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Time Is Illmatic

  • 20142014
  • K-12K-12
  • 1h 14min
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Nas in Time Is Illmatic (2014)
A documentary film that delves deep into the making of Nas' 1994 debut album, Illmatic, and the social conditions that influenced its creation. Twenty years after its release, Illmatic has become a hip-hop benchmark that encapsulates the socio-political outlook, enduring spirit, and collective angst of a generation of young black men searching for their voice in America.
Play trailer1:41
3 Videos
13 Photos
DocumentaryBiographyHistory

The story behind Nas's groundbreaking debut album 'Illmatic, ' and the early life of one of the most talented rappers of all time. Featuring Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Q-Tip, and Busta ... Read allThe story behind Nas's groundbreaking debut album 'Illmatic, ' and the early life of one of the most talented rappers of all time. Featuring Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes.The story behind Nas's groundbreaking debut album 'Illmatic, ' and the early life of one of the most talented rappers of all time. Featuring Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • One9
  • Writer
    • Erik Parker
  • Stars
    • Nas
    • Cornel West
    • Pharrell Williams
Top credits
  • Director
    • One9
  • Writer
    • Erik Parker
  • Stars
    • Nas
    • Cornel West
    • Pharrell Williams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    Official Trailer
    Time Is Illmatic
    Trailer 2:23
    Time Is Illmatic
    NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC - Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:41
    NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC - Official Trailer

    Photos13

    Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    Nas at an event for Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    Nanette Lepore at an event for Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    Nas at an event for Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    Busta Rhymes at an event for Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    Jenna Lyons at an event for Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    La La Anthony at an event for Time Is Illmatic (2014)
    One9_ Brooklyn, New York
    Director, Nas: Time is ILLmatic
    Director, Producer
    Director, Time is ILLmatic

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nas
    Nas
    • Selfas Self
    Cornel West
    Cornel West
    • Self - Professor and Political Activistas Self - Professor and Political Activist
    Pharrell Williams
    Pharrell Williams
    • Selfas Self
    Swizz Beatz
    Swizz Beatz
    • Selfas Self
    Busta Rhymes
    Busta Rhymes
    • Selfas Self
    Alicia Keys
    Alicia Keys
    • Selfas Self
    Olu Dara
    • Self - Nas' Fatheras Self - Nas' Father
    Roxanne Shanté
    Roxanne Shanté
    • Selfas Self
    Jabari Jones
    • Self - Nas' Brotheras Self - Nas' Brother
    Angela Braconi
    • Self - Nas' Elementary School Teacheras Self - Nas' Elementary School Teacher
    Marley Marl
    • Self - Music Produceras Self - Music Producer
    Large Professor
    • Self - Hip Hop Rapper and Record Produceras Self - Hip Hop Rapper and Record Producer
    Wiz
    • Selfas Self
    M.C. Serch
    • Self - Hip Hop MCas Self - Hip Hop MC
    Faith Newman
    • Self - Columbia Recordsas Self - Columbia Records
    DJ Premier
    • Self - Music Produceras Self - Music Producer
    Fab 5 Freddy
    Fab 5 Freddy
    • Selfas Self
    • (archive footage)
    Leshan Lewis
    • Self - Music Produceras Self - Music Producer
    • (as L.E.S.)
    • Director
      • One9
    • Writer
      • Erik Parker
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Time Is Illmatic is a feature length documentary film that delves deep into the making of Nas' 1994 debut album, Illmatic, and the social conditions that influenced its creation. Twenty years after its release, Illmatic has become a hip-hop benchmark that encapsulates the socio-political outlook, enduring spirit, and collective angst of a generation of young black men searching for their voice in America. —Anonymous
    artist
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The twentieth anniversary of an American classic.
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • Biography
      • History
      • Music
    • Certificate
      • K-12
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Kristen Stewart/Artie Lange/Jason Aldean (2014)

    User reviews7

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Not the greatest documentary but certainly worth a watch if Hip Hop is your scene.
    When the album Illmatic is brought up in conversation it is often described as one of the greatest Hip Hop Albums of all time. If you are a fan of Hip Hop then there is an extremely good chance that you see Illmatic as a standout album.

    This documentary is not just about that album specifically. It is the focal point but it does often branch off from this and takes you back into the childhood of Nas and explains how he got into Music. The majority of the story is told by Nas's father, his brother & Nas himself through various interviews. We are shown clips from concerts, old and new, interviews producers, hip hop artists & old friends of Nas. Nas - time is Illmatic is an entertaining watch and offers a glimpse into Nas's childhood and early music career but that is all this documentary offers. If this is your genre then it is certainly worth a watch but as a documentary it isn't that impressive.

    Illmatic is a fantastic album and this documentary supports the album very well, 20 years on it is still, in my eyes at least, one of the best Hip Hop albums ever created.

    8/10
    helpful•5
    1
    • MUFCOK
    • Jan 11, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 3, 2014 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nas: Time Is Illmatic
    • Filming locations
      • Queens, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Tribeca Film Institute
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $164,540
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $23,200
      • Oct 5, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $164,540
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 14min
    • Color
      • Color

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