Review Summary: "It Was Written" by many, that Nas is one of the best emcees ever.
Another album that put Nas on the map. Alot of people say that this album was average, or that it is too mainstream, but that is not true. Another thing that people judge this album for, is that the mafioso concept doesn't work, but that isn't true either, Nas does that very well. This album only got 4 Mics in The Source Magazine, but it deserved 5 Mics. Anyways, lets get started with the track by track review.
1. Album Intro: Just an intro.
2. The Message: Just like Illmatic, It Was Written starts with one of the best songs. This song has great storytelling, and great production by the Trackmasters, and a great chorus, which uses samples from previous Nas songs. This is one of Nas best songs. 5/5
3. Street Dreams: Another great song produced by the Trackmasters. One of the best songs on this album, and one of the best Nas songs in general. 5/5
4. I Gave You Power: Another standout track on this album, in which Nas personifies a gun, in a brilliant way. Unfortunately, this is the only song on It Was Written that is produced by DJ Premier. 5/5
5. Watch Dem Niggas: Another standout produced by the Trackmasters, this one has Foxy Brown, who delivers an outstanding lyrical performance as well. 5/5
6. Take It In Blood: Another classic track, with an outstanding lyrical performance by Nas. This song features samples of songs such as, Ease Back by Ultramagnetic MC's, and other songs. 5/5
7. Nas Is Coming: A song meant to squash the east coast vs west coast beef by having Dr Dre produce for it. This song is the weakest. 4/5
8. Affirmative Action: Another great song. This song has the Firm, and shows their best performance together, although it has the infamous math problem fail by Foxy Brown, it's still a great song. This song has been sampled in songs such as, It's Logic by Canibus, and other songs. 5/5
9. The Set Up: A great song with Nas and Havoc, and great production by Havoc as well. 5/5
10. Black Girl Lost: Another great song 5/5
11. Suspect: Another great song. 5/5
12. Shootouts: Another great song. 5/5
13. Live Nigga Rap: An outstanding lyrical performance by Nas and Mobb Deep. This song has been sampled in songs such as, What's Going On by Canibus, and other songs. 5/5
14. If I Ruled The World: One of the best songs on this album, and one of the best Nas songs in general. This song features samples of songs such as, If I Ruled The World by Kurtis Blow, and other songs. 5/5
Overall, this album gets, a 5/5, and 10/10.
3 Best Songs:
1. The Message
2. If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)
3. I Gave You Power
3 Weakest Songs:
1. Nas Is Coming
2. Watch Dem Niggas
3. The Set Up
