Nas/YMMV

• Crowning Music of Awesome: Let's start with Illmatic and go from there.
• First Installment Wins: Illmatic.
  • In a rare double-example of this trope, Nas's first on-record appearance, on the Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque", is considered by some to be one of his best verses.
• Magnum Opus: Illmatic again.
• Seasonal Rot: Nastradamus does have its moments, but it's widely regarded as his weakest album.
• Some Anvils Need to Be Dropped: Much of his untitled album discusses racism, social inequality, and censorship in a blunt manner.
• Tear Jerker: Black Girl Lost
  • Undying Love, combined with Driven to Suicide.
  • On the lighter side of the scale, Thugz Mansion, though Tupac deserves equal, if not more credit for it.
  • "Dance", which is a tribute to Nas' late mother (who struggled with breast cancer for years, and ultimately died in his arms).
• Tough Act to Follow: Nothing he has made after Illmatic has been so acclaimed.
• Vindicated by History: His second album, It Was Written, which was given flak for not being Illmatic 2, has since grown in status over the years.
  • Its been said that Illmatic is his best album if you're a fan, It Was Written is what you study if you want to be a rapper.