Nas - It Was Written (2024 Reissue)
Illmatic, the 1994 studio debut of Nasir "Nas" Jones, was more than just a critical success for the Queensbridge-based rapper. At a time when East Coast hip-hop was increasingly being taken less seriously than their West Coast counterparts, Illmatic's raw jazz and soul-based production, dire atmosphere and lyrics, coupled with Nas' uncompromising flow was integral in restoring interest in the East Coast as a hotbed of hip-hop artistry. Along with key releases from Wu-Tang Clan and Notorious B.I.G.,it shifted attention away from the funky, dayglo synth-based G-funk coming out of California and back to the grimy streets of New York. After such an unprecedented debut record, expectations were understandably high for Nas' follow-up. What came next threw critics and fans for a loop, but was no less influential than Illmatic, and would become the most commercially successful album in the entirety of Nas' discography.
The 1996 sophomore follow-up was titled It Was Written, and in contrast to the urban bleakness of his debut, had Nas dipping his toes into the world of mafioso rap. Amidst production from heavy hitters like Trackmasters, Dr. Dre, L.E.S., Havoc of Mobb Deep, and Illmatic- collaborator DJ Premier, among others, Nas weaves evocative narratives of gang warfare, downtrodden neighbourhoods, drug deals gone awry, and gangsta triumph, against a backdrop of samples from Sam Cooke, Etta James, the Isley Brothers, and even Chuck Mangione.
It Was Written was not hard up for top-tier guests either, featuring major guest turns from Lauryn Hill and Joel "JoJo" Hailey of K-Ci and JoJo. It also introduced the world to The Firm, the brief Nas-led supergroup featuring rappers AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega. It even managed to cause some minor controversy in the hip-hop community for its collaboration with West Coast producer Dr. Dre, at a time when the East Coast / West Coast rap feud was reaching a fever pitch, briefly attracting the ire of one Tupac Shakur.
Not only was It Was Written received warmly by critics, but became a major commercial success, reaching the top of the Billboard 200 charts, reaching platinum sales status four times, and alongside albums like Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, helped usher in the era of mafioso rap in the mainstream.
TRACKLISTING
A1. Album Intro
A2. The Message
A3. Street Dreams
A4. I Gave You Power
B1. Watch Dem N****
B2. Take It In Blood
B3. The Set Up
B4. Silent Murder
C1. Black Girl Lost
C2. Suspect
C3. Shootouts
C4. Nas Is Coming
D1. Affirmative Action
D2. Live N**** Rap
D3. If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Artist: Nas
Label: Get On Down
Condition: New
Genre: Hip-Hop
Format: Vinyl LP
Cat Number: GET51479LP
Released: 9th August 2024