Silent Murder

Overview

Silent Murder is a track recorded by Nas during the It Was Written sessions in 1995. Produced by Live Squad, Lo Ground and Top General Sounds, the song was omitted from the standard North American edition of the album but appeared as a bonus track on several international releases before later becoming more widely available.

For Live Squad, the recording represents one of the group's final major production credits. The atmospheric instrumental provides the backdrop for one of Nas' darkest performances, exploring violence, paranoia and the harsh realities of life in New York during the mid-1990s.

The song was recorded during the same studio sessions as Take It In Blood, making the two tracks closely linked in both Nas' catalogue and Stretch's musical legacy.

Recording History

Silent Murder was recorded during the It Was Written sessions in 1995. Official album credits identify the producers as Live Squad, Lo Ground and Top General Sounds, while Randy Walker (Stretch) receives a songwriting credit alongside Nas and the other composers.

In later interviews, Nas recalled that both Take It In Blood and Silent Murder were completed during his final recording session with Stretch. After leaving the studio, Stretch drove Nas home before continuing towards Queens, where he was murdered later that night on 30 November 1995. Nas has described these songs as the last productions Stretch completed before his death.

Although omitted from the original U.S. edition of It Was Written, the track developed a strong following among fans and is now regarded as one of the hidden highlights from the album sessions. Its brooding production and vivid storytelling perfectly complement the darker themes explored throughout the project.

Release History

Samples

Samples Used

• Grover Washington Jr. – Black Frost (Multiple Elements)

Lyrics