BET Talks Presents: It Ain't Hard To Tell - The Illmatic Legacy | BET Talks

Many albums are considered but there's only one Illmatic. #BET #BETTalks #HipHop #Illmatic #Nas
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[@Don.M.]

The GOAT album from the greatest MC!

[@gabrielmucavele6598]

Minor correction... greatest Mc ever a.k.a God Mc

[@Phillybloodline]

Absolutely

[@RamonAcosta191]

Ice Cube said to NaS on his 'The Bridge' podcast, "Back then we were doing our penmanship, then you came and put it in Cursive". Highest compliments from 1 of Hip-Hop Greats! Illmatic is like New Testament to Catholics, it is like BC & AD, Before Illmatic and after Illmatic! Facts!

[@sjb3240]

Like saying NWA album dropped on 8/8/1988 (it didn't), he was wrong again. Rakim was the first and changed the way people flowed. Nas built upon that and held it down with crazy longevity.

[@jimmybenyoucef4416]

Illmatic should be in a museum. Pure goated!. Legendary Nas 4eva♥️🙏

[@RamonAcosta191]

It's also studied at Harvard University.

[@ltod2]

Jimmy I think the National Hip Hop Museum in DC has it,go see .The Hip Hop Muesum in Bronx NYC next year when built will have it no question

[@Justice777Allah]

True. Well it's in the Library of Congress, pretty cool.

[@leonorancube9854]

I seen the whole picture of growing up in NYC USA from listening to Nas and I'm from Zimbabwe never been to the States but his music took me there walked me through the streets of Queens

[@adeakin3758]

Deep

[@Blaq_don]

Wapedza wangu, Nas is the GOAT period... it's not even close

[@keemdarius9084]

I'm from Uganda, I've listened to nas since 1998. Before the internet, I didn't get to listen or watch him without tv. His music has been a great teacher and positive influence in my life.

[@ideac.]

its nice to see how huge hiphop culture is in africa too, im glad that other continents and coutries can relate to some crazy life situations man

[@Mongerhyung_com]

Zimboys tiripo sikhona laaa hoyooo Nas my favourite rapper for real

[@legacyns1]

deep like the shining, sparkle like a diamond sneak a uzi on the island in my army jacket lining hit the earth like a comet invasion Nas is like the afrocentric asian, half man half amazing..🔥🔥🔥

[@scaryvalidation]

This album will never die you can’t call yourself a Real Hip Hop head if you don’t know Illmatic.

[@OldSkool-77]

💯💯💯

[@tartan360]

Illmatic the greatest hiphop album of all time

[@tbohfela]

The greatest album from the greatest rapper.

[@carlostharealest5637]

Congratulations to the 🐐 For 30 yrs of this historic album Continue to flex your muscle on the culture ❤🍾💪🏿

[@echad6259]

Yup. Nas is special.

[@lamarsmith9532]

I’m not the type to look for that quick shine I’m in it for the long run! You most def are my brother still🔥🔥🔥 in 24🐐💐💐💐

[@RamonAcosta191]

Going on 30 Summers! GOAT 🐐 MC!

[@brianbelton7075]

Facts!!!

[@gregpuryear8163]

The legendary illmatic album speaks for itself

[@chaosinorderrr]

Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liquor is also up there as a modern day classic

[@lifeisagambletv]

I remember riding the A train to Euclid Ave to see my grandmoms in cypress and I first heard live at the BBQ... I said to myself "this is real rapping..." when illmatic dropped it was my daily life soundtrack while riding the train to school...being from Brooklyn and at that time having a queens mc as your favorite rapper I got into a lot of arguments... "who's the best mc biggie jay z or nas..." illmatic represent... "my mic check is life or death/breathin a snipers breath..." - Nas

[@Fashionhustler]

East NY ! 💪🏽 Cypress Hills

[@lifeisagambletv]

@@Fashionhustler salute!

[@fabianjon698]

This album created many young critical thinkers 💯

[@johnwebb2442]

Happy 30th Anniversary for the Hip Hop/Rap classic album Illmatic.

[@syncerecredentials]

Nas needs a museum like jayz had. Each album was a staple in time!

[@SixthDivison]

Jay Z has a museum?

