Nas: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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* actor

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| works = {{hlist|[[Nas discography|Discography]]|[[#Filmography|filmography]]|[[Nas discography #Production discography|production]]}}

| years_active = ~~1991–present~~1989–present

| spouse = {{marriage|[[Kelis]]|2005|2010|reason=divorced}}

| children = 2

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| module = {{Infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| origin = [[Queens]], New York City, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

* [[East Coast hip hop]]

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'''Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones''' ({{IPAc-en|n|ɑː|ˈ|s|ɪər}}; born September 14, 1973), ~~better~~ known byprofessionally ~~his [[stage name]]~~as '''Nas''' ({{IPAc-en|n|ɑː|z}}), 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=2015-11-12|title=The 10 Best Rappers of All Time|url=http://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/the-10-best-rappers-of-all-time|access-date=2020-09-20|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Bofah|first1=Kofi|date=2018-02-24|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=2020-09-20|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=2020-09-20|website=LiveAbout|language=en}}</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 ~~first~~made ~~guest~~his ~~appeared~~recording debut on ~~his~~Professor's group, [[Main Source]]'s 1991 song "Live at the Barbeque".

Nas's signed with [[Columbia Records]] in 1992, and released his debut studio album, ''[[Illmatic]]'' (1994), ~~received~~two ~~universal~~years ~~acclaim~~later. ~~upon~~An ~~release~~inductee of the [[Library of Congress]]'s [[National Recording Registry]], ~~and~~it ishas ~~considered~~been toregarded beas 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> ~~in 2020, the album was inducted into the [[Library of Congress]]'s [[National Recording Registry]].~~<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=National Recording Registry Adds Titles From Nas, Janet Jackson, Kool & the Gang and More|url=http://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/9545188/national-recording-registry-nas-janet-jackson-kool-the-gang|access-date=2021-03-24|website=~~www.billboard.com~~[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|language=en}}</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=2020-12-15|title=Nas's 6 Best Albums|url=https://www.popdust.com/nas-6-best-albums-2649497911.html|access-date=2021-03-24|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)~~—each~~—were ~~received positive reception and were~~each produced entirely by ~~producer~~ [[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 ~~which~~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~~'Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2’2' 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 }}</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=2020-10-03|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life==

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==Career==

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|url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-dj-mega-skills-traf-29047066/episode/5-o-clock-traffic-jam-mix-29121958/|website=www.iheart.com|access-date=2019-04-09|title=Listen to the DJ Mega Skills Traffic Jam Episode – 5' O Clock Traffic Jam Mix Feat Nasty "NAS" on iHeartRadio}}</ref> In 1989, then-16-year-old Nas met up with producer [[Large Professor]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stopthebreaks.com/gems/nas-first-recording-session-large-professor/ |title=Hip-Hop Gem: Nas' First Recording Session Was With Large Professor |website=Stopthebreaks.com |date=November 4, 2013 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210092853/https://www.stopthebreaks.com/gems/nas-first-recording-session-large-professor/ |url-status=dead }}</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|url=http://www.realraptalk.com/f16/nas-fans-good-long-read-nas-biography-67275/ |title=Nas Fans- Good long read. Nas Biography |publisher=Real Rap Talk |date=September 14, 1973 |access-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bridging the Gap (Part 2) |url=http://www.theavemagazine.com/Gems/Nasolu02.htm |work=The Ave |year=2004 |access-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818020834/http://www.theavemagazine.com/Gems/Nasolu02.htm |archive-date=August 18, 2007 }}</ref>

===1991–1994: The beginnings and ''Illmatic''===

[[File:Nas - Interview - YO! MTV Raps - MTV Music.webm|thumb|right|Nas interviewed in 1993]]

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.

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===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 in mid-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 music|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]].{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

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}}</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/~~music/photos~~photo-gallery/~~2015/05~~c9e81i/hip-hop-cliques-that-went-their-separate-ways~~.html~~/q5deph|title = Hip Hop Cliques That Went Their Separate Ways| website=[[BET]] }}</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={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r243986|pure_url=yes}}|website=allmusic|access-date=September 13, 2008}}{{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>

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===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 in December 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}}</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]. 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/articles/nas-gods-son,12129/|title=Nas: God's Son|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|publisher=[[The Onion|Onion Inc]]|date=February 3, 2003|access-date=August 12, 2011}}</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"/>

In December 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}}

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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;<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}}</ref> 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

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 — 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}}</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}}</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], 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|df=mdy-all}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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 | 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}}</ref> A portion of the profit was planned to go towards building a school in Africa.<ref>{{cite web|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|work=~~billboard.com~~[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</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}}</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/~~bbcom~~music/music-news/nas-next-album-all-about-peace-and-love-~~1003992643.story~~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}}</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 |df=mdy-all }}</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}}</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}}</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}}</ref> ''Life is Good'' would be nominated for [[Best Rap Album]] at the [[2013 Grammy Awards]].

