Why Nas Always Mentions ill WILL?

Nas frequently references Ill Will (born Willie Graham) as a tribute to his childhood best friend, neighbor, and early collaborator. Ill Will was Nas’s first DJ and a key force behind his early development, encouraging him to take rap seriously and helping him record his first material. He also played a crucial role in building connections, getting Nas’s demo tapes into the hands of DJs. In May 1992, Ill Will was tragically murdered, marking a turning point in Nas’s life. Nas has described the loss as a profound wake-up call that pushed him to fully commit to music as his path out of the Queensbridge Projects.