Nas Reacts to ‘Illmatic’ Being Honored as the Greatest Rap Album of All Time.Nas has expressed his excitement and gratitude after his iconic album “Illmatic” was named the greatest rap album of all time by Billboard.The legendary rapper took to Instagram to share his joy, posting a screenshot of the top-ranking announcement along with a heartfelt caption: “Thank you @billboard! And everyone!!! We’re here #1 illmatic.”
Released in 1994, Nas’s debut album “Illmatic” has long been hailed as a masterpiece in the hip-hop community. The album triumphed over other monumental records like Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic,” Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” OutKast’s “Aquemini,” and The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Life After Death.”
The top 10 list of greatest rap albums also included 2Pac’s “All Eyez On Me,” Snoop Dogg’s “Doggystyle,” Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid in Full,” JAY-Z’s “The Blueprint,” and Slick Rick’s “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.”
Despite the celebration, the list stirred some controversy with its rankings. Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy” placed at number 29, ahead of JAY-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt,” Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” and Eminem’s “The Marshall Mathers LP,” which sparked debate among fans and critics.
Additionally, albums like Rick Ross’s “Teflon Don,” Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday,” and Lil Uzi Vert’s “Luv Is Rage 2” were ranked higher than OutKast’s “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” MF DOOM and Madlib’s “Madvillainy,” and Run-DMC’s “Raising Hell,” further fueling discussions.
Nas recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of “Illmatic” by paying tribute to the producers and collaborators who helped bring the album to life. “Grainy photos for a grainy time. I dreamed I could get my favorite producers to make my debut album,” he wrote on Instagram in April. “I knew exactly what I wanted and how it should sound. But I didn’t know anyone except Paul, so I asked if he could connect me with all of them.”
He continued: “The guy with a great soul helped me get everything in order. On April 19, we crushed it. Even though the album leaked months before release, we still made music history.”
Nas expressed his gratitude to Large Professor (Paul), DJ Premier, Q-Tip, Pete Rock, DJ LES, and AZ, among others, for their contributions. “Friday marks the 30th anniversary of the album. To the listeners – ONE LOVE,” he concluded.
In addition to the Billboard accolade, Nas and “Illmatic” were recently honored by the New York State Senate. Senator Jamaal T. Bailey praised Nas, saying, “What were you doing at 20 years old? Many of us were in college. We were finding ourselves. Nasir Jones, known poetically as Nas, created the greatest Hip Hop album of all time, ‘Illmatic.’”
“Nas is a Hip Hop savant — a rapid-response system for the streets, for lack of a better term. And if you have a top five that doesn’t include Nas, you shouldn’t be listening to rap music,” Bailey asserted.
The recognition from both Billboard and the New York State Senate cements “Illmatic” as a timeless masterpiece in the history of rap music. Nas’s debut continues to influence and inspire generations of artists and fans, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of hip-hop culture. As Nas celebrates this milestone, the legacy of “Illmatic” endures, reminding the world of the album’s profound impact on music and culture.
