A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes and Life

Released: July 30, 1996

In 1990, A Tribe Called Quest released their debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. It was preceded by a few guest appearances from frontman Q-Tip, and while it's known for having a few classics on there, it's actually their most underrated album. 1991 saw the release of their critically-acclaimed classic The Low End Theory, being praised for its positive jazz rap sound and improved production, and then 1993 with Midnight Marauders, which also can be seen as the group's best work.

After the release of Midnight Marauders, ATCQ took a little intermission. Q-Tip contributed to not one, but TWO classics: Nas's Illmatic in 1994 ("One Love") and Mobb Deep's The Infamous in 1995 ("Give Up the Goods (Just Step)", "Temperature's Rising" and "Drink Away the Pain (Situations)"). Phife Dawg managed to get a sweet 16 on the intro for TLC's CrazySexyCool in 1994, and at the same time, married his fiance and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. Ali Shaheed Muhammad got to work with various artists such as D'Angelo, Shaq & Gil Scott-Heron. The group also contributed to The Show movie soundtrack in 1995 with a song called "Glamour and Glitz". While on tour, Q-Tip met a young J Dilla (who, at the time, was known as Jay Dee) through Joseph "Amp" Fiddler, a friend of Tip. He suggested that they should work together and form a production unit with Ali under the name: The Ummah (Arabic for "the Muslim community", since both Tip & Ali are Muslim).

Summer 1996 saw the release of Tribe's long awaited album, Beats, Rhymes and Life, after a three-year intermission. Led by "1nce Again" with Tammy Lucas, the album was known to be the group's departure from the positive, joyful vibes, and was their darkest album in content. The Ummah were credited as producers throughout the whole album (although most of the beats on here were produced individually and not together). Not only was it another kickstart to J Dilla's career (following his work on The Pharcyde's Labcabincalifornia), but Consequence, who is featured on half of the album. The album is also known for the lack of Phife Dawg, seeing that he moved to Atlanta back in '94, leading Tip to take over a lot of the album. Phife even spoke on this saying that there was a lot of studio sessions that he never got to participate in, due to timing and his distance from the group, since moving to Atlanta.

The album was met with generally positive reviews, with many praising the darker sound, content and production on the album, along with Consequence's appearances on the album. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, and by 1998, was certified platinum. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album, along with its single "1nce Again" for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

Anyway, let's see how this album actually turned out to be...

1. Phony Rappers (feat. Consequence)
The opening track on the album, which sees Q-Tip, Phife & Consequence criticize MCs who lack ability and skill. Both Tip & Phife share some stories about their encounters with wack rappers. Tip raps about how a young kid challenged him to a rap battle. The kid was spitting something pointless and wack, before Tip showed him his skill and lyricism. Phife replies, saying that he was in a similar situation, where some guy said to him he doesn't deserve to be a rapper, and that he'll eventually fall off. Phife saw this as a challenge to battle him. The guy rapped about weed and guns, before Phife hit him with a "verbal assault". After another killer verse from Tip, Consequence manages to come through, going back and forth with Phife, rapping about how many "dickriders" they have, their blvd and how ill they are, warning other MCs not to test them. The instrumental is a lot darker and scary, unlike their earlier beats, and gives such a serious and negative feel. A dark, but dope opener.

2. Get a Hold
Tip gets a solo, as J Dilla provides such a dope beat for him to spit his hot bars on. Dilla's beat is pretty dark, using a jolly and light sample and distorting the pitch, making it sound a lot disturbing and dark. Tip comes with some crazy lyricism, especially on the third verse, which was a Hip-Hop Quotable on The Source, having bars such as "A-yo, we just getting started, got to redirect this vision/Got the beauty of a flower plus dimensions like a prism/Your minds are locked down like prison". The beat is just amazing, and is one of Dilla's gems. And Tip didn't fail to impress me. One of my favourite tracks on the album.

3. Motivators (feat. Consequence)
Tip, Phife & Cons are back as they go back and forth over a funky retro-like instrumental, and they don't disappoint. Phife started off pretty nice and smoothly, and I really liked his verse. Q-Tip was pretty good with his one too, and Consequence really surprised me with his verse. Everyone really came through with their verses, and their flows were sick. The beat is way too dope, and the hook is catchy AF. If I was to choose who killed it, it has to be Cons. That nigga freakin' spazzed on this shit! Phife & Tip did their thing, and I really loved Phife on this. Another great song.

