Celebrating 30 years of the greatest hip hop album ever, Nas’ Illmatic.

This event was in collaboration with one of the Bay Area’s best vintage curators, Jooglife Studios. Jooglife Studios curated a full 90s East Coast Hip Hop selection to hone in on the 90s/Illmatic theme; Avirex leathers, Karl Kani denim, Polo rugby’s, Raiders starter jackets, Wu Wear.

To begin the listening session, guests were invited to grab Illmatic themed cocktails while our show hosts gave a brief prelude to the album. An original 1994 pressing was spun by 90s DJ Paolo Tsui, while reconstructed live instrumentals were overlayed by musicians Claydough (keys) and Harry (bass). The live music element added a contemporary twist to the classic album that truly created a show for guests.

As “It Ain’t Hard To Tell,” (the final track on the album) concluded the Illmatic listening session, the show transitioned into a full celebration of the year 1994 in Hip Hop. DJ Paolo Tsui mixed 94’ albums from Outkasts “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” to Gangstarr’s “Hard to Earn, while Claydough and Harry continued their funky jam.