Illmatic

An absolute classic If hip-hop is supposed to be a window into the streets, ILLMATIC sounds, feels, and even fucking SMELLS like NYC in the '90s. When the war against the Disney-fication of NY was still being waged. By 1994 hip-hop was nationwide but Nas grabbed the mantle and brought it back home.

So, I never really listened to Nas much before today. And I'm decently versed with most hiphop. Nas just never really appealed to me, though. Luckily for me, this project is forcing me to listen to things that don't appeal to me because Nas really IS an extremely talented rapper. His rhyme game is on point. The constantly interweaving internal rhyme schemes are out of control and really unexpected for an east-coast act in '94. According to the wiki article, it kinda started with him. Well, thanks Nas. Docked a star because, while the lyricism is off the chain, the content is ... repetitive and shallow (though still better than 99% of the east-coast rap of the time).

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about music, and this includes Illmatic. But I hold strongly that Nas's debut album, Illmatic, is the greatest and most important hip-hop album of all time. I cannot and will not dispute this. It goes hard. The sampling and the beats, Nas's flow on each song, the lyrics, the whole product. It's the combination of Boom Bap production with hardcore lyrics and flow. But the lyrics aren't just braggadocious or tough, they're a reflection of reality. Nas was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Queens, later dropping out of school and fully immersing himself in music. Nas, of course, is a natural wordsmith and lyricist. His cadence along with the depth of the bars elevates the art of rap to a multi-dimensional instrument. Each song stands on their own, you can tell that love and care went into the album as a whole. It is not a product of commerce, but of passion. Incredibly impactful and insanely catchy, Illmatic is an all-timer.

I was really unaware of this album, or the history of it or Nas. Maybe he is too cerebral for mass consumption or radio play? His lyrics and rap rhythm are masterclass. But I found the album boring; it all ran together. No doubt he has different beats and samples but moving from song to song there wasn't one thing I could really point to in one that made it stand out from another one. The album works but once I walk away from it, there's nothing particularly memorable to bring me back.

A stark and brutal portrait of Queensbridge in the early 1990s. Nas absolutely raps his ass off like he knows this could be his ticket out. He tells stories at such a rapid clip that it was hard for me to keep up at times and that he wrote this at 20 years old is simply astounding. The eerie beats enhance the mood of this album and parallel the lyrics well (the sample of "human nature" at the end of this album was fun to hear so close to Thriller though the context was completely different). I'm fairly confident there is no Kendrick Lamar without this album, as I lots that likely influenced Kendrick here.

I ain't got time for this, know what I'm sayin'?

I was only marginally familiar with Nas and never had taken the time to listen to a full album before this was suggested. Really well done all around. Half way through, it hit me how much of A Tribe Called Quest vibe I was feeling, so I was not shocked but deeply satisfied to see Q-tip had a big hand with the album. This will definitely be on regular rotation for me. “Midnight Maurauders” by A Tribe Called Quest kept the groove flowing after listening to Nas.

It's Illmatic by Nas. The best rap album of all time. Nas's lyrics are so slick that they slide off his tongue and spread like an oil spill in your brain, and the beats from the best craftsmen in the game (QTip, Large Professor, Premier, Pete Rock, L.E.S.) back him up so perfectly that they feel like a part of him, a natural extension of his craft. The album might honestly have the best three song run in hip-hop history. It should be illegal to follow New York State of Mind with Life's a Bitch and The World Is Yours, and the album never stops from there. Poignant slice of life tales on Memory Lane and One Love give the album an emotional through line and enhance the heady blend of ambition and apathy, power and weakness, joy and tragedy that defines the life of Nasty Nas. Represent is similarly incredible, with a hungry and passionate Nas giving it his all. It Ain't Hard to Tell, One Time 4 Your Mind, and Halftime are the only "subpar" tracks, meaning that they're 8/10 instead of perfect 10s and above like the rest of the record, but they all deliver standout moments and are probably the favorites of many listeners. This album is a touchstone of hip-hop, as Nas's measured, neverending flow and poignant, deadly lyrical skills either directly or indirectly inspired B.I.G., a future rival in Jay-Z, and countless other rappers. His lines have been reused countless times, and every contemporary hoping to make his or her bones in the game pays homage at some point to the album. It isn't rap's most important album, but it's the best there ever was.