4. The Jam (feat. Consequence)
A funky "jam" (no pun intended), where Tip, Phife & Cons tells the story of a boy smoking his first joint and going to a party. The 3 all managed to deliver, and the beat, along with its sample is freakin' wavey! The lyricism is great, and I liked how the 3 told the story, and make it funny and interesting.

5. Crew
A quickie one-verse wonder from Tip, which sees him getting angry when he finds out his best friend was with his wife. They used to be real close until his friend ended up turning on him. A skit is then heard where Q-Tip is arguing with his friend, until a few shots are fired. The beat is pretty smooth but lowkey dark. And this is one of the tracks on the album, where we can hear a little more darker and serious content.

6. The Pressure
A standout, where Tip & Phife deliver one verse each over a funky beat. Tip really starts it off pretty nice and smooth, and he killed it, and Phife managed to really deliver with his verse. The scratches at the beginning were live AF! I wish it was longer tho. Although 3 minutes, it kinda felt short. Could've added one more verse each from Tip & Phife. I still love this song though!

7. 1nce Again (feat. Tammy Lucas)
Tammy Lucas sings the hook as Tip & Phife rap on this spacey beat, courtesy of The Ummah and co-produced by the one and only J Dilla. This is more of a sequel to the classic Low End Theory cut "Check the Rhime", interpolating the "You on Point" bridge, and even filming the video at the same place they filmed the original in 1991. This one gets me vibing a lot more, with a much funkier instrumental provided. Tip & Phife both deliver two verses each. and they really did well with it, it's pretty hard to decide whose verse was better. Tammy's hook was alright, I guess, and I lowkey expected a better one, to be honest. I just love the beat, it's too funky and spacey, and it gets me vibing. Love this song!

8. Mind Power (feat. Consequence)
Consequence gets back on the mic with Tip & Phife, as they provide some sick verses over a dope instrumental. Q-Tip started off great, and manages to shout out Mobb Deep and fellow Native Tongues members, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and Jungle Brothers. Consequence continues off great, and he really killed his verse, like DAAMMN! Even managed to slide in a Mobb Deep reference ("The verdict's in, I be the look of blendin/Give up your goods cuz it's the start of your ending"). But, Phife's verse is freakin' amazing. He snapped on this. "I keeps it realer than the logo on milk/Denouncin tough guy wannabes that look smoother than silk", OOOOOO!!!! I loved his verse. The beat is pretty jazzy and smooth AF, and everyone did their thing. Another dope ass track.

9. The Hop
Arguably the best track on the album. The beat is so damn good and I thought J Dilla was behind it. I was surprised that he didn't even produce it (it was Rashad Smith). Tip & Phife each deliver 1 verse. Tip started off the song nicely, and it was more of a verse that encourages the listener to vibe to the song. But Phife comes through with some lyrical heat. I would recite his part everytime the song came on. It's that dope, prolly one of his best verses. "You see you, your career is done like Johnny Carson's/Get me vexed, I do like Left Eye, start an arson", you can't tell me those bars weren't fire! A great song, which, without Phife's presence, I wouldn't have loved as much as I do now.

10. Keeping It Moving
Q-Tip gets another Dilla-produced solo, in which he uses as an advantage to address his neutrality in the whole East Coast/West Coast rivalry, which was going on during the recording and release of the album. He says that there's no need of them beefing, and also replies to Westside Connection's diss at him. By the second verse, he tells people that hip-hop is never meant to be taken seriously, while also having a few bars which show off his lyrical skill. The beat is funky, as usual, coming from Dilla. Another one of my favourites!

11. Baby Phife's Return (feat. Consequence)
We finally get a solo from Phife, with Consequence on hook duties. Phife's lyricism is on point, coming with bars like "I'll have your brain goin in circles as my style tends to ovulate/I'm makin moves, never movies, that's why y'all MCs lose me" and "Ain't nuthin sweet, the bakery's across the fuckin street/Phife Dawg, swingin it back and forth just like Aaliyah". Cons is on the hook, reassuring the listener that Phife is nice on the mic, and give us hot fire! The beat is funky, got a slight rock sound. And the bars on here are sweet AF!

