Nas is Not Nigerian
Nasir Jones, better known as the rapper Nas has gone by a number of aliases over the years. So while Nas might be Nasty, Esco, Escobar, Nastradamus, The Streets Disciple, or God’s Son, one thing he is most definitely not, is Naija!
Some of you may be left wondering what this is all about, but among many Nigerians, there is this idea that Nas is Nigerian.
As my guy hemebob (awoof chopper #1) said earlier this week:
Kai… Nigerians sabi claim eh. Na so dem talk say NAS na naija boy sef.
My guess is that this originates from the fact that his father, the popular jazz & blues singer/musician, Olu Dara, has a Yoruba-sounding name – a name he took later in life. (Being a big fan of Olu Dara, I never for one minute thought he was Nigerian… but indeed Nigerians come in all forms.) So, upon further inspection, Olu Dara, was born Charles Jones III in Louisville, Mississippi in 1941 and later married Ann Jones, also American.
So unless you have the desire to trace back to when his ancestors came to the new world, conventional wisdom would say that Nas is indeed American - Black/African American, and not in the least Nigerian by heritage, culture or otherwise.
Eugene
April 13th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
okay just lil bit comment about nas is not nigerian, where ever is going on any where in American we still African, I’m African American but i’m from estern African, contry called sudan, i’m a rapper but doing my think small i really like this idea that we can find each other everwhere in the world
April 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 pm
i really thimk nigerians just like claiming. i always knew nas wasnt 9ja cuz guys said his dad, olu dara was yoruba and said nasiru was hausa so i always knew
April 23rd, 2006 at 11:04 pm
LOL…You had to put up a notice? LOL
April 27th, 2006 at 11:45 am
What’s :george: saying with his :missiles:?
May 3rd, 2006 at 9:08 am
omo Naija guys to dey claim….i knew he wasnt Naija all along..cos he’s Nasir
May 3rd, 2006 at 3:46 pm
um…………..i heard that too……though we do claim…..but its all good….but i was kinda convinced he was, Ive heard Olu Dara sing a couple of times and he has this rich african sounding baritone………..but who really cares if he is/not……we are all Africans…..abi?????
May 4th, 2006 at 4:05 am
so y is his father’s name olu dara is he one of those pseudo americans who think dey shuld adopt slave names cause of slavery cos i was actually thinkin his father must hav some kind of connection wit nigeria 2 bear olu dara
May 19th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
zainab you dey craze? how is olu dara a slave name? that is a very african name, not a slave name like huckleberry finn.
nas is not nigerian AT ALL, NOT EVEN RELATED!!
nas father oludara is a jazzist born and raised in mississipi in america.
the intro to stillmatic clearly states “blood of a slave heart of a king”
nigerians, no too dey claim
May 23rd, 2006 at 6:49 am
nas is a nigerian and can be proven
May 24th, 2006 at 7:20 am
nas is not a nigerian. if him na naija why him no even for one day maention naija for his songs, or care to caome down to his father land abegi
May 24th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
hey guys..nas is naija but he does not know shit about that,because it was his ancestors that are from naija.i am his big fan,i have been his fan since illmatic till date.so man believe my shit.i have been to his live show once in DUBLIN when he came down last year and we talked.
i am a NAS J.D DOWN TO EARTH NIGGA.
better ask about what that means man.
peace.
ur representer in j.d
May 25th, 2006 at 10:09 am
hey guys, there is no point flogging this issue. my opinion is this. there should be a freedom of expression, if from all indications nas says he is not a nigerian, then let him be. the fact is for some of us who really believe in this countr and ready to claim its citizenship, then, we should go an extra mile to make make the name of the country better by using our God’s given individual talents. so my advice NAs is not a nigerian not because its geneology is not pointing that but because he says he is not, but the fact still remains that he is an african
Ok
May 25th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
i am sorry Nas my bros u look like a total naija pikin.
May 27th, 2006 at 7:34 am
Actually, Nas really ISNT nigerian. His father is an african american who took on a Nigerian name… that’s all. I actually saw this in MSNBC’s “Headliners and Legends.”
