegade"): ''Eminem murdered you on your own shit''. '''''Ether''''' was included on Nas fifth studio album, ''[[Stillmatic]]'', released in December 2001. ''Stillmatic'' managed to be not only a critically-acclaimed comeback album, but a commercial success as well, albeit not on the level of ''It Was Written'' and ''I Am…'', the album debuted at #7 on the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] album charts and featured the singles "[[Got Ur Self A...]]" and "[[One Mic]]." Jay-Z responded to ''Ether'' with a song entitled "[[Supa Ugly]]," going into detail about how he had sex with Carmen Bryan, the mother of Nas daughter Destiny. This wasn't the first time Jay-Z alluded to his relationship with Nas daughter's mother in the song "Is That Your Chick" the lost verses addition was said to be all about Jay-Z, Carmen and Nas. Nas dismissed the track by claiming that he was no longer with Bryan during the time the affair took place.<ref>Ashare, Matt. [http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12055074 Nas On His Battle With Jay-Z And Its Effects]. Yahoo! Music: January 26, 2002.</ref> In a recent interview, however, New York radio station Hot 97 settled the battle taking votes comparing "Ether"/"Stillmatic" and "Takeover"/"Supa Ugly," and Nas won with 58% while Jay-Z got 42% of the votes.<ref>http://www.mtv.com/bands/n/nas/news_feature_012102/</ref><ref>[http://www.hiphop-beef.com/category/jay-z/ | Jay-Z | Hip Hop Beef | Rap Beef | Hip Hop Beefs | Rap Beefs | HipHop Beef | Hip Hop Beefs 2007<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Jay-Z also responded to Nas on Jay-Z's 2002 album, ''[[The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse]]'' on the track named "Blueprint 2." On that track, Jay-Z says that no matter what happened in the battle, he's never been phony and that Nas is hypocritical for recording songs like 'Black Girl Lost" and then turning around and taking advantage of those same lost black girls on tracks like 'You Owe Me'. Jay-Z also claims that he single handedly revitalized Nas career by dissing him in the first place. Nas spoke about the battle once more on the track "Last Real Nigga Alive" from the album ''[[God's Son]]''. On this track Nas breaks down how the battle went down. He raps about coming up in the game with fellow artists like the [[Wu-Tang Clan]], [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] and others. Nas raps how Jay-Z came in the mix with this line: "Jigga started to flow like us, but hit with 'Ain't No Niggas'", how Jay-Z tried to attack when Nas and his mother went through a difficult time: "I gave it all up so I can chill at home with mama/She was getting old and sick so I stayed beside her/We had the best times, she asked would I make more songs/I told her not till I see her health get more strong/In the middle of that, Jay tried to sneak attack/Assassinate my character, degrade my hood/Cause in order for him to be the Don, Nas had to go". And on the track Nas had claimed victory, "I was Scarface, Jay was Manolo/It hurt me when I had to kill him and his whole squad for dolo". By October 2005, the two rappers had eventually ended their feud without violence or animosity. During Jay-Z's ''I Declare War - Power House'' concert, Jay-Z announced to the crowd, "It's bigger than 'I Declare War'. Let's go, Esco!" Nas then joined Jay-Z onstage, and the two then performed "Dead Presidents" together, which Jay-Z had sampled from Nas song "[[The World Is Yours (song)|The World Is Yours]]". The two also collaborated on a song called, "Black Republican" which can be found on Nas's album, ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]''. They then collaborated again on a song called, "Success" from Jay-Z's album, "American Gangster". <ref>Sanneh, Kelefah. [http://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]. ''[[The New York Times]]'': October 29, 2005.</ref> ===2002–2005: From ''God's Son'' to ''Street's Disciple''=== [[Image:Nas konzert.jpg|230px|thumb|right|Nas performing in 2004.]] In December 2002, Nas released the ''[[God's Son]]'' album including its lead single, "Made You Look" which utilized a pitched down sample of the [[Incredible Bongo Band]]'s "[[Apache (instrumental)|Apache]]". The album peaked at #12 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] and #1 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] charts despite widespread internet bootlegging.<ref name="chartsandawards">[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fxfexqe5ldde~T50 allmusic ((( Nas > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))<!