Nas Album Retrospective

Don't miss Nas' World Premiere tonight on 106!

Nas, Illmatic - The April 19 release date of Nas’s Illmatic is a landmark day in the history of American music. The album's introspective storyline detailing life in the mean, grimey streets of Queensbridge, New York, serves not only as the foundation of his living legend status, but also as a hip hop blueprint.With the assistance of jazz- and soul-influenced producers such as Large Professor, Pete Rock and DJ Premier, Nas's impact on society as a vivid storyteller with a profound take on linguistics was imprinted in every track from "It Ain't Hard to Tell" to "The World Is Yours." And it influenced the works of Jay Z, Common, Noreaga and Ghostface Killah, emboldening them to modify their delivery, opting for a slowed down, enunciated flow driven by a relaxed, poetic tongue.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Illmatic - Nas is one of hip hop's most celebrated rappers, and the hype all started with the release of his debut album Illmatic.Don't miss Nas on 106 & Park tonight when he drops by to perform and talk about how he feels 10 albums later with Life Is Good! Tune in for the World Premiere of his latest music video featuring Amy Winehouse "Cherry Wine" tonight at 6P/5C!(Photo: Columbia Records)

It Was Written - Illmatic might have been a classic debut but It Was Written, delivered in 1996, was Nas' first commercially successful album. The project was made popular by the pop-friendly singles "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)," featuring Lauryn Hill and the "Street Dreams" remix with R. Kelly. (Photo: Columbia)

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It Was Written - A lot of successful artists hit the sophomore slump when it's time to deliver the follow-up to their debut album. Fortunately, Nas didn't hit the slump and kept his momentum up with It Was Written.(Photo: Columbia Records)

I Am... - Who is he? Nas!(Photo: Columbia Records)

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I Am... - Who is he? Nas!(Photo: Columbia Records)

Nastradamus - Nas has always rapped about real life issues and can be seen as a prophet of truth to this generation. If you don't believe it, listen to Nastradamus.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Nastradamus - Nas has always rapped about real life issues and can be seen as a prophet of truth to this generation. If you don't believe it, listen to Nastradamus.(Photo: Columbia Records)

Nas, Stillmatic - As he reasserted his greatness with Stillmatic, Nas squatted next to a pigeon in front of the New York skyline. Though not the fiercest animal, the bird is an integral part of life in the Big Apple and on its streets. (Photo: Columbia Records)

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Stillmatic - When Nas came out, he was Illmatic. On his fifth album, he let everyone know that he was still iller than the average with Stillmatic.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Nas – God's Son (2002) - Jonathan made Nas look at the camera when they worked together for the visuals for his sixth release.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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God's Son - God's Son spawned the inspirational anthem "I Can" and let youth everywhere know that they can be whatever they want to be!(Photo: Columbia Records)

Photo By Photo: Columbia Records

Street's Disciple - Street's Disciple featured Nas's heartfelt song "Me and You," which was dedicated to his daughter. It was nice to see the softer side of Nas.(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Street's Disciple - Street's Disciple featured Nas's heartfelt song "Me and You," which was dedicated to his daughter. It was nice to see the softer side of Nas.(Photo: Columbia Records)

Play on Playa - When Hip Hop Is Dead did drop in 2006, Nas ruffled the feathers in many caps. Most heated: a slew of Southern rappers who claimed the title was aimed at them, with Young Jeezy, Big Boi, Ludacris and Trick Daddy, among those who criticized the QB Kid.(Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)

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Hip Hop Is Dead - Nas came up on old school hip hop and rapped with substance, so let's just say that in the age of autotune and "bling" he was a little disappointed with how the artform had developed. That's when he released his album Hip Hop Is Dead.(Photo: Def Jam Records)

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Untitled - Untitled initially had a title that the general public wasn't too thrilled with (the N-word), so instead of renaming it, Nas left the album untitled to make a statement.(Photo: Def Jam Records)

Photo By Photo: Def Jam Records

Album of the Year: Nas – Life Is Good - Nas went for maturity and personal healing with the release of his 10th studio album, Life Is Good. The critically hailed LP finds the Queensbridge great doing what he does best by turning adversity (divorce, tax problems) into positively inspiring music for his fans. (Photo: Def Jam)

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Life Is Good - What can you say after 10 albums? Exactly what Nas says, Life Is Good.Don't miss the World Premiere of Nas' World Premiere of "Cherry Wine" tonight on 106 at 6P/5C!(Photo: Def Jam)