Nas: Stillmatic (2001). Hip-Hop's "Edmund Dantes" Gains 'Justice'

B. Cox and J. Owe look back at Nas' fifth album Stillmatic. After a couple of critical disappointments in I Am and Nastradamus in 1999 and the ascent of rival Jay-Z both critically and commercial in the hip-hop game in the new millenium, the Queensbridge emcee launched his "comeback" with this latest effort. Being embroiled in a now legendary beef with Jay-Z for the better part of the year and amid whispers that he was on the decline, Nas emerged with his best album since It Was Written, reconnecting with producers DJ Premier, Large Professor, LES and others. Going back towards his roots of tales of street life and socially conscious lyrics, he completed his comeback with the iconic diss track "Ether", whose aura has only tripled in enormity since it was released on 20 years ago.

The album was a critical success as well as a commercial one, selling over 2 million records.

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Show Notes

Albumism: Nas' "Stillmatic" Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective

https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-20-years-of-nas-stillmatic

Hot New Hip-Hop: Nas' "Stillmatic Deserves As Much Attention As Its Predecessor

https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/nas-stillmatic-deserves-as-much-attention-as-its-predecessor-news.98635.html

Ambrosia For Heads: Nas 'Stillmatic' Turns 15. Here's a Look at Nas' Return To his N.Y. State of Mind.

https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2016/12/nas-stillmatic-mtv-diary-illmatic-video/