Did Nas really take his Illmatic cover idea from this album?

[Soloman_The_Wise]

Very Possible Given his Father Nas was most likely at the least exposed to it growing up and could have done so Consciously or Sub Consciously...

 

[buttuh_b]

Seems plausible.

 

[ohhhla]

I think so.

 

[Disciplined InSight]

You just answered your own question.

/thread.

Not a hot topic at all, but for those hip hop heads who love diggin the crates, I came across a blog that suggested that Nas got the idea for the ILLMATIC cover art from this obscure jazz band known as Howard Hanger Trio.

Illmatic (1994)

A Child Is Born (1974)

Did Nas really take this idea from another album? Or is it just a strange coincidence? As far as I know, Nas has never mentioned Howard Hanger Trio. But I find it ironic that one of hip-hop's most original covers, might have actually been inspired by another album. Not all that surprising, when you consider that Nas' dad was a jazz musician. Thoughts?

No idea's original, there's nothin' new under the sun it's never what you do, but how it's done...

 

[Stew]

You just answered your own question.

/thread.

Not a hot topic at all, but for those hip hop heads who love diggin the crates, I came across a blog that suggested that Nas got the idea for the ILLMATIC cover art from this obscure jazz band known as Howard Hanger Trio.

Illmatic (1994)

A Child Is Born (1974)

Did Nas really take this idea from another album? Or is it just a strange coincidence? As far as I know, Nas has never mentioned Howard Hanger Trio. But I find it ironic that one of hip-hop's most original covers, might have actually been inspired by another album. Not all that surprising, when you consider that Nas' dad was a jazz musician. Thoughts?

No idea's original, there's nothin' new under the sun it's never what you do, but how it's done...

I should just close the thread with this but Ill let you get your GOATS lol

 

[Breezy_Kilroy]

Nas already told you that no idea was original. With his dad being a musician it looks highly likely.

This isn't a loss and it shows that inspiration can be found in anything. Inspiration should be applauded not frowned upon.

 

[DOPEdweebz]

When no idea is original quit hanging other rappers not named Nas for also being unoriginal. Anyhow im cool with it, and Im sure 98% of us didnt even know about this.

 

[vslyke]

Good drop. Certainly possible Nas got the idea from this cover - either way both are ill

 

[jono]

That's dope. Yeah he obviously took the concept.

I think it shows his deep dedication to the Jazz artform too, I never heard of the band with the cover originally.

 

[rapmastermind]

I think it was Sion or someone else that exposed this several of months ago. I also brought this up when someone brought up the "Biggie biting NaS cover". I think this album clearly influenced the "ILLmatic" cover. They are damn near identical. With NaS being the son of a Jazz musician it's obvious he may have seen that cover in some shape or form growing up. Also NaS has a history of jacking/influenced covers in his career. But LOL @ Ghost and Rae saying Big Biting when NaS cover was clearly influenced by this:

Rae and Ghost were just hating. "Ready To Die" and "ILLmatic" covers look nothing alike. Also a lot of people don't know this but NaS actually bite the "ILLmatic" cover from a jazz artist:

He also used covers from Slick Rick and Too Short:

"Ready To Die" cover fit the theme of the album as it starts with Biggie's birth and ends with his Death. The Afro on the baby was symbolic of the time Biggie was born in the early 70's as everyone that was Black was still rocking Afros. NaS cover is symbolic of his upbringing in Queens. But Rea and Ghost were just unhappy Big was on top back then. Even Meth said those were the only two hating on Biggie in Wu Tang. Both admit they were wrong for "Shark Biters" especially Rae who said he regrets that song now and that it was about competition. NaS also took from the "Casino" poster:

And lets not forget how he took from Di Vinci's Paint Book:

 

[D_Rap_Scholar]

Not hating on Nas. I think it's cool how eerily similar these covers are, especially if Nas might've come across it as a child and couldn't remember it. I can picture Nas as a toddler, playing with his father's vinyl collection and coming across shit like this....and then 15 years later, something lights up in his head, and he subconsiously remembers it. That would be an awesome coincidence!

On the other hand, in 19 years, you would think someone would've pointed this out to him by now....and as far as I know, Nas has yet to give these dudes their props. It's one thing when you pay tribute to a band/artists that is well-known and familiar - but when its an obscure group beneath the radar, I feel your obligated to acknowledge them officially, so that your fans will be properly informed. Just think about it. If Nas had mentioned this shit back in 1995 - maybe Ghostface would not have called out Biggie for "biting" lol

In any case, Illmatic is one of the most widely imitated/remixed rap album covers of all time. And the fact that it itself may not be entirely original, kinda reinforces Nas' own idea: "No Idea's Original"

 

[Nah Son]

Ghost and Rae probably feel different about that Shark Niggaz skit by now

 

[D_Rap_Scholar]

Ghost and Rae probably feel different about that Shark Niggaz skit by now

No kidding, those dudes took a serious L for that. If they know about this, Ghost and Rake should issue an apology to Biggie's fans....it's only fair

 

[StillFaggyAF]

@sion

 

[rapmastermind]

Both Ghost and Rae have stated that they regret "Shark Biters (N!ggas)" and that it was only a competition thing and they both personally apologized to Biggie before his death. Supposedly Method man and Ol Dirty got them to squash their issues with Biggie since he was cool with everyone else in the Wu. They even did a "Niggas Bleed (Three Bricks Remix)":

 

[D_Rap_Scholar]

Both Ghost and Rae have stated that they regret "Shark Biters (N!ggas)" and that it was only a competition thing and they both personally apologized to Biggie before his death. Supposedly Method man and Ol Dirty got them to squash their issues with Biggie since he was cool with everyone else in the Wu. They even did a "Niggas Bleed (Three Bricks Remix)":

I'm glad to hear that. But that whole time, they must have really been under the impression that Biggie truly did take inspiration from Illmatic...and who can blame him, it was a dope concept and he ran with it. But if you're gonna take shots at someone for that, you better have done your research first! LOL I'm glad those dudes apologized to Biggie before he died...but now they should do what all publications do whenever a journalist publicizes wrong information: recant their statement and correct themselves.

Just my 2 cents^^

 

[king hassan]

Nas not the only one that's done this, a lot of people have done albums covers, covers. Korrupt bit a Marvin Gaye album cover, in other words "Illmatic" a dope ass album

 

[ohhhla]

How do y'all know the Musician Nas bit didn't bite??

I mean.

 

The user and all related content has been deleted.

 

[tompetrez3]

Awesome find, i never knew of this but if he did bite the cover he did an execptional nod.What about all of Jay Z biting. Fuck a album cover how many rhymes have Nas bitten. None that I can remember but Jay Z steals flows and lyrics from all niggas. On that 100 bill and dream song he rappin like 2 chains talking about poppin mollies. Jay z didn't mention mollies on rd but niggas gonna overlook his bullshit because he eating Marques Houston leftovers.