12. Separate/Together
No, this ain't a double track or anything, it's another solo interlude from Tip which is pretty motivational. He raps about fake people, society and how men and women should respect each other. I like the content and the bars on here, but damn, the beat is just wavey! Wish the song was longer, to be honest!

13. What Really Goes On
The previous track really transitions greatly into another Tip solo, in which he drops some knowledge on various topics, such as the East Coast/West Coast rivalry, which was "really going on" back in '96. He also raps about society and the Westernized world, along with wanting a woman. The beat is great, and the hook is freakin' catchy. Tip's rhymes are on point too. Overall, a great track!

14. Word Play (feat. Consequence)
A Dilla-produced gem, where Tip, Phife & Cons come through with some hot fire and give us their definition of certain words, in such a mesmerizing flow; with bars such as "Power. People really get caught with this on different levels/Power controls your life" and "Miserable (miserable) is what your whole crew will be/If you're not original and you show no strategy". Tip was pretty good on this, and he was dropping some knowledge. I was really digging Phife on this, he was spitting that heat. Cons also did his thing on here. And Dilla freakin' killed that beat. Damn, just too wavey!!! Love this song, one of my favourites.

15. Stressed Out (feat. Faith Evans & Consequence)
A great song, was the album's second single. Tip & Cons get a lot more serious and introspective, having a conversation about being stressed out and having problems to deal with. Faith Evans is on hook duties, and she kills it. While the song is pretty good, I was pissed that Phife's verse wasn't on this, and it was just Tip & Cons. While they both did their thing, especially Cons, but I always loved the version with Phife. If only they merged the two versions together, so I could hear Tip, Phife & Cons together. Still a dope song though!

Beats, Rhymes and Life is such a freakin' dope album. It's such a very enjoyable album, with dope ass production from J Dilla & The Ummah. The album sees Tribe and Consequence over dope beats, and dope rhymes. Unlike the previous 3 albums, the content and sound gets a little darker, and we hear Tip talk more about society and how the world is like. It's a lot different from their previous material, and most of the album doesn't sound like it's from the same group that gave us classics like "Scenario" and "Electric Relaxation". It's a lot more explicit that Tip has a few more solos than before, and some of the tracks on here are known not to have Phife on them. Speaking of Phife, his lyricism really improved on this album. He came through in a more aggressive and hardcore way than before. Most of the times, he was outshining his rhyming partners. He really took over a lot of the tracks he was on, especially "The Hop", "Word Play" and "Mind Power". Consequence really impressed me with his bars. At first, I wasn't feeling him as much, but I gotta be honest, he was hot on the mic. "Motivators" and "Mind Power" are prime examples of that. Tip was dope too, especially when he had a lot of solos. He was a lot more conscious and was sending an highly explicit message than before, having dark and serious songs like "Crew" and tracks like "Separate/Together" and "Keeping It Moving", which touched on society and the East/West Coast rivalry. The production on here is dope AF. Dilla was a monster on the boards. He killed every beat he took part in, especially "Word Play" and "Get a Hold". Overall, Beats, Rhymes and Life is great. No, it's not another Midnight Marauders, but they sure did their thing. The production is tight, the lyricism is great and ain't nothing changed but the vibe. Don't let the critics get you into believing the album is bad. It's pretty dope. Go and hear it for yourselves! IMO, a great album, which is pretty underrated by Tribe fans. Rank it 3rd place with Midnight Marauders and The Low End Theory being respectively 1st and 2nd place. An album, that never gets the respect it really deserves.

Recommended Tracks
The Hop
Word Play
1nce Again
Get a Hold
Separate/Together
The Pressure
Keeping It Moving
1nce Again

Nas - It Was Written

Released: July 2, 1996

Taking it back to the 90s, after some time of doing reviews of recent albums, and it's been almost a year since I reviewed Nas' classic Illmatic, which I did in July. So it's only right I continue where we left off.

