Nas is in celebration mode as the 20th anniversary for Illmatic draws nearer. Following his performance with Q-Tip and The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Queens rapper spoke with BBC Radio 1’s Zane Lowe.

In the reflective interview, the MC discussed how his Queens, New York surroundings shaped the record, working with iconic producers like DJ Premier, Q-Tip, Pete Rock and Large Professor and whether he expected Illmatic to have the impact it has had on hip-hop.

“Yes, at some point in the past I said I didn’t know. I’m sure I didn’t know one hundred percent. But I did know that somebody, somewhere would feel like it was a masterpiece,” he said.

Listen to the full interview below and cop Illmatic XX on April 15.