Illmatic
![](/Images/godic/202502/08/NasIllmatic0757.jpg")
![Nas's life experiences in Queensbridge, New York served as the basis for Illmatic.](/Images/godic/202502/08/Qbridgenycha0757.JPG")
![The cover of the 1974 jazz album, A Child Is Born (seen left) has been cited as a possible influence on Illmatic's artwork.](/Images/godic/202502/08/Illmatic_Album_Cover_Comparison0757.jpg")
![Illmatic was critical in](/Images/godic/202502/08/Open_your_eyes_in_New_York0757.jpg")
Illmatic is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released on April 19, 1994, by Columbia Records. After signing with the label with the help of MC Serch, Nas recorded the album in 1992–1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording Studios in New York City. Its production was handled by Nas, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and DJ Premier. Styled as a hardcore hip hop album, Illmatic features multi-syllabic internal rhymes and inner-city narratives based on Nas's experiences in Queensbridge, New York.