The best and brightest writers of the hip-hop generation reflect upon the era\'s landmark album: Nasir Nas Jones\'s 1994 album, Illmatic. - Imani Perry - Jon Shecter - Matt Life - Bobbito the Barber - Greg Tate - Dream Hampton - Adam Mansbach - Kevin Coval - Jon Caramanica - Charlie Ahearn - Suheir Hammad.
Glaude Jr.
Gaunt - Eddie S. - James Braxton Peterson - Marc Lamont Hill - Mark Anthony Neal - Kyra D.
Ramsey Jr.
Featuring: Adilifu Nama - Guthrie P.
The result is a brilliant engagement with and commentary upon one of the most incisive sets of songs ever laid down on wax.
In Born to Use Mics , Michael Eric Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai have brought together the best and brightest writers of the hip hop generation to confront Illmatic song by song, with each scholar assessing an individual track from the album.
With its close attention to beats and lyricism, and riveting first-person explorations of the isolation and desolation of urban poverty, Illmatic was pivotal in the evolution of the genre.
Released in 1994, Illmatic was hailed as an instant masterpiece and has proven one of the most influential albums in hip-hop history.
At the age of nineteen, Nasir Nas Jones began recording tracks for his debut album -- and changed the music world forever.
The best and brightest writers of the hip-hop generation reflect upon the era\'s landmark album: Nasir Nas Jones\'s 1994 album, Illmatic