Album #1 Although I've rinsed this album from start to finish many times when it came up as the first one to listen to I was more than happy to dive in again. There is nothing I can say about how great this album is that hasn't already been said by droves of people far more qualified than me. If anyone who doesn't listen to much hip-hop asks me where they should start, this is the first album I point them to. Few albums receive the privilege of acting as a benchmark for their genre, and that is exactly what Illmatic does for hip-hop. This benchmark applied even more so in '94 when the genre was still young and proving itself. On Illmatic, everything comes together perfectly. From the soulful yet raw beats to the poignant yet infectiously addictive flows. They work in tandem to weave a story of a city frozen at a point in time and one young man's place within it. Favourite Track: Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park) Least Favourite Track: N/A

Nah...

Absolutely fantastic and an obvious classic. This album paints such vivid pictures of New York that it feels like a movie. Beats, rapping, flows, storytelling, everything is about as good as it can be. Insane record.

One of the best hip hop albums I've ever listened to, the beats are real crisp, the samples and scratches are mega cool, and the vocals are just amazing, this is a must for every hip hop fan out there

4 out of 5. While not being a genre I have an interest in this was a pretty good album and lyrically it has a good flow. I can see why people find this album influential. Favorite song: Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)

Listened to on 5/2/22 2.5/5 Favorite song: halftime, it ain’t too hard to tell Things I like about this album: the naming of songs (genesis, halftime) but it’s truly just not my vibe although I liked it better than most hip hop/rap albums

Too aggressive. I’m not a fan personally

A 90s hip-hop classic, the benchmark of every album from the genre since its release. Timeless production throughout and electric delivery from Nas. This album transports you to 90s brooklyn, but in no way feels dated listening today. No song is unnecessary and the album does not outstay its welcome. Fave tracks: - NY State of Mind - Life's a Bitch - The World is Yours Worst tracks: N/A Rating: 9/10

