Few artists have left a mark on hip-hop as deeply and permanently as Nas. From the moment he stepped onto the scene with his groundbreaking debut Illmatic in 1994, Nasir Jones has been hailed as a lyrical genius, a street poet, and a true visionary. His words paint vivid portraits of life in Queensbridge and beyond, blending social commentary, personal struggle, and razor-sharp storytelling. Over the span of three decades, Nas has delivered classic after classic, influencing generations of artists and reshaping the sound of rap music.
In this article, we’re counting down the Top 10 Most Popular Nas Songs of All Time — the tracks that have defined his legacy, rocked the charts, and stood the test of time. From the raw, gritty realism of N.Y. State of Mind to the empowering anthem I Can, each song reflects a different facet of Nas’s incredible artistry. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering his music, this list will take you on a journey through some of the greatest moments in hip-hop history. So throw on your headphones, turn up the volume, and dive into the timeless sound of one of rap’s greatest storytellers.
1. N.Y. State of Mind (1994)
When “N.Y. State of Mind” hit the airwaves in 1994 as the second track on Illmatic, it signaled a seismic shift in hip-hop. Over DJ Premier’s gritty, jazz-inflected piano loop and stripped-down boom-bap beat, a 20-year-old Nas crafted a vivid, hard-hitting portrait of life in the Queensbridge projects. His voice, calm but intense, pulls listeners straight into the streets, narrating the daily struggle with the eye of a poet and the realism of a documentarian. Lines like “I never sleep, ’cause sleep is the cousin of death” felt like gospel—sharp, philosophical, unforgettable. Nas’s rhymes unfold like scenes from a novel, packed with internal rhyme and lyrical complexity that blew minds upon release and still stands the test of time. The track doesn’t glorify the street life—it reflects it with raw honesty. DJ Premier’s ominous beat, sampled from jazz drummer Joe Chambers, underscores the bleak beauty of Nas’s world. “N.Y. State of Mind” became an instant East Coast anthem, cementing Nas as one of rap’s most gifted storytellers. It’s not just an opening track—it’s an entire world carved into four minutes of hip-hop perfection.
2. The World Is Yours (1994)
“The World Is Yours” is Nas at his most reflective and ambitious, offering a glimpse of hope amid the shadows of his reality. Released as part of Illmatic, and produced by the legendary Pete Rock, the song glides on a smooth loop built from Ahmad Jamal’s “I Love Music,” blending jazz elements with the grit of East Coast hip-hop. Nas’s verses oscillate between the street and the soul—he’s a product of Queensbridge but dreams far beyond its borders. With each bar, he wrestles with mortality, purpose, and the hunger to rise above his circumstances. “I’m out for presidents to represent me,” he raps, making it clear that his aspirations stretch as far as his pen will take him. The hook—”the world is yours”—a nod to Scarface, has become an enduring mantra for generations of hip-hop fans. Nas’s effortless delivery and layered lyricism show a young man wise beyond his years, caught between hard truths and soft dreams. Philosophical yet grounded, the song captures the duality that defines Nas’s artistry: street-bred realism laced with introspective vision. It’s a masterclass in balance, and an eternal hip-hop touchstone.
3. One Mic (2001)
Released on Stillmatic in 2001, “One Mic” is a slow-burning eruption of raw emotion, social reflection, and lyrical brilliance. It starts in near silence, Nas barely above a whisper as he contemplates life, peace, and purpose. As the beat builds, so does his intensity, and by the time the track reaches its climax, he’s spitting with fiery urgency and explosive passion. The song’s structure—soft to loud, calm to chaotic—mirrors the emotional rollercoaster of inner-city life. Nas grapples with complex themes: the illusion of power, the cycles of violence, the yearning for change, and the simplicity of just needing “one mic” to change the world. Chucky Thompson’s minimalist, haunting production gives Nas all the space he needs to take center stage, and he seizes it. “One Mic” is more than just a song—it’s a powerful declaration of the artist’s role in society, a plea for understanding, and a personal confession. Nearly a decade after his debut, Nas proved with this track that his voice still mattered—maybe now more than ever. The song remains one of his most passionate and politically resonant works, a call to arms disguised as a prayer.
4. If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) feat. Lauryn Hill (1996)
“If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” released in 1996 on It Was Written, marked Nas’s successful leap from underground lyricist to mainstream visionary. Featuring the soulful, honeyed vocals of Lauryn Hill—who reimagines Kurtis Blow’s hook—the song is an imaginative manifesto where Nas lays out a world free from systemic oppression, mass incarceration, and poverty. His lyrics are sharp yet hopeful, weaving tales of freedom and Black empowerment with a poetic touch. Lauryn’s chorus lifts the track, infusing it with grace and emotion, making it not just a rap song but an anthem. Produced by Trackmasters, the beat strikes a delicate balance between pop accessibility and street grit, offering Nas a platform wide enough to carry his socially conscious message. It was a commercial breakthrough for Nas, earning widespread radio play while retaining his lyrical edge. More than just wishful thinking, “If I Ruled the World” was a visionary track that expanded the boundaries of what rap could say and do. It showcased Nas as a dreamer who remained grounded in harsh realities, blending political awareness with mainstream appeal like few had done before.
