10 Things You Didn't Know About Nas' "Illmatic"

Think you're a real Illmatic fan?

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Today is the 18th year anniversary of Nas’ landmark debut Illmatic. Nas has made so many great songs (and a few awful ones) but still, his legacy lies in his debut. Illmatic is arguably the greatest rap record ever and an album just about anyone who calls themselves a hip-hop fan knows all the words to.

While last night’s Behind The Music on Nas taught us lots of things about Nasir Jones most of us didn’t know (or things we don’t believe, like that whole bit about a shuffle with 2Pac) we’re willing to bet that there’s things about Illmatic that even the biggest Nas stan doesn’t know.

That’s why in celebration of the album, we dug through the archives of various articles about the album and pulled together 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Nas’ Illmatic. And if you do know these things already, then congratulations you win the Rap Nerd of the Day award....

Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)

Large Professor Would Edit Nas Rhymes

Not Available Interstitial

Large Professor Would Edit Nas’ Rhymes

Hip-hop purists might find this hard to believe, but the lyrical masterpiece of Illmatic wasn’t constructed by just one man. Every great writer needs a great editor and for Nas it was Large Professor. Extra P would bring Nas to studio sessions during the making of Eric B. & Rakim’s Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em and drop jewels.

“He helped me because I only knew half of what was going on,” said Nas, to Mass Appeal back in 2002. “I knew about the pen touching the paper. Paul knew that too, but he also knew to tell me, ‘Don’t say this. Take that out. Why would you say this? That makes you look crazy! This word don’t make no sense.’” He taught me everything.” IT WAS WRITTEN EDITED!

Russell Simmons Passed On Signing Nas

Not Available Interstitial

Nas Did “N.Y. State of Mind” In One Take

Not Available Interstitial

Illmatic Was Rushed

Not Available Interstitial

Nas Wanted To Sample “Juicy Fruit” Before Biggie

Not Available Interstitial

Nas Begged Large Professor To Executive Produce Illmatic

Not Available Interstitial

Large Professor Almost Had To Smack The Hit Out of MC Serch

Not Available Interstitial

Busta Rhymes Could Have Had The “Halftime” Beat

Not Available Interstitial

Q-Tip’s Original Idea For “One Love” Was “My Summer Vacation”

Not Available Interstitial

AZ’s Verse On “Life’s A B***h” Lead To A Bidding War

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Music