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The story behind the most pivotal album in the history of hip-hop: Nas' Illmatic.
Two decades on, Illmatic remains the benchmark of street philosophising. Malice of Clipse called it "flawless". DJ Semtex called it "perfection". Lupe Fiasco said, "It changed my life forever." It crowns Talib Kweli's best album list. Kendrick Lamar agrees: "Illmatic will always be #1". It cemented Nas' unassailable skills. It was his debut. He was 17.
Witnessing peers succumb to drugs, prison and worse, this urban poet elegantly elucidated the transition from childhood to manhood in New York's Queensbridge projects, paired with energising, revolutionary beats.
In this Tribeca Film Festival Opening Night selection, Multimedia artist One9 delivers an electrifying account of the gestation of a rap milestone, utilising the Nas of then and now, as well as his brother, mother and father (jazz great Olu Dara), his teachers, Q-Tip, and those struggling alongside.
"Brisk, stylish and extremely heartfelt." – Variety