5. Ether (2001)
“Ether” dropped in 2001 as the opening salvo on Stillmatic, and in doing so, reignited a dormant feud and lit the hip-hop world on fire. Nas’s response to Jay-Z’s “Takeover” wasn’t just a diss—it was a calculated, brutal takedown that reasserted his dominance and rewrote the rules for battle rap. Over Ron Browz’s menacing, stripped-down beat, Nas delivers blow after blow, mocking Jay’s credibility, questioning his legacy, and reclaiming his spot at the top of the game. The now-infamous opening—“F— Jay-Z”—was the spark, but what followed was a barrage of lyrical daggers, unrelenting in tone and precision. “Ether” wasn’t just personal—it was surgical. It reminded fans that Nas wasn’t to be underestimated, especially when backed into a corner. The track instantly became hip-hop folklore, with “ethered” entering the cultural lexicon as shorthand for any savage takedown. It also marked a career resurgence for Nas, proving that he still had the fire, wit, and wordplay to go toe-to-toe with anyone. Controversial, aggressive, and iconic, “Ether” is one of the most definitive diss tracks in music history—a moment where hip-hop paused and collectively held its breath.
6. Made You Look (2002)
“Made You Look,” released in 2002 on God’s Son, is Nas in attack mode—fierce, focused, and unapologetically raw. Built around a thunderous breakbeat sampled from the Incredible Bongo Band’s “Apache,” the track bristles with old-school energy while sounding undeniably fresh. From the moment the beat drops, it’s clear Nas came to remind everyone of his lyrical supremacy. He tears through verses with sharp precision, his voice cutting like a razor as he dismantles industry fakes and delivers quotable after quotable. The track has an urgency to it—a sense of reclaiming territory. After a few commercial detours, “Made You Look” was a return to form, a reaffirmation of Nas’s roots and his standing as one of the greatest to ever hold a mic. DJ Green Lantern’s minimal, aggressive production keeps the focus squarely on Nas’s words, and he makes every syllable count. The title itself serves as a warning and a flex: you weren’t paying attention before, but you are now. Revered by hip-hop purists and casual fans alike, “Made You Look” remains one of Nas’s most iconic singles—a hard-hitting reminder of what real rap sounds like.
7. I Can (2002)
Released in 2002 on God’s Son, “I Can” stands as one of Nas’s most optimistic and purpose-driven tracks—a rare moment in hip-hop where uplift takes center stage. Built around a sample of Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” the beat is instantly recognizable and refreshingly different, offering a classical touch to Nas’s powerful message. Rather than boast or battle, Nas takes on the role of mentor, speaking directly to kids with heartfelt sincerity. His verses warn of the pitfalls of street life while championing education, discipline, and self-belief. The chorus—sung by a children’s choir—drives home the song’s mission: “I know I can / Be what I wanna be.” Some critics found the track overly simplistic or didactic, but its impact was undeniable. “I Can” was embraced in schools, youth centers, and homes as a motivational anthem that proved rap could be both empowering and commercially viable. Nas used his platform not to flex, but to plant seeds of hope. In a genre often criticized for glamorizing negativity, “I Can” dared to be different. It remains one of Nas’s most accessible and emotionally resonant songs—a love letter to future generations.
8. Life’s a Bitch feat. AZ (1994)
“Life’s a Bitch,” one of the most poignant moments on Illmatic, is a reflective, jazz-tinged meditation on mortality, street life, and fleeting joy. Featuring the debut verse from AZ—widely regarded as one of the greatest guest verses in hip-hop history—the track is emotionally rich and lyrically dense. Over a laid-back, soulful beat crafted by L.E.S., built from The Gap Band’s “Yearning for Your Love,” both rappers muse on the harshness of life and the beauty found in brief moments of peace. Nas’s verse is a deeply personal reflection on survival, ambition, and the thin line between despair and hope. The song closes with a soulful trumpet solo by Nas’s father, Olu Dara, adding a tender familial touch that anchors the track’s emotional weight. “Life’s a Bitch” doesn’t try to offer solutions—it simply tells the truth. It’s the kind of song that resonates long after it ends, not because of its flash, but because of its honesty. It stands as a testament to Nas’s ability to turn pain into poetry and remains a quiet masterpiece within one of hip-hop’s most revered albums.
9. Hate Me Now feat. Puff Daddy (1999)
“Hate Me Now,” from Nas’s 1999 album I Am…, is a defiant anthem that radiates anger, ambition, and unshakable self-belief. Featuring Puff Daddy, the track is drenched in drama, with orchestral flourishes and a triumphant beat courtesy of the Trackmasters. It’s the sound of an artist standing tall in the face of criticism and controversy. Nas raps with venomous intensity, responding to doubters and industry politics with bold declarations of survival and success. The infamous music video, which featured Nas being crucified, stirred major backlash but only added to the track’s mythos. While some viewed it as arrogant, others saw it as a necessary statement from an artist constantly underestimated and scrutinized. Puff’s presence added commercial gravity, but it’s Nas’s fire that carries the track. “Hate Me Now” is a song about embracing your flaws, owning your greatness, and pushing through resistance without apology. It’s theatrical, confrontational, and unforgettable. Even decades later, it still resonates with those navigating criticism and fighting for their place in the world. It’s one of Nas’s boldest statements—a middle finger to his detractors and a crown worn in spite of them.
10. It Ain’t Hard to Tell (1994)
“It Ain’t Hard to Tell” closes Illmatic with the same finesse and confidence that defines the entire album. Released as the lead single in 1994, the track features a brilliant beat by Large Professor, anchored by a loop from Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” which is flipped into a silky, head-nodding groove. Nas glides over the beat with effortless dexterity, delivering metaphor-laced rhymes packed with vivid imagery and dense wordplay. His voice is calm but commanding, painting scenes with lines like “I exhale the yellow smoke of Buddha through righteous steps.” Every bar showcases why Nas was hailed as the future of hip-hop—his lyrical command, storytelling ability, and poetic sensibility were already in full bloom. “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” isn’t about proving something—it’s about knowing your worth and delivering on that promise. As the final chapter of one of the most revered rap albums ever made, it leaves listeners with no doubt: Nas wasn’t just another rapper—he was a generational talent. The track still sounds timeless, a perfect blend of beat and bars, and remains a cornerstone in the legacy of East Coast hip-hop.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
