Nas, real name Nasir Jones, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and investor. His net worth is an amazing $80 million. In this article, we will look into Nas Net Worth, early years, professional accomplishments, personal life, controversies, and contributions to the music business.
Nas Net Worth
| Nickname: | Nas |
| Real Name: | Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones |
| Net Worth: | $80 million |
| Birthplace: | Brooklyn, New York |
| Weight: | 82 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Divorced |
| Spouse: | Kelis (2005-2010) |
| Children: | Destiny, Knight |
| Girlfriend: | None |
| Date of Birth: | September 14, 1973 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.73 m |
| Profession: | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter |
| Nationality: | American |
| Source of Wealth: | Music |
| Education: | N/A |
| Father: | Olu Dara Charles Jones III |
| Mother: | Fannie Ann Jones |
| Brother: | Jabari Fret (Jungle) |
| Sister: | None |
Early Years
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones was born September 14, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Olu Dara, is a jazz and blues musician, and his mother, Fannie Ann, works for the United States Postal Service. Nas discovered rap at the age of nine and soon fell in love with the music. He dropped out of school after eighth grade to pursue his passion for music.
Music Career
Nas, born Nasir Jones, began his career in the music industry while still a teenager. He collaborated with his best buddy Willie “Ill Will” Graham as his DJ and took the moniker “Nasty Nas” after previously going by “Kid Wave”. Nas met producer Large Professor in 1989, when he was just 16 years old, and recorded his own stuff in the studio alongside rap luminaries Rakim and Kool G Rap, albeit none of it was officially published.
His ability piqued the interest of MC Serch of 3rd Bass, who became his manager and assisted him in landing a record deal with Columbia Records. Nas made his solo debut on Main Source’s “Live at the Barbeque” in 1991, and he rose to prominence with his presence on MC Serch’s soundtrack for the film “Zebrahead” with the song “Halftime”.
Nas’ breakthrough occurred in 1994, with the publication of his debut album, “Illmatic”. Produced by heavyweights such as Large Professor, Pete Rock, and DJ Premier, the record became an immediate classic. Tracks like “The World Is Yours” and “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” demonstrated Nas’ lyrical skill and narrative talent, gaining him critical praise and cementing his place as one of hip-hop’s most important personalities.
Nas continued to create waves in the rap world after the success of “Illmatic”. He collaborated with other well-known musicians and recorded albums such as “It Was Written” (1996) and “I Am…” (1999). Despite criticism for purportedly veering toward more commercial themes, Nas’s influence on the genre remained strong.
2000-2007
One of Nas’ most memorable moments was his highly publicized battle with fellow rapper Jay-Z in the early 2000s. Diss tunes such as Jay-Z’s “Takeover” and Nas’ “Ether” became iconic in hip-hop history as a result of the conflict. Their competition culminated in Nas’ album “Stillmatic” (2001), which signified a return to his artistic prowess.
In the years that followed, Nas continued to release albums and collaborate with various artists, cementing his place as a hip-hop icon. His albums, “God’s Son” (2002) and “Street’s Disciple” (2004), demonstrated his flexibility and lyrical profundity.
After reuniting with Jay-Z, Nas grabbed the chance to negotiate a lucrative deal with Def Jam Recordings, of which Jay-Z was president at the time. The agreement, signed on January 23, 2006, includes a significant payment of around $3,000,000 for each of Nas’s first two albums with Def Jam.
Nas’ debut album under this new agreement, originally titled “Hip Hop Is Dead…The N,” made a strong statement about hip-hop’s current situation. The album, which featured collaborations like as “Black Republican” with Jay-Z, opened at number one on the Billboard 200 charts, selling 355,000 copies. However, its title caused some criticism, particularly among Southern hip-hop musicians who felt attacked.
Nas stirred fresh controversy in October 2007 when he announced that his next album will be named “Nigger”. This move prompted criticism from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, as well as conservative media sites such as Fox News. Despite rising pressure, including fears of financial ramifications from lawmakers such as Hakeem Jeffries, Nas eventually agreed to release the album unnamed in July 2008.
2008-present
Following the release of his unnamed album, Nas continued to create waves in the music business. He signed a sneaker contract with Fila and hinted at the potential of releasing two albums simultaneously, one produced by DJ Premier and the other by Dr. Dre. Nas’ flexibility and persistence won him the title of ‘Emcee of the Year’ at the HipHopDX 2008 Awards.
