Posted on January 22, 2020 by Matt's Music Mine
While the lyricism and production of Illmatic still remain one of the strongest debut releases from an artist in any genre, It Was Written was a more successful break into a more mainstream audience. After a lengthy introduction which features a classical styled instrumental over some boom-bap percussion, Nas’s voice is like a breath of fresh air even 20 plus years later. As he moves through the crowded city with gold chains seemingly leading his way, It Was Written becomes a combination of his unrelenting rhyme ability and flair which became a staple for Queensbridge.
Nas is able to peel the curtain back on his style and personal life with bars that describe, “Where the snakes put a smile on they face, hoping and praying I’m stuck. Scoping, they lay in the cut, weighing my luck. Player haters play this in cell blocks and rocked stages winking at some female cops with cocked gauges.” When he is able to then recruit Foxy Brown for the hook, this smooth female voice is empowering and orchestrates a different side to the already buttery production. “Watch dem niggas that be close to you and make sure they do what they supposed to do. Cause you know they be thinking ‘bout
One of the bigger standouts for It Was Written comes from Dr. Dre’s featured hand on the track “Nas Is Coming” which continues to catch the beat even well after the record ends. With a chorus that is simplistic but effective, the continuous use of “Nas is coming, Nas is coming” which repeats for what seems like a majority of the track. His similes and metaphors here especially are deliberately destructive, “In the black limo, Jack Daniels through the cracked window. I spot the fake, red dot his face like a Hindu. Snatched the symbol, tied his hands to make examples.” It is a piece of work that ages well which joins some of the better tracks of the 90’s rap era.
While it may not capture the same ears as Illmatic, it is undeniably a strong progression that Nas saw in his career. From taking the sales numbers or the way that he could encapsulate an audience with lyrics still being used year later, It Was Written tells more about the era of hip-hop than anything about Nas personally.
Category: Classic DayTags: Affirmative Action, Album Intro, Black Girl Lost, Classic Day, Dr. Dre, Foxy Brown, Havoc, I Gave You Power, If I Ruled The World, It Was Written, Joel Hailey, Lauryn Hill, Live Nigga Rap, Matt's Music, Matt's Music Mine, Matthew Miramontes, Matthew Ryan Miramontes, Mobb Deep, Nas, Nas Affirmative Action, Nas Album Intro, Nas Black Girl Lost, Nas Dr Dre, Nas Foxy Brown, Nas Havoc, Nas I Gave You Power, Nas If I Ruled The World, Nas Is Coming, Nas It Was Written, Nas Joel Hailey, Nas Lauryn Hill, Nas Live Nigga Rap, Nas Mobb Deep, Nas Nas, Nas Nas Is Coming, Nas Shootouts, Nas Street Dreams, Nas Suspect, Nas Take It In Blood, Nas The Message, Nas The Set Up, Nas Watch Dem Niggas, Shootouts, Street Dreams, Suspect, Take It In Blood, The Message, The Set Up, Watch Dem Niggas
The complete list of all past streams can be accessed here as well
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The complete list of all past streams can be accessed here as well
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