Biography of Nas
Nas, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, is a rapper and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York. After leaving public education in the 8th grade, Nas devoted his efforts to hip-hop and learning about African culture, both roads leading him to the Nation of Gods and Earths (NGE). Unlike many New York City rappers who took a similar path, he did not later become a member of the Nation, but he has often referenced it and Islam in general in his works. He commented on this choice in an interview, saying: “When I was about ten years old I got some lessons (in NGE doctrine), so it right there just opened me up. I just been intrigued by the Five Percent Nation, Islam since I was a kid then I started to see the difference between what the Nation of Islam and Islam as a whole was, so I seen the difference. And I just choose my own way.”
Songs:
“Undying Love”
“… and started prayin / To Muhammad and Allah, the most beneficial. / Through you, all things are possible, I know you’re listening”
Nas is holding in his arms his girlfriend who was just killed and looks to Muhammad and Allah for guidance. He calls them “beneficial” in hopes of getting something in return after so much has been taken from him, even hinting at reversing the events for through them “all things are possible”.
“… and started prayin / To Muhammad and Allah, the most beneficial. / Through you, all things are possible, I know you’re listening”
Nas is holding in his arms his girlfriend who was just killed and looks to Muhammad and Allah for guidance. He calls them “beneficial” in hopes of getting something in return after so much has been taken from him, even hinting at reversing the events for through them “all things are possible”.
“Ghetto Prisoners”
“A lot of rules, some locked in solitude / Curse the day of they birth confused, who’s to be praised? / The mighty dollar – or almighty Allah”
Nas compares the biggest two influences on humans, power and religion, and makes his devotion to the latter clear by calling Allah ‘almighty’. He also shows the consequences of choosing money over enlightenment, as those who did not follow Allah and are in prison are truly alone.
“A lot of rules, some locked in solitude / Curse the day of they birth confused, who’s to be praised? / The mighty dollar – or almighty Allah”
Nas compares the biggest two influences on humans, power and religion, and makes his devotion to the latter clear by calling Allah ‘almighty’. He also shows the consequences of choosing money over enlightenment, as those who did not follow Allah and are in prison are truly alone.
“Black Zombie”
“A lot of rules, some locked in solitude / Curse the day of they birth confused, who’s to be praised? / The mighty dollar – or almighty Allah”
'Bismallah al-Rahman al-Rahim’ is a phrase in Arabic that translates to “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” and is recited before almost all chapters of the Qur’an. Nas shows his appreciation for not only the beauty of this phrase and Islam but also that of other religions. He argues that religion, at its core, is to drive away ignorance and evil and make way for God’s grace and mercy.
“A lot of rules, some locked in solitude / Curse the day of they birth confused, who’s to be praised? / The mighty dollar – or almighty Allah”
'Bismallah al-Rahman al-Rahim’ is a phrase in Arabic that translates to “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” and is recited before almost all chapters of the Qur’an. Nas shows his appreciation for not only the beauty of this phrase and Islam but also that of other religions. He argues that religion, at its core, is to drive away ignorance and evil and make way for God’s grace and mercy.
Music Videos:
"Undying Love"
"Ghetto Prisoners"
"Black Zombie"