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JokerzWyld
New member
Mumo X;1814054 said:How did Nas sell-out when IWW had songs like If I ruled the world,I Gave you Power,Black Girl lost,Message?
Classic Post
Classic album.
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rapmastermind
New member
"It Was Written" is a Classic to a lot of us NaS fans but most Hip Hop fans consider it a 4 to 4.5 MIC LP. It's considered a step down from "ILLmatic" cause NaS basically said F' the streets and decided to throw his hat in the "KING OF NY" ring with this album. "It Was Written" was clearly the answer to "Ready to Die". Lyrically NaS was slightly sharper though on "ILLmatic" it was just a combo of lyrics and flow. I personally enjoyed Escobar more than NaSty though NaSty NaS was clearly the illest form of his self. It wasn't that there is weak songs on "It Was Written", you be hard pressed to find 2 or 3 weak songs.
Everyone gets on "NaS is Coming" but the only thing weak about that song is the hook, the beat and lyrics were fire. I had the cassette version that had "Silent Murda" which made it even more ILL to me. Overall I think NaS got Biggie attention with the album cause he directly responded to it on "Life After Death". I commend NaS for showing he could compete. But Hardcore rap fans will never forgive NaS for the change from street dweller to the Black Escobar. I understand NaS mind frame. Biggie changed the game and NaS knew if he didn't adopt he would become extinct. The album get's unjustly hated on. What wack song is on the album? seriously? Even though the trackmasters production is very flashy and polished, the beats were still solid. Havoc laced NaS as well as L.E.S. and Live Squad.
Again "ILLmatic" is his best album and most lyrical but "It Was Written" got NaS the fanbase that supports him till this day. Him and Biggie were the only solo NYC rappers moving units and "It Was Written" made NaS a heavy weight in the NYC rap scene. If Biggie was crowned King after "Ready To Die", "It Was Written" made NaS 2nd place easily cause Jay Z "Reasonable Doubt" though Classic didn't match the impact in 96 that NaS had. It's amazing, on the 1st song on the album "The Message" NaS subliminally goes at Biggie, Tupac and Jay Z. That took balls and the song is a Classic. I personally think it's NaS 2nd or 3rd Best album with "ILLmatic" and "STILLmatic". I think History judges it more kindly now once people took the emotion out of him not making another "ILLmatic" album and realize it was not only a very good album, it was easily one of the best albums of 96.
Everyone gets on "NaS is Coming" but the only thing weak about that song is the hook, the beat and lyrics were fire. I had the cassette version that had "Silent Murda" which made it even more ILL to me. Overall I think NaS got Biggie attention with the album cause he directly responded to it on "Life After Death". I commend NaS for showing he could compete. But Hardcore rap fans will never forgive NaS for the change from street dweller to the Black Escobar. I understand NaS mind frame. Biggie changed the game and NaS knew if he didn't adopt he would become extinct. The album get's unjustly hated on. What wack song is on the album? seriously? Even though the trackmasters production is very flashy and polished, the beats were still solid. Havoc laced NaS as well as L.E.S. and Live Squad.
Again "ILLmatic" is his best album and most lyrical but "It Was Written" got NaS the fanbase that supports him till this day. Him and Biggie were the only solo NYC rappers moving units and "It Was Written" made NaS a heavy weight in the NYC rap scene. If Biggie was crowned King after "Ready To Die", "It Was Written" made NaS 2nd place easily cause Jay Z "Reasonable Doubt" though Classic didn't match the impact in 96 that NaS had. It's amazing, on the 1st song on the album "The Message" NaS subliminally goes at Biggie, Tupac and Jay Z. That took balls and the song is a Classic. I personally think it's NaS 2nd or 3rd Best album with "ILLmatic" and "STILLmatic". I think History judges it more kindly now once people took the emotion out of him not making another "ILLmatic" album and realize it was not only a very good album, it was easily one of the best albums of 96.
