Growing up, Nas says that he was inspired by many popular groups and artists like MC Shan, Public Enemy, Eric B, and Rakim, Boogie Down Productions, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, and the Geto Boys. When he was a kid, he said he was inspired to go into show business by watching the Jackson 5 or the rock group KISS and wanting to be on stage. He was also heavily inspired by his neighborhood and the people in his life who made music, like his Father Olu Dara, and his neighbor Ill Will.