When rappers try and step into the next level of financial success they tend to stick to the same familiar products. Music, film and sports drinks – among other things. But rapper Nasir Jones, commonly known as Nas, is tapping into the tech industry to help build his investment portfolio.

Through QueensBridge Venture Partners, an investment enterprise that Jones is one of a handful of partners in, he’s invested thousands of dollars in tech startups of all kinds. Some of which have gone on to bring in millions of dollars in profit, such as Dropbox, Meerkat, Lyft and more.

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“I’ve always wanted to be surrounded by the smartest people in the word, and didn’t want to limit that to just music,” Nas told CNBC. “I meet the people that are changing the games across all different industries, and I get to be there first at the ground level. It’s helped me to progress tremendously in my business.”

According to Black Entrepreneur, Nas has invested nearly $500,000 into companies that stem from the sprawling out of Silicon Valley. With the right choices, these could prove to be highly profitable for the Queens MC and lead to many other artists following suit.

However, he does offer some words of wisdom to anyone considering doing the same.

“I think anyone can be involved with investing if they have the means, but I’d advise anyone who wants to invest to be careful. You have to study it,” he continued. “It’s not easy to find the projects that are going to generate a return, and you have to invest time and energy – not just your money – into researching the companies that are going to go big.”

Photo Courtesy: Twitter