Nas landmark debut, Illmatic, to get reissue

Nearly two decades ago, Nas issued his critically lauded, game-changing debut, ‘Illmatic.’

Now the album, seen as one of the greatest rap albums of all time, is set to get the reissue treatment. A deluxe version of the landmark 1994 album will be released as a collector’s box-set bundle on Monday through Get on Down.

The bundle includes a gold CD with remastered audio housed in a cherry wood box, a vinyl LP, a 48-page hardcover book with extended artwork, a reproduction of the original album press release, a gold plaque, posters, promo photos used in the original album campaign and liner notes courtesy of The Source founder Jon Schecter.

‘Illmatic's’ reissue is available in multiple configurations, with the expansive boxset running for $49.94 (Dh183.)

Twenty years into his prolific career, Nas is still enjoying game-changing success. On ‘Life is Good,’ his Grammy-nominated tenth album, the rapper known for his sharp wit and biting, tough social commentary taps into some of his most honest and compelling subject matter yet: himself.

Earlier this year I profiled the rapper and asked him if the pressure of delivering albums often heralded ‘classics’ (including ‘Illmatic’) makes him uncomfortable. He took a puff of his Cuban cigar and flatly said “Not anymore.”

“People throw that word — ‘classic’ — around too much. No one knows what a hip-hop classic is, especially hip-hop fans,’ he said. “There’s a small percentage, maybe ten per cent, who knows what a real hip-hop classic is. So no, that stuff doesn't bother me.” Nas is co-headlining the ‘Life Is Good/Black Rage’ tour with another iconic lyricist, Lauryn Hill.