Revisiting "Illmatic:" Nas's Debut Album Set The Bar Astronomically High

At 20 years old, recording artist Nas released an album that many critics and fans alike consider to be a certified classic. Illmatic, The title of Nas's debut effort, tells the story of a young, black kid finding his way in the harsh streets of Queens, New York. While the premise is nothing new, Nas's storytelling ability allowed for a debut album that he has unfortunately yet to best some twenty years into his career.

To be fair, it would be a near-impossible task to accomplish such a feat. At such a young age, Nas seemed to have the perspective and wisdom of a 100-year-old man. Perhaps this is a result of growing up in Queens as a minority, something in which many of us cannot relate to. However, what listeners can resonate with is the innate feeling within so many young men to escape their mundane life and grow into an unstoppable force.

Listeners can feel the hustle within Nas's voice as he raps on his hit song NY State of Mind: "I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death." The energy and passion are so prevalent throughout this project. Complimented by hard-hitting synthesizers and production that allows Nas to flourish through his incredible wordplay. Nas's cadence paired with a delivery that is unmatched by even some of rap's most ruly veterans creates a scenery that allows the listener to step into the world of a 20-year-old minority in Queens.

While being so young to create what is seen as a masterpiece in the music industry is quite an impressive feat, it is not the only thing that makes Nas have a powerful entrance to the rap game. Much of that comes from his pure talent.

Perhaps more impressive than anything is how timeless this album feels. Illmatic was released in 1994, but it still played everywhere in 2021. The true measure of an album's success is if it can not only live up to expectations but remain timeless throughout several generations of listeners. This is what makes art so powerful. Generations of listeners can resonate with the lyrics of Nas and compare his struggles to their own. Music is a powerful motivator and Illmatic proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Revisiting this album held such special nostalgia for me. While a couple of the tracks are still on my playlists, it was a worthwhile experience to sit down and really digest the album. The only criticism for this album is that it feels too short with only 10 tracks, but most listeners would rather have that than the 25 plus song albums that are constantly being released now. Quality over quantity is the main attraction here.

Unfortunately, Nas set expectations so drastically high that he was never able to top Illmatic in terms of quality projects. However, that is not to say Nas hasn't stayed relevant. For over twenty years, Nas has been a force in the music industry. Nominated for multiple Grammys, rich, and a successful man of color is a great win to celebrate.

Here's to hoping Nas can close out his career with a project comparable.