My favorite song from the album, “I Gave You Power”
Remember when Nas’ second album was skewered by some diehard Illmatic fans (Jay-Z included)? Turns out that it’s actually one of his better projects since his debut (no, seriously). Speaking to XXL, Nas reflects on his now 15-year-old sophomore project…
You worked with Dr. Dre in the middle of the East Coast/West Coast feud. What was the response on the East Coast?
It was unbelievable ‘cause Dre had The Chronic, he had Doggystyle. And really that was it. So it was unbelievable. It was crazy.For “Street Dreams” what was the process like to clear the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams” sample?
Oh, they took everything. They took everything. Word. For real.That song also partially led to ‘Pac taking issue with you ’cause he had the same track on All Eyez on Me that he released that same year. What was your reaction when you heard that ‘Pac accused you of taking the same track?
See, I was always into ‘Pac early before his controversial side blew up all over America and the world. I was already into his music. I saw him as a kindred spirit, I saw him as a brother, so it was like beefin’ with your brother. Not even beefin’, it felt like, your brother over there’s a little mad. This is an issue right now, so you gotta deal with it.
READ: Nas Remembers the Impact of It Was Written, 15 Years Later
so is it hard to talk with nas’ nuts in your mouth? is it really that slow of a day you have to post this?
> so is it hard to talk with nas’ nuts in your mouth? is it really that slow of a day you have to post this?
i mean… you came here on your own free will though… so perhaps you should remove my sack from your jugular first?
It Was Written is a classic. If Illmatic didn’t exist it would get more props.
Honestly, if It Was Written lost some of the filler shit, it could´ve been a dopeass album. Now it´s just a good album.
@meka
Just ignore these clown ass hating ass niggas man, they some sad motherfuckers.
it was written is CLASSIC maby when it came out it had such hard competition (ILLMATIC)but thats about it…standing alone its still an AMAZING CLASSIC it just shows how great illmatic was if it was written gets any hate..cos it shudnt lyrics and beats was on point..highlights
take it in blood
i gave you power
street dreams
if i ruled the world
the set up
suspect
live nigga rap…
basically the album is a classic!!
I honestly don’t understand how Rolling Stone rerated the album 8 years after its release.
My favorite hip hop album of all-time.
lol nas didnt even answer the first question. “it was crazy”
fucking chill meka, it wasnt even criticism he said it lightly yet you get all angry on his ass. you and shake have some anger issues pent up within you, seriously
nas is that dude….hes a legend in the game how could you hate on em….next to my uncle rakim hes one the greatest lyricists to do it….but in the meantime yall should show love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crO5dEhjBNg
Better albums. It’s his best album. This was the album that let you know he mastered the craft.
I ALWAYS WANTED NAS AND AZ TO RAP OVER THE INTRO OF THIS ALBUM WHEN THEY WAS TALKING BOUT NIGGAS LOOK FAKER THEN THE HUNNID DOLLAR BILL
Classic soph album
NaS has 1 classic album. Illmatic & 1 classic song post Illmatic 2nd Childhood. That’s all that’s it.
I think this is the album that really made Nas because even though Illmatic was classic it was slept on by people outside of NY. Alot of Nas fans heard It Was Written first and then went back and got Illmatic. He got two classic albums and a few classic songs after like Nas is like, One Mic, Made You Look and Black Republican.
Classice album. Lupe based the structure of Food and liquor off It Was Written. just btw
Stillmatic is a dope ass album too. Drop that Life is Good, NASTY!
Just say WORD! Good post Meka! Ill lyrics for Ill listnerz!
It Was Written…..Classic
“The Message” was my shit. Album IS a classic.
Nas has 5 classics to me. Illmatic, It Was Written, Stillmatic, Lost Tapes, Hip Hop is Dead. Not a weak track on any of those.