AnnaMenace

This line talks about Nas trying to find himself when he was committing the aforementioned crimes. To find oneself is a common wish, especially among hurt or religious people, and Nas makes a commentary on that in this line.
He says that he’s not able to find himself, most likely because he has lost a part of himself with his upbringing.

Nas talks about how he has ‘grown up’ morally.

He has went from committing heinous crimes in the hoods of Queensbridge, which he has talked about in previous songs, to being a pure artist, trying to help people find the truth in his music, putting all the problems he had had previously in life behind him.

“Simultaneously making me climb higher” can also refer to his much increased money.

Nas makes music for people who were much like him growing up. He hopes to send the message that no matter how you grow up, you have a chance to be successful like him, as long as you follow your dream.
To add to this, much of Nas’s supporters are black males who come from the hood or the ghetto, and he makes music for these faithful.