{"title":"Nas","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Nas\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, performing as Nas, was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 14, 1973 and raised in the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, Queens. His father is jazz musician Olu Dara. He launched his recording career as a teenager with extensive freestyle and demo material before signing with Columbia Records in 1992. His 1994 debut Illmatic - featuring production from DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Large Professor, and L.E.S. - is widely cited as one of the most important albums in hip hop history. He has continued releasing material across multiple decades, with creative reinventions across his catalog. His feud with Jay-Z in the early 2000s (culminating with his 2001 album Stillmatic and the response track Ether) was a defining cultural moment. He launched Mass Appeal Records in 2014 (with Peter Bittenbender). His four-album collaborative trilogy with producer Hit-Boy - King's Disease (2020), King's Disease II (2021), King's Disease III (2022), and Magic (2021) - Magic 2 (2023) - Magic 3 (2023) - has represented a creative late-career revival. King's Disease won his first Grammy Award (Best Rap Album, 2021). His foundational influence on East Coast hip hop and broader hip hop history is widely cited.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNas's sound combines hip hop, East Coast hip hop, conscious hip hop, gangsta rap, hardcore hip hop, jazz rap, and political hip hop with his distinctive flow, virtuosic technical lyrical approach, and lyrical content addressing Black American experience, urban life, family, history, and broader philosophical themes drawing on literary and political reference points.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIllmatic (1994, Columbia) - widely-cited hip hop landmark\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt Was Written (1996, Columbia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eI Am... (1999, Columbia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNastradamus (1999, Columbia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStillmatic (2001, Columbia\/Ill Will)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGod's Son (2002, Columbia\/Ill Will)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHip Hop Is Dead (2006, Def Jam\/Columbia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUntitled (2008, Def Jam\/Columbia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistant Relatives (2010, Universal Republic) - with Damian Marley\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLife Is Good (2012, Def Jam)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNasir (2018, Mass Appeal\/Def Jam) - Kanye production\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing's Disease (2020, Mass Appeal) - Best Rap Album Grammy 2021\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing's Disease II (2021, Mass Appeal)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKing's Disease III (2022, Mass Appeal)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagic (2021, Mass Appeal)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eColumbia, Def Jam, and Mass Appeal pressings of the Nas catalog are foundational items in hip hop collecting. Multiple anniversary editions of Illmatic (particularly the 10th and 20th anniversary editions), audiophile reissues, and the comprehensive Sony\/Legacy reissue programs have been released.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Nas typically start with Illmatic (1994) or Stillmatic (2001). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hip-hop-vinyl-records\"\u003eHip-Hop\/Rap\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"nas-illmatic-cd","title":"Illmatic CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s amazing. What the hell did you expect? It has tight wordplays and clever lyricism and running, wonderful beats, and incredible flow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540734587063,"sku":"210000047385","price":13.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/149797.jpg?v=1781154055"},{"product_id":"nas-i-am-autobiography-vinyl-rsd-bf-23","title":"I AM….Autobiography 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"I Am... The Autobiography\" is a long-sought-after, bootleg album by Nas, intended as a double-disc concept album chronicling his life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540931752119,"sku":"210000085199","price":30.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4257889-3050408.jpg?v=1781154765"},{"product_id":"nas-illmatic-xx-vinyl","title":"Illmatic XX LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eNas' seminal debut album expanded into a 20th anniversary edition titled, ILLMATIC XX.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540958556343,"sku":"210000032705","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/2521059.jpg?v=1781154863"},{"product_id":"nas-illmatic-vinyl","title":"Illmatic LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eIllmatic is the crown jewel of the mid-90s classics that still define the genre. Unlike Biggies Ready to Die or Jay-Zs Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic was the game-changer that forever transformed the landscape of East Coast hip-hop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540972744887,"sku":"210000032707","price":33.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/get-51297-nas-illmatic-lp-1200x1200.jpg?v=1781154917"},{"product_id":"nas-it-was-written-vinyl","title":"It Was Written 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt Was Written is the second studio album by American rapper Nas, originally released on July 2, 1996, by Columbia Records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540996468919,"sku":"210000091047","price":41.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/nas.jpg?v=1781155011"},{"product_id":"nas-nasir-jones-vinyl","title":"Nasir Jones LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eNas's 12th studio album, Nasir (2018), includes appearances from Kanye West, Puff Daddy, 070 Shake, Tony Williams, and The-Dream.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541007085751,"sku":"210000065771","price":37.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3819289.jpg?v=1781155056"},{"product_id":"nas-king-s-disease-cassette","title":"King's Disease CASSETTE","description":"","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785619648695,"sku":"210000053173","price":11.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"nas-magic-3-cd","title":"Magic 3 CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eNas returns with \"Magic 3,\" dropping on January 26, 2024. This CD features tracks like \"Never Die\" with Lil Wayne and \"Based on True Events.\" Essential for anyone tracking his career, it delivers solid Hip-Hop from one of the genre's defining figures.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785638031543,"sku":"210000086691","price":16.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4285176-3156724.jpg?v=1783045515"},{"product_id":"nas-king-s-disease-ii-cd","title":"King's Disease II CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eNas's King's Disease II balances introspection and bravado with razor-sharp clarity, revealing a subtle disdain for a culture obsessed with surface over substance. His lyrical evolution is underscored by Hit-Boy's production, which merges confidently with wisdom rather than mere bravado. Tracks like \"Nobody\" featuring Ms. Lauryn Hill are less about nostalgia and more about serving notice that age and experience only sharpen his edge.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785643339959,"sku":"210000065999","price":13.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4000211-3155230.jpg?v=1783045532"},{"product_id":"nas-king-s-disease-iii-cd","title":"King's Disease III CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eNas's sixteenth studio album, King's Disease III, is available on CD. This album continues his acclaimed King's Disease series with confident lyrics that affirm his status in hip-hop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785643700407,"sku":"210000081569","price":16.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4219450-3150411.jpg?v=1783045531"},{"product_id":"nas-hip-hop-heroes-instrumentals-vinyl","title":"Hip Hop Heroes Instrumentals 2LP","description":"","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785703305399,"sku":"210000096037","price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"nas-magic-2-color-vinyl","title":"Magic 2 LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eNas's Magic 2 marks the sixth release in a powerful collaboration with Hit-Boy, who has expertly navigated Nas's recent offerings. This LP continues the narrative established in the 2021 album Magic, further solidifying Nas's role in hip-hop's evolving landscape. It invites listeners to engage with the ongoing dialogue of a prolific artist deeply rooted in the genre, resonating strongly with both new and established fans.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785750786231,"sku":"210000086705","price":39.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4262773-3156673.jpg?v=1783045808"},{"product_id":"nas-illmatic-import-clear-vinyl","title":"Illmatic LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eIllmatic is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released in April 1994.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785900404919,"sku":"210000057487","price":35.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/nas_85580893-6758-4aa7-9ed6-bbca08852325.jpg?v=1783046234"},{"product_id":"nas-illmatic-live-from-the-kennedy-center-vinyl","title":"Illmatic: Live from the Kennedy Center 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eNostalgia and current urgency collide on \"Illmatic: Live from the Kennedy Center,\" where Nas reinterprets his seminal debut against an orchestral backdrop. The clash between hip-hop's gritty origins and orchestral pomp raises a compelling question: which is the truer expression? This 2LP vinyl marries classic beats with a fresh resonance, thus challenging our understanding of live hip-hop performance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48860505473207,"sku":"210000069836","price":37.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3475320-3170483.jpg?v=1783653953"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/nas.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}