-- Bot generated title -->]</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 biggest hit to date during the spring and summer of 2003, garnering substantial radio airplay on [[Urban area|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 memory of Nas mother, who died of [[cancer]] in 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''. Nas released his seventh studio album, the critically acclaimed [[double album|double-disc]] ''[[Street's Disciple]]'', on [[November 30]] [[2004]]. The album's first singles were "Thief's Theme" and "Bridging the Gap", which features his father Olu Dara on vocals. The album also includes "These Are Our Heroes", which accuses prominent sports stars and actors such as [[Kobe Bryant]] and [[O. J. Simpson]] of not setting good examples for the kids that look up to them and neglecting their heritage and background in favour of white values. The videos for "Bridging the Gap" and "Just A Moment" received moderate airplay on MTV and BET. Although the album went platinum, its commercial profile was relatively low compared to the rapper's previous releases.<ref name="allmusicguide"/> Nas was featured on [[Kanye West]]'s album ''[[Late Registration]]'' on a song titled "We Major". West said the song was Jay-Z's favorite on the album, but West was unable to get Jay-Z to record a vocal for the final mix of the song. He also appeared on [[Damian Marley]]'s song "[[Road to Zion]]" and several other songs such as "Death Anniversary" and "It Wasn't You" (featuring Lauryn Hill). In addition, Nas married [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer [[Kelis]] on [[January 8]] [[2005]] in Atlanta, Georgia, after a two-year engagement. At a free concert in Central Park, New York, Nas made a statement regarding the quality of 50 Cent's music; "this is the real shit, not that [[50 Cent]] shit!"<ref>[http://www.defsounds.com/singles/view/2252-5-cent-feat-tony-yayo-lloyd-banks-we-on-some-shit-no-dj.html 50 Cent feat. Tony Yayo & Lloyd Banks - We On Some Shit (No Dj)]</ref> 50 Cent responded on his single "Piggy Bank" by speaking negatively about Nas’ wife, Kelis; implying that she was promiscuous and calling Nas a "sucker for love." Nas eventually decided to retaliate, and in July 2005 released "MC Burial (Don't Body Ya Self)", a song which taunts 50 Cent and his [[G-Unit]] crew, stating that 50 was "a sucka for death if I'm a sucka for love." and "They say Jada defeated him, Joe too street for him/What's next? I guess it's for Nas to ether him" also, "Niggas don't want beef, they vegetarian/Scared of pussy, you climbed out of cesarean/I'll push your grown ass back in your mother's womb". However, despite all of this, Nas still claims to "have a lot of love towards 50", claiming 50 didn't understand his moves when they both were together at Columbia Records. After rap duo [[Mobb Deep]] signed to G-Unit, they decided to diss Nas since G-Unit had beef with Nas. They released a diss song targeting Nas and the Bravehearts sometime in 2005 titled "It's That..."<ref>[http://www.nobodysmiling.com/hiphop/play-audio.php?rid=70639&path=mobbdeep_its%20that Nobodysmiling.com]</ref> ===2006: ''Hip Hop Is Dead''=== [[Image:Nas in Ottawa, 2007.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Nas performing in [[Ottawa]], 2007.]] In January 2006, Nas signed a label deal with [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]], emphasizing collaboration over competition with former rival Jay-Z.<ref name="allmusicguide"/> Nas original title for his next album was ''Hip Hop Is Dead...The N''<ref>Reid, Shaheem. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1532136/20060519/nas.jhtml Nas Says Hip-Hop Is Dead — New Album Due In September]. [[MTV]]: May 19, 2006.</ref> (shortened to ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]''), though the UK release features a bonus track at the end called "The N." The album featured production from [[will.i.am]], [[Kanye West]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Scott Storch]], and [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] All Star [[Chris Webber]], as well as longtime Nas collaborators [[L.E.S. (producer)|L.E.S.]] and [[Salaam Remi]]. A street single named "Where Y'all At" was released in June [[2006]]. It was produced by Salaam Remi<ref>{{cite web|last=Sunkara|first=Bhasakar|title=Nas - "Where Y'all At"|url=http://rap.about.com/od/songreviews/gr/NasWhereYallAt.htm|publisher=About.com|accessdate=2008-03-30}}</ref>, and contained a [[sampling (music)|sample]] from Nas "[[Made You Look]],"<ref>{{cite web|last=Dombal|first=Ryan|title=Nas: "Where Y'all At" [Track Review]|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/track_review/37138-where-yall-at|publisher=Pitchfork Media|date=2006-06-28|accessdate=2008-03-30}}</ref> but it did not make the final cut for ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Radiohead Reveal Tour Plans -- Enigmatically; Plus Jordin Sparks, Ashley Tisdale, Amy Winehouse, Deerhunter & More, In For The Record|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575329/20071129/radiohead.