Top 10 Best Nas Songs
Nas is one of the greatest rappers of all time, with a career that has spanned decades and shaped the evolution of hip-hop. From his groundbreaking debut Illmatic to his later works that show continued growth and sharp lyricism, his music has remained a key part of rap's history. He's known for his storytelling, intricate wordplay, and the way he paints vivid pictures of life in New York City. His impact can be seen not just in his own albums, but in the countless artists who have been influenced by his style.If you're a fan, you probably already have your personal favorites. Maybe you appreciate his early work, with its raw depiction of street life and deep introspection. Or perhaps you prefer his later songs, where he reflects on success, struggle, and the ever-changing world around him. Either way, this list gives you a chance to weigh in.
N.Y. State of Mind is arguably Nas's best song. Nas's flow, his lyricism, and the beat make this song iconic and easily one of the best rap songs of all time. Illmatic is seen as the greatest rap album ever, and this is clearly the top song of that album.
CLASSIC!
Nas goes hardcore and spits sick lyrics throughout the entire song, making it a performance to remember! His best work by far!
The best Nas song ever, maybe the best rap song ever. It came off the best rap album ever. The most amazing part is that he was only 19 when the album was released. The lyrics in N.Y. State of Mind are beyond amazing.
My all-time favorite Nas song - and since Nas is my favorite rapper, I guess this is my favorite rap song overall. The lyrics are unmatched by any other rap, and the beat is out of this world. Which, by the way, is yours.
The chorus is amazing and inspiring. His flows are as clean as can be. I love the beat and scratching that appears on this track. My all-time favorite Nas song and, in my opinion, a top ten hip-hop song of all time.
One Mic is a great song, but The World is Yours really has everything that a great song needs:
- Lyrically, it can't be better
- Greatest flow
- One of the best beats ever made in hip-hop history
I love this song! It's my favorite Nas song, and I know no other rapper could pull off this song the way Nas did here. It gives me chills every time I listen to it.
Here are some good things about the song:
1. The beat is sick.
2. The lyrics are unbelievable.
3. The intensity level of this song is unmatched.
4. The way he transitions from the rather calming chorus to the verse, at the start of each verse, blows me away every time.
5. The third verse is one of the best verses I have ever heard.
Best song ever. The lyrical content in this song is so deep it is difficult to work out, but that adds to the greatness. It takes skill to rap slowly and get louder.
"It Ain't Hard to Tell" is probably Nas' best work. A neck-breaking instrumental with a Michael Jackson sample. And the lyrics: "It Ain't Hard to Tell, I exhale then prevail, the Mic is contacted as I attract clientele," or, "I drink Moets with Medusa, give her shotguns in hell, from the spliff that I lift and inhale, it ain't hard to tell."
This metaphorical, rhythmic, and smooth level is unmatched. Nas' songs are all great. No, they are unmatched. But this is by far his best work. This song has all that a Nas song needs: hilarious flow, poetic rhymes, smooth lyrics, etc. It has all that a rap song needs. It Ain't Hard to Tell.
Unbelievable, this feeling when you listen to this song! The beat is, in my opinion, the best ever made. Nas spits God lyrics and had, with all tracks of Illmatic, the dopest flow in the rap game.
His rhymes and style are unbelievable. It's not his best work, but number 3 is a good position. In my opinion, this list nailed it:
1. N.Y. State of Mind
2. It Ain't Hard to Tell
3. Memory Lane
4. The World Is Yours
5. Nas Is Like
6. Doo Rags
7. One Mic
8. Ether
9. Halftime
10. One Love
He takes you through memory lane and tells you about his childhood and coming up in the Queensbridge projects.
You can really feel the soul in the beat.
Sick beat, great flow, raw lyrics, and masterful storytelling make this song leave a haunting impression even after listening countless times, cementing itself as one of the greatest rap songs of all time.
The instrumental samples Sting's Shape Of My Heart as well as select lyrics from N.Y. State Of Mind off his previous album, Illmatic. These elements just make this perfect.
Love the background music and awesome lyrics. One of Nas's best tracks. Awesome! I never sleep because sleep is the cousin of death!
Every verse in this song is incredible, and it's definitely up there with Memory Lane, N.Y. State of Mind, Ether, and One Mic. This song deserves much more credit. An exceptional song from a mediocre album.
The beat is amazing, and the lyrical skill of Nas is also amazing! The greatest performance by Nas, and the album I Am... is one of the best works ever made!
Premo's on the set! Nas talks about how he went from being a kid from the projects to quickly rising to the top of the rap game and his skills on the mic. Dope!
This was one of the first Nas songs that made me want to discover his music to a greater depth. If it wasn't for this song, I would not have discovered his greatness. Lauryn Hill does an amazing job on the hook, and the optimism in the lyrics is so dope.
Should definitely be number one, hands down. The greatest rap song ever. Flow, beat, delivery, hook, chorus - and I don't even have to talk about how lyrical it is because every Nas fan already knows.