May 28th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
All of Una no get work at all. If NAS is 9ja or not of what benefit is that to 9ja the country lest alone the 9ja people? His father took the name for his own reasons. To the people broken hearted that NAS is not from 9ja, get a life. We get better things to worry and talk about especially how we 9ja’s go make the being a Nigerian something to be proud of. As for NAS, make im waka far!
June 1st, 2006 at 1:33 am
what difference does it make where his from? if he is.. then he’s reppin 4 us.. if not.. then so be it
June 4th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
are know say nas na naija pikin.because when u look am u go know say nas is from nigeria.but my people make are tell u, if nas say that he is not a nigeria let he be. but me ah my people make are tell u,i’m from africa i’m a pure africa pikin. what thing dey happen? nothing dey happen. we just dey look. from princess
June 5th, 2006 at 2:36 am
y’all shud get bent!
NAS ain’t from nigeria,u guyz just like claiming
June 5th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
nas is not a nigeria l do not know why some people living in nigeria allways
go with wrong information may be because of lack of education in america
or europe when u are born there so from the country so please nigeria he is not a nigeria nas is america
June 6th, 2006 at 8:43 am
aw’ight….lets c,if nas says he aint nigerian,then we shuld strictly leave it at dat”n for the pple dat say nas looks so nigerian….let me ask you…wot kinda look do we nigerians av?i live ere in d states n i assure you some nigerians or ghanaians even look bedda than some african americans so yu cant decide were pple from by lookin at some face….ya hurrd???
June 6th, 2006 at 9:18 am
Nas is a nigrian
June 6th, 2006 at 11:50 am
ahaha - this thread is so funny.
June 7th, 2006 at 6:20 am
OKAY SO IF NAS SAY HE NO NAIJA DEM ASK HIM WHO NAMED HIM “NASIR BIN OLU DARA JONES” NAH BE LONG NAME BUT ASK EM!!!
June 7th, 2006 at 6:59 am
nas is not nagerians he just african american that is all i know if people
thinks nas is nageraians you got all mis you got all mis black power 4 life
June 7th, 2006 at 8:49 am
black thundah - you didn’t read the post did you - it’s all explained there… just look above.
June 7th, 2006 at 10:32 am
didnt want to discuss the topic for the longest time, but why the hell are we discussing if nas is nigerian again, GET OVER IT HE’S NOT!! Move on to something possible like–Ne*yo–heard his dad is nigerian, his middle name is “Chimere” an Igbo name…hmm….hmm
June 12th, 2006 at 12:46 am
Y’all shud shut the hell up! Nas says he aint and wiil neva be naigerian.why cant you guys just take that? my God!!!
June 16th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
I HAD AN ARGUMENT WIT SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND IT PROMPTED ME INTO VERIFYING THE CLAIM AND I AM HAPPY THAT I WON COURTESY OF THIS SITE.KEEP IT UP.PROPS
June 22nd, 2006 at 3:34 pm
man, i know care if nas na naija or somalian (WHAT?! shey e no dey possible, abeg) but the other day i got this new nas track called “where y’all at” and the boy yarn say im be the “king of nigeria.” it’s either two things dey happen, either pesin yarn am say naija ppl dey claim am (cough! one time) and im wan’ exploit his “naija heritage” or im just dey tell naija ppl sey im no be one of una–naww–im na ur king, we be im subjects. i swear i for do slap am but the radio no comot for road. or maybe (and this better be true) im dey give us true love especially since the eedris v. 50 thing, una know sey im and 50 no dey shit for same place.
June 23rd, 2006 at 6:27 am
for all that read this..i’m a student in the united states and i wanted to leave a comment just to put my word in. the whole nas sherade hasn’t been a vibrant issue here in the united states. as a matter of fact, this is the first time i’m hearin or reading about it. If anything i could care less but becuase i’m nigerian i see why people would take such pride in claiming a person who is successful and suddenly claims a country. why is it a sin to claim him bac?
