Born Day: Illmatic

20 16 years ago today, 90's rap fans got the seminal album of the decade, perhaps of all-time in a brash, young, NYC lyricist's debut album.

The LP boasted production from some of the game's headiest producer's the likes of Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Large Professor, L.E.S. & DJ Premier and was executive produced by MC Serch.

Clocking in at 39 minutes and forty three seconds long, the 10 track opus dealt with themes that explored urban poverty, crime, hustling and love...The then 20 year old Nas chose to feature only one other MC; the Brooklyn wordsmith AZ, and was awarded a perfect 5 mic rating from The Source and numerous critcal acclaim the music world over, jump starting a career that would go on to try and seek out in vain a formula that could come even remotely close to the classic that was "Illmatic"

-BIG D O