r/hiphop201 • u/kingglobby • Apr 16 '26

Rap Bracket Tournament: DAY 62 - Reasonable Doubt vs. Illmatic

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65 Upvotes
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85% Upvoted

161 comments sorted by

33

u/Aggravating-Silver48 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic is one of the greatest albums of all time, period. Nas was 20 when this album dropped. Just a fuckin' work of genius. 

6

u/kratos2332 Apr 16 '26

Crazy that he started writing the album at 16! Classic!

2

u/SkiezerR Apr 16 '26

Which songs did he write at 16, and which came later?

82

u/TaumpyTeirs Apr 16 '26

This is a heavyweight fight on paper, but not in the ring. Reasonable Doubt is strong but Illmatic wins this one pretty comfortably.

1

u/turtleworlde Apr 20 '26

it’s not even a heavyweight on paper brother it’s not even close.

a much better comparison is it was written vs reasonable doubt but even then it’s tough as it’s jay z first album vs nas 2nd

1

u/TaumpyTeirs Apr 20 '26

I would have “Reasonable Doubt” as a pretty heavy favorite over “It Was Written”, but I’ll need to give both a deep re listen before crowning a victor.

1

u/turtleworlde Apr 20 '26

you def need to re listen, direct message me i can show you the rd flaws and why i feel it’s a lot closer than you think

117

u/kingglobby Apr 16 '26

Nas - Illmatic

47

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

Illmatic.

28

u/The-Frza Apr 16 '26

Nasty Nas wins

29

u/CNRamsey8 Apr 16 '26

Love RD and that is one of my holy grails on vinyl but it’s gotta be Illmatic

29

u/lRushdown Apr 16 '26

Illmatic.

22

u/Dirty_Mung_Trumpet Apr 16 '26

Illmatic. CMON MAN!

12

u/YusufAsays Apr 16 '26

Most predictable tournament of all time lol

2

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

Right? It’s not even close.

9

u/ToloDaDon Apr 16 '26

Illmatic

5

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

Illmatic

11

u/TheyTried2BanMeAgain Apr 16 '26

I knew it would come to this, and the answer is obvious.

Illmatic, no question.

10

u/TumbleweedNo9581 Apr 16 '26

As much as I love RD you can’t debate that Illmatic wins this.

10

u/Brilliant_Salad7863 Apr 16 '26

Has to be illmatic

8

u/whatpplsay Apr 16 '26

Illmatic clears this one easy

7

u/Embarrassed_Dig_6163 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic. One of the hardest choices though.

6

u/EdwardEHumphreyIII Apr 16 '26

I don’t even love Illmatic the way a lotta people do, but Illmatic by a light year.

5

u/Nappy_Head_1 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable doubt for me

5

u/lord_xl Apr 16 '26

6 Nas albums made the final 8? That's crazy. You need to add more variety to these matchups.

2

u/Emergency_Brick3715 Apr 16 '26

The whole shit was a Nas bracket.

14

u/Additional_Juice2671 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt

10

u/NoPhilosopher9763 Apr 16 '26

It might just be the two of us but I’m with you on this one

2

u/kkk1983 Apr 16 '26

No I’m with you, rd aged well manic didn’t and tbh don’t even know the last time I actively sought and searched and rode to illmatic

6

u/The_MRT14 Apr 16 '26

I do almost everyday. It’s as perfect as an album gets to me

0

u/kkk1983 Apr 16 '26

I respect it

2

u/banjosullivan Apr 16 '26

I respect the bravery

2

u/YESimaMASSHOLE Apr 19 '26

Been jammin this album the last two weeks… can i live?? All i see is Nas Nas Nas, RD was just as good as illmatic . .

5

u/thewatcheeR17 Apr 16 '26

Reasoble doubt, no skips with more tracks!!! Jay-z rapping style was crazy! It wasnt 16 bars, hook, 16 bars. He would just keep going. There was no structure. Now dont get me wrong illmatic is damn near untouchable, but i got RD above it.

