About

— The Analog Vault // Essential Listening —

Since its initial release in 1994 on Columbia Records, Illmatic has not only reigned as hip-hop’s proudest accomplishment, it's universally considered to be one of the best albums of all-time. This flawlessly profound debut from Nas established the New York City rapper as a leading figure in the East Coast rap scene, and elevated him to G.O.A.T. status overnight.

Densely constructed around the MC’s multisyllabic rhyme schemes, clever wordplay and lyrical dexterity - Nas espoused self-aggrandising yet socially conscious inner-city narratives that felt vividly authentic and brutally honest - without resorting to shock value or sensationalism. Anchored by downcast beats from Large Professor, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip and L.E.S. - Illmatic’s minimalist productions offered Nas the ideal backdrop to hone in on his rugged poetry and storytelling finesse. — The Analog Vault

Often cited as one of the best hip-hop albums of the '90s, Illmatic is the undisputed classic upon which Nas' reputation rests. It helped spearhead the artistic renaissance of New York hip-hop in the post-Chronic era, leading a return to street aesthetics. Yet even if Illmatic marks the beginning of a shift away from Native Tongues-inspired alternative rap, it's strongly rooted in that sensibility. For one, Nas employs some of the most sophisticated jazz-rap producers around: Q-Tip, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and Large Professor, who underpin their intricate loops with appropriately tough beats. But more importantly, Nas takes his place as one of hip-hop's greatest street poets - his rhymes are highly literate, his raps superbly fluid regardless of the size of his vocabulary. He's able to evoke the bleak reality of ghetto life without losing hope or forgetting the good times, which become all the more precious when any day could be your last.

 As a narrator, he doesn't get too caught up in the darker side of life - he's simply describing what he sees in the world around him, and trying to live it up while he can. He's thoughtful but ambitious, announcing on "N.Y. State of Mind" that "I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death," and that he's "out for dead presidents to represent me" on "The World Is Yours." Elsewhere, he flexes his storytelling muscles on the classic cuts "Life's a Bitch" and "One Love," the latter a detailed report to a close friend in prison about how allegiances within their group have shifted.

Hip-hop fans accustomed to 73-minute opuses sometimes complain about Illmatic's brevity, but even if it leaves you wanting more, it's also one of the few '90s rap albums with absolutely no wasted space. Illmatic reveals a great lyricist in top form meeting great production, and it remains a perennial favorite among serious hip-hop fans. — via AllMusic

↓
Label: Columbia
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Reissued: 2021 onwards / Original Release: 1994
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Rap, Conscious

File under: Hip Hop 90s
⦿