I Gave You Power
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “I Gave You Power” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Nas | |||||
| Album | It Was Written | ||||
| Released | July 2, 1996 | ||||
| Genre | Hip hop | ||||
| Length | 3:52 | ||||
| Label | Columbia | ||||
| Writer | Nasir Jones Chris E. Martin |
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| Producer | DJ Premier | ||||
| It Was Written track listing | |||||
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"I Gave You Power" is a 1996 hip hop song by rapper Nas. It is often considered a standout song on his second album It Was Written.[1] It is produced by DJ Premier, who samples "Theme Bahamas" by jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal for the song's melody. Rolling Stone writer Mark Coleman describes its beat as "a spooky, jazz-fusion groove."[2] The song's lyrics are an extended metaphor in which Nas personifies a gun.
[edit] Other songs with gun metaphors
In 1994, rap duo Organized Konfusion released the song "Stray Bullet" in which they personified a bullet. Shortly after It Was Written was released in 1996, Tupac Shakur compared his girlfriend to a gun on the song "Me and My Girlfriend." Although the song was released posthumously, member's of Tupac's group, The Outlawz, claim that Shakur was influenced by "I Gave You Power."
[edit] References
- ^ Berliner, Brett. It Was Written Review at Stylus Magazine. Stylus Magazine. Written on September 1, 2001. Retrieved on January 13, 2008.
- ^ Coleman, Mark. It Was Written Review at Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Written on September 19, 1996. Retrieved on January 13, 2008.