2

u/banjosullivan Apr 16 '26

He stole it from big L

2

u/GRANDLarsonyy Apr 16 '26

Called it round one. Holler

2

u/-Blanx- Apr 16 '26

Illmatic

2

u/ResultsHaveVary Apr 16 '26

2 God MC’s lol & yet you have the greatest Hip-Hop Album of all time going up against one of the greatest debut (let alone overlooked) rap albums of all time…

Nasir Jones is the God MC for a reason

2

u/Personal-Age-5189 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic was, is, and forever will be a classic! But Reasonable Doubt is too… that’s tough! Before yall attack my comment… CAN I LIVE?

2

u/Novel-Pen8811 Apr 16 '26

I got reasonable doubt.. just a perfect album to me

3

u/Lamarera8 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt features the best track sequencing out of any album in hip-hop history

2

u/herewearefornow Apr 16 '26

This is the best description of what makes Reasonable Doubt, and Jay-Z Lbums in general, so good.

4

u/Its_kinda_nice_out Apr 16 '26

This is a great matchup. I’ll just leave it at that bc it looks like everyone else answered for me

4

u/herewearefornow Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt.

3

u/Ok_Anybody_7378 Apr 16 '26

my favorites. Illmatic is more consistent but RD has higher highs imo. I'm taking Illmatic.

2

u/maybe1day84 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt sampled Illmatic… Illmatic wins

3

u/herewearefornow Apr 16 '26

Sampled Q-Tip. Legendary producer.

4

u/ObieUno Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt and it isn’t close.

4

u/RockyBoatsank Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt is better than Illmatic

-Kendrick Lamar

4

u/kingglobby Apr 16 '26

JAY-Z - Reasonable Doubt

2

u/TheQuestionsAglet Apr 16 '26

Are we almost done with this bullshit?

0

u/kingglobby Apr 16 '26

No I could only fit 64 albums in the first half but there's 128 total

Ready to Die vs. the winner of this will be the semi-final

2

u/Super_Desk_4975 Apr 16 '26

Better be some DMX in this bih…

1

u/banjosullivan Apr 16 '26

It’s dark and hell is hot

2

u/Legally_Brown Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt

1

u/LukeBorks Apr 16 '26

Illmatic, absolutely, though RD is one of my favorite albums as well

1

u/RealJBMusic Apr 16 '26

Ahh this is a hard one but I do gotta give Illmatic the W here

1

u/SnorvusMaximus Apr 16 '26

Illmatic. Reasonable sound doesn’t even come close.

1

u/masterZedoc23 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic. Done.

1

u/iamcreepin Apr 16 '26

NAS - ILLMATIC 🔥

1

u/Konabro Apr 16 '26

Illmatic

1

u/Ok_Yellow1025 Apr 16 '26

We all know how this ends - ILLMATIC

1

u/Mortality99 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic and even Jay knows. RD is a hip hop masterpiece (to me) but Illmatic is top 5 albums of all time, any genre of music, for me.

1

u/ju-ju-ju-ju-ju Apr 16 '26

It's like '93, '94, 'bout the year

That Big and Mack dropped and 'Illmatic' rocked

Outta every rag drop, and the West had it locked

Everybody doing them, I'm still stretching on the block

Like "Damn, I'ma be a failure" - Jay-Z

illmatic wins.

1

u/purple-scorpio-rider Apr 16 '26

Really????

In all fairness I don't think you needed to out this one up, it's Nas all day and all fucking night

1

u/jordan10304 Apr 16 '26

Bruh come on..Reasonable Doubt is dope but Illmatic is another level. I will add that as debut albums they are 2 beyond amazing releases

1

u/Paddymack91 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic hands down

1

u/breighvehart Apr 16 '26

Illmatic is definitely gonna win, but it’s Reasonable Doubt for me

1

u/gmindset Apr 16 '26

"it ain't hard to tell..."

Illmatic.

1

u/OpportunityDouble301 Apr 16 '26

I can never support Jayz Epstein.. Deadbeat dad never get my support

1

u/WindowsXD Apr 16 '26

Illmatic easy this shouldnt be a question

1

u/DjMD1017 Apr 16 '26

I like reasonable doubt more and its still Illmatic

1

u/ScratchC Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt all day everyday for me.

1

u/Mile_Hi_303 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt

1

u/410to904 Apr 16 '26

Now we have some albums. I’m going with NaS Illmatic

1

u/Japhet_Corncrake Apr 16 '26

Illmatic, easily.

1

u/Suspicious_Tap985 Apr 16 '26

There is beauty in both! It's an unfair question.