[@syncerecredentials]

@SixthDivison idk if it was permanent it may have been a pop up but yes he did a museum for all his albums and achievements a year ago in the Brooklyn library.

[@cyrilxolani8097]

Stillmatic 🔥🔥 changed my life for real

[@mmind2295]

Same 2 me

[@RamonAcosta191]

"Biggie's Ready to Die album came out several months after Illmatic, and Biggie was crowned king of New York in the popular culture of Hip Hop heads, Ready to Die unfairly over-shadowed Illmatic, which is truly a classic album. Though they were quite distinct artists, they innovated in analogous ways. Biggie merged language that was high and low, vernacular and vocabulary words, in a way that sounded natural. He did this with a sophisticated understanding of the patterns of black language. When a different or unusual word or phrase could be introduced while still maintaining the aesthetics of black language, he inserted it. NaS, in contrast, merged concepts that were high and low, vernacular and metaphysical, in a manner that was whole rather than pieced together, thus presenting a complex that is unusual in any music outside of jazz. What Biggie started to do with language in 1994, NaS had already begun to do with ideas on Illmatic. He carries us through the "Righteous steps" of the cosmic, oceanic, and literal dimensions of his person. He transcends." - Imany Perry (Born To Use Mics)

[@casteltheghettomonk4392]

Don't ever disrespect Nas or put him in the same sentence as Notorious STD, fakest ever biter nothing special no original, all fake . They ovwrhyped him after the beef and death x5

[@danielolowu7626]

Nothing like illmatic

[@hayden.43167]

Illmatic is hands down the best album to ever come out

[@lorenzoburton3974]

Nas finally getting good press.

[@ltod2]

Nas been getting good press since he did guest verse 30 on back to the grill again on mc search joint,then the hype for his debut album was serious

[@damuri22]

Nas took over 1994

[@Edgesofnowhere008]

Every real Nas fan knows Nastradamus had no good press. And The Ngga Album had mixed reviews. So yeah, he's been there but walks through it like a wall. 😂

[@church_on_chrome2961]

And to think he has a symphonic version of this w the National Symphony Orchestra, celebrating the 20th Anniversary.

[@Eastpointe]

Nas’s Illmatic is thee timeless “Thriller” album masterpiece of Hip-Hop, hands up and down!❤

[@DJObiSmalls]

That’s cool… cause Off The Wall = Ready To Die

[@jessewilliams7517]

The fact he dissed Mobb Deep & Cormega on “Stillmatic” yet years later they still willing to vouch for this masterpiece PROVES how masterful NAS is as an artist!

[@rellj8611]

Illmatic deserves a Pulitzer award.

[@jonathancoleman6482]

Bet finally showing nas love

[@4u4000]

That’s a first right. Shoutout to Ralph. Also Bangladesh speaking facts 💯

[@victorosong132]

He won a Grammy

[@peterkombe429]

I appreciate how Nas is remembered while he is still with us.

[@Aprylbaby]

I named my son Nasir❤

[@steeltown2946]

Illmatic is a timeless 💎 everything about that era from the music videos to the music itself is the definition of Hip Hop. In it's purest format. That album got me threw middle school & high school. And as a adult, still continue to listen till this day. I never get tired of the songs.

[@edsonraimundocongolo]

I was born in 91, this is my fav hip hop album

[@mmind2295]

Stillmatic is my illmatic that album.needs more love

[@leightonsavary7607]

Dope words for a magnum opus hip hop album 🔥👌🏽

[@DippedInInk]

No disrespect but yall love illmatic but IWW was God level storytelling coming from a young black man in the projects.

[@BusyB1993]

Agreed.

[@TheKhadimnet]

GOAT N@S, and even more when you hear his peer giving him credit

[@mechelle1]

I tried not miss Stretch & Bobbito Underground show b4 Illmatic dropped bc of Nas & Big L! Them sons had underground radio on lock w endless free styles & it was sweet

[@trg-7506]

U know how many times I woke up 1:30 3:00 like fffffffffuuuuuuu lol sometimes u just had to leave the tape (240s) recording and end up with convos and call ins lol what a time and I no longer have those tapes smh

[@binyamtsegaye5139]

Nas is the 🐐 not even close

[@iraford5788]

Agreed

[@marlonstewart7918]

🤔

[@Edgesofnowhere008]

​@@marlonstewart7918 He put out more music now than any posthumous rapper. The longevity is too unmatched. And I get the feeling Nas is going to be the key elder to pass on certain wisdom, while many begin to fade and perish. I'm tryna tell you.

