Nas is a renowned rapper known for his lyrical prowess and contributions to the hip-hop genre. One aspect of Nas's career that often goes overlooked is his affinity for creating visually captivating album sleeves. A prime example of this is his 1994 debut album, "Illmatic." The album cover, designed by Jorge Hinojosa, features a black and white photograph of Nas, a young boy at the time, staring intently into the camera. The composition of the image, with Nas centered and surrounded by a seemingly gritty urban backdrop, immediately captures the essence of the album's content and Nas's upbringing in the Queensbridge projects. The simplicity of the image, devoid of any text or flashy graphics, allows the viewer to focus solely on Nas's piercing gaze.
The simplicity of the image, devoid of any text or flashy graphics, allows the viewer to focus solely on Nas's piercing gaze. This album sleeve is a testament to Nas's ability to convey a wealth of emotion and storytelling through a single image. Furthermore, the lack of overt branding or promotional elements emphasizes the emphasis on the music itself, highlighting the raw talent and authenticity of Nas as an artist.
Nas Magic (Instrumental Version) LP (Highlighter Yellow Vinyl)
Produced by Nas' longtime collaborator Hit-Boy, Nas shares Magic, the transcendent nine-track 2021 album. This LP features instrumentals from the album.
The nine-track album Magic is cut from a similar cloth as the King's Disease installments that preceded it, but works as more of a stopgap release to tide over listeners as King's Disease III is being finalized. Hit-Boy's thick, straightforward, and somewhat retro-stylized production again offers as much of a voice here as Nas' fluid rhyming and wizened lyricism. Summery beats and glitched-out soul samples make tracks like 'Ugly' and 'Hollywood Gangsta,' and the huge fun of 'Wave Gods' finds A$AP Rocky dropping in for a guest verse while DJ Premier scratches in some familiar hooks from the archives of golden-era rap. -Fred Thomas, AllMusic, praise for Magic
As always, Nas' lyricism and verbal energy are on proud display here. At age 48, he can still channel tremendous electricity into his rapping, as can be heard with his furious rhythm on 'Meet Joe Black,' 'Hollywood Gangsta' and more. He's also got the penmanship to back it up. All considered, there is plenty here to demonstrate that Nas remains a fantastic rapper and lyricist, and that he and Hit-Boy have achieved a valuable creative partnership together. -Josh Weiner, Atwood Magazine, praise for Magic
Features
- Highlighter Yellow Vinyl
- Printed Inner Sleeve
- OBI Strip
- Made in Canada
Selections
Side A:
- Speechless (Instrumental)
- Meet Joe Black (Instrumental)
- Ugly (Instrumental)
- 40-16 Building (Instrumental)
- Hollywood Gangsta (Instrumental)
Side B:
- Wu for the Children (Instrumental)
- Wave Gods (Instrumental)
- The Truth (Instrumental)
- Dedicated (Instrumental)
The nine-track album Magic is cut from a similar cloth as the King's Disease installments that preceded it, but works as more of a stopgap release to tide over listeners as King's Disease III is being finalized. Hit-Boy's thick, straightforward, and somewhat retro-stylized production again offers as much of a voice here as Nas' fluid rhyming and wizened lyricism. Summery beats and glitched-out soul samples make tracks like 'Ugly' and 'Hollywood Gangsta,' and the huge fun of 'Wave Gods' finds A$AP Rocky dropping in for a guest verse while DJ Premier scratches in some familiar hooks from the archives of golden-era rap. -Fred Thomas, AllMusic, praise for Magic
In conclusion, Nas's magical album sleeve for "Illmatic" serves as a powerful visual representation of his artistry and the vivid narratives he shares through his music..
Reviews for "Nas' Album Covers: A Testament to Timeless Beauty"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with Nas' magical album sleeve. I had high expectations for this because I'm a big fan of his music, but the sleeve itself didn't live up to the hype. The design was mediocre and didn't really represent Nas' style or music. It felt like a missed opportunity to create something truly special. Overall, I was let down by this album sleeve.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I couldn't understand the purpose of Nas' magical album sleeve. It seemed like a gimmick without any substance. The design was confusing and didn't add anything to the overall experience of the album. It felt like Nas was trying too hard to be different and ended up with something that was just plain strange. I would have preferred a more traditional and visually appealing album sleeve.
3. Alex - 2 stars
I found Nas' magical album sleeve to be underwhelming. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell short. The design was sloppy and looked rushed, as if it was an afterthought. It didn't do justice to Nas' musical talent and didn't provide any additional value to the album. Overall, I was disappointed with this album sleeve.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I was expecting something unique and creative from Nas' magical album sleeve, but it failed to deliver. The design was lackluster and didn't capture my attention. It felt generic and didn't reflect Nas' individuality as an artist. I was hoping for a visually stunning and thought-provoking sleeve, but this fell flat. I wouldn't recommend this album sleeve to others.
5. Michael - 2 stars
Nas' magical album sleeve didn't meet my expectations. The design was confusing and didn't complement the music in any meaningful way. It felt like a disjointed addition to the album, without any clear purpose. I would have preferred a more cohesive and visually appealing sleeve that enhanced the overall listening experience. Unfortunately, this album sleeve missed the mark for me.