Review Summary: This album is a disappointment.
Critical Responses:
About.com: 2.5/5
The A.V Club: C
Los Angeles Times: 2.5/4
Popmatters: 4/10
Slant: 2.5/5
Spin: 2.5/5
Time Out: 4/5
I know that I put Rakim as my best emcee of all time, and I stand by that statement, but this album (for Rakim's standards) is very very disappointing. When you listen to this album, then listen to one of his older efforts (or vice versa), then you will definitely notice the drastic difference in quality. With this album Rakim sounds old, and I don't mean that he sounds like his old music, I mean his voice sounds like he's gotten old, and lazy. I hate to be saying this stuff about such a legend, but I just have to, considering how lazy this is. That being said, this isn't a bad album, but an average album. When it comes to Rakim, not only was he consistent with Eric B, but he was also consistent with his 2 solo albums, that were near-5/5 albums.
Rakim was universally known as a masterful MC, that could rip mics like no other MC could. However, this album shows Rakim declining in skill. With this, he shows that he still DOES have skill, but definitely not as much as he had previously.
The first song, is called "How to Emcee". This song is a great start, as it has Rakim showing the skill that he has. This song has Rakim rhyming about, well, what the title suggests. Great song. (4/5)
The next song is called "Walk These Streets". This song features Maino, who isn't bad, and does a decent job. This song has Rakim rhyming about "The Streets", as hip hop artists like to call itThis song is nothing special. (3/5)
This next song is called "Documentary of a Gangsta". This song features IQ, who I'm not familar with, but does a decent job. This song has Rakim rhyming about gangsta life. This one is slightly above average. (3.5/5)
This next song is called "Man Above". This song features Tracey Horton, who I'm not familiar with, but does a great job. This song has Rakim getting religious, and as you would figure by the title, he talks about God. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "You and I". This song features Samuel Christian, who I'm not familiar with, but does a good job. This song has Rakim rhyming about his relationship with a woman. Nothing special. (3/5)
This next song is called "Won't Be Long". This song features Tracey Horton (look at "Man Above"). This song has Rakim spitting some verses. This song is average. (3/5)
This next song is called "Holy Are U". This song has Rakim rhyming about being holy. This song is great. (4/5)
This next song is called "Satisfaction Guaranteed". This song has Rakim rhyming about drug dealing. This song is above average. (3.5/5)
This next song is called "Working For You". This song has Rakim rhyming to a woman, talking about how their relationship has been. This song is average. (3/5)
This next song is called "Message In the Song". This song features "Destiny Griffin", who happens to be Rakim's daughter. This song has Rakim rhyming about messages in songs. Great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "Put It All to Music". This song has Rakim rhyming about putting your feelings into music. Above average song. (3.5/5)
This next song is called "Psychic Love". This song has Rakim rhyming about his relationship with a woman. Average song. (3/5)
This next song is called "Still In Love". This song has Rakim rhyming more about his relationship with a woman. Average song. (3/5)
This next song is called "Dedicated". This song has Rakim spitting some dope verses. Great song. (4/5)
The next, and final song on the album, is called "Euphoria". This song features Styles P, Jadakiss, and Busta Rhymes, each who do great verses. This song is a great finale. (4.5/5)
What did I like about this album? You may be asking yourself this question. Well, I liked the lyricism on some of the songs. I liked the instrumentals on some of the songs. Other minor things.
What did I NOT like about this? You may be asking yourself this question as well. Well, I didn't like the way that this was REALLY uneven. I thought some of the instrumentals were boring. I thought that Rakim's lyricism was lazy on most of the songs.
Overall, I give this 3/5, 6/10, 60/100, and my grade for it is "C-". Overall, I recommend you listen to this, and see what you think, but don't expect anything amazing. This album is a major disappointment, especially considering the high caliber of his other records.
3 Best Songs:
1. Euphoria
2. How to Emcee
3. Holy Are U
3 Weakest Songs:
1. Psychic Love
2. Still In Love
3. Walk These Streets
