Illmatic, the 1994 studio debut of Nasir "Nas" Jones, was more than just a critical success for the Queensbridge-based rapper. At a time when East Coast hip-hop was increasingly being taken less seriously than their West Coast counterparts, Illmatic's raw jazz and soul-based production, dire atmosphere and lyrics, coupled with Nas' uncompromising flow was integral in restoring interest in the East Coast as a hotbed of hip-hop artistry. Along with key releases from Wu-Tang Clan and Notorious B.I.G.,it shifted attention away from the funky, dayglo synth-based G-funk coming out of California and back to the grimy streets of New York. After such an unprecedented debut record, expectations were understandably high for Nas' follow-up. What came next threw critics and fans for a loop, but was no less influential than Illmatic, and would become the most commercially successful album in the entirety of Nas' discography.
Tracklist
- Album Intro
- The Message
- Street Dreams
- I Gave Your Power
- Watch Dem Niggas
- Take It In Blood
- The Set Up
- Silent Murder (Bonus Track)
- Black Girl Lost
- Suspect
- Shootouts
- Nas Is Coming
- Affirmative Action feat The Firm(AZ, Cormega, Foxy Brown)
- Live Nigga Rap feat Mobb Deep
- If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) feat Lauryn Hill