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In 1994, Nas’ released his debut album Illmatic, which famously received 5 stars from The Source Magazine thanks to Miss Info, and was etched in hip hop as one of the greatest projects of all time.
25 years after the release of the project, Nas is finally done celebrating the release of his iconic project.
He said as much during a conversation with Haute Living in which he admittee that he is tired of celebrating that one album.
“I’m tired of celebrating it,” he said. “I’m grateful, but it has started to take on a life of its own. I just did the 20th anniversary with the National Symphony Orchestra five years ago and, the next thing you know, five years go by and it’s a calendar that I didn’t ask for showing me how fast time moves.”
He then moved on to how he celebrated the occasion again, five years later.
“Twenty-five years is a lifetime,” he continued. “So I did another Symphony Orchestra show for Illmatic this year; I got another plaque for it. I’m very grateful — it’s so crazy — but to celebrate one album when I’ve made over 10, all the things I’ve worked on — and I’ve been working for so long — to celebrate one album over all else is corny to me.”
The Queens native then went for the knockout blow.
“I don’t want to celebrate another Illmatic anything. I’m done. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for appreciating that record, but it’s over.”
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The album has seen multiple re-releases over the years to commemorate its release. In 2004, Illmatic saw a re-mastered edition be released, and a 2014 a re-release, both which included bonus tracks and never heard remixes.