Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones on September 14, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York, is a seminal figure in East Coast hip-hop. Raised in the Queensbridge housing projects, he emerged as a profound storyteller of urban life. His 1994 debut album, *Illmatic*, is hailed as a hip-hop masterpiece, blending intricate lyrics with jazz-infused beats. Over his three-decade career, Nas has released multiple platinum albums, including *It Was Written* and *Stillmatic*, and won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album with *King's Disease* in 2021. His influence extends beyond music, impacting culture and inspiring generations of artists. ([britannica.com](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nas?utm_source=openai))