The album that changed Nas’ life and formed his rap style
Nas is an East Coast legend who has produced some of the most culturally significant albums ever. The release of his 1994 debut project, Illmatic, was a seminal moment for hip-hop culture and is still widely considered a classic.
Nas released Illmatic at the age of 21. The body of work was so exceptional it was inducted into the Library of Congress in 2021 due to its cultural impact and has stood the test of time. It is, without doubt, one of the greatest records ever made.
While the LP is considered a hip-hop heavyweight, Nas’ inspirations go further than the genre. As a youngster, Nas grew up with his mother and was influenced by her musically. The lyricist was raised in various genres, including jazz, soul, hip-hop and gospel. That said, in a 2012 interview, Nas revealed which albums he loves and the one that changed his life.
One of the old-school hip-hop albums that really shaped the I Am… creator was the 1985 Run-DMC project, King Of Rock. Speaking about the seismic impact it had on his life, Nas detailed, “That’s one of the first rap albums. The commercial success with a different sound—it had rock, they were of a next phase, next plateau from the Furious Five and the Treacherous Three.”
He continued, “They were the next thing, so they personified the next thing. And then Raising Hell showed how they evolved as hip-hop superstars. The greatest moment of my life being a rap fan was probably when King of Rock came out.”
Although Run-DMC had a big impact on him, they weren’t from Nas’ neighbourhood. As such, they felt a bit removed. However, the Juice Crew were formed right on his doorstep.
Queensbdrige, the home of Mobb Deep and Juice Crew, was home to many legends in the 1980s and ’90s. Like the South Bronx, it has a rich history and was one of the most exciting areas of New York concerning hip-hop in the 1980s.
That said, it is unsurprising that when the legendary MC Shan released his debut album, Down by Law, in 1987, Nas was heavily influenced by the project. Tracks such as ‘The Bridge’ specifically speak about the area he grew up in, and he related it to it in a profound way.
Speaking about how it changed his life and formed his rap style, Nas explained, “That album changed my life. A big reason is because Shan is from Queensbridge. But still, his rap style, it helped me craft my rap style.”
He added, “The production with him and Marley opened my head to what I wanted to sound like, what I think I should sound like, and what I can potentially sound like.” This 1987 album would end up sparking the ‘Bridge Wars’, an iconic hip-hop battle.