Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones AKA Nas

Educational Background and Location

Went to middle school in Queens New York City, New York and dropped out of school after 8th grade

Brief Personal Bio

Nas was raised in Queensbridge Houses and there is where he wrote stories about his life growing up in this neighborhood. Nas dropped out of school in eighth grade, despite his talent for writing. His life on the streets would fuel his rap lyrics in which he seamlessly melded his writing skills and his street knowledge.

These are a Few of Their Favorite Things

  • Favorite Shows--Modern Family, The Walking Dead, and House of Cards

  • Favorite food--NYC pizza

Common Literary Elements/Structure/Themes in their Work

Nas "utilizes a certain type of accent..: assonance...that is, the repetition of a vowel sound will cause a certain note/word to stick out in the listener’s ear".

Link to Matching PP Guides/Glossary Terms

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/5-tips-using-rhythm-and-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-steps-addressing-post-racial-myth

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-tips-writing-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/assonance

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/imagery

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/synonym

What does it mean if you were matched to this artist? Why is it important?

When matched to Nas, you are matched to an artist who includes many of the similar techinques you put in your piece. For example, your work may include the literary term of assonance where "the repetition of a vowel sound will cause a certain note/word to stick out in the listener’s ear". This may be an element of your poem (or main element). It is important to recognize the similarity you have to this artist because it helps you understand more of the style of your literary work. In this instance, your work would most likely contain techniques that are similar to Nas' and recognizing this could help to further develop your style and approach at writing poems.

Literary Value

Nas often uses the literary tool of assonance where "the repetition of a vowel sound will cause a certain note/word to stick out in the listener’s ear".

List of Albums / Artist Spotify Link

Illmatic, It Was Written, I Am..., Nastradamus, Stillmatic, God's Son, Street's Disciple, Hip Hop Is Dead, Life is Good

https://open.spotify.com/artist/20qISvAhX20dpIbOOzGK3q

Social Handles (Links)

twitter: @Nas, instagram: @Nas