Amazon.com: Nasir Jones made this debut album at the age of 20, already armed with the calm perceptiveness and been-there-done-that attitude of a much older ghetto vet, though sometimes his inner callow youth shows itself. Illmatic is a look back at a life spent in the culture of the projects, acknowledging joy as much as pain and taking note of violence as a fact of his environment rather than a focus of his life. It's enlivened by Nas's kicky, deep-threaded multiple rhymes--you can tell he grew up listening to Mr. Magic's rap show and internalizing the secrets of everybody's flow--and by tracks from a bunch of all-stars, including the Large Professor, DJ Premier, and, most memorably, Q-Tip ("One Love"). --Douglas Wolk
Iconic Movement in Hip-Hop... 10 stars This CD is classic in hip-hop music; a must own for any person who thinks they know what true hip-hop is.
Nas sets up a rise from rags to riches trying to take his community with him. The lyrical complexity of this album is unheard of, incredible clarity and speed over simple 1-2 beats. Nas' manifesto... Anything below 10 stars just shows how many people don't understand this album. One love
------- jason
Thers Good, Then Classics, and THEN ILLMATIC!!!! it aint hard to tell!!... i love this cd...
-kidd
Illmatic...Still Ill This is possibly the greatest cd of all time. And to all those that say it is the greatest, you are correct. The delivery and beats from some top named producer really ends a massive hadn to NaS' story telling and extremely tight flow. Definitely a must have for all Hip Hop fans.
Beyond ill This is the best hip hop album of all time IMHO. Flawless from beginning to end. The only problem I have had with it in my dozens of listens is that I have started to take Nas' verses for granted, when just about each and every one is some of the sickest rapping that's ever been put on wax.
This is an album where I can totally feel any song as somebody's favorite, but for me it's either Life's a ***** or One Love.
Buy this album or your collection won't be complete, even if you're not into hip hop at all.
Pinnacle of Hip Hop This is arguably the greatest hip hop album in history, and my personal favorite. This is before Nas' mafioso persona and other mishaps (though he's still one of the greatest). I think the review by Amazon is pretty spot on. All nine tracks are very lyrical and Nas actually takes the listener's mind on a journey through his surroundings. The production is tight, ranging from simplistic beats like "One Love" to very melodic tracks like "Memory Lane". I mean, if you're reading this review and you're not convinced or you're still indecisive, just look at the other 500 reviews with five stars, it's not a coincidence. I highly recommend this to any hip hop fan.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
