Nas's debut album is largely considered THE greatest album of all time... and with good reason. Released in 1994, Illmatic expresses Nas's personal lifestyle and culture with themes and narratives which come from one of the harshest projects in New York; Queensbridge.
Although only ten tracks in the entire compilation, every rap song has a solid delivery with a lyrical complexity that still rivals contemporary artists. Nas's multi-syllabic rhyme patterns illuminate the socially-charged cultural content without compromising his internal rhyming patterns and vocal aesthetic.
The album is seen as a landmark in East Coast hip-hop contributing to an artistic renascence in New York while starting a stylistic change in hip-hop rhyme and lyrics.
Illmatic starts with The Genesis which features (the under-rated Brooklyn lyrical genius) AZ talk'n about represent'n (for Queensbridge) and remarking about songs on the radio saying "Yo Nas, what is this shit on the radio?" Then exclaiming that "we gone keep it real regardless how it go down..." with or without a record deal.
Track two, N.Y. State of Mind is the 'official' start of the album--i.e. the first track Nas raps on. Nasir Jones (Nas's real name) says "I don't know how to start this shit" as he proceeds to eloquently recognize musical composition, enunciating his ruthless style, and illuminating the cultural setting. Poetic but with a conversational clarity this classic track tells the listener that Nas's rapping and life experiences--coupled with his lyrical ability--was born from the competition, crime, and hustle of (a) New York (State of Mind)!
Life's a Bitch, track three, focuses on obtaining and maintaining material wealth with "the ghetto essence inside us... with the proper insight to guide us." "
Fuck who's 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 - Life's a Bitch, Nas
Track four, The World is Yours is a rap song about self-empowerment. Although Nas is saying "the world is yours" he returns to the focus of the album in the verses raping about how he's out for "dead presidents (i.e. U.S. currency) to represent me." The next track Halftime is a fun, upbeat song that shows Nas's cunning and presence as an MCEE. Memory Lane, track 6, is more relaxed, explores why Nas rhymes, and is about who he is and where he's from.
One Love explains why Nas has love regardless of all the stress, shootings, and "shit that's go'n on" in his area and the culture he's immersed in. Track 8, One Time 4 Your Mind is chill and were Nas kicks some street wisdom. Represent, is for you mind, goes out to everybody in New York's projects "that's livin' a real... life," and brings a clearer picture of Nas's life hanging on the corner, doing deals, and surviving as a school drop-out. The album finishes with It Ain't Hard to Tell (Track 10) which display's Nas's incredible lyrical ability and vocal style--which is still above and beyond most artists.
Nas is like the Afrocentric Asian, half-man, half-amazin Cause in my physical, I can express through song delete stress like Motrin, then extend strong - It Ain't Hard To Tell, Nas
Thanks for reading! Please comment, tweet, and give a Facebook like!
