Nas
Nas (pictured) launched a campaign to raise money for Stanley Young, a single father of 8 children who had lost his home to a fire, after hearing his story in the news.

Platinum-selling rapper Nas has lent his support to a family in need.

The hip hop star launched a campaign to help raise funds for Stanley Young, a homeless single father of eight, after hearing his plight on the news.

Young, an unemployed Washington DC construction worker, and his family were made homeless last month after a fire destroyed their home.

The widower, who lost his wife in 2012, moved himself and his children into a hotel temporarily after the fire but they were told that they had until 13 August to vacate the hotel.

His tragic circumstances caught the attention of Nas, and the Def Jam Recording artist started a campaign to help find the Youngs a new home.

"This is real. It is me. I'm putting in $5,000 myself," he wrote on fundraising site Crowdtitlt. "Never done something like this, but I have faith that our American community can pull together a miracle for this strong family who needs our help right now.

"If we can get to the $20,000 goal, I'll put in another $5,000 too."

Nas's emotional appeal has raised helped raise over $33,000 to date.

The 39-year-old star, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, also reached out to the family personally.

"I'm grateful to Stanley. He's the true American dream," the Hip Hop is Dead hitmaker said.

"A man who would do whatever it takes to take care of his kids. I'm the same way and I just think he's great."