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ustreet_monsta
New member
IWW is classic/ almost classic NOW when you compare it to the rest of Nas' catalog, but when it first came out it the critics were right. Nas was trying to solidify his street cred and keep up with the mafioso direction NYC rap was heading in. Maybe the expectations were too high for Nas or maybe people were trying to force him to be more conscious than he really was. I dont know. Whatever the reason for the Escobar persona I wouldnt call him a sell out. That album bangs if you dont think too deeply about it.
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thedesolateone
New member
rapmastermind;1814125 said:"It Was Written" is a Classic to a lot of us NaS fans but most Hip Hop fans consider it a 4 to 4.5 MIC LP. It's considered a step down from "ILLmatic" cause NaS basically said F' the streets and decided to throw his hat in the "KING OF NY" ring with this album. "It Was Written" was clearly the answer to "Ready to Die". Lyrically NaS was slightly sharper though on "ILLmatic" it was just a combo of lyrics and flow. I personally enjoyed Escobar more than NaSty though NaSty NaS was clearly the illest form of his self. It wasn't that there is weak songs on "It Was Written", you be hard pressed to find 2 or 3 weak songs.
Everyone gets on "NaS is Coming" but the only thing weak about that song is the hook, the beat and lyrics were fire. I had the cassette version that had "Silent Murda" which made it even more ILL to me. Overall I think NaS got Biggie attention with the album cause he directly responded to it on "Life After Death". I commend NaS for showing he could compete. But Hardcore rap fans will never forgive NaS for the change from street dweller to the Black Escobar. I understand NaS mind frame. Biggie changed the game and NaS knew if he didn't adopt he would become extinct. The album get's unjustly hated on. What wack song is on the album? seriously? Even though the trackmasters production is very flashy and polished, the beats were still solid. Havoc laced NaS as well as L.E.S. and Live Squad.
Again "ILLmatic" is his best album and most lyrical but "It Was Written" got NaS the fanbase that supports him till this day. Him and Biggie were the only solo NYC rappers moving units and "It Was Written" made NaS a heavy weight in the NYC rap scene. If Biggie was crowned King after "Ready To Die", "It Was Written" made NaS 2nd place easily cause Jay Z "Reasonable Doubt" though Classic didn't match the impact in 96 that NaS had. It's amazing, on the 1st song on the album "The Message" NaS subliminally goes at Biggie, Tupac and Jay Z. That took balls and the song is a Classic. I personally think it's NaS 2nd or 3rd Best album with "ILLmatic" and "STILLmatic". I think History judges it more kindly now once people took the emotion out of him not making another "ILLmatic" album and realize it was not only a very good album, it was easily one of the best albums of 96.
what lines was nas going at jay-z biggie and pac?
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rapmastermind;1814125 said:"It Was Written" is a Classic to a lot of us NaS fans but most Hip Hop fans consider it a 4 to 4.5 MIC LP. It's considered a step down from "ILLmatic" cause NaS basically said F' the streets and decided to throw his hat in the "KING OF NY" ring with this album. "It Was Written" was clearly the answer to "Ready to Die". Lyrically NaS was slightly sharper though on "ILLmatic" it was just a combo of lyrics and flow. I personally enjoyed Escobar more than NaSty though NaSty NaS was clearly the illest form of his self. It wasn't that there is weak songs on "It Was Written", you be hard pressed to find 2 or 3 weak songs.
Everyone gets on "NaS is Coming" but the only thing weak about that song is the hook, the beat and lyrics were fire. I had the cassette version that had "Silent Murda" which made it even more ILL to me. Overall I think NaS got Biggie attention with the album cause he directly responded to it on "Life After Death". I commend NaS for showing he could compete. But Hardcore rap fans will never forgive NaS for the change from street dweller to the Black Escobar. I understand NaS mind frame. Biggie changed the game and NaS knew if he didn't adopt he would become extinct. The album get's unjustly hated on. What wack song is on the album? seriously? Even though the trackmasters production is very flashy and polished, the beats were still solid. Havoc laced NaS as well as L.E.S. and Live Squad.
