Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known professionally as Nas, is a highly acclaimed American rapper and entrepreneur considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Coming from the East Coast hip-hop scene, his musical journey began in 1989 as "Nasty Nas." Mentored by Large Professor, another East Coast rapper, Nas initially recorded demos. His official recording debut was in 1991 with the song "Live at the Barbeque," featuring Large Professor's group, Main Source. Nas's father, Olu Dara, was a jazz musician, influencing his musical background.
1928: "On the Road Again" by Memphis Jug Band original release
The song "On the Road Again", performed by Nas in "The American Epic Sessions", was originally released in 1928 by the Memphis Jug Band.
1941: Birth of Fannie Ann Little
Nas's mother, Fannie Ann Little, was born in 1941.
September 14, 1973: Birth of Nasir Jones
Nasir Jones, later known as Nas, was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 14, 1973.
1976: Lijadu Sisters Release "Life's Gone Down Low"
The Lijadu Sisters released their song "Life's Gone Down Low" in 1976 as part of their *Danger* album, a track later sampled by Nas.
1985: Parents' Divorce and Dropping Out of School
Nas's parents divorced in 1985, and he subsequently dropped out of school after eighth grade.
1989: Meeting Large Professor
In 1989, at 16 years old, Nas met producer Large Professor and recorded material at the studio where Rakim and Kool G Rap were working.
1989: Early Music Career
Nas began his music career in 1989, using the name "Nasty Nas" and creating demos with Large Professor.
1991: Debut Appearance
Nas made his first recording appearance on Main Source's song "Live at the Barbeque" in 1991.
1991: Performance on "Live at the Barbeque"
Nas performed on Main Source's track "Live at the Barbeque" in 1991.
1992: Meeting MC Serch and Signing with Columbia Records
MC Serch became Nas's manager in 1992, and secured him a deal with Columbia Records, the same year Nas debuted with "Halftime".
1992: Signing with Columbia Records
Nas signed a record deal with Columbia Records in 1992.
June 15, 1994: Birth of Nas's Daughter, Destiny
Nas's ex-fiancée, Carmen Bryan, gave birth to their daughter, Destiny, on June 15, 1994.
1994: Release of Illmatic
Nas released his debut album, Illmatic, in 1994, to widespread critical acclaim.
1994: Release of Illmatic and "One on One"
Nas released his debut album, Illmatic, and recorded the song "One on One" for the Street Fighter soundtrack in 1994.
1994: Release of Nas's "The World Is Yours"
Nas released "The World Is Yours" in 1994.
1994: Illmatic Acclaimed as Best Album
Illmatic was named the best album of 1994 by The Source and received high praise from critics.
1994: 17 Studio Albums Released Since 1994
As of today, Nas has released seventeen studio albums since 1994.
1995: Guest Appearances and Preparation for It Was Written
Nas made guest appearances on several albums and started working on his second album, It Was Written, in 1995. He also changed management, hiring Steve Stoute.
1996: Collaboration Request and Sample Use
In 1996, Jay-Z invited Nas to collaborate on his album *Reasonable Doubt*, but Nas didn't show up. Subsequently, Jay-Z sampled Nas's "The World Is Yours" in "Dead Presidents II," sparking the beginning of their rivalry.
1996: Release of It Was Written
In 1996, Nas released his second album, It Was Written, achieving mainstream success.
1996: Feud with 2Pac
In 1996, a feud arose between Nas and 2Pac when 2Pac misinterpreted lyrics on Nas's "It Was Written" album as being directed at him. 2Pac responded with the diss track "Against All Odds." Though they later reconciled, 2Pac's untimely death shortly after prevented the removal of the diss from the album's official release.
1996: Release of Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents"
Jay-Z released "Dead Presidents" in 1996, which sampled Nas's 1994 track "The World Is Yours."
1996: Nas raps as adult Ezekiel in "The Get Down"
Nas portrayed the older version of the character Ezekiel, rapping in the 1996 segments of the Netflix series, "The Get Down".
1999: Release of I Am and Nastradamus
Nas released two albums in 1999, I Am and Nastradamus, both of which received mixed reviews.
December 2001: Jay-Z Apologizes to Nas
In December 2001, Jay-Z publicly apologized to Nas and his family for the controversial lyrics in his diss track "Supa Ugly." This marked a turning point in their feud.
2001: Feud with Jay-Z and Release of Stillmatic
Nas engaged in a public feud with Jay-Z in 2001 and released the album Stillmatic.
2002: Release of The Lost Tapes
Nas released the compilation album "The Lost Tapes" in 2002.
2002: Death of Fannie Ann Jones
Nas's mother, Fannie Ann Jones, passed away in 2002.
2002: Release of God's Son
Nas released the album God's Son in 2002.
