Reconnecting with Nas

If you tuned into the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on April 3rd,2022, you likely saw many amazing performances or were introduced to a few new names that stole your attention. One act that took the stage was Nas, whose rap performance was one of the highlights of the night. In a world focused more on Lil Nas X (whose name is a tribute to his senior), I wanted to spend some time reflecting on the career of “big” Nas, perhaps introducing him to you for the first time.

Nas’ career is rooted in the New York hip-hop scene, coming up in the 1990s and becoming a legend by the end of the 2000s. While I will admit I haven’t been an avid fan over the stretch of years that Nas has been active (to be fair - most of that time, I was not alive), it is hard to ignore how his rap style and lyricism has influenced the hip-hop genre and his name courses through its history. Nas and Jay-Z alike can be described as “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper,” as virtually everyone in the industry has given credit to them (where credit is clearly due).

Nas’ breakout album Illmatic is quintessential East Coast hip-hop. It’s legacy precedes itself - certified 2x Platinum in the United States, Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, The Source’s “100 Best Rap Albums,” MTV’s “Greatest Hip Hop Albums of All Time,” the list goes on. Popular is the phrase “Is it the next Illmatic?” and the album is considered a textbook, a template, and a Bible to some.

Illmatic brought back lyricism in hip-hop. Twenty-one year-old Nas’ rap emphasized poetry, with intricate word-play, crystal clear imagery, and metaphors that snake through every stanza. Poetry is in his delivery too - spoken words with a clear rhythmic base that carries street-style finesse while balancing poetic lyricism. The album has its own space in academic and literary circles for this reason and its simplicity has withstood a time test - over and over again.

Almost 30 years later, Nas is still producing music that is reminiscent of his earlier work, but in a modern and contemporary fashion. He was the pioneer of a specific style and he has curated his music, his sound, and his image as such. He has released fourteen studio length albums over the years - his two most recent released in 2021. King’s Disease II (2021) was nominated by the Recording Academy for Best Rap Album at the 2022 Grammy’s and he took the stage to perform a medley of his hits the night of the show. Nas opened his performance with “I Can” and “Made You Look” off his 2002 album God’s Son, a tribute to its 20th anniversary. He followed up his set with “One Mic” and my personal favorite song, “Rare” from King’s Disease II. His simple performance set matched his simple style, yet once again the effect was anything but, as the room erupted in a standing ovation.

It’s clear from the beginning of his career that Nas has something different, something special. The history of hip-hop will never fail to mention him and his legacy will continue to live on. If not through his own music, certainly through his influence on our favorite rappers of today and tomorrow.