History of Nas in Timeline

Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, is a highly acclaimed American rapper and entrepreneur, considered one of hip-hop's greatest. Emerging from the East Coast hip-hop scene, he began his career in 1989 as "Nasty Nas," mentored by Large Professor. His debut came on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque" in 1991, marking the start of his influential journey.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1928: "On the Road Again" original song

In June 2017, Nas performed a cover of the song "On the Road Again", a 1928 song by the Memphis Jug Band, for the documentary The American Epic Sessions.

1941: Birth of Mother Fannie Ann

In 1941, Fannie Ann (née Little), Nas's mother, was born. She later became a U.S. Postal Service worker from North Carolina.

September 14, 1973: Nas's Birth

On September 14, 1973, Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known as Nas, was born in Brooklyn, New York City.

1976: Lijadu Sisters release Danger album

In 1976, the Lijadu Sisters released their album 'Danger' which featured the song "Life's Gone Down Low", later sampled by Nas.

1985: Parents' Divorce

In 1985, Nas's parents divorced, marking a significant change in his family life.

1986: Release of "The Bridge"

In 1986, Shan & Marl released the song "The Bridge", which was used as the base for "Da Bridge 2001" released in 2001.

1989: Early Career as Nasty Nas

In 1989, Nas began his musical career under the moniker "Nasty Nas" and recorded demos with Large Professor, marking the start of his journey in East Coast hip-hop.

1989: Meeting Large Professor

In 1989, at the age of 16, Nas met producer Large Professor and recorded material in the studio where Rakim and Kool G Rap were recording their albums, though none of his material was released at the time.

1991: Recording Debut

In 1991, Nas made his recording debut on Main Source's song "Live at the Barbeque", which was produced by Large Professor.

1991: Performance on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque"

In 1991, Nas performed on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque," produced by Large Professor, marking an early milestone in his career.

1992: Signing with Columbia Records

In 1992, Nas signed with Columbia Records, setting the stage for his debut studio album.

1992: Managed by MC Serch and Signed with Columbia Records

In mid-1992, Nas was managed by MC Serch of 3rd Bass, who secured him a record deal with Columbia Records during the same year, leading to his solo debut on the single "Halftime".

April 19, 1994: Release of Illmatic

On April 19, 1994, Nas released his debut studio album, Illmatic, which later became part of the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.

June 15, 1994: Birth of daughter, Destiny

On June 15, 1994, Nas's ex-fiancée, Carmen Bryan, gave birth to their daughter, Destiny.

1994: Illmatic Awarded Best Album

In 1994, Illmatic was awarded best album of the year by The Source, receiving critical acclaim for its lyrics and evocation of ghetto life.

1994: Release of Illmatic and Recording "One on One"

In 1994, Nas released his debut album, Illmatic, featuring production from various artists. He also recorded "One on One" for the Street Fighter soundtrack, marking a significant year in his early career.

1994: Release of "The World Is Yours"

In 1994, Nas released the track "The World Is Yours", which would later be sampled in Jay-Z's 1996 song "Dead Presidents".

1994: Studio Albums Released Since 1994

Since 1994, Nas has released seventeen studio albums, ten of which have been certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum in the U.S., showing his lasting impact and commercial success.

1995: Guest Performances and Preparation for It Was Written

In 1995, Nas had guest performances on albums by AZ, Mobb Deep, Raekwon, and Kool G Rap. He also parted ways with manager MC Serch, enlisted Steve Stoute, and started preparing for his second album, It Was Written, aiming for a crossover sound.

July 2, 1996: Release of It Was Written

On July 2, 1996, Nas released It Was Written, which featured hits like "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" and "Street Dreams," directed by Hype Williams, propelling him into mainstream hip-hop. The album also marked the debut of the Firm.

Loading Video...

1996: Early interactions with Jay-Z

In 1996, Jay-Z requested that Nas appear on his album 'Reasonable Doubt', but Nas never showed up to the studio. Jay-Z then asked producer Ski Beatz to sample a line from Nas's song 'The World is Yours' for his track 'Dead Presidents II'.

