Illmatic

Since we mainly focused on the Golden Age of hip-hop, we didn't quite make it to one of my favorite albums, Nas's Illmatic. Released in 1994, Illmatic is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all-time. For once, I'm going to have to completely agree with the general consensus.

The album doesn't contain any number one hits. It didn't feature any big-name guest spots. There was no auto-tune, specialized dances, or any other ridiculous fads that dominate today's mainstream. Yet, Illmatic is a perfect hip-hop album. The beats aren't complicated but they fit extremely well. Nas's flow is untouchable, and while some of the lyrics deal with drugs, violence, etc, they aren't fabricated. Illmatic is truly one of the essential albums for anyone looking to get into hip-hop.

Just as a side note: Seeing Nas, Ludacris, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick and Biz Markie at Fall Fest in 2008 will easily be my favorite memory of UB. Incredible.