Nas is an American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time. His debut album, Illmatic (1994), is often cited as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Nas has released eleven studio albums since 1994, with seven of them achieving Platinum status. He has also collaborated with a number of other prominent artists, including Jay-Z, DMX, Dr. Dre, and Lauryn Hill. His lyrical themes often focus on real-life issues such as poverty, racism, and crime. He is also an entrepreneur, having founded the record label Mass Appeal Records in 2014.
| Name | Nas |
| Genre | Hip Hop |
| Origin | Queens, New York |
| Active Since | 1991 |
| Date of Birth | September 14, 1973 |
| Labels | Columbia, Def Jam, Mass Appeal |
| Albums | Illmatic (1994), Stillmatic (2001), God’s Son (2002) |
10 Best Nas Quotes
“I don’t want to be pigeonholed into writing one type of record or having one type of sound. You just have to be creative and keep it moving.”
– Nas, from Rolling Stone
“I can’t change the world, but I can help make it better.”
– Nas, from Complex
“I just want to make sure I stay focused and stay true to myself. I don’t want to be a slave to the industry or what’s popular.”
– Nas, from Hype Beast
“I’m not going to be one of those artists who’s been around for 20 years and still talking about the same thing.”
– Nas, from The Guardian
“My music is the best way to express my feelings.”
– Nas, from Esquire
“I make music for the joy of it, and when I do that, I still have to be conscious of what I’m saying.”
– Nas, from Vice
“I want to be an example of a person who’s living life and doing what they believe in, and that’s how I want to be remembered.”
– Nas, from Vulture
“I want to be able to look back at my career and say I gave it my all, and I stayed true to myself.”
– Nas, from Vibe
“I never wanted to be the same rapper for 20 years. I wanted to evolve and stay fresh.”
– Nas, from Billboard
“Artists should never be afraid to express themselves. I want to inspire people to be creative and never be afraid to go too far.”
– Nas, from The Fader
8 Inspirational Nas Quotes
“I never dreamed about success, I worked for it.”
– Nas, from Complex
“The most important thing is that you’re not afraid. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Just don’t be afraid to do something different.”
– Nas, from Interview Magazine
“My whole thing is to be focused, to stay focused and stay true to who I am. That’s what I want to be known for.”
– Nas, from Rolling Stone
“It’s all about the music. It’s about what you can do with your voice, your heart and your soul.”
– Nas, from The Guardian
“My mentality has been, ‘I’m gonna make it happen, no matter what.’”
– Nas, from All Hip Hop
“I don’t think I ever wanted to be famous. I wanted to be an artist and do good music, but I didn’t want to be famous.”
– Nas, from Vulture
“I’m a student of life and I’m still learning.”
– Nas, from Vibe
“I’m still learning, still growing. I’m still making mistakes, still evolving. That’s how I want to be remembered.”
– Nas, from Billboard
5 Famous Nas Quotes
“I don’t feel like rap music is about who’s the best rapper. It’s about making great music.”
– Nas, from CNN
“I want to be an innovator, a leader, and a trendsetter. I want to change what rap can do.”
– Nas, from Rolling Stone
“I’ve been through a lot of violence in my life and I don’t condone it.”
– Nas, from Huffington Post
“I’m just trying to make the world a little better, even if it’s just one person at a time.”
– Nas, from The Guardian
“I’m a firm believer in education, and I’m a firm believer that if you want to be successful in this world, you have to have knowledge and you have to have understanding.”
– Nas, from The Guardian
7 Nas Quotes About Love
“It’s all about growth and evolution, and I love that idea.”
– Nas, from The Guardian
“It’s all about growth and evolution, and I love that idea.”
– Nas, from Rolling Stone
“Love is a powerful emotion, and it can change people, it can change situations.”
– Nas, from Vibe
“Love is the most powerful thing in the universe, and it can be the most destructive thing in the universe.”
– Nas, from Forbes
“Love is like the sun, it can shine on you and make you feel good, but it can also burn you if you stay out in it too long.”
– Nas, from Interview Magazine
“Love is an emotion, it can make you weak or it can make you strong.”
– Nas, from Complex
“Love is the one thing that makes life worth living.”
– Nas, from Grammy
5 Nas Quotes About Life
“The more experiences you have, the more knowledge you have, the more you can use your knowledge to help other people.”
– Nas, from The Fader
“Life is about being able to experience it, and to be able to be creative within it.”
– Nas, from NPR
“Life is about making choices and living with those choices.”
– Nas, from Complex
“My life is a reflection of my choices, and I’m proud of the choices I made.”
– Nas, from The Guardian
“My life is a complex thing, and I’m in a great space.”
– Nas, from Vice
6 Quotes About Nas
“Nas is a true lyricist, a true poet and a true artist.”
– Kendrick Lamar, from Billboard
“Nas was the greatest storyteller of all time.”
– J. Cole, from Complex
“Nas is one of the greatest of all time.”
– 50 Cent, from HotNewHipHop
“I would always cite Nas as one of my biggest influences.”
– Chance the Rapper, from HotNewHipHop
“Nas is probably one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time.”
– 2 Chainz, from XXL Magazine
“Nas is a great storyteller and a great artist.”
– Drake, from HotNewHipHop
Interview with Nas
Frequently Asked Questions About Nas
1. What are some of the most popular Nas quotes?
Nasir Jones, also known as simply Nas, is an iconic rapper and hip hop artist who has had a tremendous influence on the genre. His lyrics have been described as thoughtful, conscious, and poetic, and his music has been described as an expression of his personal experiences. He has been quoted on a variety of topics, ranging from love and relationships to success and hustling. Here are some of the most popular Nas quotes:
- “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”
- “I’m out for presidents to represent me, I’m out for presidents to represent me, I’m out for dead presidents to represent me.”
- “The only thing that can stop me is me.”
- “Be true to yourself, and you will never fall.”
- “The more money we come across, the more problems we see.”
- “Life’s a bitch and then you die, that’s why we get high, cause you never know when you’re gonna go.”
- “Hate is just a consequence of love.”
- “If I Ruled the World”
- “There’s gonna be some stuff you gonna see, that’s gonna make it hard to smile in the future.”
- “My presence is a present, kiss my ass.”
2. How has Nas’s Music Evolved Over the Years?
Nas has been in the hip-hop industry for over two decades, and his music has evolved significantly over the years. From his early days in the 1990s when he was the “King of New York” to the present day, Nas has consistently reinvented himself and his music. Here are some of the ways his music has evolved:
- In the early days, Nas was known as an underground artist who focused on hard-hitting, lyrically-driven hip-hop. His lyrical content was often political and conscious, and he was unafraid to tackle sensitive topics such as racism, poverty and violence. His debut album, Illmatic, is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
- As he matured, Nas began to explore other genres of music, such as jazz and soul, and his sound began to incorporate elements of these genres. He also began to experiment with different production styles, often working with producers such as Timbaland and DJ Premier.
- Nas has also embraced his place as a legend in hip-hop, often using his platform to pay homage to the pioneers of the genre. He has collaborated with other hip-hop greats such as Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill, and his latest album, Nasir, featured production from Kanye West.
- Most recently, Nas has been experimenting with a more melodic and soulful sound, incorporating elements of R&B and pop into his music. He has also been more open to collaboration, working with artists such as Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and Mary J. Blige.
Nas has consistently pushed the boundaries of hip-hop throughout his career, and his music has evolved in ways that have kept him relevant and at the top of the game.
3. How has Nas Influenced Hip-Hop Culture?
Nas has had a profound impact on hip-hop culture, both in terms of lyrics and production. His lyrics are seen as some of the most intricate and honest ever written, and have inspired generations of rappers to push the boundaries of what can be said in a rap. His production has set the standard for modern hip-hop, with classic albums like Illmatic and Stillmatic being hailed as some of the greatest albums of all time. Here are some of the ways Nas has influenced hip-hop culture:
- Lyrically, Nas has pushed the boundaries of what can be said in a rap. His wordplay and storytelling has inspired countless other rappers to strive for excellence in their lyrics.
- Nas’ production has set the standard for modern hip-hop. His albums are some of the most influential of all time and have inspired other producers to take their craft to the next level.
- Nas has also made a lasting impact on the hip-hop fashion scene. His fashion sense is seen as a classic and has been emulated by countless other rappers.
- Nas has also been a strong advocate of social issues, using his platform to spread awareness of issues such as police brutality, gun control, and the importance of education.
Nas has been an integral part of hip-hop culture since the beginning, and his influence can still be felt today. He has inspired countless other artists and his music will continue to influence generations to come.
4. How has Nas’s lyricism influenced other artists?
Nas is widely recognized as one of the most influential lyricists of all time. His clever wordplay, unique phrasing, and captivating storytelling have left an indelible imprint on hip-hop and popular culture. Here are just a few ways in which Nas has influenced other artists:
- Nas has been an inspiration to many younger rappers, in particular those coming up in the early 2000s. His intricate, thought-provoking lyrics have set a standard for aspiring lyricists.
- Nas’s ability to craft vivid stories through his lyrics has become a hallmark of his style. His storytelling has influenced many hip-hop artists, from Jay-Z to Kendrick Lamar.
- Nas’s rhymes often contain multisyllabic flows and complex rhyme schemes, which has inspired many rappers to push the boundaries of hip-hop lyricism.
- Nas has also been credited with popularizing the use of metaphor and simile in rap. His use of figurative language has been widely imitated by other artists.
Nas has had a profound influence on the history of hip-hop, and his influence can still be felt today. His lyricism has inspired generations of rappers, and continues to shape the sound of modern hip-hop.
5. What themes does Nas address in his music?
Nas is renowned for his thoughtful, introspective lyrics. He often draws on his own trials and tribulations to craft stories that are full of emotion and wisdom. In his music, he addresses a range of themes, including:
- Growth and self-improvement
- The struggles of inner-city life
- The consequences of violence
- The complexity of relationships
- The power of dreams and ambition
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nas’ quotes can provide us with insight into his life, his work and his overall philosophy. His words are not only powerful and thought-provoking, but they also offer us a glimpse into his mind and his unique perspective on life. Whether you’re a fan of his music or not, Nas’ words can teach us lessons about life, ambition, and success. So if you’re looking for some inspiration, take a look at some of Nas’ quotes and see what they can teach you.
