And as Slick Rick apparently did, you can learn from your mistakes.

NPR: Immigration Law Difficult to Navigate

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

Take Slick Rick's "Children's Story" for example.

NPR: Getting 'The Message' from Hip-Hop Lyrics

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