The summer of 1996 was special for hip-hop...

Jay-Z released his debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt on June 25, and Nas followed on July 2 with his second studio album, It Was Written. 

To celebrate the 25-year anniversary on July 2, 2021, Nas is re-releasing the album, which includes the original LP along with two rare bonus tracks.

It Was Written Track List
1. Album Intro
2. The Message
3. Street Dreams
4. I Gave You Power
5. Watch Dem Niggas (featuring Foxy Brown)
6. Take It In Blood
7. Nas Is Coming (featuring Dr. Dre)
8. Affirmative Action (featuring AZ, Cormega and Foxy Brown)
9. The Set Up (featuring Havoc)
10. Black Girl Lost (featuring Joel “JoJo” Hailey)
11. Suspect
12. Shootouts
13. Live Nigga Rap (featuring Mobb Deep)
14. If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) (featuring Lauryn Hill)

Bonus Tracks
15. Silent Murder
16. Street Dreams (Bonus Verse)

Sony Music has re-uploaded It Was Written’s “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” and “Street Dreams” music videos in high-resolution quality.

They also released a short documentary about the album.