Three decades ago, Nas released his debut record, Illmatic, a masterpiece that would cement his place as one of Hip Hop’s most legendary MCs. The N.Y. State of Mind rapper is set to honor the iconic tracklist with a series of performances this fall.
Illmatic, which turned 30 last month, resonates with fans worldwide. Nas announced a collaboration with the Las Vegas Philharmonic to celebrate this milestone with three shows at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.
These performances, scheduled for August 29, August 31, and September 1, promise to take Nas’s music to a new level.
Las Vegas, a city that has always served as a creative outlet for Nas, is the perfect setting for these unique performances. The collaboration with the Las Vegas Philharmonic is a first-of-its-kind, promising an unforgettable experience for all Nas fans.
In addition to the performances, Nas commemorated Illmatic’s legacy by releasing a range of merchandise in April.
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The collection includes T-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies, sweats, a leather jacket, air fresheners, button packs, and postcard sets, all painted and hand-drawn by artists Andrew Agutos, Esteban Whiteside, Rushad Kolah, and Samborghini.
But the celebrations don’t stop there. Nas is also set to embark on a tour scheduled to pass through Europe. The tour will kick off in Finland this October and includes 15 stops, culminating in a performance in London.
Some of the standout tracks from Illmatic include:
“N.Y. State of Mind,” a gritty depiction of life in New York City, showcasing Nas’s storytelling prowess.
“Life’s A Bitch,”is also a contemplation of mortality and motivation, featuring an empowering opening verse and chorus by AZ.
“It Ain’t Hard to Tell,”is seen as a catalyst for many careers in the music industry, including record executive Steve Stoute.