Nas: It Was Written (1996). The "Golden Child" Strikes Gold

<p>B. Cox &amp; J. Owe review <strong>Nas</strong>&#39; second studio album <em>It Was Written</em>. It was his highly anticipated follow to his classic debut<em> Illmatic</em>. Upon release, the reviews were mostly mixed as most noticed the album had a more commecial feel and mixed with Mafioso and mob themes, and produced largely by the Trackmasters, which were seen by some as a departure from his debut. Despite some criticism, it became his best selling-album buoyed by a incredibly successful single with &#34;If I Ruled The World&#34; featuring Lauryn Hill.</p><p>Since then, the perception of the album has improved, with praise for Nas&#39; improved lyricism and ability to tell stories with vivid imagery. A few emcees actually cite this work as their favorite Nas album over<em> Illmatic</em>.</p><p><strong>Follow The Vault on IG:</strong> @vaultcmrpodcast</p><p><strong>Follow The Vault on Twitter:</strong> @VaultClassic</p><p><strong>Subscribe to the Vault on Youtube:</strong> The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast</p><p><strong><u>Show notes:</u></strong></p><p><strong>Complex: The Making of Nas&#39; It Was Written</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.complex.com/music/2016/07/nas-the-making-of-it-was-written" rel="nofollow">https://www.complex.com/music/2016/07/nas-the-making-of-it-was-written</a></p><p><strong>Albumism: Nas&#39; &#39;It Was Written&#39; Turns 25 | Anniverary Retrospective</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.albumism.com/features/nas-it-was-written-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective" rel="nofollow">https://www.albumism.com/features/nas-it-was-written-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective</a></p><p><strong>Revolt TV: Remember Nas&#39; &#39;It Was Written&#39; 25 Years Later</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.revolt.tv/2021/7/2/22561080/nas-it-was-written-album-25-anniversary" rel="nofollow">https://www.revolt.tv/2021/7/2/22561080/nas-it-was-written-album-25-anniversary</a></p><p><strong>Legacy Recordings: Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Nas&#39; &#39;It Was Written&#39; with Newly Expanded Digi