Directed by:
One9Screenplay:
Erik ParkerCinematography:
Frank LarsonCast:
Nas, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, Alicia Keys, DJ Premier, Henry Louis Gates, Fab 5 Freddy (a.f.), Marley Marl, Roxanne Shanté, Pete RockPlots(1)
Twenty years after its release, Illmatic has become a hip-hop benchmark that encapsulates the socio-political outlook, enduring spirit, and collective angst of a generation of young black men searching for their voice in America. Time is Illmatic tracks the musical legacy of the Jones family, handed down to Nas from his jazz musician father, Olu Dara. It also examines the social conditions and environmental influences that contributed to Nas' worldview. Along the way, Time Is Illmatic shows how Nas - with the support of his Queensbridge neighbourhood crew, the loyalty of his younger brother Jabari "Jungle" Jones, and sacrifices of his mother, Ann Jones - overcame insurmountable odds to create the greatest work of music from hip-hop's second golden era. (Dogwoof Pictures)
(more)Cast
![Nas](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/007/161007445_8bee7a.jpg)
Nas
USA
Best movies:
Hype Williams: The Videos, Vol. 1 (2002) (video compilation)
Belly (1998)
Popstar (2016)
![Pharrell Williams](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/874/160874693_69be64.jpg)
Pharrell Williams
USA
Best movies:
Sing 2 (2021)
The Big Short (2015) - a.f.
The College Dropout Video Anthology (2005) (video compilation)
Swizz Beatz
USA
Best movies:
Dumb and Dumber To (2014)
![Busta Rhymes](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/273/273703_5c7229.jpg)
Busta Rhymes
USA
Best movies:
Hype Williams: The Videos, Vol. 1 (2002) (video compilation)
Finding Forrester (2000)
Who's the Man? (1993)
![Alicia Keys](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/579/161579663_21dacd.jpg)
Alicia Keys
USA
Best movies:
Live 8 (2005) (concert)
The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
Smokin' Aces (2006)
DJ Premier
USA
![Henry Louis Gates](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/525/161525968_4dd8cb.jpg)
![Fab 5 Freddy](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/277/277760_7c552e.jpg)
Fab 5 Freddy (a.f.)
USA
Best movies:
American Gangster (2007)
New York Beat Movie (1981)
Juice (1992)
Marley Marl
USA
Best movies:
Step Up 3D (2010)
Roxanne Shanté
USA
Pete Rock
Best movies:
Who's the Man? (1993)
Brown Sugar (2002)