Nas started writing on this album when he was only 16 years old but once it actually released he was 20. 4 years of writing, rapping and co-producing and one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time was finished which still to this day is regarded as one of the best written Hip Hop albums of all time. Even at his young age, Nas was able to right self conscious and introspective texts that he could perform like no one else. This album is a masterpiece and without a doubt one of the best Hip Hop albums ever made as well as one of the best of all genres. The album starts with the intro track 'The Genesis' which isn't really a finished Rap track. It's more a Spoken Word sound collage that sets a sonic tone for the album that Nas will extend on. There is still a beat and it's pretty great but it's the sounds around that that make this an incredible intro track even with how short and substence lacking it actually is. The first actual track is the legendary 'N.Y. State of Mind' which is just one of the craziest songs ever made. Nas starts off but stops his delivery to say "I don't know how to start this shit" before giving us 4 minutes of one of the greatest flows that I have ever heard. He did this track in only one take and this is what came out! That alone should tell you how crazy this guy and the album itself is but there's more. Because not only is the beat incredible, the chorus catchy and his flow impeccable but the lyrics itself are some of the best written Hip Hop lyrics ever. They do "only" tell about Brooklyn and New York and his state of mind but he does it with so much lyricism and attention to detail that even Leonard Cohen might be jealous of some aspects of his writing. He also drops one of the most legendary bars in the form "I don't sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death" which was used by so many other rappers as well. The song is simply perfect. The chorus of 'Life's a Bitch' might be one of the albums best but don't be fooled because the Jazz Rap verses on their own are again lyrical perfection. They are both philosophical but also extremely real while being performed with incredible flow. The production is also absolutely incredible. Pretty much everything from 'N.Y. State of Mind' that can be applied to this track, can be applied to this track. It's groovy and jazzy East Coast Hip Hop perfection. From one incredible chorus to the next. 'The World Is Yours' keeps the Jazz Rap production as well as (of course) absolutely amazing verses that don't really stop with the introspective and philosphical depth performed like he's been rapping for 30 years already. I don't even know what else I can say except that this is another perfect track. The track 'Halftime' already shows us that the first half of the album is nearly over. It turns the Jazz Rap a little bit down and lets more Boom Bap shine through together with the Conscious Hardcore Hip Hop we're already familiar with. His flow and his verses are stunning but I am not going to suprise anyone with these infos now. Yeah, perfect track again. (It's really difficult writing a review when every song is incredible in the same exact things and there isn't really a change of quality. It's all the same perfect...) On the second Side of the album, 'Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park)' reintroduces a the Jazzy production with some nice Soul Jazz sample flips. No one will be surprised but he delivers perfectly some perfectly written bars. I think this might be one of the best songs on the album although they are all so incredibly close to another that that doesn't really mean much here because even the worst moments are some of the best in music history. 'One Love' not only adds some Political aspects into the rhymes but also Q-Tip who is one of my personal favourite rappers in terms of voice and overall ability. He performs the chorus perfectly and Nas verses are just majestic on this track. The production is simple but unbelievably effective. I think this might be my favourite song on the entire album just because of the lucky addition of Q-Tip. The "worst" actual song on the album is probably 'One Time 4 Your Mind' which in consideration what this album offers still means that it's incredible but just less perfect, if that makes sense. Even with most people agreeing on this take, I still love the track but I get where they come from. His flow at points feels much weaker and at parts actually off. But I think the problem is the beat which I feel like doesn't serve him too well but he did the best thing possible with it and still delivered some killer verses. The pure perfection picks right up again on 'Represent' which not only has some killer verses but also a lovely Boom Bap production that serves Nas much better. He's absolutely killing it on this track and delivers some of his most energetic and thought through bars of the entirety of the album. One of the best on the album. The album ends earlier than I want with 'It Ain't Hard to Tell' which is just a perfect finale to this perfect album. The beat and the production is Jazz Rap finesse, the verses and the delivery is absolutely amazing and Nas nails the albums ideas and concepts for a final time and closes the album in a way that the listener only wants one thing: another listen of the album! favourites: One Love, N.Y. State of Mind, It Ain't Hard to Tell, Represent, Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park), The World Is Yours, Life's a Bitch, Halftime least favourites: none Rating: decent 10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Illmatic is a contender for the greatest rap album of all time, the greatest debut album of all time, and overall, just one of the greatest albums of all time. Nas has one of the greatest flows in the game and his complex structure featuring internal rhymes make this album a rhythmic treat for the ears. His lyrics are thoughtful and he is an absolute wordsmith, playing with language in a way that only the very best writers can. His beats are lush jazz based east coast beats that represent the very best of New York hip hop. I find myself favoring east coast rap from the '90s and this is certainly amongst the cream of that crop.

Best Song: N.Y. State of Mind. That low, droning melody that repeats throughout the song is so iconic, and Nas is on another level through the whole track. Worst Song: Life's a Bitch. It's not a terrible song, but maybe a bit overplayed in movies, and it has this spirit of nihilism that I feel very much is not fitting with the rest of the album. Overall: I mean, this is maybe as good as it gets in this genre of rap. Great flow, great features. There's a reason it's considered such a classic. Sure, there are a few slurs that haven't aged well, but I don't think that's enough to sink what is otherwise such a thoughtful and iconic album.

Straight out of the dungeons of rap. An exploration of rap poetry that defines a decade. Superb sampling. Lyrical mastery. Raw realism. One of the greatest albums ever made.

