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Who would have thought 20 years ago that a young kid from Queensbridge, N.Y., would change hip-hop and the world with just one album. But on Saturday night (March 30), Nas, born Nasir Jones, perform his influential 1994 album ‘Illmatic’ in its entirety for the world at John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
According to the Washington Post, Nas gave a stellar performance of his 10-song album at the prestigious cultural institution.
The event is part of Nas’ latest tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ‘Illmatic’ and to kick off the 20-day One Mic Hip-Hop Culture Worldwide festival at the Kennedy Center.
Backed by the 40-member National Symphony Orchestra with conductor Steven Reineke, Nas took audiences back to hip-hop’s golden era. The crowd rapped along to such ‘Illmatic’ classic as ‘It Ain’t Hard to Tell,’ ‘One Love’ and ‘Life’s a Bitch.’
The 40-year-old rhymer, dressed in a snazzy black tuxedo, added some of his noteworthy songs to help segued into the classic material.’ For example, Nas rapped a few verses from ‘If I Ruled the World’ and then segued into the Pete Rock-produced ‘The World Is Yours.’ Nice touch.
Nas even took it back further and performed his first rap cameo on Main Source’s ‘Live at the Bar-B-Q.’ He also rocked a medley of hits including ‘Street Dreams,’ ‘U Da Man’ and ‘Made You Look.’
Afterward, Nas shook hands with the NSO conductor and thanked the audience for their participation. The hip-hop legend even joked that he might get a crib in the District.
Now how ill is that?
Watch Nas Perform ‘U Da Man’ b/w ‘Live at the BBQ’ at the John F. Kennedy Center
Watch Nas Perform ‘One Love’ and ‘Represent’ at the John F. Kennedy Center
Watch Nas Perform ‘If I Ruled the World,’ ‘Halftime,’ ‘Illmatic’ and More at the John F. Kennedy Center
