Making Illmatic: The Art of Album Curation in Hip-Hop
Nas's debut album, Illmatic, is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
Classic Material
Illmatic stands as a testament to hip-hop excellence, praised for its impeccable tracklist where there are no 'skips' or weak songs, except perhaps one. With only 10 tracks, including the introductory skit, Nas curated this album meticulously, turning it from merely good to undeniably great, solidifying its status as a classic.
The Questions Podcast
If you're a hip-hop enthusiast like myself, you might appreciate the podcast The Questions Hip-Hop Trivia. This show not only delves into hip-hop trivia with notable figures in the industry but also offers a fascinating segment called "Making Illmatic." In this segment, they take hip-hop albums and apply the art of curation, trimming away the 'skips' to craft a classic.
The Good Part
The real magic happens during the discussions between the show's host, Sean Kantrowitz, and the guests. They deliberate on which songs deserve to stay and which ones should be consigned to the scrap pile, creating a thoughtful and engaging exploration of the art of album curation.
Here are a few standout "Making Illmatic" episodes you might enjoy:
Sean K., if you are reading this, I would love to participate in the show and tackle LL Cool J's 'Walking with a Panther.'