| I Am... | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | April 6, 1999 | |||
| Recorded | 1998–1999 | |||
| Genre | East Coast hip hop | |||
| Length | 64:54 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
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| Singles from I Am... | ||||
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I Am... is the third studio album by American rapper Nas, released on April 6, 1999, by Columbia Records. Following the commercial and critical success of 1996's It Was Written, Nas put to work on a double album that merged the styles of his first two albums and detailed entire aspects of his life. Although he was able to use most songs, other songs that would have made I Am… a double album leaked onto the internet in MP3 format, forcing him to record new material for two separate single-disc releases (hence, the release of Nastradamus in the same year). The album features guest appearances from Puff Daddy, Scarface, DMX, and Aaliyah.
The album incorporates a mix of hardcore hip hop and storytelling, with themes predominantly based on Nas' reflections on fame, the rap industry, urban life in America and his childhood in Queensbridge. I Am... addresses a variety of social issues and personal experiences, offering a deeper look into Nas' life and his perspective on the world around him.
The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, selling over 470,000 copies in its first week of sales. I Am… would later be certified double platinum in the United States, making it Nas' second best-selling release behind It Was Written. Upon its release, I Am... received generally positive reviews from critics.