Nas

Nas, the guy who calls himself that, started making music in Brooklyn in the early 90s. His dad was a jazz musician, and from a young age he had a ear for rhythms. He began recording songs in secret, under a fake name, "Nasty Nas," and got into the East Coast rap scene. He was a friend of Large Professor, and in 1991 he recorded something with his group, the Main Source, on a song called "Live at the Barbeque".

In 1992 he signed with Columbia Records and released his first album, *Illmatic*. It was an album that made a difference. Although no one said it, everyone understood it. Then came *It Was Written*, which put him in the spotlight. It sold a lot, and one of his songs, "If I Ruled the World," got on the radio. But later, in the 90s, he started sounding more commercial, and some said he was losing his edge.