2002: Nas and Cam'ron's Summer Jam Fallout
In 2002, Nas was removed from the Summer Jam lineup due to planned controversial performance. This led to a feud with Cam'ron, who replaced him, marked by diss tracks and public criticism.
2002: Release of "The Lost Tapes"
Nas released his compilation album "The Lost Tapes" in 2002, featuring previously unreleased tracks.
2002: Nas's Mother Passes Away
In the spring of 2002, Nas experienced a significant personal loss when his mother passed away from cancer. He was with her at the time of her death.
2003: Escalation and Diss Tracks
Throughout 2003, the feud between Nas and Cam'ron intensified, with both artists releasing diss tracks targeting each other and their respective entourages.
2004: Release of Street's Disciple
Nas put out the double album Street's Disciple in 2004.
2004: Release of "Thief's Theme"
Nas released "Thief's Theme" in 2004.
January 2005: Nas Marries Kelis
In January 2005, Nas married R&B singer Kelis in Atlanta after two years of dating.
2005: End of Jay-Z Feud
The highly publicized dispute between Nas and Jay-Z ended in 2005.
2005: Reconciliation and On-Stage Reunion
The long-standing feud between Nas and Jay-Z officially ended in 2005 when they performed together at a surprise concert, marking a significant moment of reconciliation in hip-hop history.
January 23, 2006: Nas Signs with Def Jam Recordings
On January 23, 2006, Nas signed a lucrative deal with Def Jam Recordings, where Jay-Z was president. The deal was reportedly worth $3,000,000 per album for his first two albums with the label.
December 2006: Nas and Young Jeezy's Sales Dispute
In December 2006, Nas and Young Jeezy engaged in a public dispute after Nas criticized Southern hip-hop. Jeezy challenged Nas's street credibility and album sales, leading to a brief feud.
2006: Signing with Def Jam and Release of Hip Hop Is Dead
Nas signed with Def Jam Recordings and released Hip Hop Is Dead in 2006.
2006: Release of Hip Hop Is Dead and Greatest Hits; "Thief's Theme" featured in The Departed
In 2006, Nas released his album "Hip Hop Is Dead," which sparked controversy, especially with Southern hip-hop artists. His song "Thief's Theme" was featured in the film "The Departed," and Columbia Records released his "Greatest Hits" compilation.
2006: Sampling Controversy
In 2006, Nas faced controversy for sampling the Lijadu Sisters' "Life's Gone Down Low" without permission or credit on his mixtape *The Prophecy, Vol 2*.
2006: Michael Richards Incident
Comedian Michael Richards used the racial slur "nigger" onstage in 2006, contributing to the climate surrounding Nas's album title controversy.
2006: Start of Nas's Tax Issues
Nas began facing tax problems with the IRS as early as 2006. This eventually escalated to millions of dollars in debt over several years.
September 6, 2007: Virginia Tech Performance
On September 6, 2007, Nas performed a free concert at Virginia Tech following the tragic school shooting, offering support to the community.
October 12, 2007: Nas Announces Controversial Album Title
On October 12, 2007, Nas announced his next album would be titled "Nigger," sparking outrage from figures like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Fox News. This led to controversies and discussions about the use of the racial slur.
May 19, 2008: Nas Drops Album Title
On May 19, 2008, Nas decided to release his album without a title, responding to ongoing criticism and pressure related to his previously announced title. He criticized Jesse Jackson for his comments on the situation.
June 23, 2008: "Hero" Single Released
The lead single "Hero" from Nas's untitled album was released on June 23, 2008.
July 15, 2008: Untitled Album Released; Nas Signs Shoe Deal; Potential Collaborations
Nas released his untitled album on July 15, 2008. He also signed a shoe deal with Fila and discussed potential collaborations with Dr. Dre and DJ Premier.
July 23, 2008: Nas on The Colbert Report
On July 23, 2008, Nas appeared on *The Colbert Report* to discuss his views on Bill O'Reilly, Fox News, and their alleged bias against the African-American community.
2008: Collaboration and Reconciliation
Following their 2006 feud, Nas and Young Jeezy reconciled and collaborated on the hit single "My President" in 2008.
2008: Release of Untitled Ninth Album
In 2008, Nas released his untitled ninth studio album.
April 30, 2009: Kelis Files for Divorce
On April 30, 2009, Kelis filed for divorce from Nas, citing irreconcilable differences.
July 21, 2009: Birth of Nas's Son, Knight
Kelis gave birth to Nas's first son, Knight, on July 21, 2009. Nas publicly announced the birth against Kelis's wishes.
September 2009: IRS Files Tax Lien Against Nas
In September 2009, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service filed a tax lien against Nas for over $2.5 million in unpaid taxes dating back to 2006. This amount increased to over $6.4 million by early 2011, and in early 2012, the IRS moved to garnish some of his earnings.
