Ten tracks, no filler, widely held to be the greatest rap album ever made. Nas's vivid Queensbridge storytelling sits over production from Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip and Large Professor. The benchmark every lyricist measures against. The debut or early record that set the template.
On vinyl: '90s pressings are hit-and-miss on quality; a modern reissue is often the safer choice.
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Tracks from this album on our lists
- N.Y. State of Mind on Best Songs of the 1990s, Best Hip-Hop Songs of All Time, Best 1990s Hip-Hop Songs
- The World Is Yours on Best Hip-Hop Songs of All Time, Best 1990s Hip-Hop Songs
- It Ain't Hard to Tell on Best 1990s Hip-Hop Songs
We don't reproduce full tracklists — only the songs from this record we've featured in our best-of lists.
More from Nas — where to go next
If you have Illmatic, these are the Nas records worth reaching for next.
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1
Illmatic1994 · you're viewing this oneStart here
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2
It Was Written1996 · Hip-HopClassic
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3
Stillmatic2001 · Hip-HopClassic
If you like Illmatic, try
Ill CommunicationBeastie Boys
Hard to EarnGang Starr
The Sun Rises in the EastJeru the Damaja
TicalMethod Man
The DiaryScarface
Ready to DieThe Notorious B.I.G.