How do you grade albums if you even grade it at all?  Some may measure by the amount of records sold, some may say  “it’s based on how it made you feel on your first listen.” Well as a person who has listened to countless hours of music I say the criteria should be based on influence, influence on future  artists, and even influence on themselves in their future projects. Albums like My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, by Kanye West and Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg are perfect examples of my theory. But one thing we all can agree on is, music is at it’s most important when it’s success is pivotal. In terms of Hip Hop no album can be topped by Illmatic a debut project by Nas that re-claimed the Hip Hop crown from California solidifying New York as the king of hip-hop and it’s sound as well.

California was diverse and so were it’s sounds as it became king during the late 80’s and early 90’s Ice- T, Cypress Hill, N.W.A., MC Hammer, Too $hort, and Digital Underground where all apart of the west coast faction that put every ounce of energy revolutionizing emerged. Their energy most likely spawned from the reminisce of a crack epidemic that hung over California like the smog that constantly hangs over Los Angeles. As this west coast sound gained popularity there records were spun all over the country the raw talent plowed its way across the country making it to their rivaled neighbor, New York State.  It seemed that the west coast barged it’s way into radio stations seizing control of the majority of music played, receiving a large portion of airtime usually allocated to New York MCs and producers. The west coast even infected a large portion of New York’s exclusive clubs getting play time in parties across New York State State.The west brought respectable fire power by introducing a new sound filled with funk infused synthesizers that and a focus on a smooth crisp flow that would imitate the hydraulics in cutlass. The success of the west coast sound in the east was kick in the face to the breeding ground of hip hop. The west coast reigned supreme and was even considered the king of Hip Hop, but just for a short moment as New York would plan to regain its crown.

The rap group Public Enemy knew that New York needed a savior and attempted to assassinate California when they released their highly acclaimed and highly controversial album Fear Of A Black Planet. Public Enemy was conscious rap group from Long Island NY who sent their powerful messages of black empowerment permeated the ears of the public enjoyed success. Their direct and powerful hooks accompanied surgical lyrics permeated the harsh base lines like smoke in a small room. Their sound was unique and empowering creating an aggressive tone that would motivate anyone who dared play the tape through a sound system. But this album lacked something major. There album was written by rappers.  At this point you may be thinking to yourself, “No duh” But what if I told you there was a project made exclusively by a poet then you’d ponder my bold statement taking it into serious consideration.

The Queensbridge Shakespeare known as Nas became the saving grace that New York Had been looking for. As one of the most influential lyricists of all time he created an instant classic with the release of his debut album Illmatic. You see, Illmatic is not even an album, it’s a textbook depicting the realities of the dangerous community in which nothing could bring about your demise faster than a bullet to the chest. His lyrics where complex and hit faster than a gatling gun. And depicted a reality in which no historian would ever step foot in. A metaphor I used earlier in the year on my first speech, compared the marriage of Shaolin Shadowboxing and the Wu-Tang sword style to the marriage of knowledge and leadership. In this case, the marriage of surgical lyricism and expert production with help from Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Large Professor, Q- Tip, and L.E.S. But instead of creating the demise of something Those five producers added a layer of uniqueness that that was new. They combined the grimy and heavy bass lines of Public Enemy and mixed it with the dreamy jazz samples of the 1991 album The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest. Veering away from the smooth gangsta rap that was once dominant. These innovations would now be considered the sound of New York. As a native of New Yorker the creation of Illmatic holds significant weight. Artists ranging from the Wu-Tang Clan to Jay-Z drew inspiration from Illmatic but those artists deserve their own praise

Illmatic serves as a pivotal point in hip hop, not only changing the landscape in which other artists evolve their sound, but recapturing the right to refer as New York the king of rap. Nas’ lyrics were abundant and vivid,  painting a picture of the struggles of living in the belly of the beast allowed Queensbridge residents to express their pain through his rhymes. he was the voice of the people and his lyrics built bridges across major cultural and communication gaps allowing his emotion to tell his stories. The beat making and production of the album worked in tandem with the lyrics to translate feelings that wouldn’t be understood fully if put into words. With all this praise towards Illmatic why wouldn’t it be the best ? Though my arguments are extremely limited I encourage you to listen to Illmatic a piece of New York culture and try to name a hip hop album more influential than Illmatic. The comment section is open to argument