Author Topic: It Was Written, and Beats Rhymes & Life... (Read 293 times)

Will_B · « **on:** April 13, 2014, 05:53:09 AM »

Could be 2 of hip-hops most underrated albums. Mainstream music was peaking in 96 (no infinite) and expectation was high, but these 2 classics are often still cited by heads as a major letdown. Fuck what u say doe. This is what musics about for me.

HighEyeCue · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2014, 06:02:13 AM »

underrated classics for sure...I actually prefer It Was Written to Illmatic

Black Excellence · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2014, 06:03:44 AM »

classic material

Jimmy H. · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2014, 01:35:29 PM »

Quote from: Do Buy Albums on April 13, 2014, 05:53:09 AM

Mainstream music was peaking in 96 (no infinite)

I believe 1998 was actually when music officially peaked.

As for It Was Written. It was more of a critical letdown than a commercial one. It was Nas' biggest selling album ever. It was criticized for following mainstream trends (Dr. Dre producing songs, more pop-friendly singles, and adopting the Mafia vine that other rappers were doing). I think nostalgia is kind to that album because people who grew up in the 90's like that kind of sound and production-wise, it's a great sounding record but from a lyrical point of view, I can see how people who loved Illmatic might have been disappointed by it.

Blood$ · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2014, 02:09:46 PM »

Quote from: HighEyeCue on April 13, 2014, 06:02:13 AM

I actually prefer It Was Written to Illmatic

LAC/EASTSIDE · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2014, 04:45:34 PM »

Quote from: Do Buy Albums on April 13, 2014, 05:53:09 AM

Could be 2 of hip-hops most underrated albums. Mainstream music was peaking in 96 (no infinite) and expectation was high, but these 2 classics are often still cited by heads as a major letdown. Fuck what u say doe. This is what musics about for me.

It Was Written is Classic. Not sure I ever heard of anyone saying this album was a letdown. But BR&L??? That album is clearly levels below their first 3. Cool album but that shit isn't a classic.