When Illmatic was first released, it didn't really sell as much, not experiencing the bigger sales of most major releases at the time. This was due to Nas' shy personality and not involving himself in the promotion. He started to make appearances on other people albums such as Mobb Deep's The Infamous (on "Eye for an Eye (Your Beef is Mines)") and Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., where he dubbed himself as Nas Escobar. Around the same time, he hired Steve Stoute as his manager, and after seeing the success of Biggie & Diddy, decided to take a more polished and commercial approach for his second album. He enlisted Trackmasters, who, at the time, were one of the hottest producers, gaining mainstream success, and also reunited with DJ Premier & L.E.S., who were previously on Illmatic.

July 1996 finally saw the release of Nas' second album, It Was Written. Preceded by the Lauryn Hill-assisted "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)", the album is a departure from the raw and underground tone of Illmatic, and took a mainstream and commercial approach. The album has 15 tracks, featuring production from Trackmasters, DJ Premier, Havoc & Live Squad, and appearances from Mobb Deep, The Firm and JoJo (of Jodeci). The album has Nas experimenting with a theatrical mafioso concept under the alias of "Nas Escobar", having more elaborate and detailed production, and a subject matter of materialistic excess and other lyrical themes.

It Was Written received generally positive reviews, with many praising it for the storytelling, lyricism and delivery. It was also recognized for its production, praising Trackmasters for their dope beats. The album also proved to be Nas' most commercially successful album to date, debuting at the top of the Billboard 200 (in which it remained for four consecutive weeks, then in the top 20 for 11 weeks, with a total of 34 weeks in the top 200), selling 268k units in its first week. 2 months later, it was certified Platinum, and by 2001, had sold 2.13m copies.

But was it any better than Illmatic? Let's see...

1. Intro
The album opens up with a 2 minute typical rap album intro, which is about the slavery of black people that took place long ago. Starting with a slave rebellion, Nas takes the perspective of one of the slaves rebelling against his master, And also has a conversation with AZ about how he's back with this album, and how we're reaching the new millennium (1996 was 4 years until 2000 aka the start of the new millennium). It's a pretty interesting opening, and sets the mood, especially when Nas reflects on life and his career.

2. The Message
Like Illmatic, Nas begins to rap on the second track of the album, which really sets the tone of the album's mafioso concept. Trackmasters provides a sombre and emotional beat, sampling Sting's "Shape of My Heart", as Nas spits some hot fire and even takes a jab at Biggie. It's a track that really shows off his lyrical skills and is seen as a classic song from Nas, with lines like "Ninety-six ways I made out, Montana way/The Good-F-E-L-L-A, verbal AK spray". The first verse was amazing, but I was very impressed with the second one, as Nas raps about trying to get a guy to pay him, which ends up with him getting shot. After being in hospital, he attempts to get revenge, now he got his gun back. This song really set the album's tone very well, giving such a mafioso and gangster feel. Nas' lyricism was on point, and the instrumental was simple yet dope. 20 years later, and it still doesn't disappoint!

3. Street Dreams
This song sees Nas illustrating the mind-state of drug-dealing, and explains why kids growing up in the ghetto often choose this lifestyle. He interpolates Eurythmics' “Sweet Dreams” to set the mood about what the song's about, and provides 3 verses, which all deliver with great storytelling and interesting imagery, telling the story of selling drugs to survive. The beat, once again courtesy of Trackmasters is pretty chill and soulful, but at the same time, gives a dark vibe as Nas comes with the storytelling. Great track!

4. I Gave You Power
The best song on the album. I mean, 3 verses of Nas taking the point of view of a gun over a fire instrumental from Premo. If that ain't something, I don't know what is. But yeah, DJ Premier provides a dope beat for Nas to tell such an interesting story. He takes the point of view of an illegal handgun, who gets caught up in all the violence in Queensbridge. He was made to kill, but starts to get tired of what he's doing to people.
In the first verse, the gun is a child, who has been created to simply do what the owner says. He's been in the hand of many thugs, who use him for the "wrong reasons"; street violence instead of actual self-defense. Obviously, since the gun was only "young", he didn't really care.
But the second verse focuses more on adolescence, as the gun starts to explore new things about himself, creating his own perception of things. Nas comes through as he raps "My abdomen is the clip, the barrel is my dick uncircumcised/Pull my skin back and cock me", and the gun explains how he's been used in robberies and killed so many people, not knowing he was bringing harm and evil into the world. The gun was stashed away with other weapons, and met a Tec-9 who wanted to be used properly instead of for violence.
But the third verse was arguably the best, and even was The Source's Hip-Hop Quotable in January 1997. The gun is now an adult, spending time with the other weapons. After being stashed away for a long time, the owner gets the gun and tries to get revenge on the person that beat him up. When he pulls the trigger, the gun stops him to shooting as it "felt wrong" and was sick & tired of all the violence. The opponent, however, pulls out a newer model of the narrator gun and was the first to fire. The owner died, with the gun not hearing the bullet coming. He was happy and relieved that he was free from his owner, until a new owner came, starting the cycle of violence again.
The song is just amazing. I loved what Nas did with this track, and it was very interesting as he personifies the gun. The beat is just amazing, Premo didn't disappoint. And this was one that showcased Nas's storytelling skills and his sick lyricism.

