As Nas' classic hip-hop album, Illmatic, approaches its 20th anniversary on April 19, 2014, Mr. Jones, himself, has announced plans to honor the seminal debut album.
Four days before its 20th birthday on April 15, a double disc edition titled Illmatic XX will be released, which includes a remastered version of the original album, rare remixes, an unreleased song "I'm a Villain," and a freestyle on the Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show from '93.
To accompany the album, a documentary will later be released titled "Time is Illmatic,": a film that "delves into the making of Illmatic; the social conditions that created it; and the music legacy passed down from Nas' Mississippi-born father and celebrated jazz musician, Olu Dara.".
In addition, Nas will tour the U.S. and perform Illmatic in its entirety. The full schedule has yet to be announced, but the tour will start off at a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Coachella.
See Illmatic XX tracklisting below.
Disc 1: Remastered Original Album
1. The Genesis
2. N.Y. State of Mind
3. Life’s a Bitch (Feat. AZ)
4. The World Is Yours
5. Halftime
6. Memory Lane (Sittin’ In Da Park)
7. One Love
8. One Time 4 Your Mind
9. Represent
10. It Ain’t Hard To Tell
Disc 2: Demos, Remixes & Live Radio
1. I’m a Villain (previously unreleased)
2. The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show on WKCR October 28, 1993 (previously unreleased freestyle)
3. Halftime (Butcher Remix)
4. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Remix) (promo single)
5. One Love (LG Main Mix)
6. Life’s a Bitch (Arsenal Mix) (promo single)
7. One Love (One L Main Mix)
8. The World Is Yours (Q-Tip Mix)
9. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (The Stink Mix) (UK single)
10. It Ain’t Hard To Tell (The Laidback Remix) (UK single)