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Biography
The son of a Jazz musician, Nas was born with a musical thirst, one that was channeled into hip hop under the influence of neighbor and friend ‘Ill Will’. Even after dropping out of high school, Nas continued to educate himself, utilizing his intellectual life view in his rhymes as he began to garner attention from the likes of producer Large Professor. At just 18, Nas recorded a stand-out verse on Main Source’s ‘Live at The Barbeque’ propelling him to new heights and even securing him a record deal from Columbia under the management of 3rd Bass’ ‘MC Serch’.
With the hype building, Nas was hailed as the best MC since ‘Rakim’ and delivered a certified classic album with his debut, Illmatic. Nas’ complex and insightful rhymes met with world class production and made for a hip hop album unlike anything before it. The album received five mics from ‘The Source’ and is now considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.
The album however, did not translate into commercial success and with mounting pressure from his label, Nas began to slide towards a more mainstream sound for the next run of albums which included ‘I Am…’ and ‘Nastradamus’.
It took a now legendary beef with fellow New York rapper Jay Z to set him back on the right track. Nas countered Jay’s ‘The Takeover’ with the lethal diss song ‘Ether’ which fuelled the release of the ‘Stillmatic’ album and re-secured Nas’ place as one of Hip Hop’s premier talents. He has maintained this success through follow up albums and huge festival appearances and in 2014 a documentary was released documenting the importance of ‘Illmatic’ and Nas on Hip Hop’s history.
Live reviews
I caught my favourite rapper Nas at XOYO. It was my first time seeing him perform live after years of listening to his music from the other side of the world, so I was stoked to finally get the opportunity. Supported by DJ Green Lantern, the intimate show was filled with Nas fans young and old in a basement like setting, giving the illusion of an old school underground Hip Hop show. Nas ran through tracks from his eleventh studio album ‘Life Is Good’ but it was clear his intent was to take us on a journey back to where it all started. Going as far back as ‘Illmatic’, his first studio album to perform classics like ‘Represent’ ‘If I Ruled the World’ and ‘Hate Me Now’. He tested his fans by holding out the mic on various occasions to see if we knew the lyrics - don’t worry Nas, we got you! We recited the lyrics as we bounced to the beat of each track with nothing but love and energy in the atmosphere as Hip Hop took back the night.
Nas displayed his humble, witty demeanour in the scattered intervals of the show where he shared stories with the crowd. At one point he took requests, giving us the power to decide what we wanted to hear. The New York native gave a surreal performance of the 2001 hit ‘One Mic’, closing his eyes as he poured out the lyrics to a mesmerised audience. He even took the time out to sign CDs and other memorabilia during his sold out 90 minute performance. This came after the lyrist caught sight of an Illmatic vinyl, stopping him in mid-sentence and proving that he had real supporters over in London. I was ecstatic to get two albums signed that I brought in anticipation but realistically did not think I would.
Jayaa68
NAS's performance simply-put, is a flash-back throughout the years and albums. If I Ruled The World (Imagine That), my most memorable song from his set. It was a chilled summer evening, at Summer Set Music Festival back in 2012. Crowd was buzzing with lighters in the air, speakers blasting and NAS putting all he had into that mic. Wearing a blue and white shirt and jeans, with a tiny bit of bling and his shades, he electrified the stage. Coming out and getting the crowd pumped by saying, "Put Your Hands Up" and, "I love the smoke ya'll putting up in the air" often. Beats spewed out of the speakers with no vocals, NAS actually rapped all his song! No lip-syncing, no background vocalists, just him and the crowd. Now of course the die-hard NAS fans knew every word and rapped along with NAS, as for me, I rapped what I remembered, but it didn't matter how much of a fan you were or were not when you saw his performance. Because when he finished you came out a die-hard fan and a satisfied concert-goer. Since NAS doesn't really put out much new stuff, its easy to catch up on his music. So you can enjoy his performance to the fullest, every time.
ray-sarraf
Not a fan of the venue (United Center). Nas requires a smaller venue bc his lyrics, not his energy, take precedence. The UC is for a mega popstar with a large gross allegiant fanbase (e.g. Taylor Swift, Kanye West). There's no intimacy amongst fans at the UC, either. Overall, it's a terrible place for most artists.
Nas is my favorite rapper hands down. Id love for him to perform fan hits, not billboard hits. I wish he were as daring a performer as he is a rapper. Most Nas fans dont like "Hate Me Now" or "I Know I Can" but bc theyre his biggest singles, they'll be played instead of "The Rise and Fall", or "Take It In Blood", "Blaze a 50" or how about "Wanna Play Rough?". Maybe Chicago's an awful city for an artist. It's ironic that Nas's fearless lyrics and depth of content is suppressed by his entertaining stage presence fueled by the need for "Mass Appeal".
brandon-sallis
This was one of the most epic events I've EVER attended! Nas by himself is enough! But, couple this legendary icon with the infamous Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Wallah, magic has taken place! He performed his 1st album with the Symphony in chronological order which was so melodic. Then once he finished illmatic the symphony cleared the stage and gave a helluva encore by performing all his mainstream hits and even a couple of his newer tracks from Nasir ( his newest album to date). To say I was pleased is an understatement! I was enthralled!!! Nas will forever be a class act in my eyes!
ErycB
I was blessed with the opportunity to see Nasir, DMX and Lil Kim @ the Colliseum (WVU Mountaineers basketball court)in Morgantown,WV... I was right up in front row at center stage to hear one of my Top 5 favorite Hip-Hop artists and it was GREAT! Didn't care much for Lil Kim but Nasir and X made the show worth it. I got the opportunity to throw my demo up to Nas and it was taken backstage... I just wonder if he ever took the time to listen to it... Definitely a memorable concert for me
tufflucc102184.membe
Nas was EVERYTHING!!!!! This was my first time having the opportunity to be blessed with watching him perform live and he didn't disappoint! He had energy from the beginning to the end of his set, taking us down a road on memory lane with his classics and keeping us current with his new joints, accompanied by a live band and background vocals of the late great Natalie Cole's nephew. AMAZING!!! I can't wait for another chance to see him again!
NIK1777
It was amazing! The opening act was a DJ which was great because it kept the crowd going, without having an opening act that nobody was really interested in. Nas was great, he performed all the songs people would have wanted to hear and he had a live drummer and DJ which made the whole experience better. I wish the show had started earlier so that he could have been on for longer.
Unniversalruler
I've been a big Nas fan since the late '90s. I've seen him live 3 times and this is the show I've wanted to see. This was Nas kicking it confidant and on point with no backups. The venue was perfect for his style of rap, not an arena but big enough to fit all his fans. Pair it with the amazing documentary and it was one of the best events I've been to period.
PragashA
Nas is Amazing!!!! I love how personal he is with his fans and hes still sexy as ever. Wish he woulda did Ether the. Loved the new artist Nick Grant and Wale really rocked the crowd!!!! Dissapointed Lauren Hill couldn't make it but looking forward to seeing both of them really soon. Can't wait till the next show.
pwlkr76
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