Jazz Festival | The genius of NAS explained

Saturday. In addition, Sunday, rapper NAS will present a symphonic version of his first legendary album, Illmaticin the Wilfrid-Pelletier hall, as part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Additionally, In addition, The press Asked four Quebec artists to explain the various facets of the 51-year-old New York genius.

Posted at 7:00 a.m.

ASMA – Jazz festival | genius nas

Released in 1994, Illmatic was added to the collection of the American Congress Library in 2021 in order to recognize its cultural and historical impact. However, For Asma. In addition, host of the program Erudit ghettowhich will broadcast its 1000^e Episode in August on the Cism waves, the first NAS album “is the demonstration of all that a MC must be”. Consequently, “Through his colorful stories. Similarly, his brilliant rhymes, his own slang, his introspection, his flow and his unique voice, Nas brings you into his universe. In addition, To have accomplished this so young. Consequently, to be still so good ensures its place in my top 3 of All Time. For example, »»

Nasir Jones was not yet 20 years old when he started to record Illmatic. However. Therefore, he was supported by experienced producers: DJ Premier, Large Professor, Q-Tip, jazz festival | genius nas Pete Rock and the “It is rare that a youngster is so well surrounded for his first album. However, He spent the test of time among other things thanks to the quality of production, estimates Asma. Meanwhile, It is said that it is a perfect album because it has only nine songs. Furthermore, that they are all strong and different. Furthermore, Even the intro, The Genesisis beautiful! Consequently, »»

« Illmatic is a good choice to be played by an orchestra, because it is still cinematographic. Similarly, He deserves to be raised by a symphonic orchestra. For example, “concludes Asma, one of the DJs who will liven up the heat wave of the common area, at the Louvain esplanade, this Thursday.

Ticaso connoisseur – Jazz festival | genius nas

Connoisseur Ticaso “grew up listening to the best rappers of all time”. And, according to him, Nas surpasses them all. “There are flaws in his career. but his last run [ses six albums sortis entre 2020 et 2023] made me even more confident to say that it is the best all-time, says the Montreal MC. It has been active since 1991, and to be at this level today, it’s sick! We now know that it will not exist in history, another NAS. »»

Compared to IllmaticTicaso underlines its “raw, direct and pure” side. Songs like N.Y. State of Mind et Memory Lane are masterpieces. »»

So how the author of Normal east and Rap Life he sees the transposition ofIllmatic Symphonic work? “I am happy to see that the best Rap writers. like NAS, are seen at their fair value among the great musicians. It means that we respect them in the same way as me. I see lyricists as great writers, “notes the one who has just given a spectacle to the Francos.

SeinsSucrer

“A friend gave me the CD ofIllmatic In 2013 or 2014, recalls. The first time I listened to her in jazz festival | genius nas my old Corolla… It was like a trip. I felt like I was in New York, and even discover facets of New York that I did not know. It has become my cult album. »»

For the prolific rapper shown, nas “checks a lot of all the boxes”. “It is probably the most complete MC. It is very versatile. He has a way of sliding on the beats which is very posed. very ugly back, often a little behind the tempo. NAS delivery is humble, but precise and fly. He is daring in the approach of writing. He had surprising knowledge, intelligence and wisdom for his age. »»

Nas is the son of Oli Dara. a jazz musician born in the state of Mississippi who settled in New York after playing in the Navy. BESSUCRESS believes that “his background may jazz festival | genius nas have helped him channel the music feeling and make alchemy.” “The only possible explanation to reach such a high level as young is to have good mentors. who have a pedagogy capacity”, underlines the artist who has just launched on June 24 And Soupan album “Very terroir, probably the most Quebec of Quebec rap albums” led by producer Nicholas Craven.

Mélanie Vaugeois

Member of the Mommies on the Run Quartet. Mélanie Vaugeois will play with two other of her colleagues in the orchestra of 60 local musicians who will accompany Nas this weekend. jazz festival | genius nas The violinist. who notably worked with Patrick Watson on tour and studio for 15 years, is delighted to participate in the adaptation of a classic Hip-Hop in symphonic experience.

“It’s very different from what we usually do. We played with Mc Solaar a few years ago, and it was really cool. I am very excited to be able to play with an artist that my children love. says Mélanie Vaugeois laughing. What is inspiring is to enter the artist’s universe, discover his music jazz festival | genius nas and the arrangements. »»

Mélanie Vaugeois had just received the partitions of the NAS show during our conversation. but had already become familiar with the work of the New York. “I went to listen to it and, honestly, I find it really good. I am even more intrigued to see with the orchestrations. »»

Nas | Illmatic : Live, With the Symphony Orchestra, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 p.m., in the Wilfrid-Pelletier room in Place des Arts

Consult the Montreal International Jazz Festival website