2009: Collaboration with Damian Marley; Tenth Studio Album Announcement; Live Band Performances
In 2009, Nas confirmed a collaborative album with Damian Marley, with proceeds partially benefiting a school in Africa. He also announced his tenth studio album and toured with his live band, Mulatto.
May 21, 2010: Nas and Kelis Divorce Finalized
The divorce between Nas and Kelis was finalized on May 21, 2010.
2010: Delayed Release of The Lost Tapes Sequel
A planned sequel to Nas's 2002 compilation album "The Lost Tapes" was delayed indefinitely in 2010 due to issues with Def Jam.
2010: Release of Distant Relatives
Nas collaborated with Damian Marley on Distant Relatives in 2010, with album royalties going to African charities.
2011: Collaboration Album Announcements
Nas announced plans to release collaborative albums with Mobb Deep, Common, and DJ Premier in 2011. Common discussed their potential project, tentatively titled "Nas.Com."
2011: Nas's Tax Debt Increases
Nas's tax debt to the IRS continued to increase, growing to more than $6.4 million by early 2011.
January 2012: Nas's Angola Concert Dispute
In January 2012, Nas became involved in a dispute regarding a concert in Luanda, Angola. After receiving $300,000 in advance, Nas did not appear for the New Year's Eve performance. This led to the detention of the American promoters, Patrick Allocco and his son, who had arranged the event. After intervention by the U.S. Embassy, they were released, and Nas eventually returned the $300,000.
March 15, 2012: Nas Verified on Genius
On March 15, 2012, Nas achieved a milestone by becoming the first rapper to receive a personal verified account on the lyrics annotation platform Genius. This verification allowed him to explain his own lyrics and provide commentary on other artists' work.
July 13, 2012: Release of Life Is Good
Nas released his eleventh studio album, "Life Is Good," on July 13, 2012. He considered it a significant moment in his career.
2012: Ranked on The Source's Top Lyricists List
The Source placed Nas second on their list of Top 50 Lyricists of All Time in 2012.
2012: "King's Disease II" becomes Nas's highest-charting album since 2012.
With its release in 2021, "King's Disease II" marked Nas's highest position on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart since 2012.
2012: Release of Life Is Good
Nas released Life Is Good in 2012, which was later nominated for a Grammy.
2012: IRS Garnishes Nas's Earnings
In early 2012, due to the substantial tax debt, the IRS initiated the garnishment of Nas's earnings from BMI and ASCAP.
2012: Life Is Good Album Released
In 2012, Nas released the album "Life Is Good," the cover of which visually referenced his divorce from Kelis.
January 2013: Nas Begins Twelfth Studio Album; Collaboration with DJ Premier
In January 2013, Nas announced work on his twelfth studio album, intended as his last for Def Jam. He also confirmed a future collaboration with DJ Premier.
April 10, 2013: Investment in Mass Appeal
On April 10, 2013, Nas invested in *Mass Appeal* magazine and became its associate publisher, marking a move into media and publishing.
May 2013: Nas Opens Sneaker Store
In May 2013, Nas ventured into the retail business by opening a sneaker store named 12 am RUN (pronounced Midnight Run) in Las Vegas as part of The LINQ retail development.
June 2013: Opens Sneaker Store
Nas expanded his business ventures in June 2013 by opening his own sneaker store.
July 2013: Harvard Establishes Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship
In July 2013, Harvard University recognized Nas's impact on hip-hop by establishing the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship. This fellowship supports scholars and artists who demonstrate promise and innovation in the arts, particularly within the context of hip-hop culture.
September 2013: Investment in Proven
In September 2013, Nas invested in Proven, a technology startup focused on job search applications.
October 2013: Collaboration Album and "Sinatra in the Sands" Confirmed
In October 2013, DJ Premier stated their collaborative project would follow Nas's twelfth album. Nas also confirmed a track titled "Sinatra in the Sands" featuring Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland.
2013: Life Is Good Grammy Nomination
Nas's album "Life Is Good" was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
2013: Ranked on MTV's Hottest MCs List
MTV ranked Nas fourth on their annual Hottest MCs in the Game list in 2013.
April 16, 2014: Premiere of Nas: Time Is Illmatic Documentary
The documentary "Nas: Time Is Illmatic," exploring the creation of his debut album, premiered on April 16, 2014, marking the album's twentieth anniversary.
May 2014: Release of "I Am Somebody" with Bliss n Eso
Nas collaborated with Australian hip-hop group Bliss n Eso on the track "I Am Somebody," released in May 2014.
May 2014: Partnership with Koru and LANDR
In May 2014, Nas partnered with job placement startup Koru and co-owned LANDR, demonstrating his involvement in education and technology.
October 2014: Nas Discovers Ancestry on Finding Your Roots
In October 2014, Nas appeared on the PBS program "Finding Your Roots," where he learned about his family history, including his enslaved ancestors and their experiences.