Again "ILLmatic" is his best album and most lyrical but "It Was Written" got NaS the fanbase that supports him till this day. Him and Biggie were the only solo NYC rappers moving units and "It Was Written" made NaS a heavy weight in the NYC rap scene. If Biggie was crowned King after "Ready To Die", "It Was Written" made NaS 2nd place easily cause Jay Z "Reasonable Doubt" though Classic didn't match the impact in 96 that NaS had. It's amazing, on the 1st song on the album "The Message" NaS subliminally goes at Biggie, Tupac and Jay Z. That took balls and the song is a Classic. I personally think it's NaS 2nd or 3rd Best album with "ILLmatic" and "STILLmatic". I think History judges it more kindly now once people took the emotion out of him not making another "ILLmatic" album and realize it was not only a very good album, it was easily one of the best albums of 96.
wonderful post but Nas is better than Big and imo it aint close. Show me a Big verse that matches 'Live @ the BBQ' or 'Verbal Intercourse' or 'Memory lane'? When i compare both of them i look at they body of work between 91-97. In that time frame Nas had the better Verses,more classic songs,more creative,socially conscious tho from a story tellin standpoint they wuz even. 'Niggaz Bleed' gives me the chills til this day. Is there a Big song better than 'I Gave you Power'?
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rapmastermind
New member
thedesolateone;1814472 said:what lines was nas going at jay-z biggie and pac?
"Fake Thug No Love you get slug, CB4 Gusto your luck low, I didn't know till I was drunk Though" - Aimed at Pac (I don't care what NaS says, it was a Pac diss, also talking about leaving the hospital the same night was a Pac reference)
"One life, one love so there can only be one King" - A Biggie diss since Biggie was crowned King of NY
"Lex with TV sets the minimum" was a jab at Jay Z who said he was ballin with Lex's on "Dead Presidents" part II. NaS was never happy with him sampling his voice which is why he didn't appear in the video even though AZ was rumored to have begged him to come but NaS didn't want to do it. Biggie and Jay Z wanted NaS there to show unity amongst the East but sadly NaS's ego didn't let it happen.
The song was called "The Message" which means NaS was sending a message to what he felt was his competitors for the Crown, Biggie, Tupac and Jay Z.
Again NaS had some serious Balls to go at them like that but I give him props, he proved with "The Message" that he was clearly competition to both Biggie, Pac and yes even a Young Jay Z.
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Disciplined InSight
New member
rapmastermind;1814125 said:"It Was Written" is a Classic to a lot of us NaS fans but most Hip Hop fans consider it a 4 to 4.5 MIC LP. It's considered a step down from "ILLmatic" cause NaS basically said F' the streets and decided to throw his hat in the "KING OF NY" ring with this album. "It Was Written" was clearly the answer to "Ready to Die". Lyrically NaS was slightly sharper though on "ILLmatic" it was just a combo of lyrics and flow. I personally enjoyed Escobar more than NaSty though NaSty NaS was clearly the illest form of his self. It wasn't that there is weak songs on "It Was Written", you be hard pressed to find 2 or 3 weak songs.
Everyone gets on "NaS is Coming" but the only thing weak about that song is the hook, the beat and lyrics were fire. I had the cassette version that had "Silent Murda" which made it even more ILL to me. Overall I think NaS got Biggie attention with the album cause he directly responded to it on "Life After Death". I commend NaS for showing he could compete. But Hardcore rap fans will never forgive NaS for the change from street dweller to the Black Escobar. I understand NaS mind frame. Biggie changed the game and NaS knew if he didn't adopt he would become extinct. The album get's unjustly hated on. What wack song is on the album? seriously? Even though the trackmasters production is very flashy and polished, the beats were still solid. Havoc laced NaS as well as L.E.S. and Live Squad.
