The 2014 Tribeca Film Festival kicked off Wednesday night in New York, with Time Is Illmatic, a documentary capturing the making and lead-up to Nas' classic 1994 debut album, Illmatic, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Directed and produced by One9 and written and produced by journalist Erik Parker, the film follows Nas' childhood in Queensbridge housing projects, New York's 1980s drug and violence epidemic, and Nas' eventual groundbreaking success. The film's Beacon Theatre premiere was attended by rap legends like DJ Kool Herc and Marley Marl, as well as producers and artists who contributed to Illmatic, like Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and Large Professor.
But the standout guest and surprise star of the film was Nas' brother, Jabari "Jungle" Jones.
Time Is Illmatic weaves together interviews of many people from Nas' early days, but his younger brother Jungle gets considerable face time.
The film portrays Jungle as the rock in Nas' journey, a constant source of support.
In one particularly moving scene, Jungle holds up an old photo, taken during the photo shoot for Illmatic's album art.
As the premiere screening wrapped up, the audience started tweeting from their seats about the film, and how amazing Jungle was in it. Hot 97 News Director Miss Info wrote:
This #TimeisIllmatic doc is such a moving portrait of @nas n #illmatic, but also of an era, a 'hood, a family, sadness, and survival.
ps: we already knew this...but the homie Jungle is such a star. He breaks your heart and then asks for a cig. #timeisillmatic
MTV's Rob Markman chimed in, adding that Jungle stole the show:
Oh yeah, I know "Time is Illmatic" is about Nas but JUNGLE STOLE THE SHOW!!!!!
NPR agreed:
Jungle is amazing in #timeisillmatic His honesty is truly felt by the crowd.
The charisma with which he told both devastating and hilarious stories left the audience wanting more, with NPR's Cedric Shine suggesting that he have his own documentary:
"One crazy ass ni**a that's Jungle." We need a Jungle documentary. All the years post illmatic #timeisillmatic
Even Nas thinks this is Jungle's movie. At the end of the show, Nas performed Illmatic in its entirety. He brought Jungle up on stage, and called his brother the "star" of the film.
Take a tour of Queensbridge with Jungle, via Vibe.
View this video on YouTube
And watch the trailer for Time Is Illmatic:
View this video on YouTube
The documentary will have two screenings in New York City in the next two weeks, and is expected to open in select theaters soon. Check out more at the film's website.