One of the best albums ever made and the album that got me into hip-hop. even the opener skit is one of the best skits ever made. razer sharp flows, inventive rhyme schemes, dusty beats and some of the best storytelling in music history. Nas basically became a GOAT contender right out of the gate. Of course the all star cast of boom bap producers played a huge part in the seamless, timeless quality of this record too

Greatest Hip/Hop album of all time, not much else to say about it.

1994. Key Songs: Life's a Bitch, N.Y State of Mind, Halftime, One Love

No. 294/1001 The Genesis N.Y. State of Mind 4/5 Life's a Bitch 4/5 The World is Yours 4/5 Halftime 4/5 Memory Lane 5/5 One Love 4/5 One Time 4 Your Mind 4/5 Represent 4/5 It Ain't Hard To Tell 5/5 Average: 4,22 Just awesome from beginning to end. Great lyrics & great flow.

I’ve never been much of a rap fan and I am using this project as a way to expand my horizons. I remember this album coming out and not thinking much of it. I was in the military and the album was everywhere but I was on a college radio kick at the time. Listening to it now…omg. This album is incredible. To think I could have been listening for 30 years but I’m only understanding its genius in 2024. That’s on me, shame on me.

"I don't know how to start this shit" 💀

Nas' Illmatic caught me by surprise! It was full of very catchy hip hop music, and before I knew it, the album repeated and I didn't stop it. The lyrics were purposeful and smartly crafted--and I'm always a sucker for songs covering meaningful topics. The samples chosen and used were different. There's even a Kool & the Gang sample bookending the album!

Knowing it's high regard, I have listened to this album various times even prior to this 1001 albums prompting, trying to "get it". I read the entire Wikipedia article. I re-listened multiple times and even had the Genius lyrics up to explain. While I appreciate his lyricism, articulate delivery, "90s NY Hip Hop" vibes of the production, it would be disingenuous to act like I relate to any of his topics. If not for the accolades, feels indistinguishable from plenty of other stories in rap. The obvious one that comes to mind is Kendrick's Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. However, I find the latter to be easier to bop along to, wheras Illmatic feels more like cerebral slam poetry to me. I enjoyed it enough, but there isn't anything memorable to bring me back for the fun of it. As a fan of hip hop, I'm disappointed that I can't bring myself to love the album, even though I can respect it and understand why it is so highly regarded. But what it probably just means is that I prefer rap that is more catchy to rap that is more poetic.

Not entirely stimulating, but commendable nonetheless.

Why was this not considered gangster rap? I read it supposedly show the NYC rap scene as still relevant compared to the West Coast scene of "gangsta rap". But the lyrical content seems basically the same.

I don't like exactly this rap

Not my cup of tea

Meh, more rap

Rap... not my style.

If I never hear this again I will die happy.

tria una

Only thirty seconds. I don't like this style

Yo… yo… yo… yo… motherfunsters! Nah. Not for me.

Didn’t like it - too hardcore for me.

2

Greatest rap album of all time

Simply one of the best rap albums of all time. Nas walks the fine line between raw and polished lyricism, with the end product being an album that has stood the test of time.

Loooove this allbum!!!

A classic by one of the GOATs of the genre, amazing atmosphere, great beats and irreplaceable flow. This one always makes me want to pick up a bass to play those loops!

