Melonious Thonk #006: Nas - Samples of "Illmatic" (1994)

In the summer of 1998, I was introduced to Nas' debut studio album Illmatic. Four years late, but better late than never. The memory of my first experience listening to this album is faint, but I do remember listening to it often mainly due to the production. Then, several years later I was able to appreciate the lyrics.

In this episode of Melonious Thonk, we will be exploring the samples used on each track of Illmatic. I've excluded the origin of the drum samples and focused on the main samples of the records.

Pitchfork 's Jeff Weiss claims that both Nas and his producers found inspiration for the album's production through the music of their childhood:

"The loops rummage through their parent's collection: Donald Byrd, Joe Chambers, Ahmad Jamal, Parliament, Michael Jackson. Nas invites his rolling stone father, Olu Dara to blow the trumpet coda on "Life's a Bitch".

In an interview with Genius Level, DJ Premier comments on "N.Y. State of Mind":

In other words, Nas was a critical influence in terms of the production of Illmatic.
With no further adieu, enjoy!

Note: This won't be my last post examining the Illmatic.

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1. The Genesis feat. AZ (Prod. by Nas and Faith N.)

Sample: Wild Style - Introduction
Sample appears at 6:50.

2. N.Y. State of Mind (Prod. by DJ Premier)

Sample: Joe Chambers - Mind Rain
Sample appears at 1:06.

3. Life's a Bitch feat. AZ (Prod. by L.E.S. and Nas)

Sample: The Gap Band - Yearning for Your Love
Sample appears at 0:22.

4. The World is Yours (Prod. by Pete Rock)

Sample: Ahmad Jamal Trio - I Love Music
Sample appears at 4:58.

5. Halftime (Prod. by Large Professor)

Sample: Dead End - Japanese Hair Cast
Sample appears at 0:12.

Sample: Average White Band - School Boy Crush
Sample appears at 4:17.

6. Memory Lane (Sittin' in da Park) (Prod. by DJ Premier)

Sample: Reuben Wilson - We're in Love
Sample appears at 0:21.

7. One Love (Prod. by Q-Tip)

Sample: The Heath Brothers - Smilin' Billy Suite Pt. II
Sample appears at 0:00.

8. One Time 4 Your Mind (Prod. by Large Professor)

Sample: Jimmy Gordan & His Jazznpops Band - Walter L
Sample appears at 0:24.

9. Represent (Prod. by DJ Premier)

Sample: Lee Erwin - Thief of Bagdad
Sample appears at 0:54.

10. It Ain't Hard To Tell (Prod. by Large Professor)

Sample: Michael Jackson - Human Nature
Sample appears at 0:05 and 3:29.

Thanks for listening,
@scuzzy

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Previous Melonious Thonk Episodes

• #005: Blue-eyed Soul featuring David Bowie, Bobby Caldwell, Hall & Oates, Boz Scaggs, Dusty Springfield and more
• #004:'50s/'60s Rock & Roll, Garage Rock, Rockabilly, Novelty (Halloween Edition)
• #003: Late '70s Psychedelic Soul
• #002: '60s/'70s Brazilian Bossa Nova
• #001: Late '70s South Korean Funk