Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (/nɑːˈsɪər/; born September 14, 1973), better known as Nas /ˈnɑːz/, is an American rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and actor. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas has released eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums and sold over 25 million records worldwide since 1994. He is also an entrepreneur through his own record label; he serves as associate publisher of Mass Appeal magazine and is the owner of a Fila sneaker store. He is currently signed to Mass Appeal Records.
His musical career began in 1991 when he was featured on Main Source's track "Live at the Barbeque". His debut album Illmatic, released in 1994, received universal acclaim from both critics and the hip hop community; it is frequently ranked as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
Nas' follow-up album, It Was Written, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, stayed on top for four consecutive weeks, went Platinum twice in only two months, and made Nas internationally known. From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a highly publicized feud with rapper Jay Z. In 2006, Nas signed to Def Jam. In 2010, he released a collaboration album with reggae artist Damian Marley, donating all royalties to charities active in Africa. His eleventh studio album, Life Is Good, was released in 2012, and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
Untitled Nas album
The untitled ninth studio album by American rapper Nas was released by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records on July 15, 2008 in the United States, with earlier dates in some other countries. Its original title—Nigger—was changed due to controversy surrounding the racial epithet. The album is distinguished for its political content, diverse sources of production and provocative subject matter.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, Nas' fifth to do so. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States. Upon its release, the album received generally positive reviews from music critics; it holds an aggregate score of 71/100 from Metacritic.
Background
Title controversy
The original title of the album—Nigger—was mentioned by Nas several times, as well as on an October 12, 2007, performance at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City where he announced the title and release date.Def Jam made no comment on the title. This was similar to attempts to name his 2006 album—eventually titled Hip Hop Is Dead—both Nigga and Hip Hop Is Dead... The N. On May 19, 2008, it was confirmed that Nas changed the name of the album to an untitled one (although on iTunes, the album is self-titled), stating that "the people will always know what the real title of this album is and what to call it." The cover of the album shows the back of a shirtless Nas with flagellation scars forming the shape of the letter N, a reference to the racial slur and how slaves were tortured. Fort Greene, Brooklyn assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries requested New York's Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to withdraw $84 million from the state pension fund that has been invested into Universal and its parent company, Vivendi, if the album's title was not changed.
Nas (Ikaria)
Nas is a small village on the Greek island of Icaria. It is famous for the beach which is located near the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis.
Coordinates: 37°37′19″N 26°03′36″E / 37.62194°N 26.06000°E / 37.62194; 26.06000
Podcasts:
Phone Tap
by: Az[nas] yo this esco, who this?
[az]
What's the deally?
I just touched grounds down in philly
Brought a pound with me, feds floatin around silly
Tryin to find lynn, bitch supposed to be in the benz
Parked in row ten, her and that slow hoe gwen
Should of known she was a bitch that we both could of boned
To post it alone, the ass had us both in the zone
But you know the rules, both been schooled by older dudes
I know the jewels
No time for them thoughts, too much to lose
Just tryin to vibe until them hoes role with the ride
Where's your joy and pride?
You know little des got your eyes
[nas]
In the cut, drop-z okay, the top's up
Left the mall bought little amal the toy truck
Your boy's what, three years old now, correct?
He and my daughter age neck and neck, they futures set
Trees got me wet, in the background's an old cassette
Fly stephanie mills shit
What's the deal with, all this shit I'm hearin up top
You got arrested, shot a fair one with a cop
That ain't ya stee', you usually low key with no t
I'm only goin off of what some weak bitch told me
[az]
That's some ill shit, hear that bitch go with her click
[nas]
Yo dunn,
I'll hit you right back cause the static is thick
[spanish speaker -> words unknown]
Chorus: dr. dre
We got your phone tapped, what you gon' do
Cause sooner or later, we'll have your whole crew
All we need now is the right word or two
To make all it stick like glue, then you through
We got your phone tapped, what you gon' do
Cause sooner or later, we'll have your whole crew
All we need now is the right word or two
To make all it stick like glue, we got you
[az]
We just hit the cribbo, I'm curled up on this pillow
I'm still low, hold the ill news, these niggaz killed mo'
The shit touched me, tryin to chill just lit a dutchie
From a while back - same foul cats who tried to bust me
Caught 'em sleeppin, in spanish harlem with some puerto ricans
Up in washington heights right off the deacon
Feel awful speakin, for some reason, feel the phone's tapped
Alone with gats left with a vest to watch my own back
[nas]
Keep your eyes open - stay wide, shit is mind blowin
Look for any sign showin one-time is knowin
About the dynasty, shit is not minor leauges no more
Cats bleed in this cold war
Son we took an oath, then this life took us both
We rich now, milk the whole cow, split the growth
Now I'm on the car doin, headlights on
Fluid in the windsheild wipes gone this light storm
That's formin in the sky, you comin home tomorrow?
Will you drive or will you fly - hold up, my other side
[nature]
Yo son some other cats tried to ruin our plans
Sendin two decoy bitches with pictures of you and your man
Askin your whereabouts - I gave 'em no leads
For all the nigga know them hoes fuck with police
[nas]
No shit I'm clickin over, i'ma tell sos' quick
Son - them outta state bitches tryin to get us both hit
That was nate, he hit me last night late while in my hoe's stomach
Said it's no hundred, we fbi's most wanted
So play the low, change your clothes, pack your bags
Watch what you say on this phone, get home fast
Chorus
[az]
Yo it's all good
I'ma hit you when I touch down tomorrow son, word
[nas]
Stay on point - don't even use the phone
Just come to my crib yo, word up
[az]