Nas US Hip Hop 50 Items

Limited to 1000 boxes for the European market, 3000 in total worldwide.
In Europe exclusively available at HHV.

HHV is thrilled to be able to offer this milestone of rap history, one of the most iconic and important albums of all time as a limited box set of 45s. We can not be happier. Illmatic 30th Anniversary Box Set Includes:

-The full album plus 2 remixes on six big-hole 7-inches pressed on black vinyl.

-The 7-inches are housed in a custom hardbound casebook that includes a 64-page book of extended liner notes by Sacha Jenkins with full lyrics, photos, and 12-inch singles discography.

-The casebook is housed in a premium outer slipcase, featuring the iconic album art printed in gold.

-Limited to 3000 copies worldwide

Thirty years ago on April 19, 1994, Nasir "Nas" Jones dropped Illmatic which is regarded by many as the greatest hip-hop album of all time. Before 1994, Nas (under the name "Nasty Nas") was rapping and making demo tapes with Large Professor, and in 1991 performed an unforgettable verse on Main Source's "Live at the Barbeque." The next year Nas released "Halftime" for the Zebrahead soundtrack, another Large Pro cut, and signed a deal to record an album for Columbia Records. Nas was being compared to one of the lyrical greats, Rakim, and the pressure was on to drop a debut album to top all rappers. A dream team of hip-hop producers including DJ Premier, Large Professor, Q-Tip, Pete Rock, and L.E.S. was assembled to work on what would become the 5 Mic classic Illmatic. Not only did it establish Nas as the Best Rapper Alive in 1994, but it also raised the stakes for hip-hop production, lyrical technique, content, and overall artistic ambition.

Illmatic is the crown jewel of the mid-90s classics that still define the genre. No filler, one intro, and 9 tracks of hip-hop perfection. Every song on this album matters. From Premier's masterful "N.Y State Of Mind" to the AZ-assisted "Life's A Bitch" and Pete Rock's piano-laced "The World Is Yours" Illmatic starts with a powerful trio of songs that easily could solidify this album as classic if it stopped right there. Other tracks such as "Memory Lane" and "One Love" show Nas focusing on his neighborhood and local legends that molded him into the person he was which made them all just as important to us. Large Professor delivers the album's first single "It Ain't Hard To Tell" while Premier delivers the album's certified street anthem "Represent". Serious to a fault, and lyrically dense to an extent that has possibly never been matched, the 20-year-old Nas stood on the shoulders of his predecessors and made them proud with this one. Thirty years later the album stands the test of time, where time is truly illmatic.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of Illmatic, Get On Down in partnership with Sony's Certified is proud to present the entire album on six 7-inches with 2 remixes.

Quantity: 2500
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release

Marking the 30th anniversary of Nas' Illmatic, the Remixes and Rarities LP, a limited edition collector's item that pays homage to one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums of all time, is available for Record Store Day 2024. Unearthed from the archives, this release features carefully selected remixes and rare tracks that add a new dimension to the iconic Illmatic experience. Immerse yourself in the evolution of Nas' artistry with this exclusive release, housed in a specially designed package that captures the essence of the album's enduring legacy. Commemorate three decades of Hip-Hop excellence with this must-have addition to your vinyl collection.

European pressing.
'Illmatic' is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released in April 1994. Often cited as one of the best hip-hop albums of the '90s, 'Illmatic' is the undisputed classic upon which Nas' reputation rests. It helped spearhead the artistic renaissance of New York hip-hop in the post-Chronic era, leading a return to street aesthetics. Hip-hop fans accustomed to 73-minute opuses sometimes complain about 'Illmatic''s brevity, but even if it leaves you wanting more, it's also one of the few '90s rap albums with absolutely no wasted space. 'Illmatic' reveals a great lyricist in top form meeting great production, and it remains a perennial favorite among serious hip-hop fans.

Magic 2 is the sixteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on July 21, 2023 through Mass Appeal Records. The album serves as a sequel to Nas' 2021 album Magic, and is the fifth consecutive Nas album produced by Hit-Boy, following the King's Disease trilogy, as well as the first Magic album.[1] The album contains guest appearances from 50 Cent and 21 Savage.

UK National Album Day Limited Release.