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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}}</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=2018-02-28|language=en-US}}</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=2018-02-28}}</ref> which ~~received universal acclaim with~~ ''[[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=2018-02-28|language=en}}</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=2018-02-28}}</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=2018-02-28}}</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=2017-04-28|work=Legacy Recordings|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-US}}</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=2018-04-23|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/988199097554296832|title=KANYE WEST on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en}}</ref> The album was announced the day before release, titled ''[[Nasir (album)|Nasir]]''.

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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}}</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}}</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}}</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= 18 October 2019 | access-date = 17 September 2020 | work = [[Haute Living]] | author = Laura Schreffler }}</ref>

===2020–present: ''King's Disease'' series ~~and~~, ''Magic'' series and DJ Premier collaborative album===

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}}</ref> The album won the [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album]] at the [[63rd Annual Grammy Awards]], becoming Nas' 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}}</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/amp/|website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]]|last=Strauss|first=Matthew|date=August 3, 2021|access-date=August 3, 2021}}</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 USU.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=2021-08-17|website=www.hotnewhiphop.com|date=August 16, 2021 }}</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}}</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=2022-11-17 |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=2023-03-21 |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=2023-03-21 |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=2022-11-14 |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=2023-03-21 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ginsberg |first=Gab |date=2022-11-11 |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=2023-03-21 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}</ref>

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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 fiftieth birthday.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12 |title=Nas Announces "Magic 3" Release Date |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/712169-nas-magic-3-release |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=www.hotnewhiphop.com |language=en}}</ref> The album would be the sixth and final collaboration between Nas and [[Hit-Boy]] on an album.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

On April 19, 2024, it was announced for the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, that Nas and [[DJ Premier]] would be releasing their collaboration album ~~scheduled to be released~~ 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}}</ref>

Nas [[Executive producer|executive produced]] the 2024 [[concept album]] by [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]] and [[Eisa Davis]], ''[[Warriors (Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis album)|Warriors]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-18 |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=2024-09-27 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==Artistry==

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===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 II]]''. 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]], 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}}</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=2013-02-13}}</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 |Today Marks The Anniversary Of The Rap Beef Between Jay-Z & Nas|first=Omari|last=White|website=Thesource.com|date=December 12, 2014}}</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}}</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 [[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}}</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 [[PSean ~~Diddy~~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=2019-05-03}}</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=2019-05-03}}</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=2019-05-03}}</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=2019-05-03}}</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)|date = February 20, 2014}}</ref>

===Young Jeezy===

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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}}</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>

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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/}}</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...}}</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}}</ref> and English soccer team [[Everton FCF.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}}</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}}</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=2023-09-25 |website=www.femalefirst.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

On June 15, 1994, Nas's ex-fiancée, Carmen ~~Bryant~~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|df=mdy-all}}</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|df=mdy-all}}</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}}</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|df=mdy-all}}</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~~, although the event was soured by a disagreement which ended in~~. Nas ~~announcing~~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]]}}</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 }}</ref> Their divorce was visually reflected in Nas' 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=2023-09-25 |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/articles/columns/hip-hop/8390284/kelis-interview-nas-hollywood-unlocked|title=Kelis Accuses Nas of Being Physically Abusive During Their 5-Year Marriage|last=Lamarre|first=Carl|date=April 26, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}</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=2018-09-07|work=The Source|access-date=2018-11-01|language=en-US}}</ref>

Nas ~~also~~ briefly dated [[Mary J. Blige]] and [[Nicki Minaj]] ~~respectively~~.<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]]}}</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 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}}</ref> By early 2011 this figure had ballooned to over $6.4 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]]}}</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=~~http~~https://www.bet.com/~~news~~article/~~music/2012/03/25~~3lcm8a/irs-to-garnish-nas-s-wages~~.html~~ |title=IRS to Garnish Nas's Wages |date=March 26, 2012 |website=Bet.com}}</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}}</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>

Line 265 ⟶ 268:

*''[[The Album (The Firm album)|The Album]]'' with [[The Firm (hip hop group)|The Firm]] (1997)

*''[[Distant Relatives]]'' with [[Damian Marley]] (2010)

*[[Untitled Nas/DJ Premier album|Untitled album]] with [[DJ Premier]] (2024)

==Filmography ==

~~{| class="wikitable sortable"~~

===Film===

~~|+Film and television roles~~

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

~~! class="wikitable unsortable" | Notes~~

| 1998

| ''[[Belly (film)|Belly]]''

| Sincere

~~|Film~~

| 1999

| ''[[In Too Deep (1999 film)|In Too Deep]]''

| Drug Dealer

~~|Film; uncredited~~

| rowspan="2"| |2001

| ''[[Ticker (2001 film)|Ticker]]''

| Det. Art "Fuzzy" Rice

~~|Film~~

| ''Sacred is the Flesh''

| Isa Paige

~~|Film~~

| 2002

~~|2010~~

| ''[[John Q.]]''