[@basementvybz309]

Takes you back to that time. For me that’s when you know something is special. I haven’t seen another MC to come out the gate like this.

[@moffatchirwa166]

"Pac was Like Jesus, Nas wrote the Bible."

[@d_vyneblackkrown1201]

WOOOOOOW . and Bone Thug and Harmony were the disciples.

[@michaelpoison6732]

This is 🔥 both of yall

[@charlesmwanza8649]

Wow

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Yall don't know that quote?

[@jamesosei6888]

Illmatic will forever be the greatest Hip-hop album ever and Nas is the GOAT Mc!

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

I still remember the 1st time I saw the video for “I Ain’t Hard to Tell” He was rocking the red jacket and skull cap with the brim against the white snow. That’s been emblazoned in my memory since the 90s

[@dre7580]

🐐 🐐 🐐 👑 👑 👑

[@sinceretv7819]

Nas is Something crazy for real

[@hotchocolategirl1der]

I'm still playing Illmatic. It's my #1 fav album across all genres. And shout out to Ralph McDaniels! He curated my childhood every day after school.

[@undertakerfanz628]

Ralph McDaniels was the man

[@NerdyRed23]

Illmatic by Nas is still a golden classic and relevant to this day masterpiece

[@Ant-Live]

THE BEST TO EVER DO IT‼️✌🏿👊🏿

[@dreday99]

This gave me chills

[@derrickpowell6247]

Nas is a beast!!! For him to had been so young and flowing lyrically with so much wisdom is phenomenal! 😮

[@chrisventura1881]

Its #1 in my book as well. Timeless.🙌🏽

[@realdeal139]

The Goat!!

[@omarscruggs7471]

Nas went in reverse. back then rappers used one producer. Nas used multiple producers. now at the end he does one producer with Hitboy

[@rayzrealm]

*This piece was enthralling.*

[@tonydynamite3748]

This albums raised me a lil nicca from africa/ ethiopia! I was hooked! I used to write the lyrics while listeing to it. Nas is a modern day Picasso!

[@JA-mj9re]

Nas is the greatest to ever touch the mic untouchable. The goat 🐐🐐

[@keemdarius9084]

Everthing you do, be righteous..word

[@williesween8780]

I’d put Illmatic behind paid n full and ready to die, but it is in the top 5 greatest hip hop albums of all times, which still says a lot.

[@ShawnWhiteMusic]

Classic!!🔥

[@yourfriendlyneighbourhoodvue]

I first heard Illmatic when I was 5 years old back in 04', I lived in Montréal, Canada at the time. Listened to it again back when I was 14 years old when I lived in Toronto. I’ve never been to New York yet Illmatic made me feel like I’m from there, it was as if the TTC turned into the New York Subway System once I put on Illmatic while going to school and it felt like Jane and Finch was turned into Queensbridge. Now I’m 25 years old, that album is still in my top 5 probably behind "The Gentle Side of John Coltrane"; Miles Davis’ "Kind of Blue"; Marvin Gaye’s "Romantically Yours"; "Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane" by Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane and then Illmatic

[@MeandMec]

The greatest of the greats..period...it's not even close

[@MrB831]

Nas you are the greatest! All of QB rappers are prolific!

[@ramadhankabotta488]

Illimatic

[@isaacfrimpongopuni7754]

The Greatest, EVER!! ❤

[@user-kw2yl3ro3x]

From South Africa 🇿🇦 Nas Ilmatic is a classic. Represent/ The world is yours 🤯

[@grinchoi1]

1. I grew up hearing It Was Written 1st. But when I went back n listened to Illmatic my mind was blown from Nas just turning on a switch when the beat drop with "rappers I monkey flip 'em with the funky rhythm..." 2. For me Pac will always be the greatest. But Nas is easily next for me, hands down the greatest storyteller in history of hip hop and Illmatic is the greatest hip hop album for me.. 3. If you haven't already listen to the original version of Memory Lane. That Primo beat is sooo tough! I wish they kept that version on the album!