The hip does in fact hop

felt familiar even though I've never heard it

Illmatic isn’t just an album; it’s a masterpiece that defines what hip-hop can be. it’s still as fresh and relevant today as it was back then. For me, this is the gold standard of rap albums, and its influence is undeniable. From the first track to the last, it’s clear that this is the work of an artist who understands the power of storytelling and the craft of lyricism. There’s a timelessness to this record. The first thing to mention is Nas’ lyricism. The word "genius" gets thrown around a lot, but here, it’s entirely appropriate. Nas paints vivid scenes of life in Queensbridge with an unparalleled knack for detail, weaving tales of struggle, ambition, and survival. Lines like “I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death” from "N.Y. State of Mind" stick with you, not just for their poetry but for their raw truth. His ability to balance introspection with hard-hitting street narratives is unmatched, making Illmatic feel deeply personal yet universally resonant. Nas’ ability to craft intricate rhymes and blend personal storytelling with larger societal commentary is nothing short of brilliant. He’s got a knack for using metaphors and wordplay in ways that feel effortless, but you can tell there’s so much thought behind every bar. His flow is arguably one of the defining elements of Illmatic. it’s the perfect balance of technical skill and emotion. The production is nearly flawless. Each beat matches Nas’ lyrical prowess perfectly. The jazz-infused samples, boom-bap drums, and soulful loops provide the perfect backdrop for Nas to shine. I love how the production complements the tone of each song, from the dark, gritty feel of “N.Y. State of Mind” to the smooth, reflective atmosphere of “The World Is Yours.” The production is sophisticated yet never detracts from the raw energy of Nas' delivery. It feels almost cinematic, as though the beats are telling their own stories alongside Nas' lyrics. Tracks like “One Love” and “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” exemplify how seamlessly Nas and his producers intertwine with the instrumental layers to create an unforgettable soundscape. Every detail, from the subtle background vocals to the percussion, is meticulously placed. It’s hard to fault Illmatic, but if I had to nitpick, the brevity could leave some listeners wanting more. While its tight runtime is part of what makes it so impactful, a couple of additional tracks might have fleshed out the world Nas creates even further. Additionally, while the production is stellar, a few moments feel slightly overshadowed by the beats, making you wish Nas’ vocals were just a touch more prominent in the mix. But honestly, these are minor issues in an otherwise flawless album. Illmatic is a shining example of what happens when lyrical genius meets top-tier production. It’s raw, poetic, and utterly timeless. Nas doesn’t just rap, he educates, reflects, and takes you on a journey through his world. Whether you’re new to hip-hop or a lifelong fan, this is an album that demands to be heard. There are few records in any genre that come as close to perfection as this one does. It’s a timeless classic, and for good reason. It’s a perfect encapsulation of ’90s hip-hop at its peak and a blueprint for everything that followed. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favour and dive into Illmatic

An album that offers a shocking amount of parallel, often intentionally hypocritical, perspectives for such an autobiographical journey. Something that's interesting to revisit so many years into his career. A masterpiece borne from the inquisitive eye of a young man in a tumultuous world with more questions than answers. People talk about the career of Nas as a failure in ability to live up to his debut. I think it speaks more as the failures of a society to answer in a satisfactory way those questions so many 'Nas'es out there had from that generation. As the artist grew into the man, the impression of his words of wisdom appear to fall on the deaf ears of a world paralyzed by indecision. In a world such as this, we shouldn't have needed another one. Strong 8, Light 9

9/10 Your favorite rapper’s favorite rap album, and it probably should be your favorite rap album. At the age of 16 to 20, Nas wrote and released a lightning in a bottle Hip Hop album, being not just incredibly impressive for someone his age but would be a permanent blueprint for East Coast and Hip Hop as a genre. Even if you don’t like this album as much as other Hip Hop albums that you could debate are better than Illmatic, you’d be a fool to believe this record didn’t earn its reputation. We get a young and hungry kid from Queens already establishing himself as king of the game on here, and while for most rappers it seems like a typical premature statement to make, Nas’ energy, rhymes, and subject matter have set the bar for some of the best rap has to offer. His clever rhyme schemes paint a very grim portrait of New York, specifically through his life as a teenager subject to poverty and crime. We get crack deals gone wrong, bodies pumped full of lead, police confrontations that lead to an intense chase or a deadly shootout, an overwhelming exposure to violence and hedonism is what Nas puts the listener through on this record. And while most “Gangster Rap” records might dive deeply into the intensity and brashness of these themes, Nas offers a much more introspective and philosophical side to this kind of writing. What do we get to counter this intense and horrific lifestyle? Survival and “realness”. We get a duality of nihilism and perseverance on Illmatic that proved to be one of the most essential rubrics for “realness” in the genre, Nas reaps his glory and reputation not with temporary hedonistic desires but with a better way out of this loop of trauma and destruction, and better displayed with how Nas lives his life now. It’s a great “Hero’s Journey” soundtrack with a bunch of the most iconic Boom Bap and Jazz Rap beats of the 90s, most notably by DJ Premier and many other iconic East Coast producers. Unfortunately this album really does overshadow the rest of Nas’ discography, leading to many modern listeners believing it was a fluke, that’s until Nas would release a string of records with Hit Boy almost 30 years later consisting of some of the best rap albums this decade, establishing him as a noteworthy contender for the GOAT yet again. Woke Nas be like “My style switches like a f****t but I’m bisexual”

