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NAS - Illmatic Album Review

I took a Friday off of work finally. I figured I would stay up late (My bedtime is 10:30 PM) past my beauty sleep time. I'm cute enough, right? Last week spoiled me with Eminem's, Mac Miller and various singles from great artist. This week, I was ready. Guest what, Megan Thee Stallion was the only big project scheduled. C'Mon Son!

So, sense no prominent Hip-Hop albums were released, I'm going to review a classic album to fill those slots. (Insert Round of a Applause HERE!) Enjoy!

Image result for illmatic


1. The Genesis/Producer: N/A (Not Applicable) 
2. N.Y. State of Mind/Producer: DJ Premier
3. Life's A Bitch Ft. AZ/Producer: L.E.S.
4. The World Is Yours/Producer: Pete Rock
5. Halftime/Producer: The Large Professor
6. Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)/Producer: DJ Premier
7. One Love Ft. Q-Tip/Producer: Q-Tip
8. One Time 4 Your Mind/Producer: The Large Professor
9. Represent/Producer: DJ Premier
10. It Aint' Hard To Tell/Producer: The Large Professor

 Bold: Favorite Tracks
*Classic Track
My Grade For Album (Rate: 1 Lowest and 5 Highest)
Beats: 5
Lyrical Content: 5+
Song Structure: 5

Review: The classic albums like Nas will be automatically a 5 MIC ranked album. This is going off the 5 MIC system, "The Source" Magazine use to do. Speaking of the Source Magazine, they were the first magazine I believe to review it. You can learn much from those old articles youngsters. Go online and do you homework please and give homage to the rappers before you. Thanks in advance. One Love. 

This project is nothing less than perfect. And I know the word perfect should never be used, but there are certain albums that give you that vibe. Check for Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" album or Prince's "Purple Rain" just to name a few. 

The highlights are that the entire album is a highlight. We all have an album from one of our favorite artist that we listen to at least once a year or more. Even with Hip-Hop putting out so much content, I still revert back to classic albums as such. In the comments below, tell me your classic albums. I'm open to all music genres. 

Let's continue shall we? The four producers on here did their thing. They put their best foot forward on this one. Did you know, Eric Sermon submitted C Type beats to this project that were never used of course? Mr. Sermon was so busy with all his artist, he was like, I'm not giving this dude he barely knew grade A beats. He still kicks his self for not being on that album. Another gem is that MC Search executive produce the album. Look up the group 3rd Base children. 

The intro has a clip of NAS on his first introduction song to the world. It was a song called, "Live At The Barbecue" by The Large Professor. He was a huge producer back in the day. It was the perfect blend of where we first heard NAS and then introducing us to him and his crew on the sketch. I'm guessing it was a real session and they just recorded it. They sound drunk and high. 

Once the 2nd track drops with N.Y. State Of Mind with those piano riffs and drums, you already knew this album was going to be special. His lyrical content pierces your soul and you feel like you were when you first smoked marijuana. In the CLOUDS! The album puts you in that zone. I pretty sure you can teach your kids with this album. It's very educational.  

The 3rd track is the only actual feature with the rapper killing a verse. Other features on the album are either the chorus or people talking. MC named AZ blessed this track so insane, you would of thought it was his last verse before he got the death penalty. Even though I believe this is one of AZ's best verses ever, NAS still out shines AZ on this track. Sorry fans of AZ or AZ if your reading. He has a book out, support by clicking his name. I got love for you sir. 

I'm not going to review each track, but if I did, it would be the next sentence. Lyrically Inspirational and educational with Production with love, life and reality. Check out some quotable verses that make you want to Karaoke the entire album below. They should make a play or movie from this album. They do have a book out called, "Born to use Mics" by Michael Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai. Great read, I recommend. 

"Halftime" - "I rap in front of more niccas than in the slave ships"

 "It Ain't Hard to Tell" - "I drank Moet with Medusa, gave her shotguns in hell. From the spliff that I lift and inhale, it ain't hard to tell."

 "One Love" - "Sometimes I sit back with a Budda sack. Mind's in another world thinking how can we exist through the facts."

 "Represent" - Nas is a rebel of the street corner, pulling a Tec out the dresser. Police got me under pressure. 

 "Life's a Bitch" - "I switched my motto - instead of saying fuck tomorrow, that buck that bought a bottle could've struck the lotto"

Also, please check out my daughter's clothing line below. Also, my YouTube and other clothing ventures. Thanks in advance. 

Marquis J. Walker
Father/Blogger/Life Educator/Entrepreneur
Cevere's Creations












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