Nas Illmatic Orchestra Live Album
Nas performs his debut album 'Illmatic' with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. WNET in New York’s Great Performances is presenting “Nas Live From the Kennedy Center: Classical Hip-Hop” for PBS on Feb. The special performance sees Nas celebrate the 20th anniversary of his debut album Illmatic with a live rendition backed by the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Halftime (Live) Lyrics: Nasty Nas in your area / About to cause mass hysteria / Before a blunt, I take out my fronts / Then I start to front; matter of fact, I be on a manhunt / You couldn't catch.
Back in 2014, at the start of his 20th anniversary celebration for his classic debut album Illmatic, Nas collaborated with the National Symphony Orchestra for a legendary performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and now nearly 4 years later we’re finally able to see that performance for ourselves thanks to its airing on PBS Friday night.
'This was the first time me as a classical orchestra conductor was going to branch out into the realm of doing hip-hop music and rap music. And the idea of finally tackling this genre was something I was really looking forward to do,' National Symphony Orchestra Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke said in a statement.
Nas Illmatic Album
The concert film, which also acts like a documentary, follows Nas' Queensbridge upbringing and career, the impact of Illmatic as well as the rehearsals and preparations to bring the album to the Kennedy Center stage.
'It’s crazy, you know, I wrote this in the projects in New York City. Here we are in the capital of America, Washington, DC, and, you know, a bunch of white people with strings and all that, playing this album, and they feeling it,' Nas said of the collaboration in the trailer.
Nas Illmatic Full Album Zip
Directed by Jason Goldwatch, check out the near hour-long performance & special (below). If the video stops working, go to PBS' website right here to catch it.