Nas Wade Payne/Invision/AP Real Name: Nasir Jones Another one of the greatest rappers to ever write a rhyme, Nas stuck close to his own given name when it came time to choose a stage name.

There have been some notable rappers that have performed under their birth names — like Tupac Shakur, Kanye West and Missy Elliott — but they are much more the exception than the rule.

Nas Wade Payne/Invision/AP Real Name: Nasir Jones Another one of the greatest rappers to ever write a rhyme, Nas stuck close to his own given name when it came time to choose a stage name.

There have been some notable rappers that have performed under their birth names — like Tupac Shakur, Kanye West and Missy Elliott — but they are much more the exception than the rule.