DAMN

Banger

5/5

Отличный альбом. Просто пушка, побольше бы такого 5+

One of the greatest rap albums of all time, absolutely phenomenal album. Every song is better than the next, all time classic Best Song: NY State of Mind Rating: 9.5/10 5 Stars

One of the building blocks of the genre

Classic 90s hip hop!

Best hip hop album of all time containing some of the best hip hop songs of all time

Розйобний базовий NYC альбом , класично хіпхопний ,сам Насір крутий лірецист та флоу в нього важкий і ритмічно комплексний , це базаосноваґрунт так шо 10 з 10 , слова зайві

Класичний хіп-хоп альбом, та шедевральний лірика. Квінтесенція реп музики 90-х

Oh hey I know this one

Unbeatable. One of the best of all time.

Classic hip hop album. Just a great vibe all the way through. Most of the hits you know from Nas are on this one, too. I remember what a huge hit this was when it was new - feels like it would be again today.

One of the top 5 rap albums of all time.

One of the greatest rap albums ever

Nas tells a real story about real life in New York, and makes poignant points that were likely very much ahead of the time in which they were written.

Poignant production provides Nas the perfect platform for his flawless flows, masterful meter, and luminous lyricism: it ain't hard to tell why this is a hallowed hip-hop classic.

one of the goat rap albums.

Magnificent. Probably the greatest hip hop album of all time

I can't score this objectively - this was one of the albums that got me into hip-hop when I was young, and Nas was an absolute reference.

I wish we got a little more AZ in here, but this has a credible claim to being the greatest hiphop album of all time. 5/5

A classic that I've never listened to. I now understand. The beats. Nas' flow. 10/10

Songs i knew: all of em Songs i like: all of em pretty much Koffi delivered a banger, always a pleasure to come back round to this. Hit after hit, such a raw and gritty sound to this which you just don't get anymore. East Coast hip hop at its finest. Mid 5.

Along with the 36 Chambers, this is THE sound of 90’s East Coast hip hop. There’s not really much to say, there was hip hop before those albums and hip hop afterwards. For me, 36 chambers just edges it but this is still great. Beats slap, lyrics are a great mix of personal experience and storytelling, can’t pick a fault with it (try as I might just to piss Chris off). Best tracks: NY State of Mind, The World is Yours, Represent

This is the most excited I've been to jump into an album since this experiment started. This is one of those albums that always makes my top albums of all time but it's been a couple of years since I played it. One of them ones that you love but rinsed as a yoot so don't go back that often. Incredible flow from Nas throughout with different rhyme styles throughout which was unmatched at the time. The sampling is sick too. DJ Prem needs mad props for coming up with THAT beat for NY State of Mind (aka The Greatest Hip-Hop Song of All Time). Just watch this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DXw4AtwclU&ab_channel=Tracklib Highlights: N.Y. State of Mind The World Is Yours Halftime One Love One Time 4 Your Mind Lowlights: Don't like the beat on Life's a Bitch Always a toss-up for me between this and 36 Chambers for the best East Coast album. Think Wu slightly edges it but it's so close.

