When Nas unleashed his debut album Illmatic in 1994, he could’ve never predicted the lasting impact it would have on Hip Hop culture. Twenty-five years later, the album is still one of the most revered pieces of Hip Hop music of all time.
But Nas has evidently had enough. During an interview with Haute Living, the celebrated MC admitted the nostalgia has worn thin.
“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.”
Nas also noted he performed another National Symphony Orchestra show this year to again commemorate Illmatic. While he’s appreciative his seminal album means so much to so many people, he has no plans to continue celebrating it.
“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.
“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.”
Nas’ latest album, The Lost Tapes 2, arrived in July.
