Download Illmatic MP3
Rating Reviews : 
Vinyl Classics reissue of his debut album comes as a vinyl look-a-like CD that’s packaged in a die-cut see-through Slipcase. Columbia. 2005
Before I begin, let me just address the majority of people who gave “Illmatic” a 1 star rating:
I have to ask…why? Why hate on NaS’ first album, which ended being a major contribution to hip hop/rap in general? Why do you say you are true hip hop fans when you show such ignorance to tight rhymes and stellar production? Why do you turn your reviews into a gossip section and/or a place to say such and such artist is better than NaS when the focus should be on the album? And then, why do you make such pathetic attempts at bashing his lyrics and how the tracks sound like? You are not hip hop fans and you will never appreciate a great MC. Do us all a favor and go crawl back under that rock you used to live in and never come out.
Now on with my thoughts:
I remember ordering this CD from Columbia House Back then, I haven’t heard of him at all but I ordered it because I heard some kids talk about how good it was. The word “good” was such a understatement. This couldn’t be a more perfect example of what a classic album is. He was already making the rounds in the underground rap scene as a great lyricist. He had a guest spot on the awesome Main Source track, “Live At the BBQ” and had one of his songs featured on the “Zebra Head” movie (Halftime.) So when it came for him to work on his first album, he had what any up and coming rapper dreamed of: the opportunity to work with some of hip hop’s finest producers.
DJ Premier, Large Professor, L.E.S., Q-Tip and Pete Rock all produced great tracks and because of that, the singles “It Ain’t To Tell”, “The World is Yours” and “One Love” were released and quickly made everyone realize hip hop has another great MC to call its own. And yet, while “Illmatic” did not sell as well as it should have at first, word of mouth was all he needed for everyone to look forward to his next album, “It Was Written.” Nas was able to carry “Illmatic” practically by himself with only one guest MC (AZ) on “Life’s a Bitch.” From start to finish, every track is worth listening to with absolutely NO FILLER at all. So when it was done, you just listen to it all over again and again. Many other reviewers went into the details of his lyrics, flow and dynamics of the tracks overall so I won’t add anymore to that.
This was an album you HAD to listen to back in the days. If you loved hip hop, you already bought it. If you love and support classic hip hop, you already bought it. But if you haven’t listened to it yet and you want to own a piece of hip hop history, please get this masterpiece ASAP. You will not regret it.











