Hip Hop Is Dead is notable for being Nas’ first release on Def Jam Records, whose president at the time was his former rival Jay Z. This was followed by the double album Street Disciple (2004) and Hip Hop Is Dead (2006), both of which underscored Nas’ status as one of his generation’s top rappers. The Salaam Remi-produced single 'Made You Look' became a hardcore hip hop smash that still packs club dancefloors today. Keeping Hip Hop Alive Through 'Hip Hop Is Dead'Īll the while, Nas kept the albums coming, God's Son (2002) was hailed as his one of his best yet. Fortunately none of the beefs escalated to the levels of the East Coast/West Coast war that claimed the lives of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. “It wasn’t just about being the top guy in rap,” Nas later told Zane Lowe in an interview, “it felt like we were leaders of nations.” The feud was eventually resolved, but along the way Nas would tangle with the likes of 50 Cent and G-Unit. Nas’ 'Ether' and Jay Z’s 'Takeover' were the two main salvos in this battle. In 2001, Nas came out with Stillmatic, and the album addressed the roiling rivalry head-on by attacking Jay Z’s The Blueprint. He became embroiled in a feud with Jay Z, each claiming the throne in the New York rap scene following the death of Biggie Smalls in 1997. Later that year, Nas released Nastradamus, which peaked at No. 1 on both the pop and R&B charts, fueled by singles including 'Nas Is Like' and 'Hate Me Now,' featuring Sean “Puffy” Combs. He also created the persona of Nas Escobar for his more gangster and crime-rhyme influenced verses.

In 1999, Nas’ output continued to combine commercial singles with more experimental and street fare.

Nas hate me now firm diss