Following the highly anticipated re-release of his landmark debut album, Illmatic, Nas celebrated his 20th Anniversary by premiering his Time Is Illmatic documentary at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival.
On view for the first time ever at New York City’s intimate Beacon Theatre, Wednesday night (April 16), the One9-directed film delved into the making of Illmatic. It gave fans and critics alike an in-depth look at the social conditions that created the acclaimed record, and the music legacy passed down from Nas’ Mississippi-born father (and renowned Jazz artist), Olu Dara.
After the private screening, Nas himself took center stage and – donning an army jacket with a bottle of Henny in hand – performed Illmatic classics, including “N.Y. State of Mind,” “The World Is Yours” and “Halftime.”
Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, and the like were all in attendance, including Tribeca Film fest co-founder, Robert De Niro, who presented.
Congrats to The Don. Peep his performances in the video below, courtesy of Real Talk NY.
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Photo: WENN
