There is nothing more special for a hip hop head than to experience an album – that has been deemed by many as one of the greatest rap albums of all time – being performed live and in full by the original artist.
As expected, it was the perfect, listening party at the sold-out Tivoli on Tuesday 20 January when Nas performed ‘Illmatic’.
Click here for more photos from the show.
Many were surprised to see Australia’s own ‘Candy’ (beautiful 2006 film featuring Heath Ledger) girl (Abbie Cornish) score the support spot as her emcee alias Dusk. Some months ago Brisbane’s own Tom Thum posted his graffiti lettering of Dusk for some of Cornish’s ‘music projects’, which first hinted that the actress was branching into hip hop.
Then there she was on stage in black, dancing, singing, rapping and tag teaming with another Brisbane head, DJ Butcher aka Butchdaddy. Abbie’s sound was unexpectedly dark, fast and hard and fortunately the crowd, who had piled in since doors opened, were kind enough to listen and applaud (although her biggest applaud came after she said that it was her last song).
The wait for Nas to appear was long, and felt even longer since there was no other supporting DJs to fill the void. But all hands were immediately raised in worship when the Illmatic experience began.
Nas - Image © Emelia EbejerThe King of Queensbridge, Nas, in black on black, cap and shades came out to ‘Brisbane State Of Mind’ as the mosh pit (including bodies on shoulders and a fan holding up an ‘Illmatic’ vinyl) blazed-up immediately. This energy remained through all nine ‘Illmatic’ songs, which Nas performed in full with everyone joining in word for word.
The night truly celebrated and captured the 1994 New York hip hop era of the classic album as Nas simply performed with his recognisable flow while voyeuristic visuals of New York City scenes, hip hop animations, black and white fisheye photos, the Parental Advisory - Explicit Lyrics (remember those?) sign were projected onto the screen.
Nas engaged naturally with his audience, thanking Brisbane and maintaining that “blood of a slave, heart of a king” persona. He complimented a fan on an Illmatic jersey he’d been holding up, then offered to sign it. When the lucky fan could not find a pen to give to his hero, the guy holding up the Illmatic vinyl handed over his sharpie. It was a uniting moment that had the arena erupting.
Image © Emelia EbejerAfter he finished with the debut album he brought out his endless catalogue including the dramatic stobe-lit ‘Hate Me Now’ and ’I Know I Can’ then danced to the original sample ‘Walk Right Up To The Sun’ by The Delfonics at the end of ‘If I Ruled The World’.
The crowd still had hands raised and joined in the choruses for these later hits, but not word for word like the ‘Illmatic’ tracks. After a deafening encore call, Nas returned with ‘Got Yourself A Gun’ ending his perfect opening show for his Australian tour.
Nas - Image © Emelia Ebejer
