In 1994, one of the best debut albums of all time, Illmatic, was dropped by Nasir Jones, aka Nas. World renowned producers DJ Premier, Q-Tip and Pete Rock all took turns in the studio making beats that have become anthems for most hip-hop lovers across the world.
Jason Powers, better known as Elzhi from hip-hop group Slum Village, decided to pay tribute to the legendary rapper’s first studio recorded album by referencing all the same beats and even some of the same lines, but over the stories and struggles of an emerging 21st-century artist. Some may say this is stealing, unjust or unoriginal, but personally I love a good tribute album . . . especially to someone so significantly great and inspiring like the man himself, N-A-S.
I don’t know which is better: Illmatic‘s original “Life’s a Bitch, The 10th Anniversary Platinum Edition version with fellow group member from The Firm, AZ, or this one. Take your pick.
[audio:Lifes-A-Bitch.mp3|titles=Lifes A Bitch]
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Elzhi
Genre: Hip-hop
Origin: Detroit, Michigan
Label: The JAE.B Group
Affiliations: Slum Village, 9-2-5 Colony, Jay Dee, J-Dilla
Elzhi on: Wikipedia | Facebook | Twitter