1996: Release of It Was Written

In 1996, Nas released his second album, It Was Written, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 and achieved mainstream success, propelled by the single "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" featuring Lauryn Hill.

Loading Video...

1996: Feud with 2Pac begins

In 1996, after 2Pac interpreted lines on Nas's album 'It Was Written' as directed toward him, he attacked Nas on the track "Against All Odds". The two rappers later met and ended their feud.

1996: Rapping as Adult Ezekiel on The Get Down

Nas narrated the series The Get Down and rapped as adult Ezekiel of 1996.

1997: Work and Disbandment of The Firm

In 1997, The Firm worked on their debut album after being signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Cormega was later fired, and after the album's release to mixed reviews, the group disbanded.

1998: Working on I Am... The Autobiography and Starring in Belly

In 1998, Nas began working on the double album I Am... The Autobiography and co-wrote and starred in the film Belly, directed by Hype Williams.

1999: Criticism of Albums I Am and Nastradamus

In 1999, Nas's third and fourth albums, I Am and Nastradamus, faced criticism for being inconsistent and too commercially oriented, leading to concerns about the quality of his music.

1999: Release of I Am... and Nastradamus, Controversy and Criticism

In 1999, the second single from I Am... was "Hate Me Now," which faced controversy due to the video's crucifixion scene. Later that year, Nas released Nastradamus, which was rushed and met with unfavorable reviews, leading to concerns about his career's decline.

1999: Completion of I Am... The Autobiography

In early 1999, Nas completed I Am... The Autobiography, and shot a music video for the lead single, "Nas Is Like." Much of the album was leaked online, leading to the recording of substitute material.

2000: Release of QB's Finest

In 2000, Nas released QB's Finest, a compilation album featuring various rappers from Queensbridge projects and hip-hop legends, marking a collaborative effort within the Queensbridge community.

December 11, 2001: Jay-Z releases "Supa Ugly"

On December 11, 2001, Jay-Z released the song "Supa Ugly" in response to "Ether". Hot 97 radio host Angie Martinez premiered the song, in which Jay-Z boasted about having an affair with Nas's girlfriend, Carmen Bryan.

December 2001: Jay-Z apologizes for "Supa Ugly"

In December 2001, Jay-Z apologized on Hot 97 for the song "Supa Ugly" after his mother expressed disgust at the personal attacks on Nas's family. This marked the end of direct diss tracks between the two, though the feud continued with subliminal messages.

December 18, 2001: Release of Stillmatic

On December 18, 2001, Nas released his fifth studio album, Stillmatic, which included the diss track "Ether" and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, also featuring his daughter, Destiny, as an executive producer to receive royalty checks.

Loading Video...

2001: Release of "Da Bridge 2001"

In 2001, "Da Bridge 2001", the lead single from QB's Finest was released, which was based on Shan & Marl's 1986 recording "The Bridge".

2001: Feud with Jay-Z and Release of Stillmatic

In 2001, Nas was involved in a public feud with Jay-Z and released the diss track "Ether." He also released the album Stillmatic in the same year, which helped restore his critical standing.

Loading Video...

April 2002: Death of Nas's mother

In April 2002, Nas's mother died of cancer. Several songs on God's Son are dedicated to her, including "Dance".

September 2002: Release of The Lost Tapes

In September 2002, The Lost Tapes, a compilation of previously unreleased songs from 1998 to 2001, was released by Columbia Records. The collection achieved respectable sales and received rave reviews from critics. Also in 2002, Eminem cited both Nas and Jay-Z as being two of the best MCs in the industry, in his song "'Till I Collapse".

December 13, 2002: Release of God's Son album

On December 13, 2002, Nas released the album God's Son, which included the lead single "Made You Look." The album reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Time Magazine named it best hip-hop album of the year.

2002: Death of Mother Fannie Ann

In 2002, Fannie Ann, Nas's mother, passed away, marking a significant life event for Nas.

2002: Release of God's Son

In 2002, Nas released the album God's Son, which contributed to restoring his critical standing after earlier criticism.

2002: Death of Nas's mother

In 2002, Nas's mother passed away from cancer while in his arms.