PRESSED ON BLUE & WHITE SWIRL VINYL!

HOUSED IN A HIGH GLOSS JACKET WITH EACH LP TUCKED INTO A PRINTED INNER SLEEVE
Nasir "Nas" Jones' 2001 record Stillmatic was considered a major comeback for the 90s rap icon. It signaled a return to the gritty, urban chaos of his acclaimed debut album, after releasing record after record of gradually more mainstream material, and Nas' return to prominence in the highest echelons of hip-hop. In spite of this newfound critical clout, Stillmatic's release did nothing to squash his then ongoing feud with fellow New Yorker Jay-Z, who had gone so far as to challenge Nas to a pay-per-view rap battle. A challenge Nas rejected, stating "If Jay-Z wants to battle, he should drop his album the same day I do and let the people decide."

Nas fans never would get the no-holds barred lyrical battle with Jay-Z many had speculated. What they got instead was one of Nas' most personal and introspective releases to date in 2002. Not long after Stillmatic's release, Nas spent much of his time away from the limelight to tend to his ill mother, who would pass on from breast cancer in 2002. His experiences with his mother's mortality as well as the fallout of his feud with Jay-Z, who continued to produce diss tracks as Nas tended to his mother, would inspire much of the lyrical material on his next record.

God's Son was released in December of 2002, and like Stillmatic before it, was subject to major critical acclaim. On God's Son, Nas effectively took the battle-hardened demeanor he had cultivated and tore it down across 14 tracks that were emotionally insular, though still dusted in urban grit, and still finding time to shoot back at Jay-Z's potshots on tracks like "Last Real Nigga Alive" and "Mastermind." Assisting Nas was a slew of top-tier producers like The Alchemist, Eminem, Ron Browz, and Salaam Remi, over samples of James Brown, the Incredible Bongo Band, Fela Kuti, and Beethoven, and guest vocals from Alicia Keys, Kelis, Claudette Ortiz of City High, and even a posthumous 2Pac.

God's Son has been out of print on vinyl since 2020. This deluxe pacakge was remastered from its original audio and pressed on colored vinyl!

HHV is happy to be able to offer you this National Album Day UK 2022 eelease of a all-time favorite. 'Illmatic' is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas. Originally released in April 1994. Often cited as one of the best hip hop albums of the 90 s,s,' is the undisputed classic upon which Nas' reputation rests. It helped spearhead the artistic renaissance of New York hip hop in the post Chronic era, leading a return to street aesthetics Hip hop fans accustomed to 73 minute opuses sometimes complain about Illmatic''s brevity, but even if it leaves you wanting more, it's also one of the few 90 s rap albums with absolutely no wasted space ..' reveals a great lyricist in top form meeting great production, and it remains a perennial favourite among serious hip hop fans. Pressed on Transparent Red Marbled LP Vinyl for NAD '22.

Quantity: 4100
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release

I Am... The Autobiography, the long sought-after bootleg released commercially for the first time. Features 2 unreleased tracks, as well as many other rarities that have been on limited vinyl and 12" previously, as well as deluxe packaging. A must-have for any Nas and die-hard hip-hop head!"

2023 silver vinyl pressing.

