Nas: Time Is Illmatic (Documentary)

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.

Filmmakers:

One 9 (Director/Producer)

One9 is a an award winning multimedia artist, director, producer and editor. His clients have included Google, PBS, Viacom, Sony Music, Smithsonian Institution and several non-profit organizations. As an artist One9 was selected by the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York to create an original series of artwork presented to their selected music talent in 2013-2014. Nas: Time is Illmatic is One9’s feature length directorial debut. One9 was born in Washington DC and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Erik Parker (Writer/Producer)

Erik Parker has worked as a music journalist for over fifteen years. He served as music editor for The Source and VIBE magazines. Parker is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism and has written for XXL, Rolling Stone, The Village Voice and other notable outlets. Aside from his work as a print journalist, Parker produced MTV Jams’ The Parker Report, a TV show that gathered hip-hop’s leading voices to discuss issues surrounding music, culture and politics. He is always on the lookout for a good story to tell.