It's difficult to judge which is the best song when it's asked for the greatest rapper, Nas! I personally love this song. Great beats, lyrics, and flow. I can listen to this song all day long.
He absolutely destroyed Jay-Z on this track, and I think this is arguably one of the greatest rap songs of all time. It is definitely my favorite diss song, that is without a doubt. Great work with this one, Nas! PS, I just wish I knew what "Ether" meant.
One of the greatest rap tracks of all time and without a doubt the most legendary diss track. There's so much truth in this song. For example, when Nas calls Jay-Z a fan, Jay-Z basically proved that when he signed J. Cole (who is mentored by Nas, by the way) to his Roc-A-Fella.
As Illmatic was such a perfect album, it has hung over Nas' head for his entire career. AZ's verse was so perfect that it will hang over his head hauntingly every time he writes.
Great song. The jazz in the background is amazing. AZ's verse in that song is one of the best verses I've ever heard. Everything just goes great with this song.
AZ and Nas are both amazing on this track. Definitely one of his best songs. They couldn't have used three and a half minutes any better for this track.
The Newcomers
The bonus track on the It Was Written album.
It wasn't on the CD, only the cassette version. Pure fire! Top ten for sure.
Damn, this song is great. The lyrics are insane, and the beat is cool!
My favorite beat ever. This song is amazing! It should easily be top 5.
Great beat by DJ Premier. Dope lyrics by Nas. Definitely the most underrated Illmatic song.
He raps about what a gun goes through. His lyrical messages are unbelievable, and he is one of the best rappers of all time.
Probably one of the most lyrical songs crafted by Nas, which birthed an equally great track by Tupac.
When Pac feels obliged to borrow the theme, nothing more needs to be said.
Great beat, plus it's in Illmatic, so it just counts as the best.
Relaxing beat, and you'll bop your head to these lyrics all day.
The storytelling on this song is like none other.
"Nas, why did you do it? You know you got the mad phat fluid when you rhyme... It's half-time." - The line that describes itself.
Unreal song. Lyricism is top-notch as always, and the beat is just something else!
Amazing flow, a great fit with that amazing beat by Dr. Professor, and amazing, braggadocious lyrics. That thumping bassline gets me every time.
Best song with the best lyrics, better than all the above mentioned. He shares all the frustration with people about how they started hating him.
Damn good man!
Why do so many people not like this song? The beat is really good, and the lyrics are great too. It should be top 3 along with N.Y. State of Mind and One Mic.
This song is amazing, needs to be in the top 10. Sick beat and lyrics. Puff Daddy does well too.
That lo-fi beat is hell, plus the melody of the lyrics is like, Whoa. The song is #1. Any person who likes music will like this song, guaranteed. Made You Look is how you get friends who hate on Nas to like him.
I personally think this is the best. In this song, he goes into complete gangsta mode.
"Newness Anthem" just shows how superior Nas is to any other rapper!
This should be in the top 4, I reckon. It represents the hood Nas grew up in. It couldn't be more aptly titled. It's everything you want from Nas when you're looking for a fully dope song. This is an absolute street anthem, and I love it.
Should be top three. Hear this song, then you will know.
Such an amazing beat. He tears apart every bar.
Nas nailed it with this song. It is one of the best rap songs I have ever heard! It has a good beat, good lyrics, and meaning. This combination is very rare.
Nas delivers a song with a good message while keeping his musical personality and without being corny or unoriginal.
Prime example of Nas's incredible storytelling ability. All three verses are just unreal.
One of his more powerful songs. It's in my top ten for sure.
Yo, you gotta listen to this, man. The flow is sick, the instrumental is sick, the lyrics are sick. Seriously, what more do you need, man?
Dope flow, so lyrical. #1 in my opinion.
The beat is so good, and so are the lyrics. Great hip-hop song.
That one is amazing and has some kind of pop appeal. I really love it.
I don't understand how this isn't in the top 10. Rule is by far my favorite Nas song. It's a very mellow song, has a nice flow, and the lyrics are well-written. It's a song that you can listen to all the time. It just gets you vibing. I love it.
I can't believe this isn't in the top 10. Maybe it's just me, but I think this is clearly one of Nas' best songs ever. Great flow and vibes.
The best song from Untitled. This song is fast-paced and shows the true side of Nas. I love it when Nas makes songs like these because that's his specialty!
Great opening track for anyone who is new to Nas's music, and also one of the best hip-hop songs of all time.
This should be at least above Street Dreams.
This song should get some credit. He spoke truthfully in this song about other rappers in the game. The one and only King of New York.
One of Nas's most underrated songs. Lyrics on point, beat on point!
An absolutely touching song dedicated to the deceased mother of the King of New York. Definitely deserves to be higher on this list.
Beautiful song about his mom's death. Great emotion and one of the best rap songs ever.
One of the most touching songs I've heard. He does Dear Mama better than Dear Mama.
Beautiful production and great storytelling. Not the best, but I would put it in the top 15. Memory Lane and Get Down are the best.
This is a pretty good song, nowhere near as good as N.Y. State of Mind (Part 1), but still good.