NAS - Illmatic XX LP

Label: Columbia

There are certain albums that seem perfect realisations of a particular genre, which capture a specific moment when all the conditions align to produce something that embodies the potentialities of a particular style or approach. Illmatic is one of those albums, a statement so well-crafted and realised that it is still considered a high water-mark in hip-hop. Produced by some of the leading talents of the time, including DJ Premier, Large Professor and Q-Tip, the debut record of 20 year old Nas set a template for nineties rap music, at the same time managing to transcend the temporal node it struck into. 20 years on and the anniversary reissue is a pertinent reminder of what a vital and thrilling record it was.

What Illmatic “is” is what it was 20 years ago: a rugged and bold template for the potential of the genre to capture a lyrical and musical urgency, an elusive sense of place that transmits across geographic and temporal thresholds and still sounds as relevant and engaging as ever. The reissue is a prime excuse to revisit it, or even to encounter on the first go-around. Just never sleep.

What Illmatic “is” is what it was 20 years ago: a rugged and bold template for the potential of the genre to capture a lyrical and musical urgency, an elusive sense of place that transmits across geographic and temporal thresholds and still sounds as relevant and engaging as ever. The reissue is a prime excuse to revisit it, or even to encounter on the first go-around. Just never sleep.