“I’m a Villain”: The Lost Nas Track That Missed Illmatic’s Final Cut
MC Serch Reveals Nas Shelved a Gritty Gem to Preserve Album’s Cohesive Vision
Edem Latsu Nukafu 
One of hip-hop’s most revered albums, Nas’ Illmatic, nearly featured a track that never made the final cut — and it wasn't because the song wasn’t good enough.
According to MC Serch, a pivotal figure in Nas’ discovery and early career, the Queensbridge prodigy originally recorded 11 tracks for his legendary 1994 debut. Among them was a raw, unreleased record titled “I’m A Villain.” Despite the track’s potential, it was ultimately left off the album.
Serch explained that the decision to exclude “I’m A Villain” was a creative choice, not a quality issue. “It just didn’t fit the introspective and cohesive story Nas was telling,” he noted.
Illmatic is widely celebrated for its poetic realism and vivid portrayal of life in Queensbridge, a tone Serch says “I’m A Villain” didn’t quite match. While the track embodied Nas’ lyrical prowess and street sensibility, it lacked the thematic nuance that defined the album’s narrative arc.
The revelation has sparked renewed interest among fans and collectors, many of whom are eager to hear what could have been another lyrical gem from the rap icon’s early days.
Although it remains officially unreleased, “I’m A Villain” has surfaced in underground circles over the years, standing as a reminder that even Nas’ cutting room floor holds classic potential.
As Illmatic continues to influence generations of hip-hop artists and listeners, stories like this only deepen the album’s mythos and prove just how meticulous Nas was about curating a timeless debut.