2002: Feud with Cam'ron escalates after Summer Jam

In 2002, after Nas was removed from the Summer Jam lineup, Cam'ron replaced him. Nas criticized Cam'ron's album 'Come Home With Me', leading to a diss track from Cam'ron and escalating the feud.

2002: Original Release of The Lost Tapes

Nas's follow up compilation to The Lost Tapes released originally in 2002, was delayed due to issues between him and Def Jam.

2003: Collaborations and Live Performance Release

In 2003, Nas was featured on Korn's song "Play Me" from the album Take a Look in the Mirror. Also in 2003, a live performance in New York City, featuring Ludacris, Jadakiss, and Darryl McDaniels, was released on DVD as Made You Look: God's Son Live.

2003: Continued attacks from The Diplomats

Throughout 2003, Cam'ron and The Diplomats continued to attack Nas on mixtapes, albums, and radio freestyles. However, the feud slowly died down.

November 30, 2004: Release of Street's Disciple Album

On November 30, 2004, Nas released his seventh album, Street's Disciple, a double album that addressed both political and personal subject matter, including his upcoming marriage to Kelis. Although the album went platinum, it was a drop-off from Nas's previous commercial successes.

2004: Release of Street's Disciple

In 2004, Nas released the double album Street's Disciple, which helped him regain critical acclaim.

January 2005: Marriage to Kelis

In January 2005, Nas married R&B singer Kelis in Atlanta following a two-year relationship.

2005: End of Feud with Jay-Z

By 2005, Nas had reconciled with Jay-Z, marking the end of their highly publicized feud.

2005: Beef with 50 Cent and Reconciliation with Jay-Z

In 2005, 50 Cent dissed Nas on his song "Piggy Bank," impacting his reputation. Later in October, Nas made a surprise appearance at Jay-Z's "I Declare War" concert, reconciling their beef. The two performed Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" together.

Loading Video...

January 23, 2006: Nas signs with Def Jam Recordings

On January 23, 2006, Nas signed a deal with Def Jam Recordings, where Jay-Z was president. The deal included a $3,000,000 payment for each of his first two albums with the label, including a recording budget.

December 2006: Feud with Young Jeezy begins

In December 2006, after Nas released "Hip Hop Is Dead," Young Jeezy took offense and vowed his album 'The Inspiration' would outsell Nas's. However, Young Jeezy later took back his disses.

2006: Release of Hip Hop Is Dead

In 2006, Nas released Hip Hop Is Dead on Def Jam, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album sparked controversy, especially with Southern hip-hop artists who felt the title was a criticism. Also in 2006, Nas's 2004 song "Thief's Theme" was featured in the film, The Departed, and Columbia Records released the compilation Greatest Hits in November.

Loading Video...

2006: Signing with Def Jam Recordings and Release of Hip Hop Is Dead

In 2006, Nas signed with Def Jam Recordings, which was spearheaded by Jay-Z at the time, and he released the album Hip Hop Is Dead, adopting a more provocative and politicized direction.

2006: Sampling Controversy with Lijadu Sisters

In 2006, Nas's mixtape 'The Prophecy, Vol 2: The Beginning of the N' featured "Life's Gone Low", which sampled "Life's Gone Down Low" by the Lijadu Sisters without clearance or credit.

2006: Michael Richards' Use of Racial Epithet

In late 2006, comedian Michael Richards used a racial epithet onstage, which preceded the controversy surrounding Nas's planned album title in 2007.

August 15, 2007: Bill O'Reilly criticizes Nas's planned performance at Virginia Tech

On August 15, 2007, Bill O'Reilly and Fox News denounced Nas's planned performance at Virginia Tech, citing his violent lyrics and criminal record. O'Reilly claimed Nas was inappropriate for the event.

September 6, 2007: Performs at Virginia Tech Free Concert

On September 6, 2007, Nas performed at a free concert for the Virginia Tech student body and faculty, following the school shooting there.

October 12, 2007: Announcement of "Nigger" album title

On October 12, 2007, Nas announced that his next album would be called Nigger, sparking outrage and controversy from various commentators and news outlets. This controversy escalated, leading to rumors that Def Jam might drop Nas if he didn't change the title.