Again "ILLmatic" is his best album and most lyrical but "It Was Written" got NaS the fanbase that supports him till this day. Him and Biggie were the only solo NYC rappers moving units and "It Was Written" made NaS a heavy weight in the NYC rap scene. If Biggie was crowned King after "Ready To Die", "It Was Written" made NaS 2nd place easily cause Jay Z "Reasonable Doubt" though Classic didn't match the impact in 96 that NaS had. It's amazing, on the 1st song on the album "The Message" NaS subliminally goes at Biggie, Tupac and Jay Z. That took balls and the song is a Classic. I personally think it's NaS 2nd or 3rd Best album with "ILLmatic" and "STILLmatic". I think History judges it more kindly now once people took the emotion out of him not making another "ILLmatic" album and realize it was not only a very good album, it was easily one of the best albums of 96.
Very well explained. Rapmastermind always dropping precise gems.
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rapmastermind
New member
What people don't understand is NaS sold a lot of records. And when you think of his content and style. It's amazing he ended up moving the unit he has. People forget NaS got 8 Platinum and 4 Gold albums. That's amazing and when you look at his singles. Only a few were pop hits or commercial hits. NaS has never had a #1 Pop Hit. Though he went #1 on a feature with Missy and #1 on the rap charts with "Street Dreams", a Gold single. Most of his success has come from album sales instead of singles sales. "If I Ruled The World" was not a #1 hit, but i was #1 in the hood and black communities. That song is Classic. So is "Street Dreams" even though Pac's "All Eyes On Me" was just as good.
I liked the "Street Dreams" remix better with R. Kelly. NaS had hard singles like "Theif's Theme", "Made You Look" as well as "NaS is Like". NaS really did do it his way. I'm reminded of a lyric from "Untitled" when NaS said. "F' ya'll, I'll go Gold wit it". NaS is saying he doesn't have to sell records anymore. He proved himself. "It Was Written" went damn near 3x Platinum and he followed that up with "I Am" where the bootleg was classic which the heart of "The Lost Tapes" was "I Am" era song. "NaSstradamus was weak but there was still gems on it like "Life We Chose" and "Family". NaS has had a great career. But there's a reason "It Was Written" is his highest selling album, it was the album that the masses said, "WHO IS THIS" after they slept on him during "ILLmatic' which took 2 years to go GOLD. Look for yourself, NaS have moved some major units. Well over 10 Million.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nas_discography
I liked the "Street Dreams" remix better with R. Kelly. NaS had hard singles like "Theif's Theme", "Made You Look" as well as "NaS is Like". NaS really did do it his way. I'm reminded of a lyric from "Untitled" when NaS said. "F' ya'll, I'll go Gold wit it". NaS is saying he doesn't have to sell records anymore. He proved himself. "It Was Written" went damn near 3x Platinum and he followed that up with "I Am" where the bootleg was classic which the heart of "The Lost Tapes" was "I Am" era song. "NaSstradamus was weak but there was still gems on it like "Life We Chose" and "Family". NaS has had a great career. But there's a reason "It Was Written" is his highest selling album, it was the album that the masses said, "WHO IS THIS" after they slept on him during "ILLmatic' which took 2 years to go GOLD. Look for yourself, NaS have moved some major units. Well over 10 Million.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nas_discography
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Logic Last
New member
rapmastermind;1814125 said:"It Was Written" is a Classic to a lot of us NaS fans but most Hip Hop fans consider it a 4 to 4.5 MIC LP. It's considered a step down from "ILLmatic" cause NaS basically said F' the streets and decided to throw his hat in the "KING OF NY" ring with this album. "It Was Written" was clearly the answer to "Ready to Die". Lyrically NaS was slightly sharper though on "ILLmatic" it was just a combo of lyrics and flow. I personally enjoyed Escobar more than NaSty though NaSty NaS was clearly the illest form of his self. It wasn't that there is weak songs on "It Was Written", you be hard pressed to find 2 or 3 weak songs.
