There's also Common, E-40, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Scarface, Slick Rick and Q-Tip -- again, a poetic bunch who've been in the game for more than a minute -- but none is Nas.

CNN: A case for Nas, hip-hop's finest MC

There's also Common, E-40, Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Scarface, Slick Rick, KRS-One, Chuck D and Q-Tip -- again, a poetic bunch who've been in the game for more than a minute -- but none is Nas.

CNN: A case for Nas, hip-hop's finest MC

It launched the legendary careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and the late Eazy-E.

NPR: 'Straight Outta Compton,' 20 Years Later