~~|''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''~~

| Himself

~~|Gordon Smith~~

~~|Episode: "Heihei"~~

| 2003

~~|2013~~

| ''[[~~Black Nativity (film)|Black~~Uptown ~~Nativity~~Girls]]''

| Himself

~~|Prophet Isaiah~~

~~|Film~~

| 2013

~~| rowspan="2" |2014~~

| ''[[Black Nativity (film)|Black Nativity]]''

~~|''Hidden Colors 3: The Rules of Racism''~~

| Prophet Isaiah

~~| rowspan="3" |Himself~~

~~| rowspan="2" |Documentary film~~

| 2014

~~|''[[Nas: Time Is Illmatic]]''~~

| ''Waltz''

| Henchman

| Short

| ~~rowspan="2" |~~2016

| ''[[Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping]]''

| Himself

~~|Mockumentary film~~

| 2018

~~|''[[The Get Down]]''~~

| ''[[Monster (2018 film)|Monster]]''

~~|Narrator~~

| Raymond "Sunset" Green

~~|11 episodes~~

===Television===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"

! Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

| 1996

~~| rowspan="2" |2017~~

| ''[[It's Showtime at the Apollo]]''

~~|''[[American Epic (documentary)|American Epic: The Big Bang]]''~~

| ~~rowspan="2" |~~Himself

| Episode: "Episode #10.3"

~~| rowspan="2" |Documentary film~~

| 2002

~~|''[[The American Epic Sessions]]''~~

| ''[[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"

| 2013

| ''[[Billy Eichner|Funny or Die's Billy on the Street]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "Episode #2.6"

|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

| ''[[~~Monster~~Rapture (~~2018~~TV ~~film~~series)|~~Monster~~Rapture]]''

| Himself

~~| Raymond "Sunset" Green~~

| Episode: "Nas & Dave East: The Bridge"

~~| Film~~

|rowspan=2| 2019

| ''[[~~Gully~~Wu-Tang ~~Boy~~Clan: Of Mics and Men]]''

| Himself

| Executive producer<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=1 March 2019 |work=HotNewHipHop |date=19 February 2019}}</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=1 March 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=12 February 2019}}</ref>

| Episode: "101"

~~| Film~~

| ''[[Free Meek]]''

~~|2019~~

| Himself

~~|''[[Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men]]''~~

| Episode: "The Trap"

~~|Himself~~

~~|Documentary Series~~

|rowspan=2| 2020

| ''[[You Ain't Got These]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "Intro" & "Jordan"

~~| rowspan="2" |2020~~

| ''[[The Last Dance (miniseries)|The Last Dance]]''

| Himself

| Episode: "Episode V"

~~| Documentary film~~

|rowspan=4| 2022

~~|''SMOKE: Marijuana + Black America''~~

| ''[[Soul of a Nation]]''

~~|Narrator, Executive producer~~

| Himself

~~| Documentary film~~

| Episode: "Sound of Freedom – A Juneteenth Celebration"

| ''Origins of Hip Hop''

~~| rowspan="1" |2021~~

| Himself/Narrator

~~| ''[[Mary J. Blige's My Life]]''~~

| Main Narrator

| ''Supreme Team''

| Himself

| Main Guest

~~| Documentary film~~

| ''Murder Inc Records Docu''

~~|2021~~

| Himself

~~|''You're Watching Video Music Box''~~

| Recurring Guest

~~|Director, Narrator, Executive Producer~~

~~|Documentary film~~

| 2023

~~|2022~~

| ''[[AP Dhillon|AP Dhillon: First of a Kind]]''

~~|''Supreme Team''~~

| Himself

~~|Director with Peter J Scalletar, Executive Producer~~

| Episode: "Episode #1.4"

~~|Documentary series~~

===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=1 March 2019 |work=HotNewHipHop |date=19 February 2019}}</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=1 March 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=12 February 2019}}</ref>

Line 464 ⟶ 655:

| 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>