Still basking in the afterglow of taking home his first-ever Grammy Award for King’s Disease – beating out Jay Electronica’s A Written Testimony, Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist’s Alfredo, D Smoke’s Black Habits and Royce Da 5’9’s The Allegory – Queensbridge rapper Nas now has his classic debut Illmatic inducted into the Library of Congress.
“I’m very honored for the recognition and thankful for the Grammy award,” Nas told Billboard. “My first album was meant to be a true soundtrack for life in Queensbridge so the global recognition has always been amazing to see.”
The 1994 debut release Illmatic is widely regarded as one of the best rap albums of all time, with the album’s production handled by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S. and Nas himself.
Other 2021 additions to the Library of Congress include Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Kool & the Gang, Pat Metheny, and Louis Armstrong.
Congrats to all the inductees!