It Was Written -24 year anniversary

[Slim Charles]

Everyone always talks about the lyricism on display, which is much deserved, but Nas's voice was married to the beats on this joint. shyt is so smooth and timeless, sonically.

A rapper's voice is too often over looked. Nas tone and delivery was perfect. Flow exceptional.

Personally it's the GOAT lyrical performance on an album when we're talking start to finish. I think perhaps Biggie on LAD is up there but to me Nas on IWW was the apex of hip hop lyrically. Other rappers have had GOAT moments on an album but to bring that level of lyricism and skill from start to finish was alien

I remember someone on here made a good point in another thread. Most rappers will be lucky to have a perfect verse once in their careers. Nas arguably dropped 3 in one song on Take It In Blood

 

[Spidey Man]

Was a little too young for illmatic, but iww came out at the right age. I remember copping on 14th St. Perfect album

 

[mson]

Look at all the industry replies to this post. Bet you it's many of their favs.

 

[IllmaticDelta]

There was a tribute article for IWW a few years back where many modern/new era rappers were talking about how IWW influenced them.

 

[spliz]

There was a tribute article for IWW a few years back where many modern/new era rappers were talking about how IWW influenced them.

It ain’t even just modern and new era. It’s alotta lyricists fav Nas album. shyt. It’s Jungle’s fav Nas album too. If u peep the comments on his post. U will see how people really feel. It’s like the go to to say Illmatic is the best and the fav but I keep telling people that a lot of people was introduced to Nas through IWW and went BACK to Illmatic. Son Uncle Murda has to comment twice. Lol. Nia Long even in the comments.

 

[mson]

It ain’t even just modern and new era. It’s alotta lyricists fav Nas album. shyt. It’s Jungle’s fav Nas album too. If u peep the comments on his post. U will see how people really feel. It’s like the go to to say Illmatic is the best and the fav but I keep telling people that a lot of people was introduced to Nas through IWW and went BACK to Illmatic. Son Uncle Murda has to comment twice. Lol. Nia Long even in the comments.

With that being said, a few celebrities always comment on Nas posts.

 

[IllmaticDelta]

It ain’t even just modern and new era. It’s alotta lyricists fav Nas album.

No doubt. I just mentioned the new era because that album seems to have impacted them more than Illmatic

shyt. It’s Jungle’s fav Nas album too. If u peep the comments on his post. U will see how people really feel. It’s like the go to to say Illmatic is the best and the fav but I keep telling people that a lot of people was introduced to Nas through IWW and went BACK to Illmatic. Son Uncle Murda has to comment twice. Lol. Nia Long even in the comments.

yea Kool G Rap said the same thing years ago

 

[WhoShotCha]

Ppl always have to put down Illmatic when propping up IWW for some reason. Both are perfect

 

[kes929]

peep the comment section.. MAD legendary emcees and celebs saying it’s their fav Nas album. People’s true feelings coming out in the comments. Even Fat Joe in the comments. Nas REALLY needs to celebrate this album and stop letting history be rewritten in a negative light about it. Even E40 in the comments. Lol

All the legends are in the comment section. Esco is alot of peoples favorite MC

 

[kes929]

Ppl always have to put down Illmatic when propping up IWW for some reason. Both are perfect

I agree with this. Both are 5 Mics easy. I hope more of nas catalogue outside of illmatic starts getting more appreciation. Illmatic, it was written, I am, lost tapes 1 and 2, stillmatic, Gods Son, Untitled, Life is Good, Distant Relatives are all classic to great projects. Nasir is a solid project too me personally. Nastradamus, streets disciple and hip hop is dead bring up the rear in his catalogue but all 3 had highlights.

 

[Big Mark]

Why IWW hasn't gotten some type of Special Edition treatment, I'll never understand. We need a re-release, deluxe version.

 

[Frump]

Lyrics especially storytelling were on another level on IWW and I loved the beats personally. I think they fit his flow and lyrics perfectly

People get on the subject matter but he was talking about basically the same shyt he did on Illmatic except he had a moniker for himself in Escobar and had a few mentions of mobsters which caused some people to flip out and act like he sold out because of it. Yet didn’t give G Rap or Rae and Ghost sh1t for the same thing

I also didn’t notice any hate for the album when it came out. It was HUGE in the NYC area.

The first time I noticed hate was a few years later when I first got the internet and it was coming from mostly purists and backpackers.

If you like Illmatic better I totally get it but to act like he sold his soul or the album was trash because of a moniker and a few references to mobsters is ridiculous

 

[L. Deezy]

It ain’t even just modern and new era. It’s alotta lyricists fav Nas album. shyt. It’s Jungle’s fav Nas album too. If u peep the comments on his post. U will see how people really feel. It’s like the go to to say Illmatic is the best and the fav but I keep telling people that a lot of people was introduced to Nas through IWW and went BACK to Illmatic. Son Uncle Murda has to comment twice. Lol. Nia Long even in the comments.

This is me..

I bought Nas singles off Illmatic, but didnt buy the actual album. I bought IWW and then went back and got Illmatic.

Took me a minute to get into his style of rap. I was heavy into Def Squad.. Red and Keith... E Sermon... way different style compared to Nas

 

[kes929]

This is me..

I bought Nas singles off Illmatic, but didnt buy the actual album. I bought IWW and then went back and got Illmatic.

Took me a minute to get into his style of rap. I was heavy into Def Squad.. Red and Keith... E Sermon... way different style compared to Nas

My first introduction to Nas was I Am. And when I heard New York state of mind pt 2, small world and Nas is like, I was like this dude is the greatest. Then I went back to it was written and heard I gave your power, the message, street dreams, take it in blood etc... I went crazy. Then went back to illmatic and that sealed the deal for me.

 

[CrookedAzzNikka]

I had the original cassette and Silent Murder was on there!

The recent vinyl reissue I have has the song as a bonus track:
Nas - It Was Written