Let's start.
You had 2 type of rappers, The MC and the Conscious rapper. The old rappers (Rakim, BDK, De la soul, ATCQ Public Enemy etc. ) who fall under these categories are not cutting it anymore.
The east needs something new to combat against the West Coast. This began the quick flow/tongue twister style (das efx, Lords of the Underground, Naughty by Nature, Even Jay-z started out like this etc). This pushed the whole gritty NY/East Coast style. Tough grimy beats, hard lyrics, complex rhyming/flow. Though popular, it was too distinct and started to getting old after a few years. The style wasn't natural and was off putting to some, especially to you people outside of the east.
Enter Illmatic. It was perfect. Nas took the artistry of the MC, the mindset of the Conscious rapper and the hardcore style of the tongue twister, but left out the over the top flow. This laid the groundwork for everybody. Don't believe me, Go listen to Onyx-Slam or NBN-Hip Hop Hooray and ask yourself "Why don't we rap like this anymore?". Nas killed the 3 styles and merged them into one, that's why.
Was Illmatic a commercial success? No, but guaranteed if you a rapper on the east this was your study guide/your bible/your new standard. This is what make it a classic, it changed the way his mentors, peers and students looked at rapping.
This is why Nas can say "Name a rapper that I ain't influence?" and never get checked for it. Because it's true.
Anyone in this thread discrediting Illmatic is not a true hip-hop fan. You are a poser that needs to do your history or just stick to Eminem.
You had 2 type of rappers, The MC and the Conscious rapper. The old rappers (Rakim, BDK, De la soul, ATCQ Public Enemy etc. ) who fall under these categories are not cutting it anymore.
The east needs something new to combat against the West Coast. This began the quick flow/tongue twister style (das efx, Lords of the Underground, Naughty by Nature, Even Jay-z started out like this etc). This pushed the whole gritty NY/East Coast style. Tough grimy beats, hard lyrics, complex rhyming/flow. Though popular, it was too distinct and started to getting old after a few years. The style wasn't natural and was off putting to some, especially to you people outside of the east.
Enter Illmatic. It was perfect. Nas took the artistry of the MC, the mindset of the Conscious rapper and the hardcore style of the tongue twister, but left out the over the top flow. This laid the groundwork for everybody. Don't believe me, Go listen to Onyx-Slam or NBN-Hip Hop Hooray and ask yourself "Why don't we rap like this anymore?". Nas killed the 3 styles and merged them into one, that's why.
Was Illmatic a commercial success? No, but guaranteed if you a rapper on the east this was your study guide/your bible/your new standard. This is what make it a classic, it changed the way his mentors, peers and students looked at rapping.
This is why Nas can say "Name a rapper that I ain't influence?" and never get checked for it. Because it's true.
Anyone in this thread discrediting Illmatic is not a true hip-hop fan. You are a poser that needs to do your history or just stick to Eminem.
. I'm too wise to argue wit fools at this point.