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|date=2007-11-29|accessdate=2008-03-30}}</ref> The title record and first single was produced by will.i.am, and contains the same melodic sample ("[[In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida]]") as Nas' 2004 single "[[Thief's Theme]]." The album debuted on Def Jam and Nas new imprint at that label, The Jones Experience, at number one on the [[Billboard 200]] charts, selling 355,000 copies—Nas's third number one album, along with ''It Was Written'' and ''I Am…''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hasty|first= Katie|title=Nas Scores Third No. 1 Album with 'Hip-Hop Is Dead'|url=http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003525355 |work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=2006-12-27|accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref> A music video for "[[Can't Forget About You]]" premiered on February 5, 2007, the song featuring [[Chrisette Michele]] and sampling [[Nat King Cole]]'s song "[[Unforgettable (song)|Unforgettable]]". <ref name="unforgettable">{{cite news|last=Reid|first= Shaheem|title='Nas King Cole' Shoots 'Unforgettable' Clip, Preps New Album For '07|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1549573/20070109/nas.jhtml|publisher =[[MTV News]]|date=2007-01-09|accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref> Another video, [[Hustlers (song)|Hustlers]], featuring [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], would follow. <ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first= Shaheem|title= Game Says He's 'Good' With Buck But Has Disdain For G-Unit; Unleashes New Mixtape|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1556643/20070409/game_the.jhtml |publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=2007-04-09|accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref> Also, Nas has stated in an interview with MTV that a video for "Black Republican" featuring Jay-Z is also underway. A [[Reality television|reality series]] on [[MTV]] entitled ''Me and Mrs. Jones'' will feature the lives of Nas and Kelis, with ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' magazine has reported that the show will premiere in 2008.<ref>{{Citation | last = Murphy| first = Keith | title = Not Ready for Prime Time Players| newspaper = [[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]| pages = p. 184| year = 2007|date=September 2007| url = }}</ref> The title of the album generated controversy, as many fans and artists (particularly those of [[Southern United States|Southern]] origin) began to debate over the actual state of rap music's vitality. With this album Nas became an unofficial leader of the "Hip Hop Is Dead" movement. [[Ghostface Killah]], on his album [[Fishscale]] seemed to agree with Nas and cited Southern [[crunk]] and [[snap music]] as the primary reasons for why hip-hop was "dead". Many Southern acts, such as rappers [[Big Boi]] from [[Outkast]], [[Lil Boosie]], [[T.I.]], [[Young Jeezy]], [[Dem Franchize Boyz]], and [[D4L]] took offense to the title, taking it to be directed at their region in particular.<;;;ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first= Shaheem|coauthors=Dukes, Rahman|title=Mixtape Monday: Is Hip-Hop Dead? Luda, Big Boi Disagree With Nas|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/121806/|work=Mixtape Monday|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=2006-12-18|accessdate=2006-12-20}}</ref>. Though southern rapper [[Andre 3000]] from Outkast said in a interview that hip-hop is "dying". Nas worked on a song called "Shine On 'Em" for the film ''[[Blood Diamond (film)|Blood Diamond]]'' starring [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] and [[Djimon Hounsou]], which opened in [[United States|US]] theaters on [[December 8]], [[2006]]. His song "[[Thief's Theme]]" was featured in one of the scenes in the [[Academy Award]]-winning movie [[The Departed]] directed by [[Martin Scorsese]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Soundtracks for "The Departed" (2006)|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/soundtrack|publisher=[[IMDB]]|date=2006|accessdate=2008-02-28}}</ref> ===2007: Bill O'Reilly/Virginia Tech controversy and ''Greatest Hits''=== Nas performed at a free concert for the [[Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University|Virginia Tech]] student body and faculty on [[September 6]], [[2007]]. Nas was joined by [[John Mayer]], [[Phil Vassar]], and [[Dave Matthews Band]].<ref name=vt.edu>[http://www.vt.edu/concert/ A Concert For Virginia Tech]. The [[Virginia Tech massacre]]; the bloodiest school massacre in U.S. history, had taken place earlier that year, on [[April 16]] [[2007]], when student Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 and wounded more, before committing suicide. Retrieved on [[August 1]], [[2007]].</ref> When announced that Nas was to perform, [[Bill O'Reilly (commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] and [[Fox News Channel]] denounced the concert and called for the removal of the rapper citing "violent" lyrics on songs including "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, but falsely claimed repeatedly that Nas also had a "gun conviction" on his [[criminal record]].<ref> Bill O'Reilly.com. [http://www.billoreilly.com/show;jsessionid=800B15A6C73C984F6AA5FFC67BD987BE?action=viewTVShow&showID=1474 Segment Summaries] [[August 15]] [[2007]].</ref> In the midst of his debate with author Bakari Kitwana (''"The Hip Hop Generation"''), who defended Nas, claiming that Fox News had "[[cherry picking|cherry picked]]" select fragments of the songs to make their case, O'Reilly shouted, "Even in his personal life, man, he's got a conviction for weapons, all right? He's got a weapons conviction, sir! On his sheet! This is a school that had a mass murderer with a pistol gunning down people&mdash;this guy has got-a-a-conviction for weapons, and you say he's appropriate? Come on!" O'Reilly repeated the claim another four times before cutting the segment short.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwDV1z6hqLs O'Reilly Factor Talking Points Memo clip on YouTube]</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 members of the crowd. However, during his performance, a few students also boycotted by sitting or leaving the stadium area. About two weeks later, Nas was interviewed by Shaheem Reid of MTV News, where he criticized O'Reilly, calling him uncivilized and willing to go to extremes for publicity.<ref>Reid, Shaheem; Rodriguez, Jayson; Dukes, Rahman; Kash, Tim. [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:<ref>Reid, Shaheem. [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> {{quote|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 ratings or whatever. I wouldn't honor anything Bill O'Reilly has to say. It just shows you what bloodsuckers do: They abuse something like the Virginia Tech [tragedy] for show ratings. You can't talk to a person like that.}} Nas' former label, [[Columbia Records]], released [[Greatest Hits (Nas album)|his Greatest Hits album]] in November. This compilation features 14 songs: 12 from his seven first studio LPs under the label and two newly recorded songs. One of the new tracks, "Less Than an Hour," features [[Cee-Lo]] of [[Goodie Mob]] and [[Gnarls Barkley]]. The track is a new take on the theme of the hugely successful ''Rush Hour'' film trilogy starring [[Chris Tucker]] and [[Jackie Chan]], and will appear on the upcoming ''[[Rush Hour 3]]'' soundtrack as well.<ref>Petipas, Jolene. [http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/12298 Nas Preps "Greatest Hits," Records New Material]. SOHH.com: [[August 13]] [[2007]].</ref> The other new track, "Surviving the Times," contains biographical lyrics about Nas' career and features production by [[Chris Webber]]. ===2008: ''Untitled''=== {{main|Untitled (Nas album)}} On May 24, 2008 at a Toronto Concert Nas announced that his new album will be released July 1, 2008. It has been released on July 15, 2008. On [[May 19]], [[2008]], it was confirmed that Nas changed the name of the album and it would no longer be Nigger .<ref>Houston Williams, Nolan Strong ([[May 19]], [[2008]]). [http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/05/19/19895200.aspx Nas Issues Statement Regarding 'N****r' Name Change] ''AllHipHop''. Accessed [[May 20]], [[2008]].</ref> The album was originally scheduled for a February release. The Nigger album will be Nas' second album with Def Jam, in conjunction with his own imprint, The Jones Experience. In response to the former album's title, ''Nigger'', many of the most famous names in the entertainment industry have expressed a sense of trust in Nas using the controversial term for his next full-length LP. It has since been released as a pre-order on iTunes under the name "Nas". Def Jam was rumored to be considering dropping Nas if he doesn't switch the title of his upcoming album but later went on to deny this.<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?!?] Accessed [[January 28]], [[2008]].