Nas is one of hip-hop’s most respected and successful artists, often cited as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He has collaborated with American rappers and singer-songwriters like Jay-Z, Timbaland, Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, and Lauryn Hill. He’s sold more than twelve million albums, garnered fourteen Grammy nominations from America’s Recording Academy, and performed his debut album, Illmatic at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., with the city’s National Symphony Orchestra. He’s also an accomplished actor, a veteran film producer, and an astute businessman.
[sc name=”rap”][/sc]
Nas’ Discography: All Nas Albums
New York-bred rapper Nas is a living monument to the power of words.
Illmatic (1994)
Nas’ debut studio album Illmatic was released on April 19, 1994, under Columbia Records. The album received universal acclaim from critics who praised its production and Nas‘ lyricism. It was ranked at number 5 on AOL’s list of the 20 best hip-hop albums of all time. The album also debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold 40,000 copies in its first week of release. The album has since been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over one million copies in the United States.
It Was Written (1996)
American rapper Nas, released on July 2, 1996, by Columbia Records.In contrast to Illmatic, the album contains a more detailed and elaborate production, while it shares similarities to the G-funk sound, relying heavily on sampled and looped funk grooves. The album was a commercial success, selling 270,000 copies in its first week and debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart while receiving mostly positive reviews.
I Am…(1999)
American rapper Nas, released on April 6, 1999, by Columbia Records. Following the commercial and critical success of 1996’s It Was Written, Nas put to work on a double album that merged the styles of his first two albums and detailed entire aspects of his life.
The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 470,000 copies in its first week of sales. I Am… would later be certified double platinum in the United States, making it Nas’ second best-selling release behind It Was Written.
Nastradamus (1999)
American rapper Nas, released on November 23, 1999, by Ill Will and Columbia Records. The album debuted at number 7 on the US Billboard 200, selling over 232,000 copies in its first week. It received generally mixed reviews from critics and has been regarded by some as Nas’s weakest effort.
The Lost Tapes
The Lost Tapes is a compilation album by American rapper Nas, released on September 23, 2002, under the record label Columbia Records. Released with little promotion, The Lost Tapes debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200, selling over 70,000 copies in its first week.
Stillmatic (2001)
American rapper Nas, released on December 18, 2001, by Ill Will and Columbia Records.The album contains socially conscious and philosophical themes similar to that of his 1994 debut Illmatic. It debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200 and sold over 342,600 in its first week of sales, eventually going on to sell over 2,026,000 copies in the United States.It has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
God’s Son (2002)
God’s Son is the sixth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on December 13, 2002, by Ill Will and Columbia Records. Partly inspired by Nas’ feud with Jay-Z and the death of his mother in early 2002, God’s Son covers lyrical themes such as religion, violence, and his own emotional experiences. The album debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200, selling 156,000 copies in its first week of sales.
Street’s Disciple (2004)
The seventh studio album by American rapper Nas, released as a double album by Columbia Records. The album was released on November 30, 2004. It debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200. This became Nas’s seventh consecutive platinum record in the US, selling over 1 million copies in 2 weeks.
Hip-Hop Is Dead (2006)
It is the eighth studio album by American rapper Nas, released on December 19, 2006. His debut album for the company was co-financed by Columbia Records, which Nas once distributed for Def Jam.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 355,880 copies in its first week. His fourth album, which reached number one in the US, sold 941,000 copies by November 2008 and was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA.
Untitled (2008)
Nas’ ninth studio album, untitled. It was released on July 15, 2008 by The Jones Experience and Def Jam Recordings.
The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, making it Nas’ fifth to do so, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies in the United States.
Distant Relatives (w/ Damian Marley) (2010)
A joint studio album by American rapper Nas and Jamaican reggae vocalist Damian Marley. Released by Universal Republic and Def Jam Recordings on May 18, 2010. Distant Relatives was recorded between 2008 and 2010 and was originally produced by Damien and Stephen Marley, two sons of the best-known Jamaican musician Bob Marley.
The album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200. Distant Relatives received positive reviews from most music critics upon its release.
Life Is Good (2012)
Nas’s eleventh studio album, released by Def Jam Recordings on July 13, 2012. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and sold 354,000 copies by 2013.
[sc name=”rap”][/sc]
FAQ
How many Nas albums are there?
It consists of fourteen studio albums, one collaborative album, one group album, five compilations, four mixtapes, one extended play, and seventy-nine singles.
What is Nas’ most successful album?
It Was Written (1996) Debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200, It Was Written is Nas’ best-selling album to date and is certified triple-platinum.
Why does Nas call himself Escobar?
Nas says it represents Pablo Escobar’s first awareness of a larger-than-life crime boss who is not a fictional character.
Who inspired Nas to rap?
Inspired by Soul and R&B legends like Rick James and James Brown
