1. Nas – It Was Written General Information Artist: Nas Title: It Was Written Label: Columbia Catalog number: D 121902 (Back Inlay) / CK 67015 (Spine) Format: CD, Album, Club Edition Year: 1996 Country: US Edition: BMG Direct Club Edition Genre: Hip Hop Description It Was Written is the second studio album by American rapper Nas, released on July 2, 1996, by Columbia Records. Following the massive critical acclaim of his debut album Illmatic, Nas shifted towards a more commercially viable, cinematic mafioso rap sound, adopting the persona of "Nas Escobar." Produced primarily by the Trackmasters (Tone & Poke), alongside DJ Premier and Dr. Dre, the album features classic tracks like "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)" and "The Message." It was a huge commercial success, cementing Nas's status as a global hip-hop superstar. Condition Tape: Presumed MINT (unplayed) Case: Factory-sealed, never opened (small tears by the periphery, see pics) Notes for collectors This copy is an authentic, original 1996 BMG Direct Club Edition, manufactured simultaneously with the first retail run. A unique and important detail for collectors is that while the spine retains the standard retail catalog number (CK 67015), the back cover replaces the traditional barcode with the unique BMG Direct manufacturing block and club catalog number (D 121902). Finding original mid-90s golden era hip-hop club variations completely factory-sealed is highly uncommon. Matrix/Labels Label Details: Columbia Records / Sony Music Entertainment Inc. Markings: Spine reads "CK 67015". Back cover text box reads: "D 121902 Mfd. for BMG Direct 6550 East 30th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219 under license. Printed in U.S.A." 2. Nas – Illmatic General Information Artist: Nas Title: Illmatic Label: Columbia Catalog number: CK 57684 Format: CD, Album, Reissue Year: 1994 (Originally Released) Country: US Edition: US Reissue Genre: Hip Hop Description Released on April 19, 1994, Illmatic is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop albums of all time. Recorded by a teenage Nas living in the Queensbridge Houses, the album delivers raw, poetic, and unparalleled depictions of inner-city youth culture. It features a legendary production "dream team" consisting of DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and L.E.S., creating the definitive blueprint for East Coast hardcore rap. Condition Tape: Presumed MINT (unplayed) Case: Factory-sealed, never opened (small crack on edge, see pics) Notes for collectors This copy is a subsequent US reissue of Nas's landmark debut album. While it retains the classic legacy packaging layouts and the CK 57684 catalog number on the spine, it is a later pressing rather than a 1994 first print. Because factory-sealed copies of early hip-hop titles are frequently opened and played over the decades, finding a completely unopened, factory-wrapped reissue of this foundational masterpiece remains highly desirable for collectors focusing on clean aesthetic preservation. Matrix/Labels Barcode: 074645768427 Label Details: Columbia Records / Sony Music Entertainment Inc. Markings: "CK 57684" printed on the spine and back inlay. Lower-left text reads: "Disc(s) made in Germany. Packaged in USA." 3. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... General Information Artist: Raekwon Title: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Label: Loud Records / RCA Catalog number: 07863-66663-2 (Back) / RCA 66663-2 / 07863 (Spine) Format: CD, Album Year: 1995 (Originally Released) Country: US Edition: US Reissue Genre: Hip Hop Description Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (originally known as "The Purple Tape" on cassette format) is the debut solo album by Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released on August 1, 1995. Entirely produced by RZA, the album pioneered the cinematic mafioso rap subgenre of the 1990s. Prominently guest-starring fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah (credited as Tony Starks), the album is celebrated for its intricate street narratives, coded slang, and dark, soulful production loops. Condition Tape: Presumed MINT (unplayed) Case: Factory-sealed, never opened (small crack on back side, see pics) Notes for collectors This item is a later US reissue of Raekwon's highly influential solo effort. Although it maintains the legacy artwork configuration and original catalog indicators on the spine, it represents a subsequent manufacturing run rather than a 1995 first pressing. Sealed CD reissues from the core Wu-Tang solo catalog remain excellent inventory pieces, as the vast majority of these releases were heavily used in the field, making pristine unopened copies tough to source. Matrix/Labels Barcode: 078636666327 Label Details: RCA Records Label / Loud Records / Wu-Tang Clan logos Markings: Spine reads "RCA 66663-2 / 07863". Back cover text above barcode reads: "Disc(s) made in Germany. Packaged in USA. Manufactured and Distributed by BMG Music, New York, NY." 4. Z-Ro – Screwed Up Click Representa 2002 (Welcome to Screwston) General Information Artist: Z-Ro Title: Screwed Up Click Representa 2002 (Welcome to Screwston) Label: Presidential Records Catalog number: PIJ2029-2 Format: CD, Album, Reissue Year: 2002 (Originally Released) Country: US Edition: US Reissue Genre: Hip Hop (Southern Rap / Houston Rap) Description Released via independent powerhouse Presidential Records, Screwed Up Click Representa (famously sub-headed Welcome to Screwston) highlights Houston icon Z-Ro's integral role within DJ Screw's legendary Screwed Up Click (S.U.C.). Blending trunk-rattling Southern bass, soulful hooks, and raw, introspective lyricism, the album boasts legendary Texas guest appearances from Lil' Keke, H.A.W.K., Den Den, and Billy Cook. It stands as a definitive, core classic of the underground Texas rap golden era. Condition Tape: Presumed MINT (unplayed) Case: Factory-sealed, never opened (small cracks by the periphery, see pics) Notes for collectors This particular copy is a subsequent US reissue of the classic album, clearly distinguished from the 2002 original first pressing by the updated PIJ2029-2 catalog number on the spine. While the original pressing commands a different spot in production history, vintage Houston rap reissues on Presidential Records remain highly collectible. Because independent Southern hip-hop CDs from this era were heavily played in cars and rarely preserved, finding any vintage Presidential Records pressing in a completely factory-sealed, unopened state is still a notable find for S.U.C. collectors. Matrix/Labels Barcode: 805680202924 Label Details: Presidential Records, Inc. Markings: Spine text reads "PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS PIJ2029-2". Back cover displays the official address: "14010 S. Post Oak, Suite 1107 Houston, TX 77045" alongside the regional anti-piracy warning: "Report Counterfeiting (713) 433-4653 Reward up to $1000".