Sohail Daulatzai's guest appearances

Sohail Daulatzai

Library Rap: The Hip Hop Interviews with Tim Einenkel

Ras Kass

Talib Kweli

Jim Jones

Larry Smith

David Banner

Boots Riley

Neil Armstrong

Uncle Luke

Andy Katz

Chuck D

Brother Ali

John Coltrane

Jeff Chang

Reggie Osse

Iggy Azalea

OwlTail

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Professor Sohail Daulatzai co-authored Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas’s Illmatic, which focuses on the first album by Hip-Hop artist Nas. In light of this book, I sat down with Professor Daulatzai to talk about how, if at all did Nas’ first album, Illmatic change the Hip-Hop industry. What did it mean for the future of the industry? How has it inspired rap artist? And, why write a book on this particular album? 

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and Professor Sohail Daulatzai co-authored Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas’s Illmatic, which focuses on the first album by Hip-Hop artist Nas. In light of this book, I sat down with Professor Daulatzai to talk about how, if at all did Nas’ first album, Illmatic change the Hip-Hop industry. What did it mean for the future of the industry? How has it inspired rap artist? And, why write a book on this particular album?

488: Sohail Daulatzai:  Born to Use Mics: Reading Nas’s Illmatic

At the age of nineteen, Nasir “Nas” Jones began recording tracks for his debut album—and changed the music world forever. Released in 1994,Illmaticwas hailed as an instant masterpiece and has proven one of the most influential albums in hip-hop history. With its close attention to beats and lyricism, and riveting first-person explorations of the isolation and desolation of urban poverty,Illmaticwas pivotal in the evolution of the genre. InBorn to Use Mics, Michael Eric Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai have brought together renowned writers and critics including Mark Anthony Neal, Marc Lamont Hill, Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., and many others to confrontIllmaticsong by song, with each scholar assessing an individual track from the album. The result is a brilliant engagement with and commentary upon one of the most incisive sets of songs ever laid down on wax.

At the age of nineteen, Nasir “Nas” Jones began recording tracks for his debut album—and changed the music world forever. Released in 1994,Illmaticwas hailed as an instant masterpiece and has proven one of the most influential albums in hip-hop history. With its close attention to beats and lyricism, and riveting first-person explorations of the isolation and desolation of urban poverty,Illmaticwas pivotal in the evolution of the genre. InBorn to Use Mics, Michael Eric Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai have brought together renowned writers and critics including Mark Anthony Neal, Marc Lamont Hill, Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., and many others to confrontIllmaticsong by song, with each scholar assessing an individual track from the album. The result is a brilliant engagement with and commentary upon one of the most incisive sets of songs ever laid down on wax.

18: The Library: Born to Use Mics Interview with Sohail Daulatzai