The effort had originally been planned as a double-disc concept album comprising autobiographical material, but when some of the tracks were leaked, I Am was scaled down and released as a single disc, with the DJ Premier-produced 'Nas Is Like' chosen as the lead single. Nas addressed his critics on 'Hate Me Now,' the second single from his next album, I Am (1999). At the same time, though, he delved into street culture and flirted with danger, such experiences similarly characterizing his rhymes. Born Nasir Jones, son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas dropped out of school in the eighth grade, trading classrooms for the streets of the rough Queensbridge projects, long fabled as the former stomping ground of Marley Marl and his Juice Crew as immortalized in 'The Bridge.' Despite dropping out of school, Nas developed a high degree of literacy that would later characterize his rhymes. Such growth made every album release an event and prolonged his increasingly storied career to epic proportions. Nas continually matured as an artist, evolving from a young street disciple to a vain all-knowing sage to a humbled godly teacher, as heard on later work such as God's Son (2002) and Life Is Good (2012). Nas likewise collaborated with some of the industry's leading video directors, including Hype Williams and Chris Robinson, presenting singles like 'Hate Me Now,' 'One Mic,' and 'I Can' with dramatic flair.

Such headline-worthy drama informed Nas' provocative rhymes, which he delivered with both a masterful flow and a wise perspective over beats by a range of producers: legends like DJ Premier, Large Professor, and Pete Rock hitmakers like Trackmasters, Timbaland, and will.i.am street favorites like Swizz Beatz, Megahertz, and the Alchemist and personal favorites of his own like L.E.S., Salaam Remi, and Chucky Thompson.

Damian marley distant relatives zip