With Illmatic, Nas' poetic aptitude reveals itself, the MC introducing turns of phrase and perspective previously unheard within the art form. Its first single, вЂњHalftime,вЂќ appears on the soundtrack of the 1992 film Zebrahead and, coupled with his вЂњLive at the BarbequeвЂќ verse, positioned Nas as hip-hop's next great MC, well before an album was ready. Illmatic is only nine actual songs (not counting opener вЂњThe Genesis'), and while it was reportedly released in haste to combat the rampant bootlegging of an early version, itвЂ™s no less heavy a listen. As the critical rap universe would assure him, the world belonged to Nas himself-a New York rap prodigy hailing from the talent-rich Queensbridge housing projects whose 10-track debut realized the promise heвЂ™d shown as a guest MC on Main SourceвЂ™s вЂњLive at the Barbeque.вЂќ And while the album was immediately recognized as a gem by those in the know, its impact on hip-hop at large would only fully be appreciated in the years following.

And if he didnвЂ™t know it going into the release of Illmatic, he knew almost immediately after. Four tracks into his debut album, he told listeners, вЂњThe world is yours,вЂќ but he was wrong. Get Apple Music on iOS, Android, Mac, and WindowsДЇollowing his show-stealing debut in 1991 on Main SourceвЂ™s track вЂњLive at the Barbeque,вЂќ Nas delivered his debut album Illmatic to high praise in 1994.

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