Albums
The Essential Nas
A rap legend whose debut album remains among the most beloved hip-hop classics of all time, Nasty Nas has been serving up devastating wordplay since the early '90s, when he first appeared on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque." Since then, he's released a dozen solo albums, engaged in a high-profile beef and reconciliation with JAŸ-Z, put on fellow artists including AZ and The Bravehearts, starred in several movies, racked up a mantle of various awards, and endured both a reality show and tabloid-ready marriage to (and divorce from) Kelis. His musical output has been all over the place, including collaborations like the short-lived supergroup The Firm and his more recent project with Damian Marley, and he's dropped many classics along with a few certified stinkers. The Essential Nas sports 30 songs from throughout his career, including the early favorites "One Love" and "The World Is Yours," the crossover hits "Street Dreams" and "Hate Me Now," and the comeback anthem "Made You Look." It's an exceptional compilation and the best Nas 101 collection on the market today.