Conversation so far:
How did Nas begin his career?
As a young child, Nas's neighbor, Willy Ill Will Graham, influenced his interest in hip hop by playing him records. In his early years, he began writing his own rhymes.
Who else helped Nas begin his career besides neighbor Willy 'Ill Will' Graham?
In the late-1980s, Nas met up with the producer Large Professor and went to the studio where Rakim and Kool G Rap were recording their albums.
What was Nas' first album?
Illmatic is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas.

Question: Did he have any performances before then?
Self-contained rewrite: Did Nas have any performances before his first album Illmatic?