May 19, 2008: Nas forgoes album title

On May 19, 2008, Nas decided to forgo an album title and responded to Jesse Jackson's remarks, calling him "the biggest player hater". Nas stated that he wants the album to reach the fans and that creatively and lyrically, fans can expect the same content and messages.

June 23, 2008: Release of Hero

On June 23, 2008, "Hero", the lead single from the untitled album, was released, reaching No. 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 87 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.

July 15, 2008: Release of Untitled Album

On July 15, 2008, Nas's untitled album was released. In July 2008, Nas attained a shoe deal with Fila. In an MTV interview, Nas speculated about releasing two albums: one produced by DJ Premier and another by Dr. Dre.

July 23, 2008: Appearance on The Colbert Report

On July 23, 2008, Nas appeared on The Colbert Report to discuss his opinion of O'Reilly and Fox News, accusing them of bias and re-challenging O'Reilly to a debate. He sat on boxes of signatures supporting a petition accusing Fox of race-baiting.

2008: Collaboration with Young Jeezy on "My President"

In 2008, Nas and Young Jeezy collaborated on the hit single "My President", resolving their previous feud.

2008: Release of Untitled Ninth Studio Album

In 2008, Nas released his untitled ninth studio album, continuing his provocative and politicized direction.

April 30, 2009: Kelis files for divorce

On April 30, 2009, a spokesperson confirmed that Kelis filed for divorce from Nas, citing irreconcilable differences.

July 21, 2009: Birth of son, Knight

On July 21, 2009, Kelis gave birth to Nas's first son, Knight. Nas announced the birth against Kelis's wishes at a gig in Queens, New York, and via an online video.

September 2009: Federal Tax Lien Filed

In September 2009, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service filed a federal tax lien against Nas for over $2.5 million in unpaid taxes dating back to 2006.

2009: Adam Bradley publishes "Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop"

In 2009, Adam Bradley stated in his book 'Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop' that "Nas is perhaps contemporary rap's greatest innovator in storytelling."

2009: Collaboration with Damian Marley and Tenth Album Announcement

In 2009, Nas confirmed a collaboration album with Damian Marley, expected to be released in late 2009, with a portion of profits to build a school in Africa. Nas also revealed plans to work on his tenth studio album after Distant Relatives' release.

May 21, 2010: Divorce Finalized

On May 21, 2010, Nas and Kelis' divorce was finalized.

2010: Release of Distant Relatives

In 2010, Nas released Distant Relatives, a collaborative album with Damian Marley, with royalties donated to African charities.

2011: Tax Debt Ballooned

By early 2011, Nas's unpaid tax debt had increased to over $6.4 million.

2011: Announcements of Collaboration Albums

In 2011, Nas announced plans for collaboration albums with Mobb Deep, Common, and DJ Premier. Common mentioned their project was to be called Nas.Com, initially planned as a mixtape.

January 2012: Angola Concert Dispute

In January 2012, Nas was involved in a dispute after accepting $300,000 for a concert in Luanda, Angola, for New Year's Eve but not performing. The American promoter and his son were detained, but Nas eventually returned the money, and they were released after 49 days.

March 15, 2012: First Rapper with Verified Genius Account

On March 15, 2012, Nas became the first rapper to have a personal verified account on Genius, where he explains his own lyrics and comments on lyrics from other rappers.

Loading Video...

July 13, 2012: Release of Life Is Good

On July 13, 2012, Nas's eleventh studio album, Life Is Good, produced by Salaam Remi and No I.D, was released.

2012: Last album to chart higher than King's Disease II

In 2012 Nas's album prior to King's Disease II charted higher on the U.S. Billboard 200.

2012: Nomination for Life Is Good at the Grammy Awards

In 2012, Nas released his tenth studio album, Life Is Good, which was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

2012: Ranked by The Source

In 2012, Nas was ranked second by The Source on their "Top 50 Lyricists of All Time" list, recognizing his lyrical talent.

2012: Life Is Good Album Cover

In 2012, Nas' album cover for Life Is Good visually reflected his divorce with Kelis, featuring him holding her green wedding dress, a theme also present in his song, "Bye Baby".

