Illmatic - Nas

[MikeNUFC]

I know theres a Nas topic but this album deserves it's own topic.



Tracklist
1. The Genesis
2. N.Y. State Of Mind
3. Life's A Bitch
4. The World Is Yours
5. Halftime
6. Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park)
7. One Love
8. One Time 4 Your Mind
9. Represent
10. It Ain't Hard To Tell

Bonus (10th Anniversary) Tracks:
1. Life's a Bitch (Remix)
2. The World Is Yours (Remix)
3. One Love (Remix)
4. It Ain't Hard To Tell (Remix)
5. On The Real
6. Star Wars

Download Link: http://rs468.rapidshare.com/files/263987981/Nas_-_Illmatic__1994_.rar

Released in 1994, at a time, when rap rhymes were relatively simple, Illmatic is one of, if not the, most revolutionary rap album ever released.

With relaxed calm beats to simple effective hooks to some of the greatest rhyming skills on any rap record ever, Illmatic was one of those albums that just hooked me immediately. There are no stand out lines, just incredible verses that I still listen to to this day.

An album with 10 tracks could be seen as a fairly stingy amount but the quality on every track is ridiculous. Most rappers have been influenced by this album and it's not hard to see why.

This, and 36 Chambers, are my favourite rap albums of all time, becuase, at a time, when complex rhyming was unheard of, both these albums came forward and revolutionised the genre. Nas has gone on to record more classic albums and others have tried to copy the 'Illmatic' style but nothing has ever got close to the genius of this album.

People may not appreciate it as much today as more emphasis is put on beats and hooks or poppy mainstream hits, which is a shame as the genius of this album is unquestionable. I was only 3 when this album was released so I never got to see the impact but I can imagine it. I would recommend this album to anyone and if you haven't heard it, your missing out big time.

Favourite tracks
NY State Of Mind
One Time 4 Your Mind
Represent

[Wic Kid]

Great album, but probably the most overrated album in history of rap IMO. It really makes me sick that, when I say its overrated, people come back at me with that "impact" shit. I dont care about no impact that happened in '94. A walkman was big at the time it came out on the market, but later on...mp3 player, iPod and shit. Just cuz it was the biggest back then, it doesnt mean it cant get any bigger in the future. Dont get me wrong, Im not bashin on this album. Im just statin my opinion about that impact stuff. But this wont stop you from declarin me as a Stan, will it?

[MikeNUFC]

Great album, but probably the most overrated album in history of rap IMO. It really makes me sick that, when I say its overrated, people come back at me with that "impact" shit. I dont care about no impact that happened in '94. A walkman was big at the time it came out on the market, but later on...mp3 player, iPod and shit. Just cuz it was the biggest back then, it doesnt mean that it doesnt get any bigger in the future. Dont get me wrong, Im not bashin on this album. Im just statin my opinion about that impact stuff. But this wont stop you from declarin me as a Stan, will it?

Why would I delcare you a Stan for having an opinion? I respect that you think it's overrated - opinions are never wrong.

I'm not basing my liking for it on the impact of it, I just think it's incredible lyrically, and to be honest, the fact that it was released at a time when most raps were simple makes it appeal more to me. But that's just how I feel.

[Wic Kid]

Great album, but probably the most overrated album in history of rap IMO. It really makes me sick that, when I say its overrated, people come back at me with that "impact" shit. I dont care about no impact that happened in '94. A walkman was big at the time it came out on the market, but later on...mp3 player, iPod and shit. Just cuz it was the biggest back then, it doesnt mean that it doesnt get any bigger in the future. Dont get me wrong, Im not bashin on this album. Im just statin my opinion about that impact stuff. But this wont stop you from declarin me as a Stan, will it?

Why would I delcare you a Stan for having an opinion? I respect that you think it's overrated - opinions are never wrong.

I'm not basing my liking for it on the impact of it, I just think it's incredible lyrically, and to be honest, the fact that it was released at a time when most raps were simple makes it appeal more to me. But that's just how I feel.

I wasnt talkin about you, Mike. There were a lot of discussions about Illmatic before you joined in. And everyone was talkin about impact, impact, impact and....guess what? Impact. On the other hand, you justified your opinion about its greatness without usin impact as the main factor here (okay, you have mentioned it, but it wasnt relevant to your post nor it was based on it). And I think that everyone should do so.

[MikeNUFC]

I wasnt talkin about you, Mike. There were a lot of discussions about Illmatic before you joined in. And everyone was talkin about impact, impact, impact and....guess what? Impact. On the other hand, you justified your opinion about its greatness without usin impact as the main factor here (okay, you have mentioned it, but it wasnt relevant to your post nor it was based on it). And I think that everyone should do so.

That's a fair point.

And I know what you meant by people using 'Stan' when an Em fan says they dont like something. It's usually used as a cop out as they don't know how to respond with a reasonable argument. Almost as annoying as people on here saying "hater" when you don't like something.

[GoodGirlsGetGutted]

It's not a bad album.
NY State of Mind is my all time favorite Nas track.

Wick3d, I don't think you're giving impact enough credit. Taking away impact creates a time paradox.
Take the iPod, for example.
Without the Walkman, there would have been no evolution to mp3 players and iPods.
Likewise, without Illmatic, perhaps there would be no Ready to Die and MMLP.

[Wic Kid]

It's not a bad album.
NY State of Mind is my all time favorite Nas track.

Wick3d, I don't think you're giving impact enough credit. Taking away impact creates a time paradox.
Take the iPod, for example.
Without the Walkman, there would have been no evolution to mp3 players and iPods.
Likewise, without Illmatic, perhaps there would be no Ready to Die and MMLP.

Matter of fact, I do. I respect it, and thats the most important thing. But when Im in my room and Im listenin to a record...impact isnt that important, is it? And thats it. I said it before and I'll say it again: I dont acknowledge every classic that the rest of the people do. Not cuz Im some bigshot or whatever, but simply because I dont see it as one. And Im not obligated to do so. I still say that The Eminem Show And Puzzle Shock are much more bigger classics than Illmatic. If that makes me look ignorant in the hip hop world, so let it be. I dont mind.

[GoodGirlsGetGutted]

Oh, TES and PS! are easily better than Illmatic.

I guess it depends on the person. For me, knowing that the disc I'm listening to is an important part of history enhances my enjoyment.

[DƎRDYPK]

I really really love Halftime & The World Is Yours

[Sleepy]

love listening to this album.Still the greatest imo.Will Never be replaced at No1 on my list.Never gets old.
Beats are amazing too

[KillahBee]

Classic album 9 tracks of perfection, track for track its arguably the best hip hop album ever released

[Tranquil]

imo, i dont like this album, N.Y. State Of Mind, is fucking dope, but i just dont like the album in general,

[DrRapid]

I love this album, it always has its place in my top 10 favorite albums. It never gets old, I can put it on at any time anywhere and I'll be just as delighted to listen to it as I was the first time I heard it. But, there are a few others album which I still prefer.

[Kez]

The World Is Yours > *

[dR3]

I'm one of the rare who don't like this album.