In 1994 a young 20 something year old kid named Nasir Jones nicknamed Nas released his debut album Illmatic. Given five mics by Miss Info at the Source, she cited Illmatic as the best rap album she had ever heard. The hype of this album was built off one verse, Nas's guest verse on Main Source's Live at The BBQ. He later did a verse in the sequel Back to the Grill by MC Serch. Two singles released and finally time had come, the lyrics of one kid had turned into hip hop legend. Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and Large Professor, only ten tracks and one of them being an intro. How did the legend of this album happen so quickly? There's only one way to explain and that's to break it down.
The Genesis
One of the few non-musical rap intros worth mentioning. Sampling Live at The BBQ, a subway train rolls by as a clip from the Hip hop inspired film Wild Style plays switching into a conversation between Nas, AZ, and his brother Jungle. This sets up the NY Project setting of Illmatic, and then...
New York State of Mind
Straight out the fucking dungeons of rap...where fake niggas don't make it back...
Nas drops his one take classic, considered one of the greatest hip hop tracks itself. Nasty details the life in the projects with a story teller spin on it. Describing a near death situation where he has to run with an empty Mac-10 after gunning down multiple people.
Try to cock it, it wouldn't shoot, now I'm in danger. Finally pulled it back and saw three bullets caught up in the chamber, So now I'm jetting to the building lobby, And it was full of children probably couldn't see as high as I be
What makes this special is how well Nas paints a picture out of this. You can feel every moment and place he sets up as somewhere you've been or known for years.
There was a snitch on the block getting niggas knocked. So hold your stash 'til the coke price drop
I know this crackhead who said she's got to smoke nice rock, and if its good, she'll bring you customers in measuring pots
The last piece of this classic is the beat down by the great DJ Premier. You can't possibly remix this, and i've never seen anyone even attempt to. So how do you follow up one of the greatest tracks of all time? Most albums would fall apart after this. So how does Illmatic do? With Nas teaming up with a natural ally.
Life's a Bitch feat. AZ
Visualizing the realism of life in actuality, fuck whos the baddest a person's status depends on salary
A young Brooklyn kid named AZ the Visualiza provides the sole guest verse and does the hook for Life's a Bitch. AZ flips his rhyme scheme and does this track justice setting up the host with a perfect hook, from what we understand was made up on the spot as AZ was free rapping in the studio.
Life's a bitch and then ya die, that's why we get high cause you never know when you're gonna go. Life's a bitch and then ya die, that's why we puff lye.
Setting up a do or die like environment (see what i did there AZ fans?) that AZ captures and basically owns this song, but not to say he bodied our host. Nas drops one of his own best verses.
I woke up early on my born day; I'm 20, it's a blessing. The essence of adolescence leaves my body, now I'm fresh and. My physical frame is celebrated cause I made it
Nas's father Olu Dara performs a saxophone ending which ends this classic off very sweetly. Now the album continues with a track that follows in a similar tone..
The World is Yours
The fiend of hip hop has got me stuck like a crack pipe
Nas promotes people taking advantage of what's out in the world instead of dwelling and suffering. It doesn't come off as cheesy in the slightest and Pete Rock delivers another great beat. It's a celebration of life despite the situation he's in, detailing hanging out in Queensbridge and giving a shout out to his lost friend Ill Will. If NY State of Mind and Life's a Bitch set up the negatives of his environment, The World is Yours combats those with a very optimistic feel, cancelling out some of the darkness but not covering up the hell.
Halftime
Initially leaked creating a large portion of hype for this album. Nasir sets up who he was as a child and what's come to be as an adult. The beat was intended for Busta Rhymes who was too late to grab it, and still regrets that by his word.
It's like that, you know it's like that. I got it hemmed, now you never get the mic back
When I attack, there ain't an army that could strike back. So I react never calmly on a hype track
He makes you believe his skill as an MC on every line and every word.
Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)
This brings us to Memory Lane. Nas reminisces of his project and life taking a look back. Name dropping the actual Queens gang Supreme Team and former drug Kingpin Alpo.
Chill on the block with Cognac, hold strap. With my peeps that's into drug money, market into rap
No sign of the beast in the blue Chrysler, I guess that means peace, For niggas
Feels very genuine and a truthful look into the Queens area Nas was faced with as an adolescent and a teen now becoming a young adult.
My window faces shootouts, drug overdoses. Live amongst no roses, only the drama, for real
Another great production by Primo. This takes us to a personal tale.
One Love
One Love is done in the form of a letter. Nas sends this to a friend locked up in prison. The friend is let in on the current state of the hood and let known that Nas still has his back.
I left a half a hundred in your commissary. You was my nigga when push came to shove, one what? One Love.
Q-Tip does the "one love" voice and production to complete another great track. In the third verse Nas meets a young kid and advises him to stray from the crimes his friends have committed ruining their lives. This verse was used to create a scene in Hype Williams's film Belly.
One Time 4 Your Mind
The most underrated track by far. It is the least but it's far from weak.
My brain is incarcerated. Live at any jam, I couldn't count all the parks I raided
I hold a Mac-11, and attack a reverend, I contact 11 L's and max in heaven
Nasir kicks knowledge in an often overlooked outing with the Large Pro himself. This track just had to follow so many classics it seems weak, but don't shrug it off. You'll find a forgotten gem.
Represent
Represent! Represent!
In promotion of Illmatic XX, an odd music video was released for this. You may...or may not want to check that, but Rep is a great song. Similar to Life's A Bitch and NY State of Mind, the harsh livings of Queens projects are broken down and Nas states how he grew into this lifestyle, in an almost accepting manner.
Straight up shit is real and any day could be your last in the jungle
Get murdered on a humble, guns'll blast, niggas tumble
He comes across as a man who's come to terms with the status of his hood and has adapted for survival in it. This great entry will bring us to the finale.
It Ain't Hard to Tell
The second single of the album upon initial release. Part of this was sampled for Big L's Ebonics track. Esco breaks down his lyrical talents and frame of mind with a bit of weed love in there too.
My poetry's deep, I never fail. Nas's raps should be locked in a cell, it ain't hard to tell
Easily one of the most quotable tracks ever written. It comes together beautifully with Large Professor's best beat on the album. Not a wack line or moment, this is possibly one of the best album ends of all time along with Ready to Die's Suicidal Thoughts. Not a scratch on it.
The Highlights:
NY State of Mind
Life's a Bitch
It Ain't Hard to Tell
The World is Yours
One Love
The Lowlight:
N/A
The Gem:
One Time 4 Your Mind
Is it truly the greatest Hip hop album of all time?
By my word, yes. There's not a dull moment, wack beat, or even weak line amongst the crew of 10 tracks. Lyrical masterpieces left and right with amazing story telling done in One Love. Nas doesn't have time to be wack in the short running time. Nas perfectly details gives the imagery of a Queens project with the ups and downs. It doesn't fall into a dark tone but it still takes itself very seriously with some positive outlooks. Every second is used beautifully and it strings together an amazing outing. There's been remixed versions like Illmatic 10 and Illmatic XX but you just can't touch this without changing the fabric of the album.
Overall Grade: A+
I may also drop the worst album i've ever heard some day. 'til then, One what!? One Love.
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