Nas: Illmatic – Over 30 Years Later!

It’s hard to  believe that it has been over 30 years since Nas dropped his highly anticipated hip-hop classic Illmatic. In recognition of the timeless classic hip-hop sound of Nas’s debut we are proud to publish our original review of this album published in the July, 1994 issue of the Informer Hip-Hop Magazine; written by yours truly…

Now I guess its safe to say that I’ve had most of the album since November of ’93 but the buzz on this kid has been going on since his cameos on Main source’s “Live at the BBQ” (The Large Professor days), “Back to the Grill Again” (MC Search), and his solo debut “Half Time” (Zebrahead soundtrack). After being overlooked by Def Jam, Nas has found a home at Columbia to release his hip-hop classic Illmatic. Nas, who isn’t ‘Nasty’ anymore, rekindles the fire in hip-hop with his unique rhyming skills. Just when I thought that hip-hop was taking a turn for the worse, this Queensbridge native reminds me why I fell in love with the amazing art form of rhyming. Its been a long time since I was emotionally moved by the lyrical content of a hip-hop joint but, Nas took my emotions on a ride with him through the rugged Pete Rock track “The World is Yours”… “And I’m amped up/ They locked the champ up/ Leaving my brain in handcuffs/ Headed to Indiana stabbing women like the phantom.” Back East this kid is being called the ‘second coming.

Nas flows over tracks smoothly while painting a vivid picture of his experiences at
the same time. He has turned hip-hop music around a full 360 degrees and has brought back love to ‘The Bridge” (Queensbridge), which might have been lost when KRS-One took MC Shan to the “South Bronx” in the mid 80’s. The other element of this album that makes it complete is the production. Producers such as DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and L.E.S. came through with arguably their tightest productions for one of the tightest artist ever. Q-Tip’s “One Love” is ‘nastily’ laced with xylophone melodies that put you in the mood for a modern hood story. Another track that is just ‘butter’ is “Represent.” This posse track gets you hyped off the chime complemented base line and stepping to a Queensbridge beat.

This is true hip-hop!

Review originally published in Vol. 2 No.12, June/July
issue of Informer Hip-Hop Magazine.
Copyright ©1994 Informer Publishings/N4MR Media