It Was Written

Nas Shows Love After “Illmatic” Is Crowned Greatest Rap Album Ever

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Album rankings are always going to inspire debate. It’s part of the fun of ranking in the first place. Billboard courted controversy (as all list-making outlets do) when they decided to roll out the 100 greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Their selection for the number one, however, was undeniable. Billboard chose Illmatic as the greatest release in the genre’s history, and fans were pretty much in agreement that Nas’ 1994 debut was as close to perfect as an album can get.

Nas reposted the number one ranking on his Instagram July 12. He also thanked the outlet for giving Illmatic such a glowing write-up. “Thank you to @billboard,” he wrote. Of course, the rapper took time out to thank the generations of fans who grew up with Illmatic, as well. “N the people,” he added. “We here #1 Illmatic.” Nas also claimed the number 57 spot on the Billboard list with his 1996 album, It Was Written. The rapper has had a fascinating relationship with his debut over the years. There was a time where he considered it an albatross, something that affected the way people listened to the rest of his music.

Read More: Nas Calls Ghostface Killah His Favorite Rapper While Performing Alongside Him

Nas’ Relationship With Illmatic Has Changed Over Time

Over time, however, Nas has made peace with the legacy of Illmatic. It exists, in many ways, outside of the rest of his catalog. A catalog that has actually gotten better over the last decade. Nas talked about the gift and the curse of dropping a classic debut back in 2014. He likened Illmatic to another acclaimed debut, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, and told Complex that there’s a lot of pressure that comes with making a successor. “They called it the sophomore jinx back then,” Nas recalled. “So many artists never got past their first album… It was so crazy that I had to take it seriously.”

Illmatic has gone from albatross to crown jewel in the rapper’s estimation. Nas released a deluxe version of the album for its 20th anniversary in 2014. He also participated in the acclaimed documentary Time Is Illmatic, which chronicled the album’s making. For the album’s 30th anniversary, which happened back in April, Nas praised his collaborators in an Instagram post. “Even tho the album leaked months before the release date,” he wrote in the caption. “We still are apart of music history.”

Read More: “Illmatic” By Nas Turns 30: Revisiting One Of The Greatest Hip-Hop Songs Ever, “N.Y. State Of Mind”

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What Is Nas’s Best-Selling Album?

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Within the illustrious discography of Nas, It Was Written stands as a great testament to his artistic and commercial prowess. Released in 1996, this album undoubtedly stands as one of Nas’s best-selling records, gaining multiple certifications across various music industries. Moreover, its incredible success stamped its place among the most influential hip-hop albums of all time.

Read More: 10 Hip-Hop Storytelling Songs That Will Leave You Shook

Success Of It Was Written

Nas (aka Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones), Vorst Nationaal, Brussels, Belgium, 14th October 1996. (Photo by Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)

It Was Written, Nas’s second studio album, soared to remarkable heights in the music industry. The follow-up to Illmatic captivated audiences worldwide with its lyrical depth and storytelling. Certified 3x platinum in the United States by the RIAA, this album certainly shows Nas’s ability to craft compelling narratives within his verses.

International Accolades

Notably, It Was Written didn’t just win over American audiences but also gained significant recognition abroad. Earning certifications like gold from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), platinum from Music Canada, and gold from SNEP in France, this album further showcased Nas’s global appeal. Its overall ability to transcend cultural boundaries underscores the album’s impact and enduring popularity.

Read More: Looking Back, Nas Admits He’d Make Changes To His Albums

Enduring Legacy & Influence

Decades after its release, the album continues to exert a profound influence on contemporary hip-hop. Its themes of urban life, social and political commentary, and personal introspection remain relevant, impact a newer generation of music enthusiasts. With singles like “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” ft. Lauryn Hill, and collaborations with Mobb Deep, Dr. Dre, and more, Nas showcased his stronghold on hip-hop. Moreover, the album’s staying power reflects not only Nas’s lyrical prowess but also his ability to create timeless music that transcends temporal boundaries.

Nas’s It Was Written exemplifies the apex of artistic expression and commercial success within his remarkable career. Its multi-platinum certifications in the United States, coupled with gold and platinum accolades from international music associations, solidify its status as a monumental piece within the realm of hip-hop. Its timeless themes and resonant storytelling ensure its place as a quintessential album in Nas’s discography.

The post What Is Nas’s Best-Selling Album? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nas Explains Biggie’s Influence On “It Was Written”

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It’s been a big week for Nasir Jones, who is fresh off of his sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden. Nas’s latest show came on the heels of the third installment in the King’s Disease series which undoubtedly rejuvenated Nas’s career. Following the Ye-produced Nasir in 2018, he returned to the drawing board with Hit-Boy to create their own wave. That project finally earned the Queensbridge native the first Grammy award of his 30-year career.

The most interesting part of King’s Disease is that Nas didn’t need a single and found a comfort zone that didn’t rely on industry politics. He managed to reach widespread acclaim by returning to his roots as an MC. Maintaining his integrity has always been at the forefront. However, the criticism surrounding the post-Illmatic releases surrounded the mainstream appeal. It Was Written remains one of the most commercially successful projects in Nas’s catalog. Singles like “Street Dreams, “If I Ruled The World,” and “I Gave You Power” turned him into a household name.

Biggie’s Influence On Nas

It Was Written might not have even dropped if it weren’t for Biggie Smalls. Nas explained that he felt the pressure to remain “underground” at the time of It Was Written. He said witnessing songs like “Big Poppa” succeed allowed him to see just how far he could take his career. “… Biggie made it different, where you can’t just be the hot dude that they liked from New York to Connecticut to Virginia. You got to hit the mainstream. You got to touch the world,” he told GQ.

Though he credits the Brooklyn legend for shining light on the possibilities of his career, it wasn’t a one-sided exchange. He said collaborating with Dr. Dre on It Was Written possibly helped open the doors for Biggie and Bone Thugs’ collab. “I feel like that collab [with Dre] brought in the idea, maybe, for things like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Biggie together,” he said. “I didn’t invent it, but it made it more of a thing, like, ‘Hey guys, we’re always so standoffish. You come into my market, I come into your market, and let’s have fun. It’s all a family thing.’”