Nas will turn 40 this year, and this summer will mark 22 years since the Queens native first heard himself on the radio. Let's take a look back at some moments in his career.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
Nas will turn 40 this year, and this summer will mark 22 years since the Queens native first heard himself on the radio. Let's take a look back at some moments in his career.
CNN
Eminem, left, and Nas hold up awards from then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at the Detroit Hip Hop Summit in 2003. Nas says guys like Eminem, who dropped his first album in 1999, push him to be a better rapper.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
Eminem, left, and Nas hold up awards from then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick at the Detroit Hip Hop Summit in 2003. Nas says guys like Eminem, who dropped his first album in 1999, push him to be a better rapper.
CNN
Nas and his father, Olu Dara, perform during the VH1 Hip-Hop Awards in New York City in 2004. Nas' father is a jazz cornet player and is featured on the rapper's 2004 track, "Bridging the Gap," along with a Muddy Waters sample.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
Nas and his father, Olu Dara, perform during the VH1 Hip-Hop Awards in New York City in 2004. Nas' father is a jazz cornet player and is featured on the rapper's 2004 track, "Bridging the Gap," along with a Muddy Waters sample.
CNN
Nas and Olu Dara, right, play music with student George Kadir Muhammad during a jazz class at Morehouse College in 2005. The event was part of mtvU's "Stand In" show where surprise professors took over university classes.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
Nas and Olu Dara, right, play music with student George Kadir Muhammad during a jazz class at Morehouse College in 2005. The event was part of mtvU's "Stand In" show where surprise professors took over university classes.
CNN
Nas, left, Jay-Z and Kanye West perform during "Powerhouse 2005: Operation Takeover" in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The show marked the end of a years-long beef between Jay-Z and Nas.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
Nas, left, Jay-Z and Kanye West perform during "Powerhouse 2005: Operation Takeover" in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The show marked the end of a years-long beef between Jay-Z and Nas.
CNN
Def Jam founder Russell Simmons and Nas pose during the first Hip Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment in New York City in 2006. After Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam, he signed Nas to the label.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
Def Jam founder Russell Simmons and Nas pose during the first Hip Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment in New York City in 2006. After Jay-Z was named president of Def Jam, he signed Nas to the label.
CNN
One of the singles from the untitled album, "Sly Fox," attacked Fox News for what Nas felt was scare tactics used by the network. Here, Nas attends a protest outside of Fox headquarters in 2008 in New York City.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
One of the singles from the untitled album, "Sly Fox," attacked Fox News for what Nas felt was scare tactics used by the network. Here, Nas attends a protest outside of Fox headquarters in 2008 in New York City.
CNN
Nas and Kelis arrive at the 2008 Grammy Awards after party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The following year, Kelis filed for divorce from the rapper citing "irreconcilable differences." She was seven months pregnant.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
Nas and Kelis arrive at the 2008 Grammy Awards after party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The following year, Kelis filed for divorce from the rapper citing "irreconcilable differences." She was seven months pregnant.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
"Addicted to sneakers" as a youngster, Nas got a reputation for fashion in his later years. Here, he poses with GQ's Jim Moore, Jim Nelson and Will Welch at a party for the launch of the magazine's April 2012 issue at New York's Jane Hotel.
'Life is Good' as Nas nears 40 —
"Addicted to sneakers" as a youngster, Nas got a reputation for fashion in his later years. Here, he poses with GQ's Jim Moore, Jim Nelson and Will Welch at a party for the launch of the magazine's April 2012 issue at New York's Jane Hotel.
CNN