Illmatic | Sarods

The album's production was handled by renowned producers such as DJ Premier, Large Professor, and Pete Rock, and features Nas' signature multi-syllabic internal rhymes and inner-city narratives. Nas started writing lyrics for the album when he was 16 years old, drawing from his experiences growing up in the Queensbridge Houses in Queens, New York. The album's creation was influenced by the hip-hop scene in New York City, with artists like DJ Premier and Pete Rock contributing to the production. The album's lyrics have been criticized for their perceived glorification of violence and misogyny. The album's production style was characterized by its use of jazz samples and intricate lyricism. The album's influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary artists, including Logic and Joey Bada$$.