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"If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.
Nas' 1994 debut album, ILLMATIC, has been called one of the best rap albums of all time, and this followup documents the main reason why: Nas is the supreme lyricist in hip-hop. On the surface he is a gangsta rapper dispensing richly detailed street stories. But Nas speaks in metaphors not easily interpreted, and his songs constantly challenge the listener to see into his innermost thoughts. He dwells neither on what he could be or wants to be, but rather, simply, on what he is. He's one of the few rappers who can fairly be labeled a poet.
IT WAS WRITTEN utilizes the musical talents of street-oriented producers to enhance Nas' feel for reality. Among those producers are Dr. Dre, who collaborates on "Nas Is Coming" in a joint attempt to squash the East Coast/West Coast war.
Producers include: Nas, Trackmasters, Poke, Tone, DJ Premier.
Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Kelston Rice.
Personnel: Nas (vocals); Lauryn Hill (vocals, background vocals); J. Parker, Kurt Walker, Ken "Duro" Ifill (vocals); Dave Atkinson, Delight (keyboards); DJ Kid Capri (scratches); Joel "JoJo" Hailey (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Bill Esses; Ken "Duro" Ifill; Mike Fronda; Poke & Tone; Richard Travali.
Recording information: Bearsville Studios, NY; Chung King Studios, New York, NY; D&D Studios, New York, NY; Dre's House, Los Angeles, CA; Hit Factory Studios, New York, NY; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; SoundTracks Studios, New York, NY; Westlake studios.
Photographer: Danny Clinch.
Personnel includes: Nas, Mobb Deep, Dr. Dre, Lauryn Hill (vocals); Delight, Dave Atkinson (keyboards); DJ Kid Capri (scratches); JoJo Hailey (background vocals).
The Firm: Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, Cormega (rap vocals).
Spin (10/96, p.139) - "...It's the production, stupid. Choruses you remember; grainy, pop-savvy loops: When Nas manifests `sleep is the cousin of death,' a line also on ILLMATIC, the sentiment now sounds majestic--worthy of all his Don Corleone street fantasies..." Entertainment Weekly (7/26/96, p.56) - "...Humor disguises the grim subject matter while Nas' eye for minutiae lends credibility and urgency to his hip-hop short stories." - Rating: A- Q (9/96, p.118) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...Downbeat funk grooves churn in a foggy wash, heavy on electric pianos and smooth strings that ooze bittersweet menace....Angry, lean and full of drive, Nas is the only rapper capable of challenging the Wu-Tang Clan's dominance." The Source (8/96, p.95) - 4 Mics (out of 5) - "...Nas reveals himself not only as a rhymer, but also as a thinker....[He] explores the realm of ideas through stories, using example as a device to show rather than tell....IT WAS WRITTEN is an audio anthology of ghetto stories told by one of hip-hop's most prolific writers. If ever there was a straight up genius in hip-hop..." Rap Pages - "...This joint features the essence of what rap is supposed to be jampacked with--strictly skillz that will pay the billz..." New York Times (Publisher) (7/28/96, Sec.2, p.30) - "...Throughout the album, Nas stays deadpan as he touts his skills, dispenses advice and places himself within a brutally competitive underworld..." NME (Magazine) (12/21-28/96, pp.66-67) - Ranked #41 in NME's 1996 critic's poll. NME (Magazine) (6/29/96, p.51) - 6 (out of 10) - "...Over a series of stark, almost austere backing tracks, Nas' neat, considered lyrics treat the violence that surrounds him with a mixture of remorse, resignation and ebullience....he paints lurid pictures..."
WIth his second release, Nas confirmed his own greatness.. Illmatic set the stage for criticism because after releasing one of the greatest albums of all time with his debut, Nas had reached what most still feel was his high point quickly. Expectations were high and what goes up, must come down naturally, but with Nas this wasn't the case. With his sophmore album, It Was Written, Nas managed to break the rules of gravity in order to stay atop the rap game. In many ways this album was a better listen than its predecessor. Lyrically Nas is at his best with this album. Production was not as rugged or raw as Illmatic, but the beats worked as Nas was able to show versatility in his beat selections and flow. With great cameos by Mobb Deep, Cormega, as well as Foxy Brown dropping her best verse to date, "It Was Written" is consistent in quality and lacking the filler type tracks that you would hear from his lack luster albums like Nastradamus. This is a bonafide hip hop classic from a living legend who has continued to prove himself relevent for more than a decade. Submitted by pound4pound_01 (Oxnard, California) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 3 of 3 found this helpful.
A classic that everyone should have Nas gives a perspective of everything and paints a picture as clear as day. THis CD is great and not just because " IF I ruled the World". Submitted by a reviewer (Atlanta, GA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 2 found this helpful.
One of the best rap albums ever. A collectors item. If you love rap you have to get "It was written". Submitted by kalu (doha) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
STREET POETRY AT FINEST!! NAS proves his already legendary status with this follow up.EVERY SONGS IS A CLASSIC,ILLEST FLOW AND PURE POETRY!!! Submitted by SDAKAR2011 (PORTO ALEGRE,BRAZIL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Perfect example of what 5 stars mean... This album is classic, period. All you cats who's giving these weak artists 5 stars need to do your homework, because "It Was Written" is the REAL meaning of classic. In my opinion, "It Was Written" is better than "Illmatic" simply because I wasn't around when "Illmatic" was dubbed classic. "It Was Written" defines New York in Nas' perspective and can catch your attention from the intro to "If I Ruled The World". Plus, it was like Nas evolved his game from 'Illmatic", not to say it's not good, but Nas' lyrics was honestly ahead of his time. COP 5 COPIES OF THIS!!!!!! Submitted by spiderdemon64 (Sacramento, CA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
WIth his second release, Nas confirmed his own greatness..
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