description Nas - It Was Written Overview
It Was Written (1996) is Nas's second studio album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and marked a commercial shift toward a more mainstream sound than Illmatic.
insights Why this score
Nas - It Was Written ranks #92 of 217 in the Hip Hop Album ranking, behind Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Forever, ahead of Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III.
Successful and respected follow-up; slicker commercial turn divides purists but contains major Nas classics.
help Nas - It Was Written FAQ
Why did It Was Written sound different from Illmatic?
Nas adopted more polished production, a stronger narrative persona, and several radio-oriented hooks on his second album. Trackmasters contributed prominently, while Dr. Dre produced the collaboration "Nas Is Coming."
Who are The Firm on It Was Written?
"Affirmative Action" brings Nas together with AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega as an early version of The Firm. Cormega was later replaced by Nature before the group's 1997 album.
Which songs were the biggest singles from It Was Written?
"If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)," featuring Lauryn Hill, became the album's signature crossover single. "Street Dreams" was another major release and uses a melody associated with Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams."
Did It Was Written debut at number one?
Yes. The 1996 album entered the Billboard 200 at number one and remained there for four consecutive weeks, giving Nas a much larger commercial audience than Illmatic initially reached.
explore Explore More
Similar to Nas - It Was Written
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
