This album sees Gang Starr coming more into their own with a style they'd rock with complete confidence by Hard to Earn. Primo's as good as ever, and Guru's just such a fun rapper to listen to. That second verse on No Shame in My Game...shit. Take Two and Pass is also some of the best weed rap I've heard since Guru doesn't seem interested in portraying marijuana as cool, but as something analogous to a morning cup of juice: "...but I'm not advertisin / just tellin of an aspect, a part of our lives and...." The only downside is it does end up feeling kind of repetitive by the end.
Choice cuts: I'm the Man, No Shame in My Game, Conspiracy
What makes this stand out to me is the decidedly uncomfortable chemistry between the two leads. I've never seen a big mainstream movie with such a blatantly sexualized relationship between a 12-year-old and a 40-year-old. I actually wasn't too hot on Oldman's character, he seemed like kind of a stock eccentric bad guy type. Overall I think it's pretty great.
God I love Nas. More than any other MC I've heard he really is always moving forward. Even when he goes places that I don't think really work for him I've gotta give him props for his consistent adventurousness. But I actually thought most of this did work really well. Some of it's a little stale, but it's a consistent album with a few brilliant moments. I love his countdown from 8 to 3 friends on NYSM2 and almost shooting a fan on Favor for a Favor (and come on, it took Nas to think of a texas chainsaw joke for Scarface of all people?). I also dig when he majorly mixes up his flow in Big Things if I remember right, though I'm trying to place whose that is...the closest I'm getting is Bun B but I don't think that's exactly right. Anyhow definitely a good album. Creepy cover too.
Choice cuts: Small World, Dr. Knockboot, Undying Love
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