A Creative Follow Up Following up Illmatic was always going to be a challenge. Although a critical success, Illmatic was not a great commercial success which may explain the change of direction with this project. Nas changed it up lyrically and musically, getting a whole new team in (Dr. Dre, Havoc, L.E.S., Live Squad & Trackmasters), with DJ Premier returning, and what you have is a fairly different album with a lil' more of a mainstream sound and some gangsta based lyrics. At first I underrated this album, but now every time I listen to it I like it more and more. If there was one thing to be negative about regarding this album, it's that despite its consistency, it doesn't have the supreme Nas tracks that most of his others have. There is brilliance but I don't think there is something at the quality of his absolute best like 'One Mic', 'It Ain't Hard to Tell', 'Nas Is Like' or so on present on this album. It is also let down from track 9 to 11, whereas every other song is quality. You get the feeling though that if Illmatic wasn't released and this was his first album it would almost be regarded as highly. Beats: ★★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★★ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: The Message, I Gave You Power, Take It in Blood, Shootouts, If I Ruled the World.