June 23rd, 2006 at 6:27 am
for all that read this..i’m a student in the united states and i wanted to leave a comment just to put my word in. the whole nas sherade hasn’t been a vibrant issue here in the united states. as a matter of fact, this is the first time i’m hearin or reading about it. If anything i could care less but becuase i’m nigerian i see why people would take such pride in claiming a person who is successful and suddenly claims a country. why is it a sin to claim him bac?~Steph
July 1st, 2006 at 5:47 am
nas is really nigerian,how olu dara was sounds really nigeria
July 5th, 2006 at 4:41 am
am a student in da uk nd i jus want 2 say dat naija peeps jus like claiming jus cos his dad is bearing olu-dara does not mean dat hes naija not 2 talk of being yoruba. plz naijas shld all take it easy
July 17th, 2006 at 12:53 am
:)- LOL is the right xpressn her, Is’nt funny that naijas lack the ability to convey effective, true and precise infos, We carry false informations which makes us seem immature. Naijas should learn to suorce for infos from the right means and carry out reseaches b4 openning there frutless mouths to say what they no nothing about. Fine Nas dad’s name appers to be Olu-Dara, but that does’nt make him a Nigerian automaticaly. Naijas pls .grow up
July 17th, 2006 at 12:59 am
Bros JJC, Omo yoruba watin dey! How you carry know self ? okay prove am.
July 18th, 2006 at 5:17 am
NAJIA NA WAH FOR WHO NA,IF NAS LIKE MAKE HE BE NIGERIA.WATIN ME I NO BE SAY HE PAPA NO DEY FEED ME,NEITHER NA HE MAMA DEY FEED ME.IF NO BE FOOL WAY HIM BE AH,HIM FOR NO SAY NA NIJAH HIM FROM COME OR AFRICAN.I BEG MAKE UNA NO DEY DISTURB UNA SELF AGAIN BECAUSE OF SMALL BOY WAY DRUGS DON USELESS.
July 18th, 2006 at 5:32 am
NAIJA PEOPLE MAKE UNA WAKE UP MAKE WE TALK ABOUT HOW HE GO BETER FOR US.NO BE TO CARRY MATTER WAY NO BE OUR OWN DEY TALK FOR HEAR OH.NAS NA NAIJA.NA SO ME I NO AS I DEY UK LAST MOUNTH ME AND MY GUY WAY DEM DEY CALL MCDANNY WE BE DAY AGUY ABOUT THIS NAS MATTER,BECAUSE HIM NA UK HE DEY,HE NO ANGRY SAY NA NAIJA NAS FOR COME.SO I BEG UNA NAIJA PEOPLE MAKE UNA I BEG FORGET THIS NAS MATTER MAKE HE NO GO BRINGE TROBLE COME NIGERIA.COS NA SMALL THING DEY COS TROBLE.
July 30th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
even if nas be naija wating all una fools go do about it. find a job way you go do instead of arguing over someone way no care about you
July 31st, 2006 at 11:29 am
i reside in uk and i am pretty sure about nas being a nigerian.of course there’s no reason why anyone would want to argue about that.heard his duet with olu dare yet? check it out!
August 4th, 2006 at 6:49 am
So wat if his not a Nigerian!!!!!!wats all the fuze about him being a Naijrian or not……Please lets stay focused on important matter and let triavia things go away….
August 5th, 2006 at 1:55 am
nas na nigeria guy go and ask him
September 3rd, 2006 at 1:11 pm
i tire for una sef ,if NAS na 9ja or american pikin na him headache not u guy’s y una dey carry matter high like dis sef, my advise to una NAS na ameoo or 9ja wat is de difference mk una rest case n’ let de NASbobo rest in peace not in peices.na wa for una self.
September 4th, 2006 at 2:37 pm
i want to hear it
September 7th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
nas is not not nigerian his paps is olu dara and he is AA w/ name change
September 8th, 2006 at 11:53 am
Very Dissapointed to hear this news , but it’s his father’s fault, but then again, he has chosen a strong and worthy nigerian name,
Ola,
GOD BL£$$
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
(by the way, i’m 11, (and nigerian!!!))
Ble$$
September 19th, 2006 at 4:33 am
let forget dat guy. think about ur ownself if nas is not naija make him go
November 25th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
NAS IS A SLAVE HIS ANCESTORS CAME FROM WEST AFRICA ANYWAY HE AINT NIHERIAN HE BEGS BEING MUSLIM THEN ATHIEST MAN THIS GUYS CONFUSED
December 11th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
i heard the shit but either his from 9ja or from heaven i ain’t give a damn!ur arguing,u can go to places!Nas says (get urself a gun)!so i’m asking u all to (get urself a job)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 5th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Nas is a bloody yoruba boy,but he’s shy to agree with the fact that he’s. abe yuna no hear how the name sounds, this guy na pure nairaland pickin ooo, i don talkam.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:55 am
nas is fucking nigeria guy,look how olu dara sounds but and the sametime he is my best rapper
March 20th, 2007 at 9:00 am
The fact that Nas was given an islamic name, while his dad changed his name to a youroba one, to me seems that they have done some heritage research and have found that they are originally Nigerian. Just a thought!. But there are many yorubas that are muslim, and are given muslim names….my dad for example….
