Nas Net Worth: Wealth of a Hip-Hop Legend

Nas net worth in 2024 has become a hot topic among music fans. The legendary rapper and songwriter has had a huge impact on hip-hop since he started his career. Known for his powerful lyrics and storytelling, Nas has earned respect and success over the years.

Let’s explore his earnings, sources of income, and the remarkable journey that has contributed to his impressive net worth.

Full NameNasir bin Olu Dara Jones
Date of BirthSeptember 14, 1973
Place of BirthBrooklyn, New York, USA
OccupationRapper, songwriter, entrepreneur
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
SpouseKelis (married 2005–2010)
PartnersCarmen Bryan, Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj (rumored)
ChildrenDestiny Jones, Knight Jones
Net Worth$70 million

What is Nas Net Worth in 2024?

Nas Net Worth

Nas is an American rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur with a net worth of $70 Million as of 2024. The main source of Nas’s wealth mainly comes from his successful career as a rapper and songwriter, where he has released many popular albums and songs.

Beyond music, he has made smart investments in businesses, especially in tech startups like Ring, which makes smart doorbells. He also earns money from his record label, clothing line, and various endorsement deals.

Additionally, Nas has done well with his ventures in media and entertainment, including producing shows and documentaries. All these sources help him maintain a high net worth over the years.

Nas’ Early life

Nas Net Worth

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known as Nas, was born on September 14, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York. His dad, Olu Dara, is a jazz and blues musician from Mississippi, and his mom, Fannie Ann, worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Nas has a brother named Jabari, who raps as Jungle and is in a hip-hop group called Bravehearts.

As a child, The rapper moved to the Queensbridge housing project in Queens. His neighbor, Willie “Ill Will” Graham, got him interested in hip-hop music. After his parents divorced in 1985, Nas dropped out of school in eighth grade. He learned about African culture from groups like the Five-Percent Nation and the Nuwaubian Nation. Nas also played the trumpet and started writing his rap lyrics early on.

The rapper is also related to actors Yara and Sayeed Shahidi, showing that his family has a connection to the arts. The name “Nasir” means “helper and protector” in Arabic, and “bin” means “son of.” His father took on the name “Olu Dara” from the Yoruba culture. This background influenced Nas’s music and identity as an artist.

Nas’ Career

Early Years

Nas Net Worth

Nas started his music career as a teenager. He teamed up with his best friend, Willie “Ill Will” Graham, who became his DJ. At first, Nas was called “Kid Wave,” but he later became known as “Nasty Nas.” In 1989, at just 16 years old, he met producer Large Professor and began recording music in a studio where famous rappers like Rakim worked. Although Nas recorded many tracks, none were released at that time.

Breakthrough with “Illmatic”

In 1991, The Illmatic Legend appeared on a song called “Live at the Barbeque” with Large Professor. By 1992, he got a record deal with Columbia Records, thanks to MC Serch. Nas released his first solo single, “Halftime,” on the soundtrack for the movie Zebrahead. People started comparing him to Rakim because of his impressive rap skills.

In 1994, The rapper launched his debut album, Illmatic. It featured top producers and guest appearances from his friends. The album had popular songs like “The World Is Yours” and “One Love.” Critics praised Illmatic as a classic hip-hop album, with many calling it the best of the year.

Transition to Mainstream Success

In 1995, The rapper worked with other famous artists and started preparing his second album, It Was Written. The album, released in 1996, had hit songs like “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” and “Street Dreams.” This album helped Nas reach a wider audience and became very popular.

In 1997, Nas formed a supergroup called The Firm with other rappers. They released an album that went platinum but didn’t meet high expectations.

Struggles and Comebacks

In 1998, The rapper worked on a double album called I Am… The Autobiography. He also starred in the movie Belly. However, the album faced many leaks, leading to changes in its release. By 1999, he released Nastradamus, but it received mixed reviews.

In 2001, Nas and Jay-Z had a famous feud, with both rappers releasing diss tracks against each other. Nas’s song “Ether” gained much attention and helped revive his career. He released Stillmatic, which featured hits like “Got Ur Self A…” and “One Mic.” This album marked a significant comeback for him.

Success

Nas Net Worth

The rapper continued to release successful albums, like God’s Son in 2002 and Street’s Disciple in 2004. His music often reflected his life experiences and social issues. He faced challenges from other rappers, like 50 Cent, but remained a powerful figure in hip-hop.

In 2005, The rapper reconciled with Jay-Z at a concert, signaling a new era in their relationship. This moment showed how Nas had grown as an artist and as a person in the hip-hop community.

Nas’ Journey with Def Jam

In 2006, The rapper signed a deal with Def Jam Records. Jay-Z, who was Def Jam’s president, offered Nas about $3 million for each of his first two albums. His first release under the label, Hip Hop Is Dead, addressed the state of hip-hop and sparked debates in the music world, especially in Southern hip-hop communities. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 355,000 copies. His song “Thief’s Theme” was featured in the movie “The Departed.”

Nas’ next album, originally titled Nigger, caused controversy. Public figures like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton criticized the title, while others supported Nas. Due to the backlash, Nas eventually released the album without a title in July 2008. The album included the song “Hero” and reached the Billboard charts. In 2008, Nas also got a shoe deal with Fila.

