Illmatic

_Illmatic_ is the debut studio album by American rapper **Nas**. It was released on April 19, 1994, by Columbia Records. The album's production was handled by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and Nas himself. Styled as a hardcore hip hop album, Illmatic features multi-syllabic internal rhymes and inner-city narratives based on Nas' experiences growing up in the Queensbridge Houses in Queens, New York City.

Nas - Illmatic

Stillmatic

_Stillmatic_ is the fifth studio album by American rapper **Nas**, released on December 18, 2001, by Ill Will and Columbia Records. In contrast to his previous work's gangsta rap themes, the album contains socially conscious and philosophical themes similar to that of his 1994 debut _Illmatic_. Nas' lyrics address topics such as ghetto life, American politics, and his feud with rapper **Jay-Z**.

Nas - Stillmatic

It Was Written

"It Was Written" is **Nas**'s second studio album, released on July 2, 1996, under Columbia Records. **Nas** aimed for a more polished and mainstream sound for this album after the moderate commercial success of his debut album, "Illmatic" (1994). Produced by **Trackmasters**, the album shifted away from the raw, underground style of his debut and embraced themes of mafioso and gangsta culture. The album also introduced **Nas**'s short-lived supergroup, **The Firm**, featuring **Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega**.

Best Nas Records