Nas Reminisces On "Illmatic," Speaks On Two Tracks Featured On The Album

by Danielle Harling

Nas gives his commentary on "Halftime" and "One Love," two songs from his debut album "Illmatic."

In anticipation of Nas’ VEVO show at the Moody Theater in Austin, VEVO has released two exclusive video interviews featuring the Queensbridge rapper. As part of his interview with VEVO Nas discussed both ‘One Love’ and ‘Halftime,’ two tracks that are both featured on Nas’ debut album Illmatic.

During his interview Nas spoke on how “Halftime” was actually inspired by the dirty, grungy sound that was so indicative of the early 90’s.

“It was early 90’s so the music was just grunge. Just dirty, dusty, alleyway kind of sound. That’s the kind of music that the rap music that I was liking around that time,” Nas explained. “So when I heard the track for ‘Halftime’ I knew that would be something good for the time.”

Nas also spoke on “One Love,” sharing that the song was inspired by friends of his in jail. The rapper also commended Q-Tip for providing a jazzy vibe for the song.

“When I was writing that record I had a friend who was in jail and the way he ended the letter I would be like ‘sincerely’ [or] whatever. [Instead] it was ‘one love.’ People were saying ‘one love’ everywhere so it was ‘one love’ just felt strong,” said Nas. “And I wrote the song as letters to friends of mine that were locked up…Q-Tip produced it and Q-Tip is so talented and I’m such a big fan of A Tribe Called Quest and all they albums that I felt like he brought such a jazz, but yet another vibe to the whole meaning of a hardcore song. Yes, it was written letters to guys in jail but the vibe of [the] music was just real smooth.”

As part of the VEVO show this week in Austin, Nas will perform Illmatic in its entirety alongside a full band.

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In anticipation of Nas’ VEVO show at the Moody Theater in Austin, VEVO has released two exclusive video interviews featuring the Queensbridge rapper. As part of his interview with VEVO Nas discussed both ‘One Love’ and ‘Halftime,’ two tracks that are both featured on Nas’ debut album Illmatic.
During his interview Nas spoke on how “Halftime” was actually inspired by the dirty, grungy sound that was so indicative of the early 90’s.
“It was early 90’s so the music was just grunge. Just dirty, dusty, alleyway kind of sound. That’s the kind of music that the rap music that I was liking around that time,” Nas explained. “So when I heard the track for ‘Halftime’ I knew that would be something good for the time.”
Nas also spoke on “One Love,” sharing that the song was inspired by friends of his in jail. The rapper also commended Q-Tip for providing a jazzy vibe for the song.
“When I was writing that record I had a friend who was in jail and the way he ended the letter I would be like ‘sincerely’ [or] whatever. [Instead] it was ‘one love.’ People were saying ‘one love’ everywhere so it was ‘one love’ just felt strong,” said Nas in a video posted on Complex.com. “And I wrote the song as letters to friends of mine that were locked up…Q-Tip produced it and Q-Tip is so talented and I’m such a big fan of A Tribe Called Quest and all they albums that I felt like he brought such a jazz, but yet another vibe to the whole meaning of a hardcore song. Yes, it was written letters to guys in jail but the vibe of [the] music was just real smooth.”
As part of the VEVO show this week in Austin, Nas will perform Illmatic in its entirety alongside a full band.