Style Tips You Can Learn From "Illmatic"

A classic album with classic style advice.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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On April 19, 1994, a 20-year-old Nas dropped an album that completely changed the rap game forever. Since that date, a huge number of rappers, producers, and fans have been influenced by the 39 minutes of skillful storytelling that have rarely been approached since. At this point, there are very few musical and historical elements of Illmatic that haven't been covered

Style, however, is another story. While bumping it nonstop, it quickly becomes obvious that there are plenty of lyrical gems pertaining to steez across the album's 10 tracks. To celebrate the anniversary of Nas' debut, put the album on as you click through to learn some 1994 style lessons that are still timely today. These are Style Tips You Can Learn From Illmatic.

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"I'm a addict for sneakers/Twenties of buddha and bitches with beepers"

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"Sneak a Uzi on the island in my army jacket lining"

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"Used to sport Ballys and Gazelles with black frames/Now I'm into fat chains, sex and Tecs, fly new chicks"

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"Shorty's laugh was cold-blooded as he spoke so foul/Only 12, trying to tell me that he liked my style"

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"Cold be walkin' with a bop and my hat turned back"

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"And I'm a Nike head/I wear chains that excite the Feds"

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"I sat back like The Mack/My army suit was black"

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"When I dress, it's never nothing less than Guess"

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"I even got a mask and gloves to bust slugs, but one love"

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"Stash the loot in fly clothes, burning dollars to light my stove"

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"I reminisce on park jams, my man was shot for his sheep coat"

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"I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it/With more kicks than a baby in a mother's stomach"

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"Suede Timbs on my feet makes my cipher complete"

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"Before a blunt, I take out my fronts"

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"Bullet holes left in my peepholes/I'm suited up in street clothes"

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