[@Advaitamanta]

I bump Illmatic songs daily over here in the upper Indian Himalayas.

[@dymegee]

4:15 Destiny wouldn't let daddy focus on the interview. 😂 She a grown woman now.

[@kuhlenkosi6242]

I was just listening to the 20th anniversary, Live At The Kennedy Center, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra earlier today…

[@koolaid1982]

MY SISTER ACTUALLY NAMED MY NEPHEW AFTER NAS NASIR

[@RawWrath]

Sick

[@rawmic7]

The most dangerous MC💯

[@randomslasher9494]

Legendary

[@kincamell2]

Timeless

[@In4mous1]

This should’ve been a entire documentary

[@MacavelliWilliams-lr2nf]

Goat 🐐 I'm Nas Fam From Florida The Man Storytelling Is Unmatched

[@discipline_21]

One of the most respectable albums of all time.

[@uriellevelupriley684]

This is really Great 🌟💯🌟 Nas the🐐 of rap. He dropped *Illmatic* right when I just lost my friend *Eltramaine Sanders* from a cop Amico and L.T was only 14. We marched the streets. Then I heard Illmatic 1994 summer was too hot 🔥. R.I.P L.T we still here✨🙏🏾❣️ 5:53

[@raghibali2639]

Nas … Goat 🐐

[@supaman5363]

THE GOAT.

[@koolaid1982]

🐐AS

[@ctaylor960]

NAS has always been the best rapper alive to me...his songs are way more complicated and thought out than most...

[@Iamraretalent]

Couldn’t have said it better myself ✊🏾 🐐

[@insubordinatenyctv3627]

Once I seen Ralph Mcdaniels and Red Alert I knew this was official. 🏆

[@happygolucky7241]

TIMELESS RECORD ❤️‍🔥 💯 💿

[@justincasano1041]

It's still the measurement that every album released since is measured against. You know how many times I've seen a publication say "will this be the next Illmatic" Put it this way, BIG L and Biggie both released albums in that same timeframe and they were dope but Illmatic was so ahead that it devalued everything around it. People literally scraped projects and ideas after it's release. I remember Biggie won album of the year at the source awards and said Nas absolutely deserved it afterwards. Just to think he didn't win a Grammy for that lol. It was written is my favorite album due to its range and versatility, but Illmatic is the greatest ever recorded

[@joenatani352]

"No filter between my brain and my mouth It just comes out"

[@Thun23rd]

no filter from the mind to the mouth👑

[@Ira.J712]

The best ever!

[@VivaLaGlamXOXO]

History was made 30 years ago. Congratulations to Nas for establishing himself as the greatest rapper of all time 🍾👑

[@Duffield_World89]

Salute og Nas love forever brother ✊✊👌

[@Mono-kr4ih]

🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@EmakhosiniSiyakhuleka]

DOPE 🔥

[@ROTECO94]

There can only be one king 👑 and the Name is Nas 🫡🫶🏾🙏🏿 People just don’t understand how illmatic changed the game i was a teenager in 1994 in Ghana 🇬🇭 west Africa in college in Accra listening to Nas songs. Fast forward i came to Copenhagen Denmark 🇩🇰 1998 and I’ve been to Nas concert 🎵 3 times and it’s just mind blowing 🤯 to see this incredible icon of hip hop. I’m still going to watch 30 anniversary concerts 25 October in Copenhagen 😂 Good music never dies

[@kuhlenkosi6242]

Greatest!

[@reminaj_bynature6751]

Salute 🫡 and thank you NAS

[@Bertwynder]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ariiamk9622]

❤each album

[@jermaineyoung3193]

B.E.T should give Nas the I Am Hip-Hop Award this year, it's long overdue.

[@MeandMec]

All of his awards are long overdue....30 years over due

[@Monolo-wc5jo]

We know who you talking about bro, that one guy named Jay Z switched his style up after illmatic dropped. Nas raised the bar definitely with that

[@ntiyisonkuna6585]

My Idol.Peace King

[@juliusrickles]

I've listened to it hundreds of times over the past 28 years. It's a great mindset to keep throughout life. GOAT

[@rasheemfoster87]

🔥🔥