April 24th, 2007 at 2:07 am
na wa 4 una oo, if dis nas guy say em no 4rom 9ger, make una leave em alon naw, afterall the name “olu dara” na a 9gerian price weh give em papa dat name. 4 me no mater how 9ger b, i b a 9gerian 4 life.
April 27th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
b4 i start luv to say am nas’s biggst fan 4rm illmatic to hiphop is dead.i’m not sayin he is actually nigerian cos i know his pups gave himself the name olu dara that he(nas) doesnt include in his name.but listenin to his works from the previous years he has made a lot of prefrences concernin nigeria.theres this track he said;’back of the rolce royce lyk d king of nigeria…’ so what i think is he’s just one of dem black americans who dont know their roots but if this brother wants to relate wit our country we’ll welcome him wit our arms wide open cos he’s the greatest rapper ever.WORD!
August 9th, 2007 at 7:28 am
nas is a fuckin nigerian i so much believ it. i guess his denyin it cus he doesn’t want people sayin he is not even american. and i have points backin it 1) wen he was beefin jay z, in jay z’s blue print 2 he said i quote” u r an African u are not wat people think u to be” now y would jay z say a thin like that wen he is equally a black american.
2ndly) if his dad picked a nigerian name as i read over de internet y den did he not mention the fact that he visited nigeria in bridgin de gap a place he took his stage name from ooh!! wat an omission but a three syllabic word such as madagascar was mentioned that has the same vowel pronounciation as regards to the last syllable. so how will nas n the father explain this? the omission is obviuosly not becos of lyrics…from guzy true fan of nas
August 17th, 2007 at 5:30 am
naija people 2 funny, all dis argument about NAS don de get out of hand. Una no de shame,instead of u guys to promote our own musicians and their music.Una just de argue about one small boy wey una senior. One thing about we nigerians is dat we dont value our heritage, we like to imitate d whites which is too bad.As 4 me oh… NAS no be my king as him claim, so he should go to hell. As 4 me am a NIGERIAN and am proud of our naija musicians. NAIJA 4 REAL.
August 17th, 2007 at 5:45 am
I heard someone said dat NEYO is a nigerian from d southeast, naija people 2 dey lie. If NEYO is 4rm d southeast then R KELLY is my kinsman. U guys should talk about what is happening in naija, about dis our new currency wey soludo wan change next year. NAIJA 4 REAL.
August 18th, 2007 at 3:44 am
ha ha every one that see our comment knows that we are a real NIgerin’s abi no bi so?
i am very and much glad to express my self as an artist but never hold mic on a stage in order to perform. though that is not a reason for me to comment on this issue of NAS is not a NIgeiran, many referrence refers that he is not a Nigerian, as well some fereence stated that he is a Nigerian.
as for me and my crew i think we have to think, before saying anything. More especially why would we try to reach him direct either through phone call in the air or through e-mail communications?
And the only question to ask him, is what did he know about himslef his base and his origin.
thanks Thugjay
for thug squad.
08051550587.
September 1st, 2007 at 8:46 pm
as long as nas reps us tight let him be
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:24 am
YEAH, NAS HAS D RIGHT TO CLAIM ANYWHWEERE HE WANTS.IF Y’ALL NIGGAZ SAYS HE IS NOT NAIJAMAN,SO WHATZ UP ITH OLUDARA.U AND I KNOW WE ARE NAIJA.
September 8th, 2007 at 4:58 am
What`s all the delibrations about where Nas comes from? He(Nas) knows where he`s from and I agree with Genesis for all he said but he should watch his spellings well before sending it on the web where everybody sees it.I be F.B.I.(full born indigene) and Baba God go make am possible say I be hefty citizen of naija from B.side(Benin City).Carry go……………..