2014: Named Greatest MC of All Time by About.com
Nas was recognized as the Greatest MC of All Time by About.com in 2014.
2014: Investment in ViralGains
Nas continued his investments in tech startups in 2014, contributing to a $2.8 million funding round for ViralGains.
2014: Reconciliation
After years of animosity, Nas and Cam'ron finally put their differences aside and reconciled in 2014, ending their long-running feud.
June 2015: Investment in Sweet Chick
Nas expanded his culinary interests in June 2015 by investing in Sweet Chick, a soul food restaurant, and planned its national expansion.
November 2015: Nas Featured on Justin Bieber's "Purpose" Album
Nas was featured on the song "We Are" from Justin Bieber's album "Purpose," released in November 2015.
2015: Planned Release of Twelfth Studio Album
Nas's twelfth studio album was originally planned for release during 2015.
August 2016: Executive Producer and Narrator for "The Get Down"
In August 2016, Nas was announced as one of the executive producers and the narrator for the Netflix series "The Get Down". He also rapped as the character adult Ezekiel in the 1996 segments of the show.
October 16, 2016: Received Jimmy Iovine Icon Award
On October 16, 2016, Nas was honored with the Jimmy Iovine Icon Award at the 2016 REVOLT Music Conference. The award recognized his significant contributions to the music industry, including his influence, longevity, partnership with Hennessy, and work with the Mass Appeal imprint.
November 2016: Collaborated on "Wrote My Way Out"
In November 2016, Nas worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dave East, and Aloe Blacc on the song "Wrote My Way Out" for "The Hamilton Mixtape."
April 12, 2017: Released "Angel Dust"
On April 12, 2017, Nas dropped the track "Angel Dust," which served as part of the soundtrack for the TV series "The Get Down." The song notably sampled Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson's composition of the same name.
April 2017: Sweet Chick Opens in Los Angeles
In April 2017, Sweet Chick, the restaurant Nas co-owns, opened its Los Angeles location as part of its national expansion.
June 9, 2017: Released Music from The American Epic Sessions
On June 9, 2017, Nas released his performances of "On the Road Again" and "One Mic" as part of the soundtrack album "Music from The American Epic Sessions: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack".
June 2017: Appeared in "The American Epic Sessions" documentary
In June 2017, Nas appeared in the documentary "The American Epic Sessions," directed by Bernard MacMahon. He performed a live direct-to-disc recording of the 1928 Memphis Jug Band song "On the Road Again" using a restored recording system from the 1920s.
April 2018: Kanye West Announces Nas's Twelfth Studio Album
Kanye West announced in April 2018 that he would be the executive producer on Nas's upcoming twelfth studio album, with a planned release date of June 15th.
June 2018: Amazon Acquisition of Ring and PillPack
Nas benefited from Amazon's acquisition of Ring Inc. and PillPack in June 2018, having previously invested in PillPack through his firm, Queensbridge Venture Partners.
2018: Abuse Allegations and Custody Battle
In 2018, Kelis accused Nas of physical and mental abuse during their marriage. Nas responded with counter-accusations related to custody battles.
July 19, 2019: Released "The Lost Tapes 2"
On July 19, 2019, Nas released "The Lost Tapes 2", a sequel to his 2002 album "The Lost Tapes." The album included production contributions from Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, The Alchemist, and RZA.
November 12, 2019: Nas Honored by Haute Living
On November 12, 2019, Nas was honored by Haute Living, Watches of Switzerland, and Hennessy in a special event. The celebration included a unique violin performance of some of his most iconic songs by Edward W. Hardy.
August 2020: Announced and Released "King's Disease"
In August 2020, Nas announced and subsequently released his 13th studio album, "King's Disease." Executive produced by Hit-Boy, the album's lead single was "Ultra Black." It later won a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
2020: Nas References Doja Cat in "Ultra Black"
In 2020, Nas mentioned Doja Cat in his song "Ultra Black" after she faced accusations of racism online. The lyric sparked mixed reactions and a discussion about his intent.
2020: First Grammy Win for King's Disease
Nas won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for King's Disease in 2020.
August 6, 2021: Released "King's Disease II"
Nas released the sequel to his Grammy-winning album, "King's Disease II," on August 6, 2021. The album, which featured a collaboration with Lauryn Hill on the track "Nobody," debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.
2021: Release of King's Disease II and Magic
Nas released King's Disease II and Magic in 2021.
2022: Release of King's Disease III
King's Disease III was released by Nas in 2022.
September 12, 2023: Announces "Magic 3"
On September 12, 2023, Nas announced "Magic 3", the third installment of the Magic album series. The album, set for release on September 14th, also marked his fiftieth birthday and the final collaboration between him and Hit-Boy.
2023: Release of Magic 2 and Magic 3
In 2023, Nas released both Magic 2 and Magic 3.