13. Illmatic [Columbia Records 1994]

1|The Genesis|1:45 ——
2|N.Y. State of Mind|4:54 (Produced by DJ Premier) 5
3|Life’s a Bitch (feat. AZ)|3:30 (Produced by L.E.S. & Nas) 5
4|The World Is Yours|4:50 (Produced by Pete Rock) 4.5
5|Halftime|4:20 (Produced by Large Professor) 5
6|Memory Lane (Sittin’ in da Park)|4:08 (Produced by DJ Premier) 4.5-5
7|One Love|5:25 (Produced by Q-Tip) 5
8|One Time 4 Your Mind|3:18 (Produced by Large Professor) 5
9|Represent|4:12 (Produced by DJ Premier) 4.5-5
10|It Aint Hard to Tell|3:22 (Produced by Large Professor) 4.5-5

I don’t know how to start this shit. What can I say about this album that hasn’t already been said? Nas has never come anywhere close to this level again in his career, but honestly, how could he? This is the kind of album that can only happen once and it had to be at the exact right time and place. It’s damn near perfect and gets better the more you listen to it and the more you listen to what Nas is actually saying. Like Reasonable Doubt, except from a different perspective, this album tells the tales of the streets and what they can do to you. “NY State of Mind” will always be one of the best rap songs of all-time and to be honest, even though most people think it’s slightly weaker, “One Time 4 Your Mind” is one of my personal favorites on the album. I listen to that one nonstop. I cannot stress how good this album is.

(Source: xcriterionmasterx)

pertoleum:

N.Y. State Of Mind - Nas