Nas 'Illmatic' Press Kit & The Making Of (Video, 1994)

As I continue to celebrate 'Illmatic,' here are copies of the press kit that were sent out, which include 2 publicity photos and an original bio/one-sheet for Nas / 'Illmatic.' The sheet says "Nas is just too smart, too thoughtful, and too wise to mislead his people. That's because rhyming, to him, has never been just a way to get paid and live large ... it's been about getting the truth out and expressing his love for hip-hop." In late January of '94, the documentary-style video clip below - directed by Ralph McDaniels - was sent out to media; it was the same day that "It Ain't Hard To Tell" was released on 12". The video documents Nas' vision from the projects in Queensbridge to inside the studio with DJ Premier, Large Pro, Q-Tip & Pete Rock; all helping to shed light on what made the young Rapper Nas such a unique talent. It was also rumored that the label's marketing team was targeting industry tastemakers with plans to send out Nas t-shirts to no more than 200-250 people to spark conversation and help create the buzz. I'm not sure if they were the 'One Love' t-shirts, a different tee, or if the idea never happened at all? Anyone have more info on that?

Nas "Still ILL" (XXL, 2009)

Let me be clear, 'Illmatic' is my favorite hip-hop album of all-time. I've purchased the original 10-track masterpiece in every format, then every limited, special, anniversary, deluxe, you-name-it edition that has been released since. If you've read the argument that 14 is a 'magic age' in our development of musical taste and identity, then you can dig my mindstate during the year build up to the release of 'Illmatic' as a H.S. freshman in Queens. It was also Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest, as well as Pete Rock & CL, Jeru, etc ... but with Nas, I was still able to get DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and Pete Rock, as well as Large Pro & L.E.S. Today, I am going to share a few different posts on the album, so let's start with the feature above from XXL in 2009: a track by track breakdown with commentary from Serch, Jungle, Faith Newman, Large Pro, Busta, Q-Tip, Premo and more. Over the years, I think this was one of the best articles about the album. Happy 23rd to the classic: 'Illmatic!'

MC Serch "Return Of The Product" (Press Kit, 1992)

This is a "return of the product" - MC Serch makes his solo debut on Def Jam / Chaos Records with his first single, "Here It Comes." MC Serch, formerly of 3rd Bass, scored two Gold-plus albums with The Cactus Album and Derelicts of Dialect and their top selling release The Cactus Revisited. Serch's lyrical skills and hard hittin' beats make one slammin' album featuring the hit single, "Here It Comes," "Back To The Grill" & "Can You Dig It." MC Search has always been committed to creating real hip hop that's not too hard to handle. That tradition continues with his slammin' solo debut, Return Of The Product ... So do what you gotta do - 'cause here it comes! cont'd...

Co-produced by Serch and Brett "Epic" Mazur of Peace Productions, "Here It Comes" features live instrumentation and rhymes ahead of the times. Says Serch, "It combines my lyrical skills with street beats." This winning combination allows "Here It Comes" to come off as well on radio as it does in a club or a jeep... The B-side, "Back To The Grill," wins again. No gloss or glitter, this record is deftly rapped with smooth loops and fat beat... On it, Serch favors different flavors and passes the mic to Ruffhouse's Nasty Nas. - Taken from OG press kit: May, 1992. (Updated)

Grown Man Rap Show "Class Of 1991 with MC Serch"

The Grown Man Rap Show is hosted by DJs, Toast and Paul Nice. It is broadcasted live, every Sunday night from 10pm to Midnight (EST) on 91.5 WRPI in Albany, NY. On their show, DJ Toast and Paul Nice bring us 2 hours of the best in vintage and contemporary true school Hip-Hop. The episode below is Episode 68 aka Class of 1991, and it features MC Serch of the legendary 3rd Bass. The show originally aired on April 24, 2016. In the mix, besides an interview with MC Serch, you'll hear tracks from Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs, Geto Boys, MC Lyte, Gang Starr, Brand Nubian, A Tribe Called Quest, Main Source, Del The Funkee Homosapien, MC Breed, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, KMD, Nice & Smooth, Cypress Hill, 3rd Bass, Ice Cube, Organized Konfusion, Cutty Ranks, Naughty By Nature, and more! Another great episode, dig into the show below... (Updated, Part 2 added).

3rd Bass "Pop Goes The 'Bass" (Spin, 9/91)

"...Although the duo finds cultural possessiveness understandable, neither is about to step from what he deems as his inarguable right to the music. And the demands can get deep, like it did when hellfire activist Sister Souljah rallied her young, black, and proud audience to the cries of "3rd Bass ain't down!" at last year's Malcolm X Conference. "I respect her for trying to uplift our youth," says MC Serch. "But unfortunately, she's looking at the polarization of the music. I didn't see Souljah in the Latin Quarters or the Rooftop. I could teach her a thing or two about the culture, about where the music comes from and where it's going. We were involved in the community that people never asked why. When I stepped to the LQ I was in there... I don't think we have jack shit to prove." Even in this hostile atmosphere, 3rd Bass has managed to do us lovely. Kitchen-sink mentality in full effect: the group's new album Derelicts of Dialect continues to push rap's boundaries by sampling everything from jazz to JFK; and with "Pop Goes The Weasel" headed straight for the Top 40, it seems as if the boys are about to get props despite their distaste for pop-rap..." Cont'd...

"It's depressing," says Pete Nice. "At this point, maybe two-thirds of rap is awful and the other third makes up for the rest of it. The problem is not so much with the artists but with the record labels that are starting to push artists like Gerardo and call him a rapper. The commercialization of rap makes it hard for good artists to get out there." ... But the main question remains, Where will rap be in the next decade? Serch cold-swipes me with his counterpunch. "It goes beyond making good music. As a white artist especially, I say this from the heart. If you're a thirteen-year old white kid in Kansas, then you better know twenty years of history before you make a record. And if you're making it when you're eighteen then you better know twenty-five years of legacy." - Spin