Dear Nas,
Happy 30th anniversary Ilmatic! Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of your iconic album Illmatic. Today he and DJ Premier have released a new song from an album that had a huge impact on me in 1994.
Hip-Hop has produced an almost endless number of albums, but Illmatic is more than just one album. The work was a cultural phenomenon, a watershed and a movement. It was produced with just 10 tracks (9 if you don’t include the intro track “The Genesis”) but featured a line-up of some of New York’s best producers at the time. As the golden age dawned and DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Q-Tip and LES set new standards of excellence, Nas raised the bar for lyricism and storytelling in the ’90s. Nas, not the “Second Coming of Rakim” as some call it, but the first “Nas”. You are a unique voice that we have been waiting for since the most classic introduction of “Live At The BBQ”.
Every song on Illmatic is a masterpiece, but “New York State of Mind” (produced by Preemo) is definitely my favorite song. You can almost smell that song, and for me, it’s a mindset that I assume every day. I hadn’t even moved to New York yet, but “I never sleep because sleep is the cousin of death” became a mantra. (Oddly enough, Kool G Rap’s “Streets of New York” was the song’s biggest influence.) But “New York State of Mind” embodies the goals, ambitions and rugged individualism that so many of us possess. Nothing can stop me. There’s nothing stopping Nas either.
There are many other songs on this album that have resonated over the years. “Halftime,” “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” “Life’s a B####” (starring AZ), “Memory Lane” and “The World Is Yours” all hold a special place in my heart. It’s only fitting that on this 30th anniversary you and DJ Premier announce your long-awaited joint album. The anticipation is palpable and after 18 long years, we are ready.
At 50 years old and with over 30 years in the games industry, you continue to challenge stereotypes and elevate the art form. Your recent 6 projects with Hit-Boy have reaffirmed your status as one of the greatest mics of all time. We chatted during Grammy week while in Los Angeles. There is no doubt that I attended this event because I was told you would be there. When we spoke, I wasn’t trying to tell you about AllHipHop’s move or our 25th anniversary. I just gave you flowers, told you that you were our presenter this year, and thanked you over and over again for continuing to perform with the same enthusiasm you did 30 years ago.
Part human, part amazing. What it must feel like at this age and stage. For the record, AllHipHop has interviewed you several times over the years, but this feels different. As we celebrate Ilmatic’s 30th anniversary, I’d like to give you a heartfelt thank you, Nas. Thank you for your unparalleled contribution to hip-hop, thank you for your timeless artistry, and thank you for continuing to inspire us all.
This post is a tribute to Ilmatic, a tribute to three decades of greatness, and a tribute to you, Nas—the king of queens, hip-hop poet laureate, and role model for generations to come.
With respect and admiration,
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmore
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