Illmatic is the debut studio album by rapper Nas. Released on April 19, 1994 by Columbia Records. He had signed to the label with help from 3rdBass member, MC Serch. With production from some of the industries heavy weights when it comes to beats, this album was an instant classic. Now, I don't know exactly if it was perceived that way when it was dropped, because I myself was born in 1994, but I can honestly tell you the first time I heard this album, it changed my fucking life. Inspired me to write more and more. This could possibly be one of the most important albums in Hip Hop history.
Track Listing:
Songs That Stand Out:
#2 N.Y. State Of Mind. Produced by DJ Premier.
One of my favorite songs of all time. The name of the song says it all. The beautiful thing about this album, especially this song, Nas gives you straight up visuals of what it was like growing up in the Queensbridge section of New York. The beat is fuckin' perfect, like most Premo beats, there's no way you can't play this when it comes on.
#3 Life's A Bitch. Featuring Az. Produced by L.E.S. and Co-Produced by Nas.
One of the greatest displays of lyricism in Hip Hop, Nas did the right thing by having Az as the only feature on this album. Az's opening line to his verse is fucking PHENOMENAL: "Visualizing the realism of life and actuality // Fuck whose the baddest a person's status depends on salary // And my mentality is money orientated // I'm destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never made it." That alone, pulled me into the song, no way I was skippin' over this one.
#6 Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park). Produced by DJ Premier.
This is that song that'll spark up that nostalgia inside of you. Nas' unbelievable ability to paint a picture before you with his words is almost like listening to a movie. The more you listen and comprehend, the more you see. Another thing about the song that I always enjoy, is Premier's scratching in between verses. I always like to hear how he can cook up a chorus just by scratching records together, and it's always fun to try and figure out just what little sample he used within the scratching.
#9 Represent. Produced by DJ Premier.
Damn, Premier is all over this album! I love that shit. Now this shit right here is that fast paced straight spittin' this is where I'm from type song. He starts off with some real shit; "Straight up shit is real, and any day could be your last in the jungle!" The chorus is small but catchy, because all they yell is "REPRESENT! REPRESENT!" which I fucking love. Another thing that was tight about it is the long list of shout outs he gives at the end of the song. He must've shouted out at least 50 people in this song. I thought that was dope.
