NAS may also refer to Network-attached storage.
Nasir Jones (born September 14, 1973), known professionally as Nas, is an American rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur. Raised in the Queensbridge Houses in Queens, New York, he is the son of jazz musician Olu Dara and began gaining attention in the early 1990s for his vivid, literate lyricism and street-centered storytelling.
Breakthrough: Illmatic
Nas's debut album, Illmatic, was released in 1994. Critics widely praised the record for its production, concise track list, and Nas's dense, observational rhymes. Over time, the album has frequently been cited by writers and historians as one of the most influential hip hop records of the 1990s and a landmark in the genre's focus on narrative and poetic detail.
Later career and work
Following his debut, Nas released a string of studio albums and collaborative projects that expanded his musical range and commercial reach. His catalogue includes both critically acclaimed and commercially successful releases, and he has experimented with different producers and styles while maintaining a reputation for complex, reflective lyricism.
Outside music, Nas has been involved in business and media ventures, including record and creative projects and investments in technology and culture-focused companies. Over his career he has received multiple Grammy nominations and, in 2021, won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for King's Disease, his first Grammy victory.
Legacy
Nas is frequently recognized for advancing narrative rap and for influencing generations of lyricists. Albums such as Illmatic remain common touchstones in discussions of hip hop history and songwriting craft.