This is huge.
Nas’ Illmatic, one of the most important albums in hip-hop history, will be re-released on April 15, 2014.
Today, Nas announced he’ll be commemorating his acclaimed album with a 20th anniversary special edition titled Illmatic XX. The legendary album was originally released on April 19, 1994, but will be released four days prior to its official “birthday.”
In a statement, Nas dished about Illmatic:
“With Illmatic, I didn’t think about it. I just did it. I believe everybody has good instincts. Now I’m a man from that past and I’m supremely grateful. There’s a Nigerian proverb ‘What is past is prologue’. I’m here today because of Illmatic.”
Illmatic XX will also be accompanied by a documentary titled Time Is Illmatic, which has been described by the New York Times as, “a densely textured, deeply lyrical portrait of life in Long Island City’s Queensbridge projects, the record signaled the resurgence of the moribund New York hip-hop scene and helped pave the way for Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z and a new generation of New York rappers.”
Nas also announced a new tour (currently lacking specific dates), which he will embark on this spring. Check out Illmatic XX’s tracklist below.
Nas Illmatic XX Tracklist
Disc 1: Remastered original album
1. The Genesis
2. N.Y. State Of Mind
3. Life’s A Bitch
4. The World Is Yours
5. Halftime
6. Memory Lane (Sittin’ In Da Park)
7. One Love
8. One Time 4 Your Mind
9. Represent
10. It Ain’t Hard To Tell
Disc 2: Demos, Remixes & Live Radio
1. I’m A Villain (previously unreleased)
2. The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show on WKCR October 28, 1993 (previously unreleased freestyle)
3. Halftime (Butcher Remix)
4. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Remix)(promo single)
5. One Love (LG Main Mix)
6. Life’s A Bitch (Arsenal Mix)(promo single)
7. One Love (One L Main Mix)
8. The World Is Yours (Tip Mix)
9. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (The Stink Mix)(UK single)
10. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (The Laidback Remix)(UK single)
