If Illmatic has a cousin, it’s definitely Word…Life

[FunkDoc1112]

I look at Illmatic, The Infamous, Cuban Linx, It Was Written, Ironman, and Hell On Earth as like one chain of albums. Like The Wire where each season is from a different perspective

 

[Sound (∀√a) Maths]

Another interesting thing is... Illmatic was originally going to be called Word...Life!

Nas's 'Illmatic' Turns 20: 5 Little-Known Facts

4. "Illmatic" was not the album's original title.

Nas initially planned to call his debut album "Word Life," Serch explained in an interview with XXL. But he decided to let another rapper O.C. use the title instead. Serch, who was working with both artists, told the magazine, "O asked Nas if he could name his album 'Word Life.' I think Nas was gonna [switch to 'Illmatic'] anyway, but he was playing with the idea."

So, there's a straight connection.

 

[WIA20XX]

I look at Illmatic, The Infamous, Cuban Linx, It Was Written, Ironman, and Hell On Earth as like one chain of albums. Like The Wire where each season is from a different perspective

What's the angle? NYC? Moving up the ladder from look out boy to drug king pin?

Cause I don't see it at all.

 

[HollywoodP]

Doe or Die is Illmatics cousin from BK

 

[Amo Husserl]

I look at Illmatic, The Infamous, Cuban Linx, It Was Written, Ironman, and Hell On Earth as like one chain of albums. Like The Wire where each season is from a different perspective

That was probably the greatest thing about NY at that time, all those albums tell a different story where the city is the main character and the rappers are giving their story as part of a bigger anthology. I feel like other regions didn't do that as well... but you know what, NY is that kinda place where chains of albums tell a story about a city.

 

[summwunn]

... i copped the 12" for Born 2 Live / Let It Slide before the whole tape dropped . . . instantly knew we were in for a classic . .. . and then many many moons later . .. . "DJ Food Stamp" did a project where he took the acapellas from Word... Life and blended them with J-Dilla beats . . .. . i dont over-rate Dilla like most heads do . . .. but this one hit right . . ..

 

[summwunn]

... i copped the 12" for Born 2 Live / Let It Slide before the whole tape dropped . . . instantly knew we were in for a classic . .. . and then many many moons later . .. . "DJ Food Stamp" did a project where he took the acapellas from Word... Life and blended them with J-Dilla beats . . .. . i dont over-rate Dilla like most heads do . . .. but this one hit right . . ..

...the OG track for that beat ,. .

 

[Bigblackted4]

I agreed

 

[JMD]

The Infamous fits that description I think. It's the badass cousin that was outside doin shyt

I was gonna say this but I think Word Life is an even better comparison

wonder what the West Coast cousin version would be? @I love Latina women

Soul on Ice?

 

[I love Latina women]

I was gonna say this but I think Word Life is an even better comparison

wonder what the West Coast cousin version would be? @I love Latina women

Soul on Ice?

Facts

Great question


Many may not agree with my West Coast pick but I would say Boxcar Sessions by my nikka Saafir (R.I.P)

 

[JMD]

Facts

Great question


Many may not agree with my West Coast pick but I would say Boxcar Sessions by my nikka Saafir (R.I.P)

thats a great pick

It came out around the same time as Illmatic too

 

[I love Latina women]

thats a great pick

It came out around the same time as Illmatic too

Thanks bruh!

Yessir, the class of 94’

 

[L $ C]

To me Illmatic, Resurrection and Soul On Ice are all the same concept of album but from different regions.

really cool perspective

 

[Goat poster]

Personally I would say Resurrection. Both have that jazzy lo-fi vibe and peak level lyricism. Two of the greatest lyrical albums of all time. Also two of the greatest produced albums of all time. Word life is a great album but never really placed it on that all time level.

BinGO!!!

"Nuthin to do" is the COUSIN of 'Memory Lane"