I’ve been checking out DJ Clue’s 'The Professional' series this past week, and I’d say this is the strongest of the three. The first volume is mostly solid East Coast rap, the second slips in quality, but this one stands out with a wider variety of sounds. While it’s less consistent than part one, the highs here make up for it. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: War, A Week Ago Part I, Like This, Liberty Bell, The Animal, A Week Ago (Part 2), Uptown 1. War Dope beat and the best of the three Nas songs from these 'Professional' Clue projects. The Game used this beat for a complete song called 'Gutter' where I first heard it and played it on repeat. I don't know why, but it has no producer credits on Discogs but is credited as a Scott Storch beat elsewhere. I can't believe though they didn't think this was worthy of a full three verse track. The production is fire! 2. Clear Da Scene Sounds very mid-'00s and hasn't aged well. 3. Fuck Off Decent hardcore hip hop but the hook could do more. 4. The Gold Softer hook here sampling 'The Golden Lady' by The Three Degrees setting the tone for the next couple of songs. 5. I Really Wanna Know You This is the worst song. It's the poppiest with Jagged Edge featuring and it gets tedious. 6. A Week Ago, Part I This is good. There is a pop rap feel here, but it balances it well with dark themes. 7. Like This Strong Kanye West production where he provides likeable pop rap. 8. Almost Fucked More pop-rap feel with Snoop this time. 9. Grill & Woman This sounds exactly how you'd expect it to looking at the featuring artists and the year this was released it. It's got that southern bounce. 10. Liberty Bell Philly rappers combine for one of the best songs on the album. Nice production and spitting. 11. Da Boss There's likeable change up in the production before what constitutes a hook with Clue just talking. Good production again. 12. The Animal Who knew that Styles P was known as 'Holiday Styles'? Again, just dope spitting backed by a good beat. 13. Middle Finger U Decent... 14. Giantz of NYC M.O.P. bring their usual energy. Not bad. 15. You Don't Really Wanna 16. Ugly (Thug It Out) Jadakiss carries this with a dope verse. Swizz provides a very Swizz Beatz beat and hook. It feels a little like 'Bath Salts' but not as good. 17. A Week Ago, Part 2 This one just features different lyrics to Part 1. 18. Uptown Blacked out on streaming releases, this is a dope Consequence song from his underrated 'Don't Quit Your Day Job!' album that was released a year after this.