Nas: Time Is Illmatic (2014) - Rotten Tomatoes

Nas: Time Is Illmatic (2014)

TOMATOMETER

98%
95%

AUDIENCE SCORE

84%

Critic Consensus: Comprehensive yet brisk, Nas: Time Is Illmatic offers an absorbing look at a hip-hop classic and the life of the artist who made it.

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Movie Info

Synopsis: Twenty years after the release of Nas's groundbreaking debut album 'Illmatic,' NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC takes us into the heart of his creative process. Returning to his childhood home in Queensbridge, Nas shares stories of his upbringing, his influences - from the music of his jazz musician father Olu Dara to the burgeoning hip-hop scene in New York City - and the obstacles he faced before his major label signing at age 20. Featuring interviews with his 'Illmatic' producers (Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and DJ Premier) and musical peers (including Pharrell Williams and Alicia Keys), NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC is a thrilling account of Nas's evolution from a young street poet to a visionary MC. (C) Tribeca

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Cast

Nas
Jabari Jones
Olu Dara
Fab 5 Freddy
Alicia Keys
Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Q-Tip
Busta Rhymes
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Critic Reviews for Nas: Time Is Illmatic

All Critics (41) | Top Critics (22)

Time Is Illmatic is well-informed but inessential, a making-of featurette barely expanded to feature length at a trim 74 minutes.

July 15, 2020 | Rating: C+
Top Critic

Just as "Illmatic" brought people from all across the globe a little closer to Queensbridge, Nas: Time is Illmatic draws audiences closer to hip-hop.

September 1, 2017 | Rating: A- | Full Review…
Top Critic

An essential celebration of the New York rapper's groundbreaking 1994 album.

October 30, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Top Critic

A strikingly photographed and genuinely revealing exploration of the early influences that formed one of the most distinctive voices in rap.

October 23, 2014 | Rating: 3/5
Top Critic

Flirts with glamorising the rags-to-rap-to-riches story, but in doing so stays true to its subject.

October 23, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Here's 74 minutes well spent.

October 20, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Nas: Time Is Illmatic

An informative and revealing documentary that takes a thrilling look at an artist's life and the many factors that motivated him to create such an extremely influential album regarded ever since its birth as a seminal piece of artistic cry against social oppression.

Carlos Magalhães
Carlos Magalhães

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