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Album Review: Nas - Illmatic XX

Dan Condon

Everything added to 20th anniversary edition Illmatic XX is almost as good as the record itself.

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Illmatic is one of the best records of the past 20 years and one of the best hip hop records of all time. Tales of drug dealing, shootings and incarcerated friends are free of braggadocio, while Nas' skill as a lyricist belies his 20 years of age. Everything added to 20th anniversary edition Illmatic XX is almost as good as the record itself; any of these remixes could've made the final LP and it'd still be a masterpiece. Most interesting is the 1993 appearance on The Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Show; the enthusiasm of a young Nas is palpable.