</ref> During an interview at the [[50th Grammy Awards]] on [[February 10]], [[2008]], while promoting his new album, Nas was asked which candidate he would be supporting in the upcoming presidential election. Nas responded, "Whoever can abolish this thing that doesn't allow black people to vote after twenty three years."<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c2OQUWSQUE YouTube - Nas On Grammy Red Carpet<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Bloggers and other fans speculated that Nas was referring to the expiration of the temporary provisions of the [[Voting Rights Act]] of 1965<ref>[http://darleeneisms.la/2008/02/11/nas-at-the-grammys Nas at the Grammys | darleeneisms<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and various internet urban legends surrounding their expiration. A track titled "Be a Nigger Too" was leaked to the internet on [[April 21]], [[2008]].<ref>Shaheem Reid. [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585924/20080421/nas.jhtml Nas Amps Up Controversy Over Forthcoming LP With Racial-Epithet-Spewing New Track] ''MTV''. Accessed [[April 21]], [[2008]].</ref> On June 5 2008, Nas released a track titled "Black President", in which he addressed Barack Obama and various issues surrounding his campaign, as well as the artist's own cynicism over the whole process. <ref> [http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=22019/] </ref> This song would be on " The Nigger Tape", with Nas and DJ Green Lantern. On May 19, 2008 a new song leaked titled "N.I.G.G.E.R."<ref>http://nahright.com/news/2008/05/20/nas-nigger-the-slave-the-master/</ref> On the 6th of June the official single off of Nas' Ninth Studio Album titled [[Hero (Nas song)|Hero]]" was released. The song features R&B singer [[Keri Hilson]] and is produced by [[Polow da Don]] . On June 10, 2008 Nas has called the album Untitled.<ref>http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7092/title.nas-names-album-nothing-sets-release-date</ref> Nas went on to say in a statement: "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>www.nme.com/news/nas/36731</ref> In a recent interview with [[Angie Martinez]]; a hostess of the [[New York]] radio station [[Hot 97]]; which is posted on Nas's official website ( NasIndependenceDay.com[http://www.Nasindependenceday.com] ); Nas made several controversial statements : "Somebody called L.A. (Reid) (About the former title of forthcoming album), the [[White House]] called! ......Yeah the " [[White House]] " " [[White House]] "! ..... I mean [[Congress]]... (called [[Def Jam]] ) they're concerned!"<ref>http://videos.onsmash.com/v/H3CLjrINRQcCJA9q</ref> On July 2nd, 2008, Fila announced that Nas had signed a shoe deal, his second to date. Nas will promote the sneakers in magazines and wear them at concerts. Fila also plans on having Nas release a second sneaker with 1980's oriented style during the 2008 holiday season. <ref>http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/06/30/daily27.html</ref> ==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !!Title !! Role |- | rowspan="2"|2001|| ''Sacred Is The Flesh'' || as "Isa Paige" |- | ''[[Ticker (2001 film)|Ticker]]'' || as "Det. Art "Fuzzy" Rice" |- | 1999 || ''[[In Too Deep (film)|In Too Deep]]'' || Uncredited as Drug Dealer on Street Corner |- | 1998 ||''[[Belly (film)|Belly]]'' || as "Sincere" |} ==Discography== {{Main|Nas discography}} ===Studio albums=== * 1994: ''[[Illmatic]]'' * 1996: ''[[It Was Written]]'' * 1999: ''[[I Am…]]'' * 1999: ''[[Nastradamus]]'' * 2001: ''[[Stillmatic]]'' * 2002: ''[[God's Son]]'' * 2004: ''[[Street's Disciple]]'' * 2006: ''[[Hip Hop Is Dead]]'' * 2008: ''[[Untitled (Nas album)|Untitled]]'' ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{Commons}} * [http://www.nasindependenceday.com Official site] * {{MySpace|nas}} * {{imdb name|id=0621576|name=Nas}} {{Nas}} {{Persondata |NAME=Nas |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Jones, Nasir |SHORT DESCRIPTION=Hip-hop artist |DATE OF BIRTH=[[September 14]] [[1973]] |PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Brooklyn]], [[New York]], [[United States]] }} [[Category:1973 births]] [[Category:African American rappers]] [[Category:American rappers]] [[Category:Columbia Records artists]] [[Category:Def Jam Recordings artists]] [[Category:East Coast rappers]] [[Category:Ill Will Records artists]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:New York City rappers]] [[Category:People from Queens]] [[Category:Hip hop activists]] [[cs:Nas]] [[da:Nas]] [[de:Nas (Rapper)]] [[es:Nas]] [[fr:Nas (rappeur)]] [[hr:Nas]] [[is:Nas]] [[it:Nas (rapper)]] [[lv:Nas]] [[lt:Nas]] [[nl:Nas (rapper)]] [[ja:ナズ]] [[no:Nas (artist)]] [[pl:Nas]] [[pt:Nas]] [[ru:Nas]] [[simple:Nas]] [[fi:Nas]] [[sv:Nas (rappare)]] [[ta:நாஸ்]]