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Illmatic [Explicit]
 
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Illmatic [Explicit]

NasMP3 Music
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (705 customer reviews)

Price: $6.99
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Album Savings: $2.91 compared to buying all songs

  • Original Release Date: April 19, 1994
  • Format - Music: MP3
  • Compatible with MP3 Players (including with iPod®), iTunes, Windows Media Player
 
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  Song Title Time Price  
Play   1. The Genesis (Explicit Album Version) 1:47 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   2. N.Y. State Of Mind (Explicit Album Version) 4:52 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   3. Life's A Bitch (Explicit Album Version) 3:30 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   4. The World Is Yours (Explicit Album Version) 4:51 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   5. Halftime (Explicit Album Version) 4:21 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   6. Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park) (Explicit Album Version) 4:07 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   7. One Love (Explicit Album Version) 5:25 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   8. One Time 4 Your Mind (Explicit Album Version) 3:19 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play   9. Represent (Explicit Album Version) 4:13 $0.99  Buy MP3 
Play 10. It Ain't Hard To Tell (Explicit Album Version) 3:22 $0.99  Buy MP3 
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Customer Reviews

The lyrics and the beats are amazing. ABstract  |  108 reviewers made a similar statement
A must have for all rap/hip hop fans. stevey wundar  |  118 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 64 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars March 18, 2006
By Big D
Format:Audio CD
Before I am, Before Nastradamus (Nastra-Garbage), Before It was Written, Before Stillmatic, Before God's Son, Before Nas "Big Chain" Escobar, Before Commercial Nas, there was Illmatic. Illmatic is considered by many to be one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time, and perhaps.... the GREATEST. When Illmatic was released, jaws dropped, and people went running for the hills. At this time, the lyricism and storytelling was unmatched by any emcee. This is the album that put Nas on the map. This is the album that labeled him the "New Rakim." This is the album that will put Nas in the book of the greatest rappers of all time. This is the album that put him at the top of the New York rap scene, next to KRS, Rakim, Biggie, and of course, his rival Jay-Z. Bottom Line, Nas will never make an album this good...

The first thing you notice about the overall sound of Illmatic, is that it has a very underground feel to it, and never ceases to leave you amazed at the wordplay that Nas delivers from his vocal cords. Like he said on "Got Yourself a Gun", Illmatic had no famous guest appearances here. Only his protege AZ appears on one track, which is good because it would introduce AZ to the world, which is a cool thing by Nas. Plus, AZ is skillfull, like Nas. However, other famous people do appear on this album, but dont fully rap. Illmatic uses several voice samples from such artists as Rakim, Biz-Markie, Q-Tip, and Pete Rock.

Honestly, there is nothing else left to say about this album that cannot be said in the body of the review. This is one of those kind of CDs that just never ever gets old, and is STILL in heavy rotation in my house, and i believe it will be for years to come.
... Read more ›
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Nas deserves more than 5 stars! March 16, 2000
Format:Audio CD
When I first laid this incredible piece of vinyl on my turntable, I wasn't sure of what to expect. I saw the credits, the amazing producers recruited (Primo, Large Professor, Q-Tip, etc.), but I definitely wasn't ready for the lyrical masterpiece that painted pictures of the sorrowful ghetto life right in front of my eyes, with so much depth that even Mr. Suburbanite could understand the trials and tribulations of the streets. Nas stepped into the studio with his skills and a blunt (or two or three) and spit description-packed lyrics that tell stories in a way nobody else ever can. There are greats like Slick Rick and others, but Nas' smoke-filled voice graces the track and compliments the beat so perfectly that you'd almost think the pulse of the music ran through his veins. And maybe it does. Nas feels the rhythm and gives a new melody to the songs with his original style, a style that many have emulated, but no one can master. Nas was truly ahead of his time with this album. In a time when slow, easily understandable rhymes over mainstream bass beats were popular, Nas stayed true and kicked wisdom for those true rap heads in the streets, displaying a mastery of the language with abundant metaphors and intensely descriptive flows that draw you into the music. Nas' true heart-felt emotion is apparent on all of these tracks, and in songs such as 'One Love,' where Nas is writing a letter to a friend in prison, it's easy for the listener to get caught up and lament the losses of all those other 'not-so-fortunates.... Read more ›
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33 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Let me preface my review by saying that the original Illmatic album (Disc One of this edition) is an undeniable classic, five stars, without a doubt. But as a whole, this 10 Year Anniversary Edition only gets three stars (I really wanted to give it two), and the primary reason is Disc Two.