2012: IRS Garnishments

In early 2012, the IRS filed papers in Georgia to garnish a portion of Nas's earnings from material published under BMI and ASCAP to settle his delinquent tax bill.

January 2013: Announcement of Twelfth Studio Album

In January 2013, Nas announced he had begun working on his twelfth studio album, which would be his final album for Def Jam.

April 10, 2013: Investment in Mass Appeal magazine

On April 10, 2013, Nas invested in Mass Appeal magazine, becoming the publication's associate publisher.

May 2013: Announcement of 12 am RUN sneaker store

In May 2013, Nas announced that he would open a sneaker store called 12 am RUN in Las Vegas as part of The LINQ retail development.

July 2013: Harvard University establishes Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship

In July 2013, Harvard University established the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship as part of the Hip-Hop Archives and W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute, to fund scholars and artists in hip-hop arts.

September 2013: Investment in Proven

In September 2013, Nas invested in Proven, a job search appmaker.

October 2013: Collaboration album and rumored song news

In October 2013, DJ Premier said that his collaboration album with Nas would be released following his twelfth studio album. Nas also confirmed that the rumored song "Sinatra in the Sands" featuring Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland would be featured on the album.

2013: Ranked Fourth on MTV's "Hottest MCs in the Game"

In 2013, Nas was ranked fourth on MTV's "Hottest MCs in the Game" list.

2013: MTV's Hottest MCs Ranking

In 2013, Nas was ranked fourth on MTV's Annual Hottest MCs in the Game list, further solidifying his status in hip-hop.

2013: Life is Good Grammy Nomination

Life is Good was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

April 16, 2014: Premiere of "Nas: Time Is Illmatic" Documentary

On April 16, 2014, the documentary Nas: Time Is Illmatic premiered on the twentieth anniversary of Illmatic. The documentary recounted the circumstances leading up to Nas's debut album.

May 2014: Release of "I Am Somebody" Collaboration

In May 2014, Nas collaborated with the Australian hip-hop group Bliss n Eso, and they released the track "I Am Somebody".

May 2014: Partnership with Koru and Scholarship Funding

In May 2014, Nas partnered with job placement startup Koru to fund a scholarship for 10 college graduates and joined as a guest coach.

October 2014: Finding Your Roots episode

In October 2014, during an episode of PBS's Finding Your Roots, Nas learned about his ancestry, including his great-great-great-grandmother, Pocahontas Little, who was sold into slavery. He considered buying the land where the slave owner lived.

2014: Named Greatest MC of All Time

In 2014, About.com named Nas the "Greatest MC of All Time", recognizing his significant contributions to hip-hop.

2014: Ranked #1 on About.com's "50 Greatest MCs of All Time"

In 2014, About.com ranked Nas 1st on their list of the "50 Greatest MCs of All Time".

2014: Reconciliation with Cam'ron

In 2014, Nas and Cam'ron reconciled, ending their long-standing feud.

2014: Investment in ViralGains

In 2014, Nas invested in viral video startup ViralGains as part of a $2.8M round.

June 2015: Partnership with Sweet Chick Restaurant

In June 2015, Nas joined forces with New York City soul food restaurant Sweet Chick, planning to expand the brand nationally.

November 2015: Collaboration on Justin Bieber's "Purpose" Album

In November 2015, Nas was featured on the song "We Are" from Justin Bieber's fourth studio album, Purpose.

2015: Twelfth Studio Album planned release

Nas's twelfth studio album for Def Jam was supposed to be released during 2015.

August 2016: Executive Producer and Narrator for The Get Down

In August 2016, Nas was announced as one of the executive producers of the Netflix original series, The Get Down. He also narrated the series and rapped as adult Ezekiel of 1996.

Loading Video...

October 16, 2016: Jimmy Iovine Icon Award

On October 16, 2016, Nas received the Jimmy Iovine Icon Award at the REVOLT Music Conference for his lasting impact on music, his years in the rap business, his partnership with Hennessy, and his Mass Appeal imprint.

November 2016: Collaboration on "Wrote My Way Out"

In November 2016, Nas collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dave East, and Aloe Blacc on "Wrote My Way Out" for The Hamilton Mixtape.

