Nas built on the artistry of the NYC rap gods who conquered the city with their streetwise flows and snarling stories. Rakim's dexterous wordplay, Kool G Rap's bruising rhymes and the proud pro-black politics of Public Enemy all had an impact on the MC's nimble mic skills and socially engaged lyrics. As the son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas also looked to the legacy of cats like Miles Davis for his daring sense of musical expression.