Though a number of commercially successful and critically acclaimed Hip-Hop albums were released in 1996, there was one in particular that stood out from the others. Nas’ second studio album, It Was Written, made an unforgettable mark in the landscape of Hip-Hop, with it’s complex subject matter and departure from the gritty, underground sound that had become so strongly associated with New York artists. Nas’ sophomore album showed his range as an artist, as well as his ability to produce mainstream, radio friendly records. His most successful commercial release to date, the album was initially met with critical acclaim and debuted at #1 on the charts. Even though every record on the album proves to be timeless, we have chosen three in particular that stand out from the others.
3. Black Girl Lost
This record is extremely important because of its context and overall message toward women, especially those of color. “Black Girl Lost” takes an introspective, thoughtful look at the lives of women living through the struggles and obstacles they face in the ghetto. Nas addresses a fictitious woman in the second person perspective to illustrate the poor choices she makes and how they ultimately end up affecting her life. Ironically, he coincides the less-than-stellar description with euphemisms of the Black image, calling her a Queen and Mother of the Earth. As the second verse begins, Nas takes on a rather condescending role, speaking down on the woman and telling her what she needs to be doing. The strength of his words are unmistakable on the record, and what makes it more powerful is the fact that the song is inspired by a book he read that is of the same name.
2. I Gave You Power
One of Nas’ most iconic records, Nas shows us all why he's one of the greatest story tellers to ever enter the rap game. Literally turning himself into a living symbol of a weapon, Nas speaks this entire song from the perspective of a gun. The gun is personified perfectly, with its cold description and physical detail, but what makes this song even more eerie are the uncanny similarities he’s able to pave between himself and the weapon. Both are stuck in the hood, used endlessly, forced to commit evil deeds because they know no better purpose. They've both seen “cold nights and bloody days”, and halfway through the first verse, you're not easily able to tell the disconnect between himself and the weapon. The chorus can be imagined as something a gun would say to its owner if it ever grew a mouth to speak. Aside from just the lyrical content, Nas is in full form with his tireless flow and rapid-fire cadence. The minimalist beat juxtaposes the relentless energy of his delivery, allowing you to soak up every word with no mistakes. “I Gave You Power” fuses jazz into its production, a rare feat at the time, and served as a major influence for a number of other artists, including Tupac’s “Me and My Girlfriend” and Eminem’s “Desperation”.
If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)
Arguably Nas’ most iconic song to this day, “If I Ruled the World” solidified Nas’ crossover into a mainstream sensation and household name. Incorporating both R&B and Hip-Hop production themes, the song proved to the world that Nas was a star that would see no parts of a sophomore slump. Critically acclaimed and extremely well-received commercial, the song earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Rap Solo Performance” and Nas’ first Top 20 R&B hit. Possibly one of Nas’ most philosophical songs, Nas gives us a stripped down description of a utopian society in his eyes. “Imagine going to court with no trial … Imagine law with no undercovers”. Deeply introspective, the song is powerful because Nas’ ideal society is far from what anyone would consider “perfect”. But, therein lies the beauty of the song; he states everyone has their own ideal image of a perfect life. He never once asks the listener to agree with him, rather just imagine. Everyone’s perspective of happiness and success is different, and one man’s dream is another’s nightmare. While some may find material possessions perfection, others may seek deeper riches, like political freedom and the right to think freely. To put the icing on the cake, he selected Lauryn Hill, a cultural visionary in her own right to lay one of the most entrancing hooks the genre has ever seen. The two coexist perfectly on the track, showing us all that even though we may never be able to experience the perfect world, we can at least hear it's description and imagine one.