Queens native Nasir Jones was recognized by New York State Senate in Albany for the creation of one of Hip-Hop’s greatest projects last month as April 19 marks the 30th anniversary of the music aficionado’s debut album “Illmatic”.
The Queensbridge rapper was only 20 years old at the time the album was originally released.
In 1994, Nas began his quest as one of the most influential artists in Hip Hop with “Illmatic.” The album set the bar for a relatively young genre of music for years to come. Songs such as New York State of mind and The Genesis were met with critical acclaim. Superb command of the English language, cutthroat delivery, street savvy and the mind of a philosophy professor were characteristics Nas embodied since his youthful days representing the Queensbridge housing projects. The “Illmatic” project ushered in a new era of Hip-Hop. The popularity of 1980’s beat boxing and break dancing developed into a conscious method of storytelling. Nas and his debut project were certainly at the forefront of the evolution of Hip-Hop.
” I imagine, what were you doing when you were 20 years old? Many of us were in college finding out who we were. Nasir Jones was making the greatest Hip Hop album of all-time Illmatic,” said Senator Jamaal T Bailey. “1994 was the soundtrack to my youth and many of our youth. And Nas as a storyteller has been ahead of his time. And as Hip-Hop turned 50 Nas turned 50 and we would not have Hip-Hop in this form if not for Nasir Jones.”
Born on Sept. 14, 1973, the son of a jazz musician, Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones was introduced to music early on. He and his father Olu Dara Jones would attend jazz sessions throughout New York City during the 1980’s. As a youth Nas would dazzle the older crown with his impressive lyrical arsenal. It became common knowledge in his Queens neighborhood Nas was a wizard with words. In New York word gets around fast of who truly can but pen to paper. Artist would travel from as far as Brooklyn or Staten Island in search of a battle. More often than not Nas would reign supreme to anyone who’d dare to step into his realm. “Illmatic” would prove to be a precursor to other successful productions such as “Stillmatic” and “Godson” to name a few. On Sept. 14, 2023 Nas released “Magic 3” on the same day as his 50th birthday. The project was the legends 17th studio album. Nas’s music has most certainly stood the test of time.
Hip-Hop is a creation born in New York City. The five boroughs famously bicker back and forth as to which sector of the city boasts the best talent. Nas is the type of artist that pitted against anyone, and he’s likely come out on top.
A heavyweight lyricist since the mid 1990s, if Nas isn’t somewhere on your list of greatest artists, then you’re simply speaking out of context.
Nas has given back to the community through charitable ventures. He’s also been known to spread positive messages to the up-and-coming generation. The “I know I can” rapper has used his platform to promote education. Just about every Nas album has at least one song dedicated to children. Becoming a celebrity before reaching the legal drinking age has the potential to become tricky. After all this time in the limelight, he still maintains a down to earth attitude.
In 2001, Nas released “Ether” as a response to an ongoing issue with Jay-Z and the Roc-A-Fella Records Crew. The diss track is regarded as one of the most hard-hitting projects in Hip-Hop history. Nas isn’t one to promote violence, but when provoked Nas, can dish out terror as well as anyone that’s ever stepped in the booth.
Nas is one of the greatest artists Hip-Hop has ever seen. He also happens to represent the great City of New York.