Few hip-hop artists have achieved the same level of critical acclaim and praise that 90s veteran and Queens native Nasir "Nas" Jones has. Across his over 25-year career he has been ranked as one of the greatest rap performers and lyricists by MTV, The Source, and Complex, among other publications, all while selling over 30 million records worldwide, and releasing eight consecutive platinum albums. In particular, his 1994 debut Illmatic is hailed as a paragon of underground hip-hop, a turning point in East Coast rap's development, and one of the all-time greatest debut albums in general.
Though Nas' artistic legacy is without question, it was not always the case; if Nas had flourished during the mid-90s, he had stumbled clumsily while transitioning into the 00's. After achieving universal praise via Illmatic and commercial success with its' follow-up It Was Written, Nas' next few releases were considered inconsistent and lackluster compared to the critical one-two punch they followed. During this time period he had abandoned the socially-conscious and philosophical topics that made him a critical darling in favor of more commercially viable gangsta rap. Though he maintained a chart presence for much of the late-90s, review scores began to dwindle, and his status among the hip-hop community was thrown into question.
This would change in 2001 with the release of Nas' fifth studio full-length, which made the effort to re-establish him as a legitimate artist. Eschewing the pop-friendliness he'd found success with, Nas instead opted to return to the underground style he came up in, with tracks about American politics, ghetto life, and social upheaval. Perhaps sensing this need to return to his roots, he titled the album Stillmatic, a clear and present reference (and sequel of sorts) to Illmatic.
The ploy worked perfectly; Stillmatic was hailed by critics as a stunning comeback, and a brilliant return to form, earning rave reviews from rap outlets such as The Source and HipHopDX as well as from more mainstream publications as The Rolling Stone and The Village Voice. Praise was heaped upon the complexity and introspective nature of Nas' lyrical content, the top-tier production from veterans like Large Professor, DJ Premier, L.E.S., and Trackmasters, and hard-hitting guest appearances from AZ, Mary J. Blige, and Amerie.
Stillmatic would see release on December 18th of 2001, right as Nas was caught in the middle of a highly publicized feud with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z. As such, the record features one of the feud's most intense apexes in the form of its second track "Ether", a ruthless Ron Browz-produced diss track. A response to Jay-Z's own diss "Takeover", "Ether" savaged the Brooklyn-native, accusing him of brown-nosing to get ahead, of plagiarizing earlier rappers such as Notorious B.I.G. and KRS-One, and dismissing his street cred. To this day "Ether" is considered one of the best and most potent diss tracks ever recorded, a major turning point in the Nas/Jay-Z feud, a standout among the already critically acclaimed Stillmatic, and is even credited with boosting Jay-Z's career by proxy.

The Lost Tapes originally released on September 23, 2002, is a compilation of Nas tracks he recorded from 1998 to 2001 during the recording sessions of I AM.. and Stillmatic. Several of the cuts were leaked and circulated on mixtapes, but were never properly mastered or commercially released until compiled for The Lost Tapes. The album features production by The Alchemist, L.E.S., Poke and Tone, Rockwilder, D-Dot and Precision.

When The Lost Tapes was finally released, it instantly made waves. Even with its collection of already-recorded and unused material, it managed to be cohesive and profound, propelling it to reach the status of a classic album. The Lost Tapes marked a crucial time in Nas’ discography, serving as a precursor to his 2003 album God’s Son. His development as an artist was certainly prominent during the making of The Lost Tapes, which allowed him to flourish and become one of the most successful and highly regarded hip-hop artists of all time.

Get On Down is proud to present this limited edition 20 year anniversary pressing of The Lost Tapes for the first time on vinyl since its original release in 2002.

Outside of the US only available at HHV.

Album number 6 with producer Hit-Boy and number 3 of the Magic trilogy.

The Lost Tapes is widely regarded as one of Nas' most important albums showcasing his raw lyrical talent and creative genius. This compilation features such stand out tracks as “Doo Rags,” “U Gotta Love It,” and “My Way” among others. The newly remastered 2LP set features all the original tracks from 2002’s original release pressed on premium quality black vinyl with full-color labels featuring classic Nas artwork. Whether you're a die-hard Nas fan or a lover of classic hip-hop, The Lost Tapes is an essential Nas record.

Nas returns with Kanye West produced Nasir.

20 years of Illmatic! Remastered original album!

180g vinyl with download card.
Download includes 10 rare remixes, demos and freestyles.

Magic 2 is the sixteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on July 21, 2023 through Mass Appeal Records. The album serves as a sequel to Nas' 2021 album Magic, and is the fifth consecutive Nas album produced by Hit-Boy, following the King's Disease trilogy, as well as the first Magic album.[1] The album contains guest appearances from 50 Cent and 21 Savage.

Black & Green Edition with Obi-Strip. Produced by Nas' longtime collaborator Hit-Boy, Nas shares Magic, the transcendent 9 track album including Wave Gods ft. A$AP Rocky and DJ Premier. Magic follows the August 2021 release of Grammy nominated album, King's Disease II.

