XXL: Nas Illmatic, 15 Years Later

When was the last time you bought a hip-hop magazine? Basically, I never buy new hip-hop magazines but I had to make an exception for the new XXL April 2009 Issue. In the beginning of this month when the magazine cover was revealed, I noticed that there was going to be an article commemorating the 15th Anniversary of Nas's Classic 1994 LP "Illmatic". With subtitles of DJ Premier, Large Pro, Pete Rock, & Q-Tip, I knew that it was going to be worth the reading.

Yesterday, after copping the issue, I immediately skipped to the "Illmatic" article. I was stunned by seeing these old hi-res '94 pictures of Nas; there's a picture of Premier, Large Pro, Faith, Nas, Q-Tip, & L.E.S in the studio. I would like to thanks Timmotep Aku, Carl Chery, Clover Hope, Rob Markman, Starrene Rhett, Anslem Samuel for taking a trip down to memory lane and compiling a classic article on a perfect album. Below are all the representers who each took their time to talk on the making-of of their incredible work on the track which they appeared on. This isn't something that you've seen before, you will learn a lot of new trivia... Below that is the scan of the article.

Representers

• Nas
• Jungle
• Faith Newman-Orbach(Executive Producer)
  
• MC Serch
• DJ Premier
• Large Professor
• L.E.S.
• AZ
• Olu Dara
• Pete Rock
• T La Rock
• Busta Rhymes
• Grand Wizard
• Q-Tip

Download 9-Pages Scan (Hi-Res)

Make sure to support this issue by buying it at your local bookstore. This is the type of issue that will truly become a collectible. There are other noteworthy articles included in the issue that are worth reading after "Illmatic."

-- Thomas V

Editor's Note: Don't forget to grab today's other exclusive: Rakim "The Cellar EP".

Lyrical King

T La Rock will probably never get his due credit for influencing generations of rappers right up through today. The elder brother of Special K from Treacherous Three, he was Def Jam's first artist to release music on the label. The Rick Rubin produced It's Yours stands as a landmark sonic achievement production wise and lyrically, which even Russell Simmons admits had a huge influence on LL Cool J, the 2nd artist Def Jam put out.

But T La Rock is so much more than just It's Yours - listen to the sinisterLyrical King [From the Boogie Down Bronx], Breaking Bells, Breakdown, He's Incredible, and Bust These Lyrics to hear confidence, bragadoccio, and Rolex-like timing. The only knock I really have against this compilation is the beats can begin to sound repetitive or show their age on a few tracks, but for the most part, everything works well as a cohesive unit.

You may recognize his beatboxer as well - it's non other than Greg Nice from Nice N Smooth, who kills his solo track Three Minutes of Beatbox as well as Having Fun. You can see some of the styles on display here that would influence Rahzel from the Roots on some of his classic beatbox routines.

If you like stripped down, sparse 80's drum heavy beats and absolutely murderous lyrics, then I recommend you check this out.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=913d1aafa81cb840d2db6fb9a8902bda

1. Lyrical King [From the Boogie Down Bronx]
2. Back to Burn
3. Tudy Fruity Judy
4. Having Fun
5. Three Minutes of Beat Box
6. Bust These Lyrics
7. This Beat Kicks
8. Big Beat in London
9. It's Time to Chill
10. Live Drummin' with the Country Boy

11. It's Yours (12-Inch Radio Mix)

12. Breakdown (12-Inch Version)
13. He's Incredible (12-Inch Version)
14. Breaking Bells (12-Inch Version)
15. Bass Machine (12-Inch Version)

--admiral

Obscure Dope Shit From The Late 80s

Obscure Dope Shit From The Late 80s Volume 1

1. Jaz - I Believe In Music

2. Low Profile - Hip Hop I Crave

3. Busy Boys - Classical

4. Uptown - Dope On Plastic

5. Latee - No Tricks

6. Chuck Chillout & Kool Chip - Time 2 Rhyme

7. Krown Rulers - Call Me The New Sire

8. JVC Force - Doin' Damage

9. Phill Most Chill - On Tempo Jack

10. Cool C - Down To The Grissle

11. TDS Mob - Scratch Reaction

12. Percee P - Let The Homicides Begin

13. T La Rock - It's Yours (Remix)

14. Freshco - N All Dat

15. Sir Ibu - I'm The Peacemaker

16. MC Player - Heavy Metal Mic Maniac

17. Kid Jazz - You Haven't Heard Nuthin' Yet

18. Hijack - Doomsday Of Rap

http://www.mediafire.com/?lkjvtz2ya0t

I'm going to do at least four of these, so check back often. If you're unfamiliar with any of this material, then you're in for a real treat. Props to Kevin Beacham for putting me on to most of this stuff via the Time Travel Show (1995-2002).

--Roy Johnson