Nas speaks on the making of "If I Ruled the World"

http://www.blacktree.tv

Nas traded manager MC Serch for Steve Stoute, and began preparation for his second LP, It Was Written, consciously working towards a crossover-oriented sound. It Was Written, chiefly produced by Tone and Poke of Trackmasters, was released during the summer of 1996. Two singles, "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" (featuring Lauryn Hill of The Fugees) and "Street Dreams", including a remix with R. Kelly were instant hits. These songs were promoted by big-budget music videos directed by Hype Williams, making Nas a common name among mainstream hip-hop. It Was Written featured the debut of The Firm, a super group consisting of Nas, AZ, Foxy Brown, and Cormega. The album also expanded on Nas' Escobar persona, who lived more of a Scarface/Casino-esque lifestyle. On the other hand, Illmatic, which, while having numerous references to Scarface protagonist Tony Montana, was more about his life as a teenager in the projects.[2]
Signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment label, The Firm began working on their debut album. Halfway through the production of the album, Cormega was fired from the group by Steve Stoute, who had unsuccessfully attempted to force Cormega to sign a deal with his management company. In addition to the firing of Cormega, Alex Trojano was featured as a start up producer in The Firm. Cormega subsequently became one of Nas' most vocal opponents and released a number of underground hip hop singles "dissing" Nas, Stoute, and Nature, who replaced Cormega as the fourth member of The Firm.[3] Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ, and Nature Present The Firm: The Album was finally released in 1997 to mixed reviews. The album failed to live up to its expected sales, despite being certified platinum, and the members of the group disbanded to go their separate ways.

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[eshe3981]

nas is one of the best rappers to ever touch a mic. no disrespect but to me he is better than jayz. no hating just my opinon

[Battousai7O1]

4 people just got ETHERED!!

[MrBigran83]

N.A.S.

[MrBigran83]

even with all the frame and put this is the people still does not seem not as the greatest rapper ever I do not understand

[TheRedirkulous]

Nas is that nigga that kept it real no disrespect but hes the one that says Drake and Nicki Minaj and people like that are keeping hip hop alive their is so much wrong with that statement. Nas is that laid back guy thats my influence who flow is incredible and his lyrics are ear popping real shit Nas Illmatic is just fucking cold hes one of the best to destroy a mic

[BeenaBee]

the 4 pricks that disliked this should stick to country, Hannah Montana ass niggas...

[smellycurryman]

I like how they were lean away from each other half way into it lol

[mostlynoble]

I do not have a lot of respect for Salaam Remi as a producer. I am glad he did not take credit for "If I ruled the world" that is a Trackmasterz tune. Remi also did not produce the score. He produced tracks on the first Fugees album, which is wack. There are 3 good tracks on it. The Score was produced by Wyclef and Diamond D. He has only given Nas a few of good tunes, and hit records. He is not of Nas's caliber. If Nas wants to reclaim the legacy of his first two albums he has to drop Remi.

[Uzzi56]

@eshe3981 i think ether speaks for itself haha:D

[sportsdude18111]

@eshe3981 Not only that but if you really think about it when this first came out a lot of suburban whites wouldn't get half the lyrics because it's real sland heavy. A ten year old suburban kid would know what the snakes strike like a cobra means and only white adults would get a lot of it.

[sportsdude18111]

@eshe3981 Yeah I like the It Was Written style myself but on the other hand Jay Z has probably been more auccessful because he has great song arrangement and his hooks are very strong. It's hard to say I think Can I Live was an amazing song too. Jay Z does too many commercial songs for my personal taste but he's also reaching a wider audience because of it. Jay Z gears songs for all ages and races to dance really.