Real Name: Nasir Jones
A.K.A.: Nas Escobar, Nasty Nas, Esco
Born: ~1974
Raised: Queensbridge Projects, New York

 Queens rapper Nas, born Nasir Jones, immersed himself in hip-hop and street culture at age nine, the fruits of which can be heard on his 1994 debut, Illmatic. Nas got his big break when former 3rd Bass rapper MC Serch included his "Half Time" on the soundtrack of the film Zebrahead, which led to a deal with Serch's production company. Illmatic was released on Columbia in 1994 and attracted attention for its depiction of ghetto life and Nas's refusal to include much of the misogyny and violence of standard gangsta-rap, not to mention his admiration of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. Nas' second album, It Was Written, was an immediate hit upon its release in the summer of 1996, entering the charts at number one, which far eclipsed the number 12 peak of Illmatic.

-Steve Huey, All-Music Guide