{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Nas: Time Is Illmatic | image = Time Is Illmatic Poster 2014.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = One9 | writer = Erik Parker | producer = One9<br>Erik Parker<br>Anthony Saleh | starring = Nas<br>Jabari Jones<br>Olu Dara | cinematography = Frank Larson | editing = David Zieff<br>One9<br>John Kanellidis | music = B. Satz | studio = Illa Films | distributor = Tribeca Films | released = {{Film date|2014|04|16|Tribeca Film Festival|2014|10|01|worldwide}} | runtime = 74 minutes | country = United States | gross = $164,540<ref name="Box Office Mojo">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=nas2014.htm|title=NAS: Time is Illmatic (2014) - Box Office Mojo|publisher=Box Office Mojo|accessdate=19 November 2014}}</ref> }} '''''Nas: Time Is Illmatic''''' is a 2014 documentary film directed by One9 and produced by One9, Erik Parker and Anthony Saleh.<ref name="Tribeca Film">{{cite web|url=http://tribecafilm.com/tribecafilm/filmguide/nas-time-is-illmatic|title=Nas: Time Is Illmatic &#124; Tribeca Film|publisher=Tribeca Film|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref> The film recounts the circumstances leading up to Nas' 1994 debut album ''Illmatic''.<ref name="LA Times 2014-10-01">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-nas-time-illmatic-review-20141002-story.html|title=Review: 'Nas: Time Is Illmatic' is a reminder of rap's potential|last1=Tsai|first1=Martin|date=1 October 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref> Released on the 20th anniversary of ''Illmatic'',<ref name="The Detroit News 2014-10-10">{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2014/10/10/nas-time-illmatic-review/16996751/|title=Review: "Nas: Time Is Illmatic"|last1=Graham|first1=Adam|date=10 October 2014|publisher=The Detroit News|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref> the film includes interviews with Nas, his brother and father, and figures from the East Coast hip hop scene.<ref name="NY Times 2014-09-30">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/01/movies/in-nas-time-is-illmatic-a-rapper-revisits-his-roots.html|title=In 'Nas: Time Is Illmatic,' a Rapper Revisits His Roots|last1=Rapold|first1=Nicolas|date=30 September 2014|work=The New York Times|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref> ''Nas: Time Is Illmatic'' premiered during the opening night of the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, on April 16, 2014.<ref name="Variety 2014-04-17">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/tribeca-film-review-time-is-illmatic-1201158924/|title='Time Is Illmatic' Review: A Heartfelt Look Back at Nas' Debut Album|last1=Foundas|first1=Scott|date=17 April 2014|work=Variety|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref> The project received a grant from Tribeca All Access and additional funding from the Ford Foundation.<ref name="Deadline 2014-10-03">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/10/men-women-children-nas-time-is-illmatic-box-office-specialty-845494/|title=Men Women and Children, Nas: Time Is Illmatic, Specialty B.O. Preview|last1=Brooks|first1=Brian|date=3 October 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref>

==Reception== ''Nas: Time Is Illmatic'' received positive reviews from most critics. The film's Metacritic score is 72/100 based on 14 critical reviews,<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/nas-time-is-illmatic|title=Nas: Time Is Illmatic Reviews - Metacritic|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> and its Rotten Tomatoes score is 98%, with an average rating of 7.30/10 based on 41 reviews.<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nas_time_is_illmatic_2014|title=Nas: Time Is Illmatic - Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref> The documentary was a recipient of a Candescent Award.<ref name="The Hollywood Reporter 2014-04-02">{{cite news|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|date=2 April 2014|title=Tribeca: Nas Documentary 'Time is Illmatic' to Receive Inaugural Candescent Award|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tribeca-nas-documentary-time-is-692954|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=19 November 2014}}</ref> ''Nas: Time Is Illmatic'' was considered by ''Variety'' magazine to be a likely contender to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, but did not receive a nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/gallery/contenders-documentary-feature/#!2/nas-time-is-illmatic/|title=Contenders: Documentary Feature|author=Variety Staff|work=Variety}}</ref>

==See also== * East Coast hip hop * ''Illmatic'' * List of films with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== * {{Official website}} * {{IMDb title|3549508}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|nas_time_is_illmatic_2014}} * {{Mojo title|nas2014}}

{{Nas}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nas: Time Is Illmatic}} Category:2014 documentary films Category:2014 films Category:American documentary films Category:Documentary films about hip-hop music and musicians Category:Nas Category:2014 English-language films Category:2014 American films Category:English-language documentary films