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''Illmatic'' is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released on April 19, 1994, by Columbia Records. After signing with the label with the help of MC Serch, Nas recorded the album in 1992–1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording Studios in New York City. Its production was handled by Nas, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and DJ Premier. Styled as a hardcore hip hop album, ''Illmatic'' features multi-syllabic internal rhymes and inner-city narratives based on Nas's experiences in Queensbridge, New York. The album debuted at #12 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 chart, selling 59,000 copies in its first week. However, its initial sales fell below expectations and its five singles failed to achieve significant chart success. Despite the album's low initial sales, ''Illmatic'' received rave reviews from most music critics, who praised its production and Nas' lyricism. On January 17, 1996, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and on December 11, 2001 it earned a Platinum certification after shipping one million copies in the United States. Since its initial reception, ''Illmatic'' has been recognized by writers and music critics as a landmark album in East Coast hip hop. Its influence on subsequent hip hop artists has been attributed to the album's production and Nas' lyricism. It also contributed to the revival of the New York City rap scene, introducing a number of stylistic trends to the region. The album remains one of the most widely celebrated albums in hip hop history, appearing on numerous best album lists by critics and publications.〔Petrusich, Amanda. (Pop and Rock Listings: Nas ). ''The New York Times''. Retrieved on March 20, 2009.〕 == Background == As a teenager, Nas wanted to pursue a career as a rapper and enlisted his best friend and neighbor, Queensbridge, Queens-native Willy "Ill Will" Graham, as his DJ.〔 He initially went by the nickname "Kid Wave" before adopting the alias "Nasty Nas".〔Foster, S. (2004). "Bridging the Gap (Part 2)". ''Ave Magazine'', pp. 48–54.〕 At 15, he met producer Large Professor from Flushing, and was introduced to his group Main Source. Nas made his recorded debut with them, performing the opening verse on "Live at the Barbeque" from their 1991 album ''Breaking Atoms''.〔Huey, Steve. (Review: ''Breaking Atoms'' ). Allmusic. Retrieved on January 20, 2009.〕 Nas subsequently made his solo debut on his 1992 single "Halftime" for the soundtrack to the film ''Zebrahead''. The single added to the buzz surrounding Nas, earning him comparisons to influential golden age rapper Rakim.〔 Despite his buzz in the underground scene, Nas did not receive an offer for a recording contract, being rejected by major rap labels such as Cold Chillin' and Def Jam Recordings. Nas and Ill Will continued to work together, but their partnership was cut short when Graham was murdered by a gunman in Queensbridge on May 23, 1992;〔(Nasty Nas | Nas Fanpage – Untitled in stores NOW!! – Ill Will Records ). Nasty-Nas.de.tl. Retrieved on November 5, 2008.〕 Nas's brother was also shot that night, but survived.〔 Nas has cited that moment as a "wake-up call" for him.〔Farley, Christopher John. (Review: ''Illmatic'' ). ''Time''. Retrieved on February 22, 2009.〕 In mid 1992, MC Serch, whose group 3rd Bass had dissolved, began working on a solo project and approached Nas.〔Huey, Steve. (3rd Bass: Biography ). Allmusic. Retrieved on February 22, 2009.〕 At the suggestion of producer T-Ray, Serch collaborated with Nas for "Back to the Grill", the lead single for Serch's 1992 solo debut album ''Return of the Product''.〔Wheeler, Austin. "(T-Ray Interview )". ''Elemental'': 63. 2004.〕 At the recording session for the song, Serch discovered that Nas did not have a recording contract and subsequently contacted Faith Newman, an A&R executive at Sony Music Entertainment.〔Wheeler, Austin. "(T-Ray Interview )". ''Elemental'': 64. 2004. Archived from (the original ) on August 20, 2009.〕 As Serch recounted, "Nas was in a position where his demo had been sittin' around, 'Live at the Barbeque' was already a classic, and he was just tryin' to find a decent deal ... So when he gave me his demo, I shopped it around. I took it to Russell first, Russell said it sounded like G Rap, he wasn't wit' it. So I took it to Faith. Faith loved it, she said she'd been looking for Nas for a year and a half. They wouldn't let me leave the office without a deal on the table."〔Shecter, Jon. . ''The Source'': 45–46, 84. April 1994.〕 Once MC Serch assumed the role of executive producer for Nas's debut project, he attempted to connect Nas with various producers. Based on his buzz at the time, numerous New York-based producers were eager to work with him and went to Power House Studios with Nas. Among those producers was DJ Premier,〔 recognized at the time for his raw, aggressive production with jazz-based samples and heavy scratching, and for his work with rapper Guru as a part of hip hop duo Gang Starr.〔 After his production on Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth's ''Funky Technician'' (1990) and Jeru the Damaja's ''The Sun Rises in the East'' (1994), Premier began recording exclusively at D&D Studios in New York City before working with Nas on ''Illmatic''.〔Bush, John. (DJ Premier: Biography ). Allmusic. Retrieved on February 22, 2009.〕〔Bush, John. (The Sun Rises in the East: Overview ). Allmusic. Retrieved on February 22, 2009.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Illmatic」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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