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The Cover Of Nas's 'Illmatic'

683 Words3 Pages

I decided to work on Nas’s album Illmatic that dropped on April 19, 1994 with the help of Columbia Records. For the album cover there is a faded picture of Nas’s face in front of a city block. The cover of Illmatic is said to have been inspired by a jazz album, Howard Hanger Trio's A Child Is Born (1974). The album's cover message is how “easily innocence is lost in NY's neglected concrete jungles”. Illmatic was a very influential album for several reasons. With rap artists like Ice Cube, Eazy E, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Tupac. Nas's Illmatic led to the rise of east coast rap. Illmatic is a major influence to the rise of rappers like Biggie, the Wu tang clan, Jay Z, and pretty much every rapper from that point on.

Nas was born in Crown …show more content…

It starts with the track "NY State of Mind," which has intense piano music and powerful lyrics that grab your attention. The album has nine strong songs that fit well together, with no skits or extra tracks. The production heavily uses samples, with strong beats and melodies that match Nas's deep and thoughtful storytelling. Some notable songs are "The World Is Yours," a popular hit with a catchy sample and Nas's unreal lyrics, and "One Love," a heartfelt song where Nas tells a moving story. Illmatic made Nas a hip hop legend, and it's considered one of the best albums in the …show more content…

What makes it so special is that Nas brought some life to the east coast after Illmatic dropped and paved the way for many rappers that came after him. The album really connects with people and shows Nas as a talented artist with a unique perspective. Nas's reputation as an artist goes beyond just Illmatic. He’s one of the best and most influential rappers in hip hop history. Nas is still making music and performing today, continuing to contribute to the music scene. He is currently touring across 10 countries and has 31 upcoming concerts.
Personally, I think Illmatic is a masterpiece and a must listen for hip hop fans. Nas's lyrics and storytelling on this album are incredible. The songs go over struggles, social problems, and personal thoughts, giving us a real understanding of life in communities you would never learn about. This project has taught me a lot about the power of hip hop, to share personal experiences, raise awareness about important topics, and make a cultural

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