I saw the article title and HAD to click. I noticed Illmatic's use of black letter a while back (I didn't know other people noticed these things!), and I had a question back then about why he used it.
I initially thought it had something to do with how Nas saw himself or wanted to be seen. There is something regal, and classical, and powerful about black letter, and I associate all those things with Nas. The historical context you offer here, however, gives me a more satisfying answer. Thank you.
I saw the article title and HAD to click. I noticed Illmatic's use of black letter a while back (I didn't know other people noticed these things!), and I had a question back then about why he used it.
I initially thought it had something to do with how Nas saw himself or wanted to be seen. There is something regal, and classical, and powerful about black letter, and I associate all those things with Nas. The historical context you offer here, however, gives me a more satisfying answer. Thank you.