Illmatic

iTunes Review

Illmatic is so frequently saddled with the mantle of “greatest Hip-Hop album of all time” that it can be difficult for the first time listener to approach it without trepidation. Happily Illmatic is one of those rare albums that deserves all of the critical accolades bestowed upon it. Nineteen-year old MC Nasir Jones maintains an unparalleled level of intensity from the bracing opener “N.Y. State of Mind” right to the final bars of “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”. Nas’ flow is equal parts Rakim-style virtuosity and gritty Kool G. Rap-derived storytelling prowess, but unlike his illustrious predecessors Nas creates a fiercely intelligent (but nonetheless eminently accessible) persona that he maintains and deepens from track to track. From the ruthless philosophizing of “Life’s a Bitch” to the nostalgic sorrow of “Memory Lane” Nas paints a stirringly vivid portrait of life in the Queensbridge projects that other MCs would be imitating for years to come. As if that weren’t enough, Illmatic is laced with some of the finest beats this side of In Control Volume 1, with legends like Large Professor, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip all contributing to the project. An indisputable triumph, Illmatic is a must hear for anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary music.