In 1991, while he was still a teenager, the young rapper becomes famous on “Live at the Barbeque” by Main Source, the band of Large Professor, who will become his main mentor. Incisive, energetic and already filled with small anecdotes, Nasir Jones’ spontaneous writing hits the bull’s-eye. We will find him a year later alongside the legendary MC Serch from the band 3rd Bass for a “Back To The Grill”, whose flames are very high. The rappers go one after the other in a spirit of sharing big pieces of grilled food in a park. And Nas is always above, he represents the future. His very enticing voice gives him the attitude and the look of an adult who has seen a lot. He is 18. His first maxi, “Halftime”, is released, and with it comes a great speculation in the New York rap environment. A youthful star is born, and everyone is waiting for him to turn into a supernova.
It will come with the deflagration that happened on April 18, 1994. Almost 25 years after, Illmatic remains unrivaled, a beacon lighting the careers of several generations affected by the rap virus. In nine urgent tracks and a legendary introduction, Nas becomes the muse of a new urban generation who bans from the spotlight former idols such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick and Kool G Rap. With his strong imagery and his writing in riddles, Nas depicts a violent world, the one from Queensbridge where dealers, scammers and modest families stand alongside in a big swirling round dance. Nas has a great eye for details that he uses with lucidity in few syllables. These almost astral views make him automatically older, like a wise old man stuck in a teenage body.
Illmatic is a critical success which will go beyond all boundaries. Rap then becomes the number one musical genre in the US and quickly everywhere else in the world. Nas becomes one of its figureheads, like Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac then Jay-Z a bit after. The course of the second album is a complicated spectrum, in order to gather fans from the outset with the wider audience. With It Was Written, Nas dances on this thin line, getting into the role of his alter ego Escobar to give himself the consistency that people want him to have, to become the true gangster of his stories. With very strong markers such as “If I Ruled The World” in duo with Lauryn Hill, he becomes the expected messiah, the street bard which blends sordid small scenes, bravery moments and upstart luxury. Carrying with him AZ, Foxy Brown and Cormega, the members of his band The Firm, he will establish himself as the first missing link between the East Coast and the West Coast, collaborating with Dr. Dre after his Death Row breakaway.
But the suit is a bit big for him. Well-adjusted at the waist, it gapes at the shoulders. The half failure of his album The Firm then the pirating of his third album render somewhat fragile the position of the Little Prince of American rap. His soul turns a bit sour following his collaboration with Puff Daddy. “Hate Me Now” is one of the first rap pamphlets against the haters, those endlessly disappointed people who want the artists to evolve as they wish, rather than the way the artist decided. A major part of Nas’ career is contained in this title, and in its clip with a messiah theme. Nas has always carried a weight, like a burden that he had acquired early, a destiny that was decided as soon as he took his first steps. And he spends his life alternating between acceptation and rebellion.
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