Before this time, the rap game mostly consisted of DJ's and rappers. Nas brought something new and exciting to the table. He began the importance of production, lyrics and flow. He did not just make the album for one or two hit singles. Each song in its own is great enough to be a single, yet each song fits perfectly with one another in its context. This is the first album to paint a picture with the most eloquent of language. All of the songs feed off of each other, making the album fit together perfectly as a whole. Illmatic tells an in depth story of Nas and his struggles. It set the scene for making songs to coexist, that are not just random ideas. This album sparked the flame that hip hop albums in recent times look at for guidance. Comprising only of ten songs, each song is more well put together than the next. Just by listening to the songs, it is not hard to tell the rigorous amount of work and talent that went into making such a wonderful piece of art. This was one of the first times that lyrics mattered just as much as the beat.
This website provides ten ways in which Nas' album changed hip hop forever:
One point the article makes is that the album broke ground for new phrases. In his song, "N.Y State of Mind," Nas says that 'sleep is the cousin of death.' Recent artists have emulated that lyric in their own music. In Lil Wayne's song, "6'7," he says a line that goes like, '...sleep is the cousin…' He is not directly stealing Nas' work, but it is evident that he respects his lyrics and appreciates the truth of them.
Really liked this blog. It’s cool to see how Nas used a whole album to tell one story. It’s cool to see how big of an influence Nas has had on hip hop and how he has changed it so much.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog and think it's cool that his album is so influential and so much thought was put into each song. Nas has had a lot of influence on hip hop and this article definitely supports that.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Illmatic is one of the best rap albums of all time. What amazes me even more is that Nas was just twenty when he released this album, which could mean he began working on it when he was even younger. Although his lyricism is what makes him stand out, his beats are really good too.
ReplyDeleteI think your blog post was very enjoyable it was cool to see how much thought Nas put into making not only the album but making the songs tell a story and it has definitely changed hip hop
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree that Illmatic was a revolutionary album and it is definitely one of my (if not my number one) favorites. The combination of incredible beats and hard hitting lyrics on the Illmatic have never been matched.The article that you linked gives excellent reasons why Illmatic was so revolutionary. I very much enjoyed this blog.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog. I have listened to the album before, and the way Nas had his album put together was genius. And just to think, Nas was only twenty years old.
ReplyDeleteThis album is definately a classic because of all the components you mentioned. I agree with your point on why it was a game-changer; because all the songs fed off of each other like no album has ever done before. Well written blog.
ReplyDeleteThis album is amazing. I remember the first time I heard it I didn't listen to anything else for a week. The way he tells a story throughout the whole album is admirable and has clearly had an influence on artist after him.
ReplyDeleteI sacrifice this album to the based god. It is that amazing. This album is definitely filled with gold. Every song can stand strong on its own. The story Nas tells is great and his lyricism is unprecedented. Long story short, you are awesome for making this blog and Nas is gawd!
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this blog, I had never listened to this album. With everyone agreeing how great it is, I listened to the album entirely and was thoroughly impressed. Great album, great example, great blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the songs go well together and set the standard for storytelling over the course of an album as opposed to a song for modern hip hop.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the urban dictionary, this is one of the best 40 mins of Hip Hop history. I have listened to it, actually this year and the lyrics are poignant and demonstrate Nas' crazy skill to articulate such street concepts without even with him being a high school dropout
ReplyDeleteI agree that the songs . I never really understood why they said this was the best album. However now I understood there is a lot to it pretty good.
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