'Illmatic' is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released in April 1994. Often cited as one of the best hip-hop albums of the '90s, 'Illmatic' is the undisputed classic upon which Nas' reputation rests. It helped spearhead the artistic renaissance of New York hip-hop in the post-Chronic era, leading a return to street aesthetics. Hip-hop fans accustomed to 73-minute opuses sometimes complain about 'Illmatic''s brevity, but even if it leaves you wanting more, it's also one of the few '90s rap albums with absolutely no wasted space. 'Illmatic' reveals a great lyricist in top form meeting great production, and it remains a perennial favorite among serious hip-hop fans.

'Illmatic' is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released in April 1994. Often cited as one of the best hip-hop albums of the '90s, 'Illmatic' is the undisputed classic upon which Nas' reputation rests. It helped spearhead the artistic renaissance of New York hip-hop in the post-Chronic era, leading a return to street aesthetics. Hip-hop fans accustomed to 73-minute opuses sometimes complain about 'Illmatic''s brevity, but even if it leaves you wanting more, it's also one of the few '90s rap albums with absolutely no wasted space. 'Illmatic' reveals a great lyricist in top form meeting great production, and it remains a perennial favorite among serious hip-hop fans.

Magic 2 is the sixteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on July 21, 2023 through Mass Appeal Records. The album serves as a sequel to Nas' 2021 album Magic, and is the fifth consecutive Nas album produced by Hit-Boy, following the King's Disease trilogy, as well as the first Magic album.[1] The album contains guest appearances from 50 Cent and 21 Savage.

Produced by Hit-Boy

Nas’ iconic 2002 Webster Hall performance comes to vinyl for the first time for Record Store Day 2023 in a package that mirrors the artwork from the now-classic DVD release.

Black Edition with Obi-Strip. Produced by Nas' longtime collaborator Hit-Boy, Nas shares Magic, the transcendent 9 track album including Wave Gods ft. A$AP Rocky and DJ Premier. Magic follows the August 2021 release of Grammy nominated album, King's Disease II.

Insane collection! 19 timeless classics collected on a essential double disc!

"Now let me take a trip down memory lane"....It's 1994 and the hype behind Queensbridge native Nasir "Nas" Jones had already reached a fever pitch. Coming off already classics such as "Live at the BBQ" and (his solo debut song) "Halftime" all eyes were on Nas. From the moment you popped in your cassette, CD, or dropped the needle on the vinyl, you knew you were listening to authentic Hip Hop. Right out the gate you were met with the sound of subway cars, a snippet from Nas on "Live at the BBQ" and finally the Wild Style Theme. These 3 elements seem subtle upon first listen, but once you digest the album you realize Nas was setting a tone. God's Son had arrived.

Backed by an all-star cast of producers including DJ Premier, Large Professor, Q Tip, Pete Rock and then unknown L.E.S, Illmatic never lets up. Nas was able to take you into his world, each beat seemed like it was hand crafted, tailored to precisely match each line of Nas' dense lyrics and unmatched flow.

During the week of its release, everyone now knew the hype was real. Nas, being barley 20 at the time, stood on the shoulders of his predecessors and let everyone know he'd arrived. Illmatic became the debut that from that moment on rappers from Jay Z to Kendrick Lamar got compared to, "is this (insert rappers name here)'s Illmatic?". It was a game changer, not just for Nas, but for New York.. for Hip Hop. The Source broke their unwritten rule of not giving 5 Mics (the highest honor at that time) to a debut - Illmatic got just that. So join us, as we pay homage to one of our favorite albums and revisit the album that became one of the most talked about debuts in Hip Hop’s recorded history.

produced by Large Professor

Following the Grammy Award winning album, King’s Disease, the king returns to his throne with the second coming, King’s Disease II. The star-studded project offers tacit game on life, love, and loss, uplifting through action and lived experience in a way only Nas can. This is a body of work for the fans, for the day 1’s that contributed to the legacy. Alongside the decorated production savant, Hit-Boy, Nas remains rooted in lyrical prophetism while proving that he constantly reinvents the wheel.

The sequel to last year’s King’s Disease features Ms. Lauryn Hill, Eminem, Epmd, Hit-Boy, Charlie Wilson, YG and more.

Nas returns with Kanye West produced Nasir.

Ships in a red generic sleeve with hype sticker.

US original.
Sleeve has few creases.
LPs have light surface marks.