Distant Relatives and Life Is Good

In 2009, The rapper teamed up with reggae artist Damian Marley to create the album Distant Relatives. They planned to donate part of the album’s earnings to building a school in Africa. Nas later released his 11th studio album, Life Is Good, in 2012. The album was praised as a high point in his career and received a Grammy nomination.

Nas’ Work on Nasir

The rapper began working on his 12th studio album in 2013, which was later titled Nasir and produced by Kanye West. Released in June 2018, it continued Nas’ streak of impactful albums. He followed up with The Lost Tapes 2 in 2019, which featured collaborations with big names like Kanye West, Pharrell, and Swizz Beatz.

The King’s Disease Series and Magic

In 2020, The rapper released King’s Disease, produced by Hit-Boy. The album won a Grammy for Best Rap Album. This success led to two more albums in the series: King’s Disease II in 2021 and King’s Disease III in 2022. All were praised for Nas’s storytelling and lyricism.

The rapper also dropped the Magic series, with the third installment, Magic 3, released in 2023 on his 50th birthday. This marked his final collaboration with Hit-Boy. Nas remains influential in hip-hop, showing longevity and growth throughout his career.

On April 19, 2024, Nas and DJ Premier said they’ll release a new album in late 2024. This album celebrates the 30th anniversary of ‘Illmatic.’

Nas’ Personal life

Nas Net Worth

He is more than just a famous rapper; he is also a mentor and leader for young people. He works with P’Tones Records, a non-profit program that offers free music lessons to kids in cities. Their goal is to help urban youth have positive experiences through music.

On March 15, 2012, The rapper made history by becoming the first rapper to have a verified account on Genius. On this platform, he explains his lyrics and shares thoughts about other artists’ songs he likes.

In May 2013, Nas announced he would open a sneaker store called “12 am RUN” in Las Vegas. This store is part of The LINQ retail area, aiming to attract shoppers with its unique style.

In July 2013, Harvard University created the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship. This program supports talented students and artists connected to hip-hop, encouraging creativity in the arts.

On November 12, 2019, He received recognition from Haute Living at a special event that featured a violin performance of his famous songs by Edward W. Hardy.

Family

In 2002, The rapper lost his mom to cancer. She passed away in his arms.

On June 15, 1994, Nas’s ex-fiancée, Carmen Bryan, had their daughter, Destiny.

In January 2005, Nas married singer Kelis after dating for two years in Atlanta. They divorced in May 2010 due to differences. They had a son, Knight, born in July 2009.

Nas briefly dated Mary J. Blige and Nicki Minaj.

In October 2014, on PBS’s Finding Your Roots, The rapper discovered five generations of his family history. He found out about his enslaved ancestor, Pocahontas Little, who was sold for $830. Nas is considering buying the land where her owner lived.

Tax Problems

Nas Net Worth

In September 2009, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) took action against Nas. They filed a federal tax lien because he owed over $2.5 million in unpaid taxes from 2006. By early 2011, this amount grew to more than $6.4 million. In 2012, the IRS started taking money from Nas’s earnings from music until he paid his tax bill.

Concert Dispute in Angola

In January 2012, The rapper had issues with a concert promoter in Angola. He was paid $300,000 to perform in Luanda for New Year’s Eve but did not show up. The local promoter, who had paid Nas, got angry and detained the American promoter, Patrick Allocco, and his son at gunpoint. They were held in jail until the U.S. Embassy helped them. After 49 days and a travel ban, Allocco and his son were finally released. Nas returned the full $300,000 he owed.

Nas’ Business ventures

Nas Net Worth

Nas is not just a famous rapper, he is also a smart investor. On April 10, 2013, he put a lot of money into “Mass Appeal” magazine and became its associate publisher. He teamed up with Decon and White Owl Capital Partners for this project. Later, in June 2013, he opened his sneaker store.

In September 2013, he invested in a job search app called “Proven.” The next year, he took part in a $2.8 million investment for “ViralGains,” a company that makes viral videos. Nas is also known for working with Hennessy on their “Wild Rabbit” campaign.

In May 2014, The rapper partnered with “Koru,” a job placement startup, to give scholarships to 10 college graduates. He also became a guest coach for them. He is a co-owner of LANDR, a cloud-based service that helps with audio production.

In June 2015, he worked with “Sweet Chick,” a soul food restaurant in New York City. He plans to open more locations across the country, including one in Los Angeles in April 2017. Nas also has a clothing line called “HSTRY.”

In June 2018, Amazon bought “Ring Inc.” and “PillPack,” and Nas made $40 million from this deal through his investment firm, Queensbridge Venture Partners. He has also invested in technology startups like “Dropbox,” “Lyft,” and “Robinhood.”

The rapper shows that he is not just about music, he is serious about making smart investments and building businesses.

Nas’ Real Estate

In early 2002, The rapper bought a house in McDonough, Georgia, for $659,000. This big house is 3,592 square feet, and has two bedrooms, three full bathrooms, one half bathroom, and a swimming pool. It was built in 1999.

In mid-2007, Nas and his then-wife Kelis bought another house in Los Angeles for $1.6 million. This house is smaller at 3,207 square feet. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms and was built in 1947.

In November 2021, The rapper bought a home in Calabasas, California, for $3.5 million. This property is much larger, covering 10 acres.