In the years that followed, Nas worked with a wide spectrum of artists and broadened his artistic endeavors. He executive produced the Netflix series “The Get Down” and worked on projects such as “The Hamilton Mixtape”. Nas also collaborated with reggae artist Damian Marley, resulting in the album “Distant Relatives”.
Despite delays and problems with his record business, Nas continued to create compelling songs. His 11th studio album, “Life Is Good” (2012), received critical praise and got him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
Nas continued to release albums, including “Nasir” (2018) and “The Lost Tapes 2” (2019). He also broadened his portfolio by executive producing films and documentaries, cementing his reputation as a multidimensional artist.
Nas’ latest ventures, such as the “King’s Disease” and “Magic” series, have received critical and popular acclaim. These albums demonstrate his continued relevance and artistic progression, establishing his place as one of hip-hop’s greatest icons.
His discography boasts a string of iconic albums, including “Illmatic (1994),” “It Was Written (1996),” “I Am… (1999),” “Nastradamus (1999),” “Stillmatic (2001),” “God’s Son (2002),” “Street’s Disciple (2004),” “Hip Hop Is Dead (2006),” “Untitled (2008),” “Life Is Good (2012),” “Nasir (2018),” “King’s Disease (2020),” “King’s Disease II (2021),” “Magic (2021),” “King’s Disease III (2022),” “Magic 2 (2023),” “Magic 3 (2023)” each cementing his legacy as one of rap’s greatest wordsmiths.
Other Ventures
He has made significant strides as a venture capitalist. He co-founded QueensBridge Venture Partners, a firm that invests in technology startups. Notably, Nas’s early investment in Dropbox, a cloud storage service, paid off handsomely. His firm has also backed successful startups like Lyft, Robinhood, and Coinbase. Nas’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond the mic, solidifying his position as a shrewd businessman.
Nas founded his own record label, Mass Appeal Records.
Personal Life
Nas’ ex-fiancée, Carmen Bryant, gave birth to their daughter Destiny on June 15, 1994.
Nas and R&B artist Kelis married in Atlanta in January 2005, following a two-year courtship. Kelis gave birth to Nas’ first son Knight on July 21, 2009. The divorce was completed on May 21, 2010.
Awards and Achievements
Nas’s accolades include one Grammy Awards, one Sports Emmy Awards, two BET Hip Hop Awards, and recognition as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His impact on the culture transcends music, making him an enduring icon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nas
1. Who is Nas?
Nas, born Nasir Jones, is a legendary American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur hailing from Queens, New York.
2. What are Nas’s most famous albums?
He is renowned for albums like “Illmatic,” “It Was Written,” “Stillmatic,” and “God’s Son,” which are considered classics in hip-hop.
3. When did Nas start his music career?
He burst onto the hip-hop scene in 1994 with his debut album, “Illmatic,” which quickly established him as a major force in rap music.
4. What is Nas’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated to be $80 million.
5. How many Awards has Nas won?
He has won one Grammy Awards, one Sports Emmy Awards, and two BET Hip Hop Awards.
6. What are Nas’s biggest hits?
Some of Nas’s biggest hits include “N.Y. State of Mind,” “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” “Hate Me Now,” and “One Mic.”
7. Has Nas ventured into other industries besides music?
Yes, He has ventured into movie industry, entrepreneurship, founding his own record label, Mass Appeal Records, and investing in technology startups and real estate.
8. What are some of Nas’s notable collaborations?
He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Damian Marley, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, and Kanye West, among others.
9. Is Nas married?
Yes, He was previously married to Kelis.
10. How many children does Nas have?
He has 2 children, a daughter named destiny and a son named Knight.
11. What is Nas height?
He stands at 5’7″ (1.73 meters).
12. Has Nas written any books or memoirs?
He released a memoir titled “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”.
13. What movies has Nas acted in?
He is also an actor and has appeared in movies like “Belly,” “In Too Deep,” and “Ticker”.
14. What is Nas’s full name?
His full name is Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones.
15. How old is Nas?
He is 51 years old.
Conclusion
Nas’s net worth, musical genius, and entrepreneurial ventures have solidified his place in hip-hop history. His story is one of triumph, creativity, and unwavering authenticity.
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