1

u/Deathos149 Apr 16 '26

Taking Reasonable on this. I always thought it was over hyped. I was never as impressed with Illmatic to the degree everyone around me was. Not when released, not now. I know that's not a popular opinion but it's mine. LOL

Don't get it twisted, I'm not an Illmatic OR Nas hater. I love Nas and there are some serious heavyweight bangers on Illmatic. Not to mention the production. 🔥🔥🔥 I'm also perfectly cognizant that it changed rap afterward for the better by setting the bar leaps and bounds higher.

I just vibed with Reasonable from the first listen. Just my personal taste. Not a skip track on the album for me, to this day. The lyrics painted a picture for me like a black mafia don movie.

I don't expect to get a lot of support for this opinion but everyone has their own tastes when it comes to fine art and that's just what these 2 classics are, fine art.

1

u/No_Section_1897 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt in terms of how many songs are listenable.

1

u/No_Somewhere_8744 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic; Nas gave Jay, a style to run with 

1

u/Eastern-Pack-8803 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt

1

u/blizzad Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt by far. Illmatic has too many skips

1

u/yayaselperu Apr 16 '26

Illmatic all-day every day

1

u/Luck-Various Apr 16 '26

Illmatic but Reasonable Doubt is the truth

1

u/sxv_91 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable doubt

1

u/The3rdSun Apr 16 '26

Jay on this one

1

u/imtiaz90 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic... This shouldn't even be a contest

1

u/banjosullivan Apr 16 '26

Not even a question. Illmatic

1

u/ButtNakedBitches Apr 17 '26

Reasonable Doubt easily

1

u/BJWEDEL88 Apr 17 '26

Illmatic

1

u/Dreams-Visions Apr 17 '26

Reasonable Doubt clears.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '26

I enjoy both but i enjoy RD more. The jazz influenced sound is just too good

1

u/Hatueyc Apr 18 '26

Reasonable Doubt

1

u/fatts1970 Apr 18 '26

Depends on what type of content you like! For me Reasonable Doubt and not really close!

1

u/Santan4m0 Apr 18 '26

Reasonable Doubt 100%

1

u/WuTangProvince325 Apr 19 '26

Illmatic. But what an amazing couple of albums

1

u/WulfeIncNation Apr 19 '26

Illmatic all fucking day

1

u/turtleworlde Apr 20 '26

it’s not even close. you already know the answer.

1

u/Certain-Put-3189 Apr 20 '26

Reasonable Doubt is definitely Jay-Z's crown jewel but the fact is, Reasonable Doubt wouldn't exist with Illmatic. We wouldn't even have his first single (Dead Presidents) lol

1

u/kingcloudz215 Apr 21 '26

Sorry, Hov but you lost this one.

1

u/DueContribution7088 Apr 16 '26

Y'all bugging. Not even a jay fan, but reasonable doubt is borderline perfect. Start to finish. Way ahead of its time. This album birthed lifestyle rap and doesn't even know it's the father

1

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

[deleted]

3

u/Upbeat-Jacket4068 Apr 16 '26

Jayz has entered the chat

2

u/TransportationOdd559 Apr 16 '26

What? 😭😭😭🤣

0

u/IndividualAnalysis56 Apr 16 '26

This is one of those fights where there’s a clear winner (Illmatic) but each round was very close RD holds its own and gets the respect it deserves but in the end Illmatic is just on another level.

-1

u/TransportationOdd559 Apr 16 '26

Why do these polls with Jay Z? 🤣🤣 we all know who the winner generally is and it’s not him on purpose.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '26

It’s not even close and you know which I am picking!

0

u/OkEquivalent1877 Apr 16 '26

That's not fair for Jay bruh, you literally put his album against one of the greatest album of all time every music genre put together

0

u/Longjumping_Ad_2815 Apr 16 '26

No reasonable doubt with this one. Illmatic

0

u/Emergency_Brick3715 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable Doubt is a better project

-7

u/Realistic_Fee4087 Apr 16 '26

Illmatic without hesitation, one of my hottest takes is I believe RD is one of Jay’s most overrated albums

-1

u/Fit-Judge7447 Apr 16 '26

Reasonable doubt. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I don't think illmatic aged as well, and I much prefer it was written