Nas and “Illmatic” being honored by the New York State Senate:



Hip-hop history was made on March 27, 2024, as the New York State Senate paid tribute to Nas and his seminal debut album, “Illmatic”. Marking the album’s 30th anniversary, Senator Jamaal T. Bailey spearheaded a resolution recognizing its cultural impact and Nas’s status as a hip-hop legend.

“Nas has been a hip-hop griot,” Bailey declared, highlighting the album’s enduring influence. “If you have a top five without Nas in it, you shouldn’t listen to rap music.”

Nas was present at the session, acknowledged with praise by fellow Senator James Sanders Jr. The Queens-bred rapper expressed his gratitude, the recognition serving as a testament to the power of storytelling and the timeless appeal of “Illmatic”. 

Widely regarded as a hip-hop masterpiece, “Illmatic” captured the zeitgeist of early 90s New York City with raw lyricism and evocative beats. Its enduring legacy solidified Nas as one of the greatest rappers of all time. This recognition by the New York State Senate underscores the album’s undeniable place in both music and cultural history.

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