In keeping with the homage theme, there will be no review of this free mixtape album. Another LA mag is flying the flag of this release but hey it’s the Internet, we’re all friends here.
Illmatic changed many of our lives. Even if you’re weren’t of age when it dropped April 19, 1994, the ripple effect was so strong that the album had to be carried down from generation-to-generation like a dog-eared version of Catcher In The Rye. There is no improving upon it; never will be a session, hip-hop or otherwise, quite like it. 10 tracks with top-name producers at their best, the essence of all-killer/no-filler; songs that you can always count on in any mood, year, decade, etc.
So Elzhi, being the dedicated head that he is, decided to do something that no one else would have the balls to do so respectfully. Make an album of original lyrical material inspired by one of hip-hop’s Holy Grails. The Will Sessions Band provides the organics with live instrumentation that maintains the integrity of the originals while expertly re-interpreting the vibes. Hip-hop at it’s finest. The only guests are Royce Da 5′9″ and Stokley Williams (of Mint Condition, yes that Mint Condition) on “Life’s A Bitch.”
The end result is a near pitch-perfect tribute to one of the top 5 hip-hop albums of all time. Wonder how Nas feels. I think he would approve. Just listen ’cause “you never know when you’re gonna go…”
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