Nasir Jones is true case of longevity in hip-hop music. Hailing from Queensbridge, Queens, New York City, Nas has released nine studio albums and has been the center of some controversy due to his involvement in a the Virginia Tech benefit concert, courtesy with Bill O'Reilly (fuck that guy, right?) and also due to the fact that he was going to release his latest album under the name Nigger, which was later changed to Untitled to meet industry standards. But what really put Nas on the radar was his first studio release titled Illmatic. Illmatic is acclaimed as a landmark East Coast Hip-Hop album that is easily credited for putting the East back on the map when West Coast hip-hop was dominant in the mainstream. Illmatic is also credited in the revival of the Queensbridge rap scene. At the time The Notorious B.I.G. and The Wu-Tang Clan released their first major albums, which helped bring forth the New York hip-hop renaissance, but they all represented different boroughs. The QB scene was hot in the 1980s with Marly Marl, MC Shan and Roxanne Shante, but Nas brought it all back. (For more info check out the "bridge wars" between QB and the Bronx)
Illmatic brought forward a new style to hip-hop in New York. A step away from the old school and early 90's sounds from De La Soul, Bran Nubian and so on and ventured into a more gritty style of street rap. It was essentially a renaissance because of the lyrics, beats, style and delivery.
Regardless of all this praise, Illmatic didn't just drop out of nowhere. Nas began working with some New York City heavyweights a few years before the release of Illmatic. He was featured on a track with MC Serch and was scouted out and ultimately began working with some of New York's top producers, DJ Premier being one of them. Recording began for his first studio album, collaborating with producers like Large Professor, who at the time was eighteen, L.E.S., Q-Tip and Pete Rock. In the booth Nas never ceased to impress.
Nas' lyrics, like I previously said, were a major change compared to what was being said by other rappers (with a few exceptions). His lyrics revolve around inner city issues of poverty, gangs, project housing and the street environment. Aside from his subject matter Nas also has a flawless form of delivery and word play.
What more can I say? Illmatic was an instant classic and received rave reviews by critics. His refreshing, yet real approach to hip-hop made him one of New York's most legendary rappers.
Singles from Illmatic:
