Nas Celebrates 30th Anniversary of ‘Illmatic’ With Las Vegas Philharmonic Concert

“1994 to 2024, it’s a dream. Thank y’all for getting me here,” Nas told the Encore Theater crowd on Saturday night for the second of three sold-out shows at Wynn Las Vegas. The event was part of his Labor Day Weekend residency with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and AEG Presents, who provided accommodations for Billboard to be on-site.

Most of the 1,400-plus attendees, including special guest Ceelo Green, basked in nostalgia. Couples and groups took a trip back to 1994, the year Nas’s “Illmatic” debut dropped.

Nas took the stage shortly after 8:30 p.m. PT, accompanied by a 25-piece live orchestra. Dressed in a slick black tux, he looked just as timeless as his debut album from nearly 30 years ago. With his signature fade and braids tied into a bun, Nas hasn’t aged a day since “Illmatic” reshaped East Coast hip-hop. His vocals still maintain the same raspy resonance, commanding a stage presence that outshines younger rappers.

Fans from New York, cross-country travelers, and local Las Vegas residents filled the audience, predominantly Generation X and Millennials.

The night kicked off with “Illmatic” opener “The Genesis,” followed by a classical rendition of “N.Y. State of Mind.” Nas thanked DJ Premier for collaborating on the album. At the time, producers like Premier and Q-Tip took a chance on the neophyte MC. “I was lucky to get these producers on the album as a nobody,” Nas expressed, showing his appreciation.

It’s astounding to consider Nas had such profound perspective as a teenager, conveying stories of his tough Queensbridge environment. “I just tried to see if I was good enough. Talk about the society that I was living in,” Nas reflected. “It came out raw – the language is raw – you gotta be that way. That’s what rap is. You gotta say the things that people could relate to.”

AZ, the album’s lone feature, joined Nas on stage for their collaboration “Life’s a Bitch,” dressed in a dapper silver metallic tux. The crowd erupted. Nas’ father Olu Dara’s trumpet outro was performed by the Philharmonic, adding an extra layer of authenticity.

Pete Rock’s “The World Is Yours” drums were transformed into a jazzier soundscape by the Philharmonic. Nas continued with more “Illmatic” tracks, including the storytelling masterpiece “Memory Lane” and letters to incarcerated friends captured in “One Love.”

Before closing the album with “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” Nas acknowledged Michael Jackson for clearing the sample from his 1983 hit “Human Nature.” “I was happy and grateful he cleared the sample,” Nas said. “That’s what really put me on the map, because I think MTV played it.”

Although the Philharmonic left the stage, the show wasn’t over. Burlesque dancers briefly performed before Nas returned. “This has been a dream; life is good,” he said. “I didn’t know I’d still be making records to this day.”

Nas and DJ Green Lantern then led fans through a tour of his extensive catalog. Hits like “Made You Look,” “Street Dreams,” and “If I Ruled the World” were performed. They wrapped up the 70-minute set with “Stillmatic” anthem “One Mic.”

The celebration of “Illmatic”’s 30th anniversary might not be over in Las Vegas, as Billboard’s staff ranked it the No. 1 greatest rap album of all time. Nas hinted at possibly extending his Sin City residency. “I could get used to doing this Vegas thing,” he admitted. “I might extend it.”

Source: Billboard, Particlenews