April 12, 2017: Release of "Angel Dust"

On April 12, 2017, Nas released the song "Angel Dust" as the soundtrack for The Get Down TV series. It contains a sample of the Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson song, also called "Angel Dust".

Loading Video...

April 2017: Opening of Sweet Chick Los Angeles location

In April 2017, the Los Angeles location of Sweet Chick restaurant, co-owned by Nas, opened.

June 9, 2017: Release of Soundtrack Featuring Nas

On June 9, 2017, "On the Road Again" and a performance of "One Mic" by Nas were released on Music from The American Epic Sessions: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

June 2017: Appearance on The American Epic Sessions

In June 2017, Nas appeared in The American Epic Sessions documentary, recording "On the Road Again" live direct-to-disc on the restored first electrical sound recording system. The Hollywood Reporter described his performance as "fantastic."

Loading Video...

April 2018: Announcement of Nasir Album and Release Date

In April 2018, Kanye West announced on Twitter that Nas's twelfth studio album, Nasir, would be released on June 15, with West serving as the executive producer.

June 2018: Amazon acquired Ring Inc. and PillPack

In June 2018, Nas received $40 million after Amazon acquired Ring Inc. and PillPack, companies he invested in through Queensbridge Venture Partners.

2018: Abuse Accusations

In 2018, Kelis accused Nas of physical and mental abuse during their marriage. Nas responded on social media, accusing Kelis of slander and abusing his daughter, Destiny.

July 19, 2019: Release of The Lost Tapes 2

On July 19, 2019, Nas released The Lost Tapes 2, including 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.

November 12, 2019: Honored by Haute Living, Watches of Switzerland, and Hennessy

On November 12, 2019, Nas was honored by Haute Living, Watches of Switzerland, and Hennessy in a celebratory event featuring a violin rendition of his iconic songs performed by Edward W. Hardy.

August 2020: Announcement of King's Disease Album

In August 2020, Nas announced the upcoming release of his 13th album, titled 'King's Disease'. The album was executive-produced by Hit-Boy and featured the lead single "Ultra Black".

2020: Reference to Doja Cat in "Ultra Black"

In 2020, Nas referenced Doja Cat in his song "Ultra Black", describing himself as "the opposite of Doja Cat" after she faced accusations of racism. Doja Cat responded positively, expressing admiration for Nas.

2020: Grammy Win for King's Disease

In 2020, Nas won his first Grammy for Best Rap Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards for his thirteenth studio album, King's Disease.

August 6, 2021: Release of King's Disease II album

On August 6, 2021, Nas released 'King's Disease II', the sequel to his previous album. This album featured the song "Nobody" with Lauryn Hill and reached number-three on the U.S. Billboard 200, marking Nas's highest-charting album since 2012.

2021: Release of Magic

In 2021, Nas released the album Magic, which was produced entirely by Hit-Boy and met with critical praise.

2022: Release of King's Disease III

In 2022, Nas released King's Disease III, produced by Hit-Boy, receiving critical acclaim.

September 12, 2023: Announcement of Magic 3 album

On September 12, 2023, Nas announced the release of 'Magic 3', the third installment in the Magic album series. This album was stated to be the sixth and final collaboration between Nas and Hit-Boy and was scheduled to be released on Nas's 50th birthday.

2023: Release of Magic 2 and Magic 3

In 2023, Nas released Magic 2 and Magic 3, both produced by Hit-Boy, to critical praise.

April 19, 2024: Announcement of Collaboration Album with DJ Premier

On April 19, 2024, it was announced that Nas and DJ Premier would be releasing a collaboration album in late 2024, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of 'Illmatic'.

2024: Executive Production of Warriors album

In 2024, Nas executive produced 'Warriors', a concept album by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis.

April 2025: Performance at Mass Appeal Presents: The World Reunion—A Charity Concert in Mumbai

In April 2025, Nas performed at the Mass Appeal Presents: The World Reunion—A Charity Concert, hosted by Mass Appeal India, at The Nesco Center, in Mumbai. He performed alongside Indian-origin rappers such as Divine, Raftaar, Ikka, KR$NA, King, and Steel Banglez.