5. Watch Them Niggas (feat. Foxy Brown)
A smooth but dark jam from Nas, with hook duties from Foxy Brown. This one is, however, a song of betrayal, which sees an anonymous person, addressed in the second person (perhaps the listener or even Nas himself), betrayed by his crew and his women. The chorus manages to stick the whole thing together, being a reminder to be careful of the people around you, that may be fake and dangerous to be around. Nas' three verses are pretty good, and create an interesting vibe. The first delivered, with the second managing to showcase Nas' mafioso lifestyle. This sets the mood for the third verse, where Nas raps about how his "friends" kidnapped his girl, asking where the drugs were. Foxy really sounded great on the hook, and it made me wish she came through with one too. She could've killed it! But I love this song. The smooth instrumental, the storytelling, the hook and verses from Nas. He really delivered, and impressed me.

6. Take It In Blood
One of the most complex songs Nas has ever recorded as he raps about his mafioso lifestyle and also how it's like in Queensbridge. Live Squad, Lo Ground & Top General Sounds sample a classic Ultramagnetic MCs track, along with a Fantastic Four track (no, not the Marvel team), providing a sick and laidback beat, with drums that are pretty retro. Nas once again delivers with 3 verses, and they're great and impressive, as he comes with the storytelling, along with the hot bars and lifestyle raps. Another highlight.

7. Nas is Coming (feat. Dr. Dre)
A song that caused controversy, due to it being released at the time the East Coast/West Coast beef was happening. Nas raps about his lifestyle, coming with dope lines, while Dr. Dre gets on the boards, and also does an opening skit with Nas, creating a decent g-funk instrumental. I never really cared for this song tho. It's a decent track, but in my opinion, the worst track on the album. Nas's lines were pretty good, and the beat was alright, but overall, the song didn't do justice. Anyway, on to the next one.

8. Affirmative Action (feat. The Firm)
The classic posse cut introducing Nas' supergroup The Firm (AZ, Cormega & Foxy Brown). Each member comes through with a dope verse, as Dave Atkinson & Trackmasters provides a killer beat. AZ started the song off with a raw and ill verse. Cormega continues very well, with some very nice lines. Nas, as usual, killed it. And Foxy Brown really surprised me. There was a lot of diversity, in terms of delivery, and everybody was so dope on this track. The beat was dope AF, and had such a raw vibe. This shit always gets me bumping my head non-stop. Love this track!

9. The Set Up (feat. Havoc)
Havoc of Mobb Deep jumps on the track for hook duties, and also produces such a raw and killer instrumental, as Nas tells a story about how he tried to get revenge on his friend's murderer. His 2 verses delivered, like damn, and it really got me interested. Hav's hook was sick, especially with the delivery, but it sounded like a verse more than a hook. But forget that, can we just applaud the fawkin beat?! Havoc's production game was really strong AF back in the 90s, like damn. This nigga created 2 classics. 2 MUTHAFAWKIN CLASSICS, BRUH!!!! The Infamous AND Hell on Earth. SHEIT, man! Nevertheless, this song is pure heat! One of my favourites.

10. Black Girl Lost (feat. JoJo)
JoJo of Jodeci hooks up with Nas on such an emotional track, where Nas tells a story about a black girl, who has lost her way. According to him, she used to be just a pure innocent girl, but now she has gone bad; doing drugs, drinking and sleeping around and more. He knows that she's better than what she's doing, and is trying to survive and be happy; but at the same time, knows that, at the end of the day, that she'll end up being alone and living up to your typical Black stereotype. It's a very interesting track, with Nas coming with the dope storytelling, and JoJo with the great singing. Another great song.