The bottom line: this is so much LESS than it could have been.

I love remixes, but the four remixes included here...they just don't work. I don't want to hear Illmatic-era lyrics over 2004-radio-rapper beats. The best of the four is the "It Ain't Hard To Tell" remix, which does have a hardcore, yet updated feel to it. Nas spits some different lyrics (perhaps he re-recorded them for this edition), which is cool. The worst is the "One Love" remix; it inexplicably features censored lyrics, which completely ruins the song, especially when they edit words like "nine" and "L's." Come on. What a waste.

Perhaps the biggest problem I have with including these subpar remixes is the fact that there are already some great remixes of these songs THAT WEREN'T INCLUDED! I'm referring to the remixes done back in '94 and '95 when these songs were released as singles. The Q-Tip remix of "The World Is Yours" and the Arsenal Mix of "Life's a B****" are outstanding. "One Love," "It Ain't Hard To Tell," and "Halftime" were all remixed back in the day, and quite well too. I would argue that these remixes make up a large part of the Illmatic mystique, and they should have been included in this celebratory anniversary collection. I mean, why not? OPEN UP THE VAULTS!

Another thought: if you are going to create some new remixes of these songs, why not bring in the original producers to do the job?...

The two new songs on Disc Two (produced by Marley Marl and Extra P) are pretty good, worthy of inclusion here. Although, again, I would have liked to hear something from 10 years ago...weren't there any unreleased tracks that were scrapped when the 10-song Illmatic sequencing was finalized?

My other complaint about this collection is the lack of liner notes. A small thing, perhaps, but when I buy a greatest hits disc, anthology, or anniversary edition, I expect to get liner notes--and I am disappointed when I don't.

It basically all boils down to this: this collection doesn't live up to the greatness of the very album it was created to celebrate. Quite a disappointment. Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
I bought this album on its reputation alone and i cannot quit listening to it! This is probably the greatest rap album made only rivaled, in my opinion, by The Wu-Tang Clans "Enter... Read more
Published 8 hours ago by Eric F.
5.0 out of 5 stars Roots
Classic. 5 banggas n the rest are still filled with lyrical genius. Young cats need to understand this album was a innovation at it's time. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Casanova
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Was buying Life Is Good, and thought to myself: "why do I still not have Illmatic?" So of course I bought it, it's a no brainer - and not one of those things you have to think... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Patrick
4.0 out of 5 stars great
One of the all time great hip hop albums. Great sound on vinyl and a must have collectable for anyone that loves rap.
Published 1 month ago by Jcohen9441
5.0 out of 5 stars best rap album ever
Best rap album ever. Every track is a classic. As with many rappers who ever dropped a monster 1st album, Nas had a hard time ever touching this again.
Published 2 months ago by Daniel Sandker
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic hip-hop
And a very good vinyl version. Clean, warm and clear. Hip hop sounds awesome on a good record player, and this album delivers.
Published 2 months ago by Matthew Kellen Burgos
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT
I'm a 63 year old white guy, Software Engineer. I could not make it to work without this CD playing in my car. Every morning it sounds fresh and new.
Published 2 months ago by J. Gunning
5.0 out of 5 stars Illmatic
One of the best albums of all time. NAS is definitely one of the top MC's of our time. AWESOME!
Published 2 months ago by Rhondavue
4.0 out of 5 stars Great.
Great album. Sounds great plays great. No scratches no dents. Shipped fast and arrived fast. Great price awesome sound. Good product
Published 2 months ago by Jas
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the realest albums of all time
Nas' s debut album was considered one of the greatest rap albums of time
I'm about to give ratings to the tracks

NY State Of Mind (9/10)-:A Very Hardcore Song... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Semaj 1999
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West Coast??
Man, look at Del the Funky Homosapien, Pharcyde, Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Hieroglyphics, The Alkoholics, Madlib, Danger Mouse might be west coast, EL-P may be west coast also, not sure. But these should be enough to get you started. Also check out www.shoutcast.com and look under the radio... Read more
Jul 19, 2008 by Miles_n_Ish |  See all 15 posts
can i get a / one of the top 5 of all time
Are you done?
Apr 12, 2013 by Real217 |  See all 2 posts
Classic
Yep
Jun 9, 2008 by rap is real |  See all 3 posts
Was Illmatic The Best, Worst or WTF Album Cover?!
exactly as marian b meyer said, except it goes deeper to nastradamus as a prophet and i am as a god. biggie and many other artists later got the idea to put their baby picture on from nas.its classic
Jan 27, 2013 by Jill |  See all 3 posts
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