The inclusion of “Halftime” to the Zebrahead soundtrack by MC Serch led to Nas’s breakthrough as a rapper, as a record deal with Columbia Records and the release of his debut album, Illmatic (1994), followed. According to Vibe magazine, the song “created a niche that only Illmatic could fill”. He also reveals he’s a fan of Marcus Garvey, the Jackson 5 and Mr. Nas also uses this song to give a “shout-outs” to Willie “Ill Will” Graham, Nas’ childhood neighbor and best friend, who was shot dead in 1992, and the Queensbridge Crew, a reference to the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, NY, USA. Memorable lines include “You couldn’t catch me in the streets without a ton of reefer/That’s like Malcolm X, catchin’ the Jungle Fever” and “I’m as ill as a convict who kills for phone time.” Halftime” features an up-tempo beat led by percussion and trumpets over which Nas rhymes. The song was later included on Nas’ influential 1994 debut album, Illmatic. “Halftime” was produced by Large Professor and features samples from “Schoolboy Crush” by Average White Band, “Soul Traveling” by Gary Byrd, and “Dead End” by Japanese Hair. It was originally recorded for the Zebrahead soundtrack album, released October 13, 1992, on Ruffhouse Records. The album is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential albums of all time, appearing on numerous best album lists by critics and publications.“Halftime” is the 1992 debut single by Nas, released under his original moniker of Nasty Nas. It also contributed to the revival of the New York City rap scene, introducing a number of stylistic trends to the region. Its influence on subsequent hip hop artists has been attributed to the album's production and Nas' lyricism. Nas has released eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums since 1994, four of which topped the Billboard charts upon release and has sold over thirteen-million records in the United States alone. Since its initial reception, Illmatic has been recognized by writers and music critics as a landmark album in East Coast hip hop. On January 17, 1996, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, and on Decemit earned a platinum certification after shipping 1,000,000 copies in the United States. Despite the album's low initial sales, Illmatic received rave reviews from most music critics, who praised its production and Nas' lyricism. However, its initial sales fell below expectations and its five singles failed to achieve significant chart success. After signing to the label with the help of MC Serch, Nas recorded the album during 19 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording Studios in New York City. The untitled ninth studio album by American rapper Nas, commonly referred to eponymously as Nas, was released on Jby The Jones Experience. The album debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 60,000 copies in its first week. Llmatic is Nas debut album, released on April 19, 1994, by Columbia Records. Beginning with his classic debut, Illmatic (1994), Nas stood tall for years as one of New York Citys leading rap voices, outspokenly expressing a righteous, self-empowered swagger that endeared him to critics and hip-hop purists. Whether proclaiming himself 'Nasty Nas' or 'Nas Escobar' or 'Nastradamus' or 'Gods Son,' the. Born September 14, 1973, a black youth named Nasir (which means helper and protector in Arabic).
Styled as a hardcore hip hop album, Illmatic features multi-syllabic internal rhymes and inner-city narratives based on Nas' experiences in Queensbridge, New York. Beginning with his classic debut, Illmatic (1994), Nas has stood tall as one of New York Citys leading rap voices, outspokenly expressing a righteous, self-empowered swagger that has endeared him to critics and hip-hop purists. Its production was handled by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S. After signing with the label with the help of MC Serch, Nas recorded the album in 19 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording Studios in New York City. It was released on April 19, 1994, by Columbia Records. Illmatic is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas. Wikipedia (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: