Peak Time – Faith Newman on the 25th Anniversary of Illmatic

On this day 25 years ago, Queensbridge native Nas released his debut album _Illmatic_ on Columbia Records. Produced by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S. and Nas, the album epitomized a crackly, sample-heavy boom-bap sound. It was the perfect canvas for Nas' free-flowing delivery of inner-city narratives spun in complex rhymes. Launching the young rapper's career and cementing his place in New York's hip-hop history books, _Illmatic_ made an indelible impact. On today's show, Vivian speaks with Faith Newman, the A&R agent who took a chance on an unknown 18-year-old rapper who forever changed the East Coast sound.