Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, popularly known as Nas (formerly Nasty Nas and Escobar), son of renowned jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas was immersed in music from a young age. However, it was his experiences in the notorious Queensbridge housing projects in Queensbridge, New York, that would shape his perspective and influence his artistry profoundly.

During his teenage years, Nasir initially adopted the moniker "Kid Wave" before transitioning to the more recognizable alias of "Nasty Nas." This evolution marked the beginning of his journey into the world of hip-hop. However, it wasn't until the release of his groundbreaking solo debut album, "Illmatic," in 1994, that Nas cemented his status as a seminal figure in the genre.

In 2005, Nas tied the knot with R&B singer Kelis, with whom he shares a son. However, their marriage ultimately ended in divorce in 2009, attracting significant media attention. Despite personal challenges, Nas continued to make waves in the music industry.

Following the monumental success of "Illmatic," Nas ventured into a more commercially driven direction, which brought him wider recognition but also drew criticism from some quarters of the hip-hop community. Accusations of "selling out" plagued Nas as he navigated the complexities of balancing commercial success with artistic integrity.