Description: Tracks:Album IntroMessage, TheStreet Dreams - (remix)I Gave You PowerWatch dem NiggasTake It in BloodNas Is ComingAffirmative Action - (featuring The Firm)Set Up, TheBlack Girl LostSuspectShootoutsLive Nigga RapIf I Ruled the World (Imagine That) Performer Notes: 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).Producers include: Nas, Trackmasters, Poke, Tone, DJ Premier.Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Kelston Rice."If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance.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.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. Professional Reviews: 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..." Format: CD (1 Disc); Stereo Country: USA Studio/Live: Studio Guest Artist: Lauryn Hill; Dr. Dre; Foxy Brown; AZ; Mobb Deep; Jo-Jo Hailey; The Firm Release Date: 1 July, 1996 Label: Columbia Dimensions: 12.7 x 14 x 1.3 centimeters (0.05 kg)
Price: 14.28 USD
Location: East Hanover, New Jersey
End Time: 2024-11-28T23:39:29.000Z
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Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 60 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
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EAN: 0074646701522
UPC: 0074646701522
ISBN: N/A
MPN: N/A
Language: Eng
Track #1: Album Intro
Track #2: Message, The
Track #3: Street Dreams - (remix)
Track #4: I Gave You Power
Track #5: Watch dem Niggas
Track #6: Take It in Blood
Track #7: Nas Is Coming
Track #8: Affirmative Action - (featuring The Firm)
Track #9: Set Up, The
Track #10: Black Girl Lost
Track #11: Suspect
Track #12: Shootouts
Track #13: Live Nigga Rap
Track #14: If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)
Release Year: 1996
Format: CD
Genre: East Coast Rap & Hip-hop, R&B & Soul
Run Time: 58 min.
Style: East Coast
Record Label: Columbia
Artist: Nas, Mobb Deep, Foxy Brown, The Firm, Az, Lauryn Hill, Jojo Hailey, Dr. Dre
Release Title: It Was Written [Pa]