Time Is Illmatic

Play trailer

Time Is Illmatic

2014

1h 13m

Documentary

Biography

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Rapper Nas recalls his youth in his city's housing projects, his parents' influence and the recording of his 1994 debut album, "Illmatic."

Watch on Peacock

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Comprehensive yet brisk, Nas: Time Is Illmatic offers an absorbing look at a hip-hop classic and the life of the artist who made it.

Read Critics Reviews

Charles Bramesco

Movie Mezzanine

Time Is Illmatic is well-informed but inessential, a making-of featurette barely expanded to feature length at a trim 74 minutes.

Rated: C+

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Just as "Illmatic" brought people from all across the globe a little closer to Queensbridge, Nas: Time is Illmatic draws audiences closer to hip-hop.

Rated: A-

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Alex King

Little White Lies

An essential celebration of the New York rapper's groundbreaking 1994 album.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 30, 2014

Full Review

Angus Batey

NME (New Musical Express)

Parker and One9 deserve huge credit for treating their subject with suitable, but unusual, respect and reverence.

Rated: 4/5

May 18, 2021

Full Review

Toni Tileva

Brightest Young Things

Time Is Illmatic lovingly and honestly chronicles the making of an album that would influence many generations after its release.

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

Tom Watson

CineVue

One9 opts for celebration over cultural discourse. It proves a minor shortcoming when you allow yourself to revel in the raw energy of Time Is Illmatic's predictably perfect soundtrack.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 3, 2019

Full Review

Read all reviews

Patrick T

The intricate & intimate details that outline a young Black male's obstacles throughout a rough inner city Queens, New York neighborhood make this documentary a joy to watch. This film can give anyone that has odds against them, hope and motivation. Nas has been mentioned as a Hip Hop Mount Rushmore artist ever since his first album exploded on the scene.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As an outsider it did nothing for me

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/21

Full Review

Audience Member

As a huge fan of Nas and his music, I thought the film was great. Nas had a unique upbringing, that helps mold his rapping style and sound. Through this film you get to see how he rose from a kid free-styling on the sidewalk, to the throne of rap.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A good movie to watch https://kinoferma.top/podborka-filmov/14467-25-samyh-luchshih-eroticheskih-filmov-kinoferma.html

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Overrated like the moron who attempted to "rap" back in the nineties. Waste of time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I LOVE IT because ITS convenient

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

One9

Director

Nas

Actor

Cornel West

Actor

Pharrell Williams

Actor

Swizz Beatz

Actor

Busta Rhymes

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

How to Smell a Rose: A Visit With Ricky Leacock in Normandy

100%

50%

How to Smell a Rose: A Visit With Ricky Leacock in Normandy

Watchlist

Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving the Police

39%

64%

Can't Stand Losing You: Surviving the Police

Watchlist

Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary

50%

89%

Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary

Watchlist

The Stuart Hall Project

100%

83%

The Stuart Hall Project

Watchlist

Bill Cunningham New York

99%

92%

Bill Cunningham New York

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

10 Definitive Hip-Hop Movies

New on DVD & Blu-Ray: John Wick, Dracula Untold, Ouija, and More

Critics Consensus: Gone Girl is Certified Fresh

View more photos

Synopsis

Rapper Nas recalls his youth in his city's housing projects, his parents' influence and the recording of his 1994 debut album, "Illmatic."

Director: One9
Producer: Anthony Saleh, One9, Erik Parker
Screenwriter: Erik Parker
Production Co: Tribeca Film Center
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 4, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $109.3K
Runtime: 1h 13m

Most Popular at Home Now