Everyone gets on "NaS is Coming" but the only thing weak about that song is the hook, the beat and lyrics were fire. I had the cassette version that had "Silent Murda" which made it even more ILL to me. Overall I think NaS got Biggie attention with the album cause he directly responded to it on "Life After Death". I commend NaS for showing he could compete. But Hardcore rap fans will never forgive NaS for the change from street dweller to the Black Escobar. I understand NaS mind frame. Biggie changed the game and NaS knew if he didn't adopt he would become extinct. The album get's unjustly hated on. What wack song is on the album? seriously? Even though the trackmasters production is very flashy and polished, the beats were still solid. Havoc laced NaS as well as L.E.S. and Live Squad.
Again "ILLmatic" is his best album and most lyrical but "It Was Written" got NaS the fanbase that supports him till this day. Him and Biggie were the only solo NYC rappers moving units and "It Was Written" made NaS a heavy weight in the NYC rap scene. If Biggie was crowned King after "Ready To Die", "It Was Written" made NaS 2nd place easily cause Jay Z "Reasonable Doubt" though Classic didn't match the impact in 96 that NaS had. It's amazing, on the 1st song on the album "The Message" NaS subliminally goes at Biggie, Tupac and Jay Z. That took balls and the song is a Classic. I personally think it's NaS 2nd or 3rd Best album with "ILLmatic" and "STILLmatic". I think History judges it more kindly now once people took the emotion out of him not making another "ILLmatic" album and realize it was not only a very good album, it was easily one of the best albums of 96.
After I heard IWW I couldn't listen to anything else. Meaning, if you think album such in such is dope on Monday, then you hear IWW Tuesday, and on Wednesday you can't believe
you actually thought that album on Monday was dope because you have experienced something trans-formative that is IWW.
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Logic Last
New member
sionb55;1813586 said:nah IWW was still a classic & Nas was a young pup just finally getting money & seeing new things.
imo tho he aint sell out till 99 wen he dropped I Am & then ran behind his label & screamed "You Can Hate Me Now" all while spillin champagne bottles, rocking full length furs & partying hard w/ puffy. I felt that "I Am" was a sell out move cuz he made that album to clarify who he was at that point & went totally materialistic. I still remember that one video I think its something like Nas Is Like or w/e where hes driving down in bentleys rocking armani suits & rolexs n shit. it was nice to see he had money but creatively dude did lose it. perhaps this is where jigga warriors can lay claim that dude drops hot albums every 10 years or w/e it is they say.
When Nas rocked the bright red leather suit Jay said to himself, "Ahhh...so the lil nikka wanna come in my lane now. . ."
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rapmastermind
New member
Logic First;1814593 said:When Nas rocked the bright red leather suit Jay said to himself, "Ahhh...so the lil nikka wanna come in my lane now. . ."
Even though "Supa Ugly" was weak and emotional, Jay got NaS on the "Pink suit trying to look cute', line, lol. But I love the "Street Dreams" video, clearly he was paying homage to "Casino" a Classic Movie. I thought the video was very cinematic. it's one of Nas's most successful singles.
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Logic Last
New member
thedesolateone;1813577 said:hol' up give me a chance to explain money and fast cars diamond rings can poison a rap star
It's sorta like the conclusion of Color Purple . . .
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thedesolateone
New member
Logic First;1814614 said:It's sorta like the conclusion of Color Purple . . .
I dolo, challenge any team or solo
You must be buggin out, new to my shit, home on a furlough
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I'm not gonna lie. At the time when he came out with "It Was Written" I was not happy. I was looking forward to Illmatic Pt 2. After I got over the fact that this was not gonna be Illmatic pt. 2 I realized that it was a classic album. It banged from beginning to end and the songs on the album had a lot meaning and were very thought provoking. The sound may have changed but gems he was spitting were still the same. I couldn't understand then but now i can see why he went the direction that he did. Like mastermind said everyone on at the time was on that mafioso theme and Illmatic really didn't sell well at first. He seen his peers doing very well with mafioso themed albums and thought why not. I can't blame him for his choice. It turned out well in the end be cause he ended up with a classic album.
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