National Recording Registry Adds Nas’ ‘Illmatic’ to Collection

Legendary rapper Nas’ debut album Illmatic has been added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. 

Illmatic, released in 1994,  is considered one of the greatest rap albums of all time, “characterized by the masterful use of multi-syllabic and internal rhyme, surprising line breaks and rhythmic complexity, the album’s technique has been widely copied and proven broadly influential. It has been described as the sound of a kid in Queensbridge ransacking his parents’ record collection.”

Illmatic was one of the headliners recognized as part of 25 recordings selected for preservation, along with Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, Labelle’s Lady Marmalade, and Louis Armstrong’s When the Saints Go Marching In.

The most surprising addition to the preservation list was Kermit the Frog’s rendition of the Rainbow Connection, performed by the late great Jim Henson as Kermit in 1979’s Muppet Movie.

“Well, gee, it’s an amazing feeling to officially become part of our nation’s history,” Kermit said in the release. “It’s a great honor. And I am thrilled – I am thrilled! – to be the first frog on the list!”

The new group of 25 brings the titles on the National Recording Registry to 575, representing a small portion of the national library’s vast recorded sound collection of nearly 4 million items.

“The National Recording Registry will preserve our history through these vibrant recordings of music and voices that have reflected our humanity and shaped our culture from the past 143 years,” said Librarian of Congress Erica Hayden of the new selections.

“We received about 900 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry, and we welcome the public’s input as the Library of Congress and its partners preserve the diverse sounds of history and culture.”

Check out Nas’ classic track One Love below, along with the other entries into the NRR.

National Recording Registry Selections for 2020

Singles 

Nikolina – Hjalmar Peterson (1917)

Smyrneikos Balos – Marika Papagika (1928)

When the Saints Go Marching In – Louis Armstrong & his Orchestra (1938)

Lord, Keep Me Day by Day – Albertina Walker and the Caravans (1959) (single)

Once a Day – Connie Smith (1964)

Lady Marmalade – Labelle (1974)

The Rainbow Connection – Kermit the Frog (1979)

Celebration – Kool & the Gang (1980)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (1993)

Albums

Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues – Odetta (1957)

Aida – Leontyne Price, et.al. (1962)

Born Under a Bad Sign – Albert King (1967)

Free to Be…You & Me – Marlo Thomas and Friends (1972)

The Harder They Come – Jimmy Cliff (1972)

Late for the Sky – Jackson Browne (1974)

Bright Size Life – Pat Metheny (1976)

Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs – Jessye Norman (1983)

Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 – Janet Jackson (1989)

Partners – Flaco Jiménez (1992)

Illmatic – Nas (1994)

Other Recordings 

Edison’s St. Louis tinfoil recording (1878)

Christmas Eve Broadcast – Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill (December 24, 1941)

The Guiding Light  (Nov. 22, 1945)

Roger Maris hits his 61st home run (October 1, 1961)

This American Life: The Giant Pool of Money (May 9, 2008)