Nas "It Was Written"
"It Was Written" is Nas's second studio album, released on July 2, 1996, under Columbia Records. Nas aimed for a more polished and mainstream sound for this album after the moderate commercial success of his debut album, "Illmatic" (1994). Produced by Trackmasters, the album shifted away from the raw, underground style of his debut and embraced themes of mafioso and gangsta culture. The album also introduced Nas's short-lived supergroup, The Firm, featuring Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega.
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"It Was Written" is Nas's second studio album, released on July 2, 1996, under Columbia Records. Nas aimed for a more polished and mainstream sound for this album after the moderate commercial success of his debut album, "Illmatic" (1994). Produced by Trackmasters, the album shifted away from the raw, underground style of his debut and embraced themes of mafioso and gangsta culture. The album also introduced Nas's short-lived supergroup, The Firm, featuring Foxy Brown, AZ, and Cormega.
"It Was Written" achieved commercial success, selling 270,000 copies in its first week and debuting at the top spot of the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was generally well-received, signifying Nas's mainstream popularity and the rise of mafioso rap. However, some hip hop fans accused Nas of selling out due to the album's more commercial sound, and its critical standing suffered in comparison to the critically acclaimed "Illmatic". Nevertheless, with at least 3 million copies sold and certified triple platinum, "It Was Written" remains Nas's highest-selling album.