11. Suspect
L.E.S. provides a gritty boom-bap instrumental, as Nas tells a story about a murder, along with various topics such as clothes and money (and deeper themes which are hidden). He manages to come with double/triple entendres and ill lyricism such as "Hey, me no worry, hashish keep my eyes Chinese/Roll the two Phillies together, make blunts Siamese" or "Decipher my deceiver make him a believer/Spitting gem stars, words in my mic type receiver". L.E.S.'s instrumental is just amazing and too dope. That gritty, grimy vibe as Nas spits that heat. A standout on the album!

12. Shootouts
In this song, Nas does what he does best: telling stories. This time, he tells 2 vivid tales about being a murderous thug in Queens. And damn, does this shit delivers! So raw and dope. The first verse sees Nas & his younger brother Jungle attempting to kill a notorious vigilante cop in the area. But the second verse is pretty much what the title is: an actual shootout that happens as a result of gambling. Trackmasters return again with such an ill instrumental, which doesn't disappoint. Nas's storytelling was great, and he really did his thing with it. Another highlight!

13. Live Nigga Rap (feat. Mobb Deep)
Nas, Prodigy & Havoc. Don't tell me you weren't expecting heat just from those names. This song is straight heat. One of the best tracks on here. A sick beat from the one and only Havoc and 3 killer verses from everyone. Everybody all did their thing. P was dope with his verse, and Hav really continued it well. But damn, Nas really snapped on this one. You can tell this was an outtake from Hell on Earth, it sounds like it and even Prodigy said it was. The beat, the flow and vibe. It was a good decision for it to be on here though, Nas really took over this track, even if it sounded like it was Mobb's at the first time. The beat is just... OOOOO. And the lyricism is on another level. Classic shit!

14. If I Ruled the World (Imagine That) [feat. Lauryn Hill]
The album's first single, which was based on the 1985 hit of the same name by Kurtis Blow. Lauryn Hill comes through for hook duties, as Nas raps about how the world would be like if he ruled it. Trackmasters & Rashad Smith create a dope throwback instrumental, and the two complemented it very well. Nas's content on this track was amazing, and his flow and delivery was on point. I'm still mad that Lauryn didn't spit on this track. This song was meant for her! I can imagine her just providing a classic verse. I still love this track though. 20 years later and it still bangs!

Final Thoughts
It Was Written has to be one of Nas's best works yet. Illmatic was a classic, but It Was Written actually managed to deliver as much as Illmatic did. The album was fire, from start to finish, and sees Nas go through a more polished and commercial sound, introducing a new alter ego, and telling interesting stories, mostly relating to his drug-dealing and violent lifestyle in his home of Queensbridge. The feel of the album was something pretty intriguing, encompassing the genre of mafioso rap: dark rhymes, quality storytelling, dope & dark beats, all from such a great MC! The production was just as solid as his previous album, getting DJ Premier and L.E.S. back for some more dope beats, along with some others. Premo killed it on "I Gave You Power", and L.E.S. did his thing with "Black Girl Lost" and "Suspect". Havoc provided 2 gritty ass beats with "The Set Up" and "Live Nigga Rap". And Trackmasters were beasts on the boards, coming with the fire instrumentals for "The Message", "Street Dreams" and "Shootouts". Unlike Illmatic though, which only had AZ as a guest, this album gets a few more people. The Firm come together to create such a raw and fire posse cut with "Affirmative Action". Foxy Brown was good on hook duties on "Watch Dem Niggas". Lauryn Hill sounded great on "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)", but I wish that she had a verse. And damn, Mobb Deep killed it on "Live Nigga Rap", with Havoc providing a solid hook (that lowkey felt like a verse) on "The Set Up". Overall, I love this album. This is worth your money! A lotta people regard Stillmatic as his second best work behind Illmatic (obviously), but this is better IMO. It's just as good as Illmatic, his storytelling was amazing and he was so consistent with the heat. A classic in my eyes!

Recommended Tracks
Live Nigga Rap
I Gave You Power
Affirmative Action
Shootouts
The Message
Street Dreams
Suspect
Every track on here is a standout (apart from "Nas is Coming")