20 Hip-Hop Songs That Reference Nas’ ‘Illmatic’
“NY State Of Mind”
Producer: DJ PremierLyric: “Straight out the fuckin' dungeons of rap/Where fake niggas don’t make it back/I don’t know how to start this shit, yo”
Why It’s Dope: I would be completely remiss to compile a list of the best lyrics from Illmatic without including this gem from the intro to the first full track on the album. You don’t know how to start this shit, Nas? Yes, you do, because you just did and you killed it.
Previously: 8 New York Rappers On Explain Why Nas’ ‘Illmatic’ Is Important To Them
6 Big Takeaways From Nas’ ‘Time Is Illmatic’ Documentary Premiere
Nas’ Time Is Illmatic Documentary Has Been In The Works For 10 Years
MC Serch Always Knew Nas’ Illmatic Was The Greatest Album Of All Time
Illmatic A&R Faith Newman On Nas’ Wild Early Days
Nas Says New York City Wrote Illmatic
Nas’ 20 Best Lines On Illmatic
The Making Of Nas’ Illmatic — XXL Issue 112