Classic Albums: Illmatic
I distinctly remember the first Nas album I ever purchased. It was his third album, "I Am," and I was initially drawn in by his collaboration with Puff Daddy on the single "Hate Me Now." Although I enjoyed the album, it didn't quite have the same impact as other artist I was listening to at the time like Biggie, Foxy Brown and DMX. In fact, his next album "Nastradamus" was a low point in his career, marked by the single “You Owe Me” which suggested women owed him sex in exchange for wearing his chain. This decline may have contributed to the perception that rappers like Jay-Z were poised to overtake Nas, but when they went in for the kill then he released a monster.
Jay Z's release of "The Takeover" on his seminal album, "The Blueprint," led many to believe that it would mark the end of Nas's career. However, Nas came back with "Ether," which is widely considered the winner in the battle between the two. But it was "Stillmatic" that really caught my attention. Although classic songs like "Ether," "Got Ur Self A Gun," and "One Mic" are timeless, it was "Rewind" that stood out to me. While many rappers have done creative things with their verses, the way Nas rapped a story backwards was one of the most intriguing things I had ever heard. What really impressed me was the attention to detail he gave to every aspect of the story, including the dialog spoken backwards and the way the music they were listening to on the radio would sound when played in reverse. That's when I dove deep into Nas's catalog and discovered his masterpiece, "Illmatic."
Released on April 19, 1994, "Illmatic" was Nas's debut studio album, produced by some of the most renowned producers of the time, including DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip. The album captured the essence of New York City's Queensbridge housing projects, where Nas grew up, and reflected the lives of young black men living in poverty, struggling to survive in a society that seemed to have forgotten about them. "Illmatic" quickly gained critical acclaim for its poetic lyricism, raw storytelling, and vivid imagery.
The opening track, "The Genesis," sets the tone for the entire album with a sample from the film "Wild Style" and a spoken-word introduction from Nas's father, jazz musician Olu Dara. From there, the album launches into a series of tracks that paint a picture of the harsh realities of life in Queensbridge. Tracks like "N.Y. State of Mind," "Life's a Bitch," and "One Love" are prime examples of Nas's impeccable storytelling ability, vividly describing the struggles of growing up in Queensbridge. He raps about drugs, crime, and police brutality, while also touching on themes like hope, perseverance, and the power of music.
While "Illmatic" was a critical success upon its release, selling only modestly at first, over time, it has gained a cult following and come to be regarded as one of the most influential and important hip-hop albums of all time. In addition to its musical impact, "Illmatic" has had a profound cultural impact, helping to establish hip-hop as a legitimate art form and breaking down racial and cultural barriers by exposing a wider audience to the realities of life in urban America. Its influence can be seen in the work of countless rappers who have followed in Nas's footsteps, including Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole.
Nas's "Illmatic" is a cultural landmark and a masterpiece of hip-hop music. Its impact on the genre cannot be overstated, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and influence for new generations of rappers and fans alike. The album's vivid storytelling and poetic