Nas kills it. Hopefully we do get a Premo collab album one day. It's great to hear Rick again. Wayne is annoying as usual. Joey spits well. Run do their usual thing and Remy and Rapsody come together for a decent song but the worst one here. The production is all enjoyable enough, from one of the best to do it. Some songs have no hook, and when they do it's pretty much just samples and scratches. Maybe I'm the only one, but I much prefer a three verse song than these two-minute songs that is becoming more of a trend than I'd like to see. There is something to like in all of these songs, but 'Beat Breaks' is the only moment that gets close to wowing me. Nas is the best rapper here and the beat is the most likeable too. It all comes together nicely on the meat in the sandwich. I really like Slick Rick's part of the finale as well, who sounds amazing over these types of beats, but Wayne stops that song matching Nas'. As I'm lenient when rating long albums when a few songs don't work if there is enough heat, if you're only going to give me five songs, they all need to be amazing for a high rating. 3-3.5/5. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★ Best Tracks: Beat Breaks

This has a strong '90s feel, that is a positive aspect of the album, with some beats feeling like ones I've heard before, but too much of it comes and goes with some of the topics not being interesting. It's extremely non-offensive hip hop sonically and lyrically in that anyone into boom bap and classic rap will enjoy spinning this, but there is nothing I'll be going back to here for a higher rating. It's another case in hip hop of posthumous critical elevation. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: Only a Coward, Nutshell Pt. 2, Dear Dilla [Reprise]

A decent mainstream gangsta rap album from Banks. I enjoy the extra variety and diverse voices we hear on this compared to his post 2020 albums. The feature list has some noteworthy names like Mobb Deep, Scarface, 8ball, Rakim and Musiq Soulchild. The second song is my pick with its hard raps, catchy hook and dope production from Young RJ. 'Help' is the one truly poppy song here and it's surprising that it wasn't a single, instead 'Hands Up' was the only single from this album. There isn't anything amazing here, but there's not much that has me desperate to hit skip either. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Survival, Cake, Make a Move, Get Clapped, You Know the Deal, Gilmore's

I heard 'Odds' somewhere and quickly saved this album to my 'to listen to' list. 'Odds' is one of my favourite rap songs I've heard in 2022 so far. Elsewhere, it's a fairly consistent trap rap album with a number of conscious and introspective moments from Thugga Massina. Best Tracks: On Schedule, Odds, Trap Back, Trust Issues, Repent, Redemption (Nice & Slow)

I don't get the hate and it irks me when people judge off track lists. The complaining any time an artist releases a long album does my head in too. All people do on this site is listen to music. And in terms of running time, it could pretty much fit on one CD. I've enjoyed bopping to this. There aren't any poor moments. Rounds doesn't need Ross' verse where he talks about luxurious things like he has so often before. 'Dope' on the other hand is helped by JID's energetic verse. The variety of sounds, between higher uptempo tunes and more soulful moments works well. To get a higher rating it needs more wow songs. An easy album to just press play on and let ride. 3.5-3/5. Best Tracks: D1: Dope, All She Wanna Do, Fate D2: Nervous, The Other Ones, Stardust, Pieces, I Don't Love You Like I Used To