Explicit Version. NAS is back and more controversial than ever on his 2008 release, his 9th studio album. Nas studies and lyrically dissects some of the our most divisive issues: race, inequality, poverty, and power. And who better to stir up debate than the man most consider one of the top five emcees in the history of the game? From his brilliant 1994 debut to his mainstream success with It Was Written, to anthems like "Hate Me Now" and "One Mic" and his venomous lyricism on "Ether," Nas" ability to tell stories, educate, make you dance and make you look is the stuff of Rap legend. The outspoken Queensbridge rapper has sold over 15 million albums worldwide over the course of his storied career. Nas" Def Jam debut, Hip-Hop Is Dead, was released in December 2006 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with over 350,000 copies sold in its first week.