Let me be clear, 'Illmatic' is my favorite hip-hop album of all-time. I've purchased the original 10-track masterpiece in every format, then every limited, special, anniversary, deluxe, you-name-it edition that has been released since. If you've read the argument that 14 is a 'magic age' in our development of musical taste and identity, then you can dig my mindstate during the year build up to the release of 'Illmatic' as a H.S. freshman in Queens. It was also Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest, as well as Pete Rock & CL, Jeru, etc ... but with Nas, I was still able to get DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and Pete Rock, as well as Large Pro & L.E.S. Today, I am going to share a few different posts on the album, so let's start with the feature above from XXL in 2009: a track by track breakdown with commentary from Serch, Jungle, Faith Newman, Large Pro, Busta, Q-Tip, Premo and more. Over the years, I think this was one of the best articles about the album. Happy 23rd to the classic: 'Illmatic!'