How have I never listened to this before? This is fabulous. Perfect mid-90s vibe. Loungey, scratchy, real music, real flow. This is a gem. Saving every song. The authentic Queens accent is the cherry on top.

I recognise the greatness of this album, and it's immaculately produced and performed. There's something about it though that never really clicked fully with me, maybe the immaturity of some of the lyrics. That said, the lyrics aren't overly misogynistic or homophobic (apart from a couple of slurs here and there) and the story of the album is very transporting in a way that feels genuine. Listening to it feels like listening to a snippet of a day in early 90s Brooklyn or Queens. Bumping it up to a 9/10 because it's so influential, and to counter some of the rap haters in the reviews.

First time listening to a rap album. It was quite interesting. Love the melody and the beats.

really really good this. didn't know much about Nas but definitely will be looking more into his stuff

This is bloody awesome, especially for a debut album. It's way too consistent.

Absolutely no contest, this is the best hip hop album of the 90s. The rapping is absolutely top notch, and the beats and instrumentals are just as fantastic. The hip hop scene in New York was bursting in the 90s, and this album is the absolute best thing that era of music has to show for it.

Feel good music. Not usually my style but loved the lyrics and the music

I said a hip-hop, the hippie, the hippie To the hip, hip-hop and you don't stop the rockin' To the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat

10/10

GOAT DEMAIS esquece illmatic é arte

um absurdo. os beats, as letras, tudo cabulosíssimo. tem jeito não, é um dos melhores da época memo. life's a bitch and then you die.

Fav: The World Is Yours Least Fav: One Love (feat. Q-Tip) Albums like these really make me want to get into hip hop, it just hits all the right notes for me

might be my new favourite rap album?

жизнь - сука, и тут я согласен на все 100.....

This is a hip-hop "Mount Rushmore" album candidate for me. Not only is it one of the greatest debut albums of all time, but it's probably the most important East Coast hip hop album considering the landscape at the time. Nas, who was only 20 years old at the album's release mind you, assumes the "King of New York" mantle with a somehow unassuming bravado. He leans on an already lifetime's worth of experiences growing up in inner city Queens. A vivid picture of the NY streets is painted throughout these 10 tracks, helped even more so by Nas' fluid & poetic lyrical approach. There are just too many memorable verses to count that each track almost warrants its own in-depth dissection. Lest I forget to mention the production and sampling featured throughout. Snippets from Kool & the Gang, The Gap Band, Michael Jackson, etc. paired with DJ Premier & co.'s crisp beats make for a very clean and enhancing production. The only "negative" I can think of is that the album flies by while listening. It's so seamless and comfy for a hip-hop album that 40 minutes goes by just like *that*, then you're right back to "The Genesis". Not a single wasted second or bad track on hand, which is a testament to the talent of both the artist and production team involved. Easy 10/10 for me. "Nas'll rock well, it ain't hard to tell"

The motherfucking greatest album of all time. The thing that started my whole music journey. Even bought it on CD. As I go through life, I find myself finding a new favourite song from this album. A top 3 is hard even on a 10 track album 1. New York State of mind 2. One love 3. World is yours All very interchangeable with top 3 bc I’m an indecisive duck

The best rap album all time

Someone could tell me that this is objectively the greatest rap album of all time and I truthfully would have a hard time trying to argue. I guess it ain’t hard to tell.

One of the best albums on the list One of the best albums ever The best hip hop album ever

The only thing better than this classic? Seeing Nasty Nas perform it live with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at Red Rocks.

Best debut Hip-Hop album ever released, if you disagree you know nothing about Hip-Hop.

Greatest rap album

Flow besser als der aus meiner Nas in Allergiesaison

Maybe the best rap album of all time? Hard to say, but it's a strong contender for the greatest album of all time, genre aside. Holy smokes, this record is incredible.

All time great East Coast hip hop.

landmark