Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known to one and all as Nas, is one of hip-hop’s best-known, most mercurial, and lyrically blessed figures ever to touch the microphone. Since his heart-stopping debut turn on Main Source’s “Live at the Barbeque,” Nas has delivered countless beautifully structured, thought-provoking, keenly observed verses.

Growing up in Queensbridge, NY, Nas never really performed in big crowds—he kept to himself. Nas used a different type of vernacular that others didn’t understand, which helped him to stand out from other rappers from his era.

A passion for music struck with Nas at an early age, too. His father, Olu Dara made a successful career as a blues musician, while Nas began recording his own material at just 16 years old.

With every ensuing album, Nas always reminds fans that he’s still the same Queensbridge MC who crafted one of the greatest musical albums of all time, and the bible of Hip-Hop, Illmatic. His second album, It Was Written, built on his well-established success, and is his most commercially accomplished, with over 3 million copies sold and certified triple platinum status. In addition, numerous other releases, such as I Am…, Stillmatic, and God’s Son have drawn universal praise and appreciation from around the Hip-Hop world.

Nas established the Nasir Jones Hiphop Fellowship at Harvard University to fund artists who demonstrate exceptional productivity and creative ability in hip-hop.