On July 2 at Ravinia, Nas reminded Chicago and anybody else paying consideration why he’s one of many best storytellers in hip-hop historical past. The pavilion buzzed with pleasure as followers packed the grounds for an evening that blended nostalgia, uncooked lyricism, and orchestral brilliance.
As I sat there, I couldn’t assist however rewind to the primary time I heard Illmatic. I used to be recent out of highschool, using with that tape and a Better of Donald Byrd cassette on a two-hour commute to Oak Brook for my gross sales job at EF Advertising and marketing. My yellow Sony Walkman was my lifeline, and Illmatic was the soundtrack to these lengthy rides, nasal, gritty, hypnotic verses portray scenes of Queensbridge that felt like cinematic dispatches from one other world.
The night opened with the Chicago Philharmonic, their harmonic swells warming up the humid air. It was essentially the most comfy 90-degree day you might ask for. At 7:45 sharp, they kicked off beneath the baton of conductor Stewart Goodyear Charity. As they performed, the gang began singing alongside to Al Inexperienced’s Let’s Keep Collectively, setting the temper for what would turn out to be a communal celebration of hip-hop.
Then got here the second everybody was ready for. Illmatic. No backing tracks. No hype males. Simply Nas, alone on stage, spitting each phrase with razor-sharp precision and commanding presence.
The Illmatic Setlist:
- NY State of Thoughts
- Life’s a Bitch
- Halftime
- One Love
- Characterize
- It Ain’t Laborious to Inform
It was uncooked, emotional, and nearly overwhelming. Thirty-one years of this album’s legacy folding into the current. Throughout “Life’s a Bitch”, just a few followers close to me appeared like they could break down. When he hit “One Love”, the gang rapped each phrase, nearly drowning him out.
After closing his Illmatic set, Nas shifted gears and dove into his later catalog, delivering high-energy performances of newer tracks like “Spicy.” The vibe modified immediately. This was a special Nas, seasoned and triumphant.
But it surely wasn’t simply the brand new joints that obtained the gang going. When the enduring beat for “Made You Look” dropped, Ravinia erupted. He had each voice shouting “BRAVEHEART” in unison, a reminder of simply how deeply embedded Nas’ music is within the tradition. He closed out the night time with “One Mic”, the pensive anthem that showcases his capacity to shift from meditative whispers to explosive declarations.
All through the night time, it was clear. Illmatic could have been the inspiration, but it surely was only the start. Nas’ profession now spans greater than three a long time, and he continues to evolve with out dropping sight of his roots.
Hip-hop was alive at Ravinia final night time and Nas introduced the tradition with him, proving as soon as once more why his title nonetheless rings out from Queensbridge to Chicago’s North Shore.