Some of these beats are just too 'primitive' in terms of where production got to over the next 5-10 years in the genre for me to rank this up there with the best of the best despite its importance. The DJ cuts improve as the album progresses. I ain't really feeling 'Eric B. Is on the Cut' at all, but from 'Chinese Arithmetic' to 'Extended Beat' they become worthy. Lots of memorable lines, but all of their albums have better production from here. 3.5-4/5 Best Tracks: Paid In Full, As The Rhyme Goes On, Eric B. Is President, Extended Beat