Tracks
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An absolute must-have for the hip-hop fan, or someone who appreciates good music.
Lyrics - A
Nasir Jones handles the verses in solo, albeit one outstanding debut guest appearance from up-and-comer A.Z. Nas begins his lyrical assault with playful braggadocio (Halftime/It Ain’t Hard to Tell) before turning to a harsher, more serious tone, sometimes assuming the role play of others in the ghetto, imagined in a letter to an incarcerated friend (One Love); surrealistic fantasies of the gangster life (NY State of Mind/The World Is Yours); coming to terms with the harsh reality of project life (Life’s a B/Represent); finally, reminiscing on the happier times of park jams and joint sessions (Memory Lane).
Production - A
Supported by an all-star production crew of DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, and L.E.S., the beats are booming (Memory Lane), (hopping (Halftime), jazzy (The World Is Yours) and grimy (Represent). These selections may well be their best work collectively on one album.
Dynamic range: C-
Predominantly booming and Bass-heavy (particularly on tracks 2, 3, and 9, two of which not coincidentally produced by the boom-bap king, DJ Premier). Mid-tones are cranky and often overwhelm the balance of sound (Tracks 6, 9), while the high-tones are kept to a minimum, hollowed by crushing snares and resonating kicks.
Lyrics - A
Nasir Jones handles the verses in solo, albeit one outstanding debut guest appearance from up-and-comer A.Z. Nas begins his lyrical assault with playful braggadocio (Halftime/It Ain’t Hard to Tell) before turning to a harsher, more serious tone, sometimes assuming the role play of others in the ghetto, imagined in a letter to an incarcerated friend (One Love); surrealistic fantasies of the gangster life (NY State of Mind/The World Is Yours); coming to terms with the harsh reality of project life (Life’s a B/Represent); finally, reminiscing on the happier times of park jams and joint sessions (Memory Lane).
Production - A
Supported by an all-star production crew of DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, and L.E.S., the beats are booming (Memory Lane), (hopping (Halftime), jazzy (The World Is Yours) and grimy (Represent). These selections may well be their best work collectively on one album.
Dynamic range: C-
Predominantly booming and Bass-heavy (particularly on tracks 2, 3, and 9, two of which not coincidentally produced by the boom-bap king, DJ Premier). Mid-tones are cranky and often overwhelm the balance of sound (Tracks 6, 9), while the high-tones are kept to a minimum, hollowed by crushing snares and resonating kicks.
Where do I start with this Album ? The Beats on this Album are all 10/10, the lyrics are all 10/10, With this Album, Nas Proves he is the Greatest Story Teller and Greatest Lyricist of All time. Nas tells a story in songs like Ny State of Mind and One Love, where a song like "It Aint Hard to tell", Nas is telling the Listener that Nas is the Man. Highly recommended to but this Album.... 10/10 Album, 5 STAR.
"Illmatic" is a debut album by Nas. Widely known as once of the best hip hop albums of all-time, Illmatic has it all. Top producers such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, L.E.S. and Q-Tip helped Nas make his mark in the game. The lyrics were ahead of their time and the instrumentals have a jazz feel, creating an amazing blend. I recommend tracks 2-10. Track 1 is an album intro.
Hit Tracks: 4, 5, 7
My favorites: 2, 4, 9
Hit Tracks: 4, 5, 7
My favorites: 2, 4, 9